Craftsman 517372500 Owner’s Manual

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CAUTION: ALWAYS DISCChh.,'N ECT SPARK PLUG WiRE AND PLACE WIRE \,VHERE IT CANNOT CONTACT SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STARTING WHEN SE17"ING-UP,

TRANSPORTING, ADJUSTIh_G OR MAKllqG REPAIRS TO YOUR MOWER.

FEDERAL REGULATIONS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE BLADE STOP CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF CONTACT !N JURY. YOUR MOWER IS EQUIPPED W1TH SUCH COkTROLS, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF TH, E OPERATOR PRESENCE CON] ROL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,

TRAININg:

e Read the owner's manual car@uliy. Became ta,,mitiar

with !he eonlrots and know how to Operate this mower

properly. Learn how to stop the mower quick%

e DO NOT allow childran Io use this mower. Never allow

adults to use the mower without p_oper instRictians.

e Keep the area of operalion clear of all persons, espe ÷

cially smait children end petS,

e Use the mower only as the man[ facturer intended and

as described in _}s manual.

e When not using your mower, slore it indoors in a do',

high or locked-up place - out of reach, of ehiidren. DO NOT nperale mower if it bee been dropped or damaged in any manner. Always have damage repaired before using the mower, o DO NOY use acce£soq.., atlachments not recommended

by the manufacturer- it may be hazardous.

e Use only product manufacturer's genuine replacement

paris Failure to do so may cause poor fit and possible iniuo'

PAEPARAT!ON:

60biects struc¢ by the lawn mower s, I! be thrown ann

can cause severe iniuo_ _o pel-sdns. Atways check the a_ea to ee mowed and cleariiof aHstones, sticks, wres,

bones, eta

_ Dress properly - Wear onJy solid shoes when mowing

Neve mow when barefoot or wearing open eandaJs

e Ah',ays wear safety glasses or eye shields when staRmg

and whi!e USir,g your lawn mower

e DO NOT til! gas tank when the engine is running

indoors or when engme is _ot. Allow 1he engine to coo for several min,u_es before fi!iing Ue gas tank Cean off

any spilted gasoline before starling the engine.

Never make wt/ee height adjustrneuls while the engine

is fur n ng e Mow only in day! ght or good adificial light. e DO NOT operate mower in wet grass. Always be sure of

your fodung -keep a f rm ..... on the handies and walL-

hey'or run

OPERATION:

e DO 'IOT change ,_negovernor settings or overspeed the

eT_gir'e _* DO NOT put hands or feel near or under rotat::ng parts

Keeocea ottned}sch_rgeopening at all tines.

¢ Stop the engine whey, ever you cave Abe ii]ower, mefo_e

crossing drives, ,*,,a!t s o_ reeds.

I _ ,,y .-¢.,- o..... s._-., T©__OC,., P_R THIS oV ,,_8,JL POlr,,rT

OU]- , .'_Oc"T_v_._, .,-,'rT,. S/kFFTY_ ........ _'

TIONS tT _,m"..__,-s,_'d_...,_ ATTENT!OtU u_.. B i:-_ L,L)'",,-_'_:ALEA-{ !! YOt.IR SAFE] "_ iS

t , OL,' L_,

_" DO IIOTcontinueto rut YOUr. mowerif you bil. a Ioreign

o,.-,l-_-_. Stop the _ngine. make ebsoiutety sure tee blade and all moving paris have stopped, disconnect tP,e spark plug vdre .from the spar_ plug lo preven_ aGoident_i sta£ing, then inspect tee mower for damage and repair before reata,qing and operating the mower

e if the mower should start te vibrate heavily, slop tee

eng he, check for the cause and repair. Remember,

heavy vibration is generally a sign ef trouble

e Stop the engine, wait _or blade and all moving parts to

stop, before cleani rig, unclogging chute, ren_oving grass caLcher, repa_rng or inepecling ihe mower, Always

disconnect the spark piog wire and keepaway from plug

to prevent accidental starting.

e DO N©T run engine indoors - exhaust fumes are

dan,2ereus

6 Never cu_ grass s).'p'_lli_glhe mower towards you Mow

grass across the face o[ slopes, never up and down or you cou!dioseyourfootin_ DO NOT mow excessively steep sh',pes. Use caution when or)crating the mower on unever: terrain or whe_ changing direction - mainta n good footing

e Never aperafe _he mower without p_oper guards, pieces

or olher safety devices i-_ place.

