Craftsman 917371740 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

CRRFTSMRHo

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

550 Series Briggs & Stratton Engine 21" Rear-Discharge

Model No.

917.371740

fed in U,S.A_

• EspaSol, p. 18

CAUTION:

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment Sears, Roebuck and Co, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Visit our Craftsman website: www.searscom/craftsman

U.S.A.

Warranty .................................................... 2

Safety Rules .......................................... 2-4

Product Specifications .............................. 4

Assembly / Pre-Operation ....................... 6

Operation .............................................. 7-10

Maintenance Schedule ........................... 11

Maintenance ......................................... 11_13

Service and Adjustments ........................ 14

Storage .............................................. t 5-I 6

Troubleshooting ................................. 16-17

Repair Parts ...................................... 34-39

Sears Service ........................... Back Cover

2-YEAR FULL WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN LAWN MOWER

If this Craftsman Lawn Mower fails due to manufacturer defects in material or

workmanship within two years from the date of purchase, return it to any Sears store, Parts & Repair Center or other Craftsman outlet for free repair (or replacement if repair

proves impossible). This warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase if this Lawn Mower is

ever used for commercial or rental purposes. This warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items that become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plugo

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crackshafts and the failure to assemble, operate or maintain this Lawn Mower

according to all supplied product instructions.

This warranty applies only while this product is used in the United States. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

vary from state to state. Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw-

ing objects.. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.

_,Look for this symbol to point out impor- tant safety precautions, It means

CAUTIONI!I BECOME ALERTIIJ YOUR SAFETY IS iNVOLVED°

-& WARNING: In order to prevent ac- cidental starting when setting up, trans-

porting, adjusting or making repairs, always disconnect spark plug wire and

place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug,

&WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its

constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State

of Californiato cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

AWARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead

compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth

defects or other reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

_, CAUTION: Muffler and other engine parts become extremely hot during

operation and remain hot after engine has stopped. To avoid severe burns on contact,

stay away from these areas.

I. GENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand, and follow all

instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before starting_ Be thoroughly

familiar with the controls and the proper

use of the machine before starting

- Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts Keep clear of the dis- charge opening at all times°

• Only allow responsible individuals, who are familiar with the instructions, to oper-

ate the machine.

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc. which

could be picked up and thrown by blade

• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing Stop machine if anyone

enters the area

• Do not operate the mower when bare-

foot or wearing open sandals Always

wear substantial foot wear

• DO not pull mower backwards unless absolutely necessary Always look down

and behind before and while moving backward&

• Never direct discharged material toward anyone Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material

may richochet back toward the opera-

tor Stop the blade when crossing gravel

surfaces.

• Do not operate the mower without proper guards, plates, grass catcher or

other safety protective devices in place.

• See manufacturer's instructions for proper operation and installation of

accessories. Only use accessories ap- proved by the manufacturer.

• Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.

• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you leave the equipment, before cleaning the

mower or unclogging the chute.

• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until the blade comes to complete stop before removing grass catcher.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

• Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never operate machine in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing: keep a

firm hold on the handle; walk, never run,

• Disengage the self-propelled mech- anism or drive clutch on mowers so

equipped before starting the engine.

• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and

check immediately for the cause. Vibra- tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating

mower

il. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip & fall accidents which can result in severe in-

jury All slopes require extra caution If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it

DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes: never

up and down Exercise extreme caution

when changing direction on slopes

. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree

limbs, etc_

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall grass can hide obstacles

DO NOT:

• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or embankment& The operator could lose footing or balance_

• Do not trim excessively steep slopes

• