Craftsman 917249121 Owner’s Manual

OWNER'S

MANUAL

MODEL NO.

917.249121

£RRFTSMI:IN

Caution:

Read and follow

all Safety Rules
and Instructions

Before Operating
This Equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL. 60179 U.S.A.

38 INCH MOWER
GRASS CATCHER

• Assembly

• Operation

• Customer

Responsibilities

• Repair Parts

Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers

IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING
OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY

OR DEATH.
I. GENERAl-OPERATION

Read, understand,and followall instructionsin the manual
and onthe machinebefore starting.

Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the
instructions,to operate the machine.

Cleartheareaof objectssuchas rocks,toys,wire,etc., which
could be picked up and thrownby the blade.

Be sorethe area isclear ofnther people betore mowing. Stop
machine if anyone entersthe area.

Never carry passengers.

Donotmow inreversa unlessabsolutelynecessary. Always

look down and behind before and while backing.

Be aware of the mowerdischargedirectionand do notpoint
it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without eitherthe

entire grass catcher or the guard in place.
Slow down before turning.

Never leave a runningmachineunattended. Alwaysturnoff
blades, set parking brake, stop engine, and remove keys

before dismounting.

Tum offblades when not mowing.'

Stop engine before removinggrass catcheror unclogging
chute.

Mow only in daylightor good artificiallight.
Do not operate the machine while under the influence of

alcohol or drugs.
Watch for trafficwhenoperatingnear orcrossingroadways.
Use extra care when loadingor unloadingthe machine into

a traileror truck.

II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a majorfactor related to loss-of-controland tipover

accidents,which can result in severeinjuryor death. Allslopes
requireextracaution. Ifyoucannot backupthe slopeorifyoufeel

uneasyon it, donot mow it.

DO:

Mow up and downslopes, notacross.
Remove obstaclessuchas rocks, tree limbs,eto.

Watch for ho_es, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could

overturn the machine. Taftgrass can hide obstacles.
Useslow speed. Choose a low gear so that youwillnot have

to stop or shiftwhile on the slope.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel

we;ightsorcounterweightsto improve star,lilly.

Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments.

These can change the stabilityofthe machine.

Keepall movementonthe slopesslowand gradual Do not
make sudden char_s in speed or direction.

Avoidstartingor stoppingon a slope. If tires lose traction,
disengagethe blades and proceedslowlystraightdownthe
slope.

DO NOT:

Do notturn onslopesunlessnecessary, and then, turnslowly

and gradually downhill, if possible.

Do not mow near drop_offs, ditches, or embankments. The
mower could suddenlyturnover ifa wheel isover the edge

of a cliff or ditch, or if an edge caves in.

Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause

sliding.
Do not try to stabilizethe machice by puttingyourfoot on the

ground.
Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes.

SAFETY RULES

III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidentscan occur if the operator is net alert to the
presence ofchildren. Children are oftenattractedtothe machine

and themowingactivity. Neverassume thatchildrenwillremain
where you last saw them.

Keep children out of the mowing area and under the
watchfulcare of another responsible adult.

Be alert and turn machine off if ohildren enter the area.

Before and when backing, look behind and down for small
children.

Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously
injuredor interfere with the safe machine operation.

Never allow children to operate the machine.
Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,

trees, or otherobjectsthat may obscurevision.

IV. SERVICE

Useextra care in handling gasolineand otherfuels. They

are flammable and vapors are explosive.

Use only an approved container.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine

running. Allowengineto cool before retueUng. Donot
smoke.

Never refuelthe machineindoors.
Never storethe machine orfuel container insidewhere

thereis an open flame, suchas a water heater.

Never runa machine insidea closed area.
Keepnuts and bolts,especiallybladeattachmentbolts, tight

and keep equipment in goodcondition.
Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper

operation regularly.
Keep machinefree ofgrass, leaves, orother debrisbuild-

up. Clean oilorfuel spillage. Allow machineto cool before
storing.

Stop and inspectthe equipment if you strike an object.
Repair, if necessary, before restarting.

Never make adjustmentsorrepairswiththe enginerunning.

Grass catcher components are subjectto wear, damage,

and detedoretion,which could expose moving parts or
allowob ects to be thrown. Frequentlycheckcomponents
and repace withmanufacturer's recommended parts,when

necessary.

Mower blades are sharp andcan cut. Wrap the blade(s) or

wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicingthem.

Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and serviceas

required.

I

Lookfor this symbol to point out impor-

tant safety precautions. It means

CAUTIONH! BECOME ALERT!I! YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

wire and placewlre where It cannot contact
spark plug In order to prevent accidental
starting when setting up, transporting,

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug I
adjusting or making repairs.

2

I

CONGRAllJLATIONS onyour purchese of a SearsCrafts-
man Grass Catcher. It has been designed, engineered

and manufacturedto giveyouthe bestpossibledependa-
bilityand performance.

Shouldyou experience any problemsyou cannoteasily
remedy, pleasecontactyournearestSears Service Can-
ter/Department.We havecompetent,welltrained techni-
ciansand thepropertoolstoserviceor repairthisunit.

Please read and m_in this manual.The instructionswill
enable youtoassembleend maintain yourGrass Catcher

properly.Alwaysobservethe "SAFETYRULES'.