OUSTOf_IERAESPONSIR4LITISS AND S'_ORAG6

¢ Check the blade and the engine mounting ba!ts often to

be sure they ae tightened sroper 7 Check atl bo)ts, nuts and screws at frequent intervais for

prooer _ightness to be sure mower is in safe working

condition.

e N_-ver s_ore mower with fuelinthe tank inside abuiidmg

where ignition sources are p_esent such as i_et water hen,tar and space heeters, clothes dryers, and the !iRe

AI!os7 engine to cool before storing in any enclosure. To reduce fro hazard, keep the engine _ree of grass,

leaves or excess va grease and oil, if grass catcher is used with your mowe_, check it often

far deterioration end wear and repla, ce worn bags. Use

only rap adamant bags tha_ are recommended by and comply wth specif ceticns of the n,,anufaclurer Oi your mower

e )teen a sharp bade Or_ your morner

Tqe cuttinge_ges o!the mower b_ade are sharp and car" tacerale (cut} skin lissue Care should be taken when doing any repair work r:n or a,_'ound t',e mower blade. TO

p everH injury, _t_s recommended t_et gloves bewern or

the cutting edge be w_apped wit: newspaper or any 01her _u labia inatena_ when working on the blade.

COfdGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sea_s Craftsman Lawn Mower. It has beeq designed, en- .0 neered and manufactured to give you the best pos-

sib!e dependability and performance. Should you experience any problem you cannot easily

remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Service

Center!Department. We r_ave competent, welt-trained te;chnicians and the proper tools to service Or repair th is

unit.

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will enable you to assemble and ma:,ntain your mower

properly. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES",

A Sears Maintenance Agreerner_! is availabie or _,tIqs product Contac yournearestSearssterefordelails.

e Read and observe thesafety rules,

e Fo!Iow a reguiar schedule in maintaining, caring

for and using your mower.

e Follow the instructions under"Customer Respon-

sibilities'" and "Storage" seclions of this Owner's Manual.

MODEL

PRO©UC SPECI - u,£ IOHS

IiUMBER 517.372529

SERIAL NUMBEFI

DATE OF PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WiLL

BE FOUND ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO

THE REAR OFTHE MOWER DECK.

YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND

KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

For one year lrom the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated and _uned-up a,_cord ng to lhe instructions in the owner's manua!, Saars will repair, tree o, ch_.rge, ony detect in

matedM and workmanship.

Iflhis Craftsman Lawn Moweris used forcommercialor rental purposes, lhiswarrantyappliesforonly90 days

from the date of purchase.

HORSE POWER 4.0 DISPLAC, EM ENT: 171.9cc

FUEL TANK CAPACITY 48 oz. (!.42 liters) OIL CAPACITY 20 oz. (.59 liter).___

SPARK PLUG (GAP 039 in): Champion

(.76ram) RJ-19LM

{o_ equivalent)

SOL!D STATE IGNiT ON

AIR GAP: .0125 m.

L32mml

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40fl Is,s.

(47 5-54.2Nrn)

This warranty does not cover:

Expendable iIems which become worn during norms.I use,-such as rotary mower blades, b_ade

adaptors, belts, air cleaners and spa_k plug

Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent cranks "_afts and fine lailureto maintain the equipmentaccordi g to the instructions contained in the owner's ma_lua!

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER TO THE

NEAR EST SEARS SERVICE CEN FER/DEPARTMENT !i',._TIdE UNITED STATES. TH! S WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT/S _N USE IN THE UNITED STATES.

i his warranty gwes you specific legai Hgl]ts and you may also have other rigsts which vary from state to state.

_<Rt n,.,,o,._,,.,_,FniIOw,_,tSD r'_epa£ment DT31CR WSearsTowsr, Chcaqo Iii 80684

T/- ,tsLL OF CONTE TS

SAFETY RULES ............................... 2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ................... 3

CUS! O_'.tiER RESPONSIBILiTiES . . , 3,11,12,13,14,15

WAR£ANTy ................................. 3

TABLE ©P CONTENTS ........................ 4

I[,!@EX ....................................... 4

MOWER ACCeSSORiES ....................... 4

A8 SI.E_,_BL"¢ .................................. 5

OPERATtOht .......................... 6,7,8,9110

$E£VtCE AND ADJUB"t°ME_;IT . ............. 16;,17

STORAGE ................................. I8

SERVICE F_ECO L'_;M_ N OAT tO}_,8S ............... 1I

TROUBLE S F_,OOTU4G ........................ 19

REPAIR PARTS - _'_4OWER.................. 20-24

REPAIR PAR"¢8 o ENG[_2E .................. 25-27

PARTS ©RDER_F_G/S_RVICE ......... BACK PAGE

Accessories ..................... 4

Adjustments:

C8rburdtor .................. ! 7

Engine Speed ................. !7

Height of Cut .................. 8

Wheel Adiuster ................. 8

Air Pilter ....................... 14

Assembly:

Handie ........................ 5

Blade:

Replacement .................. 12

Sharpening ................... 13

Controls:

Operator P_'esence Control Bar ., .7

Customer Responsibilities ......... 3

Air Filter ...................... 14

Blade Care/Replacement ........ 12

Engine ....................... 14

Lu bric_:ion ................... 1S

Spark Ptu:8.................... 14

Gear Reducer ................. 13

Cut[b_g Heights .................. 8

Engh_.e:

©i} Change ................... 1£

Specifications ................. 3

Starting ....................... 8

Storage ...................... 18

Filter, Air ....................... 14

Gasoline:

Storage ...................... 18

Tank Capacity .................. 3

Tyr_.e.......................... 8

Gear Reducer ................... "i3

Lubrication:

Engine ....................... 15

Gear Reducer ................. 1:3

Wheels ....................... 14

Maintenance:

Agreement ..................... 3

Mowing Tips .................... 1[)

Oii:

Change ...................... 15

Storage ...................... 18

Type .......................... 8

Operating Mower ........... 7,8,9,10

Operato_ Presence Controt ......... ?

Prm_er .......................... ,B

Repair!Rep:acement Par(s ..... 20-27

Responsibilities. Customer ......... 3

Safety Rules ..................... 2

Sen, ice and Adjustments:

Blade ..................... t2,!3

C_rbure_or .................... 17

Cutting Heig.ht ................. 8

H_ndle Height .................. 5

Engine ....................... !7

Rear Trail Shield ............... t7

Gear Reducer ................. 13

Se_ic_ Recorr_mendations ........ 11

Spark Plug ..................... 14

Specifica_;ons .................... 3

Starting the r_ngi_e ............... 8

Stopping the Mower .............. 8

Slot&go ........................ 18

Table of ContenLs ................ 4

1 rouble Shooting Paints .......... 19

Warranty ........................ 3

Wheels:

Adjusting }-ieighi ................ 8

L_;bricatiOn ................... 14

These accessories were eva.i able when (qe mowe_ was pufc_ased. They ate also availsb!e at _os _,Sears retail outlets cBtatog 8r_d

seP,'ice centers. ]'/os_ SeB_s storms can order repair parts for yo,_, when yOLs ero,,,ide tRe _odel n_ tuber of your rno¢_l"

8PARK P_UG " "I

f'_" I

AIR FILTQR MUFFLER GAS C;_4

L ....

_.NGtN £ OIL

I_- t

t 9TABiLIZL:R

LEF_

SIDE

NOTE

Directions (Fron_, rear, le_t, right, etej in tBIs manu_l are orbnt_d from _h_

operat_Ps position behind the com- _rol handte.

RIGHT

SiDE

e Raise iower handle to vedical position. ¢ LiFt upper handle to horizontal position being

careful not to pinch the starlet rope at the handle joint.

e Raise upper handle to vedical position and tighten

the isandle joining knobs.

O PE RA'I'O R'S

POSiTiON

Your lawn mower has been completely assembled at the faotoo,.

iMPORTANT: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIFT THE

MOWER FROM THE CARTON, BE- CAUSE DOING SO COULD RESULT

IN CONTROL CABLE DAMAGE

TO REB¢OVE _\40WER FROB_ CARTON

_, Remove loose paris if inchJded with mower, (i.e.

oil, owner's manual, e_o}.

e Cut down corrters on one end of carton and lay end

down flaL

Remove packing mater aL

¢ Roll mower out of carton and cheek carton lhor-

oughly for loose parts.

!MPORTANT: BE CAREFUL NOT TO PINCH OR

K!NK THE CONTROL CABLES WHILE UNFOLDING ]HE HANDLES.

!NSERE PIN OF HANDLE INTO HOLE FOR DESIRED HEIGHT

\ / /

\,, I Fb. 2

Pull the handle rearward to an angle where you can insed the pins of the handle into one of three

holes in the handle support. (See Figure 2.)