MODEL
NUMBER917.249121

SERIAL
NUMBER

DATEOF
PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE
FOUND ON THE MODEL PLATE A'N'ACHED TO

THE INSIDE OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET.
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER

AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE
PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

CUSTOMER RESPONSlBILmES

• Read and observethesafetyrules.

• Followa regularschedulein maintaining, caringfor and

usingyourGrass Catcher.

• Followthe instructionsunder "Customer Responsibili-
ties"and "Storage" sectionsofthisOwner'sManual.

NOTE: TO MAKEDEBRIS DISPOSAL EASIER 30 GAL-
LON PLASTIC TRASH BAGS MAY BE INSERTED IN
PLASTIC GRASS CONTAINERS. TO ORDER, SEE RE-

PAIR PARTS SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON

CRAFTSMAN GRASS CATCHER

Foroneyearfrom the dateofpurchase,whenthisgrasscatcherattachmentismaintainedaccordingtotheoperating
andmaintenanceinstructionsintheowner'smanual,Searswillrepairfreeofchargeanydefectinmaterialorworkmanship.

Thiswarrantydoes notcover:

Expendableitemswhichbecomeworn duringnormaluse,suchas bagsor mower blades.
Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatorabuseor negligence,includingthe failureto maintainthe equipment

according to instructionscontained intheowner'smanual.

Grasscatcherattachmentsusedfor commercialorrentalpurposes.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN GRASS CATCHER TO THE NEAREST
SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE

THIS PRODUCT IS IN USE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Thiswarrantygivesyou specificlegalrights,and you may alsohave otherrightswhichvary fromstateto state.

SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS. 60179

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

WARRANTY .................................................................. 3

BAG OF PARTS ......................................................... 4-5

ASSEMBLY ................................................................... 6

OPERATION ................................................................ 11

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ............................... 12

STORAGE ................................................................... 12

REPAIR PARTS ...................................................... 14-15

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ................. BACK COVER

3

KnowYour Grass Catcher

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE ASSEMBLING OR OPERATING YOUR GRASS

CATCHER.Comparetheillustrationswiththecartoncontentstofamiliarizeyourseffwiththepartsbeforestartingtheassembly.

Studythe operatinginstructions and safetyprecautionsthoroughlytoinsure proper_n_ioning ofyourGrassCatcherandto
preventinjurytoyourselfandothers. Save thismanualfor futurereference.

eye damage.Alwayswearsafetyglassesoreyeshieldsbeforestartingyourtractorandwhilemowing.
We recommendwidevisionsafety maskfor overthespectaclesorstandardsafety glasses.

Theoperationofanytractor canresultinforeign objectsthrownintotheeyes,whichcanresultinsevere J

UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS CARTON CONTENTS:

Removeall partsand packingmaterialsfromcarton.
Foldflapstoinsideofcartonandturncarton upsidedown

on floorofworkarea. To protectgrasscatcher cover
duringassembly placecover upsidedownonoverturned

carton.
Checkcartoncontentsagainstlist.Besureallpartsare

there.

NOTE: For .ease of assembly, aside of your work area, lay out all hardware In th.e following

iroups. ,-acn step of the assembly instructions will Identify the group neeoed for tllat step.

(2) ContainerTops
(2) Container Bottoms

(1)UpperChute
(1)LowerChute

(1) Support Post

(1) MountingBracket

(1) Cover Assembly

(1)Cover Seal

(1) Bag of Parts

(1) Owner'sManual

(2)WheelWeights

BAG OF PARTS CONTENTS

ASSEMBLY HARDWARE SHOWN ACTUAL SIZE

LOCATION

GROUP "A" 1

MOWB_

DECK

BAFFLE

GROUP "B" I

REAR

MOUNTING

BRACKET

TO

DRAW BAR

GROUP "C" I

SUPPORT

POST

TO

CONTAINER

SUPPORT

IIIII}1111111}}11

(1) Bolt 3/8-16 x 1-1/4

(4) Bolt5/16 - 18 x 1/2 SelfTapping

k

(3) Bolt5/16 - 18 x 3/4

©

(1) Locknut3/8-16

©

(3) Locknut5/16-18

4

GROUP "D"

BAG OF PARTS CONTENTS (continued) I

SUPPORT

POST

TO

MOUNTING

BRACKET

LOWER

CHUTE

ASSEMBLY

TO

MOWER

DECK

CHUTE
LATCH

ASSEMBLY

to

UPPER

CHUTE

/o W

(1) BracketSupportPin

(1) Retainer Spring

GROUP "E"J

(1) Washer 13/32 x 1 x 16 Ga.

GROUP "F" I

_tlllililtliltlliillltliitltLIIIllliliillllil

©

(1) Screw #10 x 1-1/8

(2) Washer 3/16 x 3/4 x 16 Ga.

(3) Tubing End Caps

(1) Wing Nut

L ............ 1

(1) Spacer, Split #10

(1) Nut, Acorn #10

CHUTE

LATCH

ASSEMBLY

to
LOWER
CHUTE

WHEEL

WEIGHTS

TO

FRONT

WHEELS

GROUP "G" I

(1) Screw#10 x 5/8

GROUP "H"I

J

©

(1) Washer, Lock#10

! i

(2) "U" Bolt

(1) Rubber Latch

(1) Washer 3/16 x 3/4 x 16 Ga. (1) Nut,Weld #10

**ITEMS NOT SHOWN FULL SIZE**

@

(4) Locknut

5