_o From the operator's position behind the handte,

check the handle height. If you wish to change the heighL inset1 the handb pins inlo another set of holes.

qOW TO SE _oUPYOUR _p,w_ i_/iO_AEh

To Unfod Handtes {See Fig1)

,_-{_ VERTICAL POSITION

........................ j

Fig. 1

Kh OW YOUi: , LAWN !'¢:OWBB

READ THES OWNER'S I_4ANUAL AND SAFETY RULES B£FORE OPERAT!NG YOUR ROTARY F4OWER. ©ompare the il!ustrstions with your Rotary Mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls arid adjustments. Save finis manual for future reference.

DECK

Fin s

Sears Rotar,i Waik-Beisind PO,i,tc:r v1ovv_rs conform to lh® safety slands_.'s o lhe American ' "_'_"'

institute, and t.he U.S. Consumer Product Saleb' Commission. _he btadc turns when the engine is running.

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL SAR - m[;st 0e held down ko the handle to sta'i and run the en ne

Release ',ostop the engne RECOIL STARTER HANDLE used lot start ng _,he

engir, e

' * _ IXati__. d_ Standards

F R I_s,ER - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor

_o t',_ cylinr_'e for Llge '_ 'hr_,ff_ 8_:_r-i- no _: Co_d ei-'giJ_e.

DR',k,'E CONTROL LLVE-_, used tO el?gage forward ruction cf £]ower,

BEFOREUSINGYOURLAWNMOWERREFERTOFHE"SAFETYRULES"ASaHO_TN_'.4 _ONPAGEO_OFTHIS MANdffLALWAYSBECAREFUL.

•TheoperationetanyLawnMowercanresultinIoreignob.;ecsben,9thownriteheeyes,whieilcan _esuttin_eve_eeyedamage.Alwaysweersafety9_Ess_soreyeahieJd8beforesl_rtingpowertool

operationorwhilepedorminganyadiuslmentsorrepairs.WerecommendWideVtsionSafelyMask foroverspectaclesorstandardglasses_vahabLatSearsRetailorCatalogStores,

I IOWTO USEYOUR !:s OWER

0 P_£RATOt_PR[£Sg})CECO_ITROL BAR

Your mower t;as a control ba_ which requires the opera',or to be behind the handteto slart and run the

mower. When the operator rebases the control bar the engine wilt stop and an internal brake helps the blade to stop quickly.

When the operetor leaves the operating position to change the cutting height, pick up sticks o," other

objects n_heway, lheenginewilstopaulomaticaHy

when tile eonlrol bar is released.

DRIVE CONTROL

e -[he operator has [he option of pushing the mower

or engE..ging the drive control lever for to,ward

motion.-[he drive is engaged by holding the drive control !ever at the right end ot the operator

presence control bar against the upper handle,

When operation without rear wheei motion is

desired, only the operator presence control bar

should be depressed.

WARNING: For safe operation, the drive control must disengage immedialeiy when

the drive controi lever is released, _f it

does not, hays the mash ine properly ser,tlced.

DR_V£ CON'fROL

D_SENGAGEF>

O_;_IVE CONTROL

EWGAG_D

WARN_,_G: Should the _;ngin9 faU to stop

within 3 seconds when Ihe operator pre- sence control bar is released, do not use the mower until the faulty control or

braking mechanism !has been properly sere/iced by an authorized sem4cing cos!or

Fi#. 5

ADJUST CUTT_G HEI{_HT

_: Raise wheeDsiorlowcut and!owerwheelsforhi 9h

cut.

(0 Ad)ust cutting height o suit your requirements.

Medium positiDFI iS beet for most I_wns.

t To change cutting height, squeeze adiuster lever

toward wheel, Move wheel up or down to suit your

requirements, Be sure al wheeis are in the same

setting.

_0 _,r_Lsc; sAm_ IthacaENGINe

_s Place unit so engine is in a tevel position. (; Remove oil fil cap and sipslick assembly and fill

crankcase (pour slowly wth 20 oz ol oil to "FULL" Incor dipstck) DO NOFOVER FILL.

Ony use high qual;ty detergent oil rated wt_ API

serwce class fication SO. So!act the oil's viscosity

grade according _Oyourexpected operating tempera Lure:

COLDER _ ...... 32°F ............... io"WARMER

DURING STORAGE. ACID;C GAS

CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM O F AN ENG INE WHILE IN STORAGE. TO AVOID EFqGII-,_E PROBLEMS, THE

FUEL SYSTEM SHOULD BE EMP- TIED BEFORE STORAGE FOR 30 DAYS OR LONGER. DRAIN THE GAS TANK, STAR T °_HE ENGtNF AND

LET IT RUN UNTIL THE FUEL LINES AND CARBURETOR ARE EMPTh',

USE FRESH FUEL NEXT SEASON, SEE STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS FOR AD DIT_ONAL INFORMATION. NEVER

USE ENGINE OR CARBURETOR CLEANER PRODUCTS iN TiRE FUEL

"rANK OR PERMANENT DAMAGE MAY OCCUR_

TO STAR

_ Connect spark plug wire tO spark piug. The carburetor on your mower has been completely

adjusted at the [actory For each initial start, push primer bu_ton five {5) times prior to sta_er operation. Use sharp pushes, wan between each push. Repeat the above forgach starter operation as necessar},. Do

not use primer for warm engine restarts.

5W30 SAE 30

NOTE: Althougf mu!ti-viscosty oils (5W30, 10W30,

etc) mp_ove slatting mcotd weather, these rnu!ti- v:scosdy oils w]il result in increased oi! consumption

when used above 32CF. Gheck your engine oil !oval more [requent!y to avoid possibie engine damage from running low on oil.

"CraRk case capsc_:y _s approximately 20 ounces (.59 iiterl. Crankcase oi! should be changed alter

first two (2_ hours of ose_-a_ion and every twertytive

('25) hours therafte_

® Replace oii fill cap arid dipstick a_d tighten Cat

securely.

,_ Fill gas tank with about one (si qua'S of c!ean,

fresh, regular unleaded grade automotive gaso- !ine. DO NOT use Ethyl or high octane gasoline

Be certain contsiRer s clean ard free ftorn rust or foreign particles, Nave use gaso',}ne that may b_

stare from long per ods of storage inthe container

IMPORT'ANT: EXPERIENCE !NDCATES THATAL-

COHOL BLENDED FUELS (GALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOL C.'R

b_ETHANOLI CAN t, TTR/*CT MOIS., 7URE WHICH LEADS TO SEPAR/,-

TiOIq AND FORMATION OF ACIDS

F,_g. 7

c Press primer button as desc,nbed above (cold

starts only).

_ Hold operator presence control bar down to the

handle and pulI starter isandle quickly. Do not slow slarter rope to snap back., To "STOP" engine, release operator presence

cont_ Ol bat

RECOIL

STARTER ....

HANDLE

, .!

pRESENCE CONTROL BAR

GRASS k' ULC

Grass mulching is the recycling of nutrients into the Soft in a form thtt is readily degradabFe. Acco{ding to scientists specia!izing in turf study, finely chopped particles of grass wilt disintegrate into the soit and be absorbed by the grass roots within t4 days, To understand how your mulcher cuts and recurs grass clippings into a fine mu_ch, tiqnk of the mu!tP

love cu tie r b_ade as a fan. The cutter bl3.de b!ows the grass clippings upward cutting them over and ore, _

as they whirl around the circular track of the undardeck. When the _raek is loaded wi,_h clippings,

1i_ose nearest the inside, wall of the track are _hrown downward by down-pi_ched portions of the cutter

bIade. The particles are blown straight into the tud. (See Figures 9 and 10). The performance of the mulcher is based on the shape of the deck. If excess debris col}ec_:s u nder the deck. it shouid be c_eaned frequently to maintain peak perfformance.

Mu LCHEFZDECK

fA! FtSA NCc s IN #IOW NG ACTION A, D THE END - F,'ECTS

MULTi-LEVEL BLADE. MULCHER: Cutbngs sun- SIDE DISCHARGE MOWER: B_ows large cuttings pended is deep mowing deck are chopped and into rows ot piles which end up as root-destroyin# reersopped before being driven down into the soil. thatch, u nle'._ cudcings are removed

FI9, 10

FOr effective mulching, grass should be dry so as nct to overloc_d the mowe_. For best results, cut off no

more H_an "_/3 of/he heig-_t o_the grass. If _he grass is taller _han normal (more than one weeks gro%rth)i tv/o cuts may be necessary. The firsl cut shouid be at the highesl curt r_g height and the second at your

LSLal cut_in{t height Mo,_ving _:t s slower pace o[ mad _!::r_arrower _asses may be ',elpfu:, !or _-e first cut in ex(remely tall grass.

WINDROW

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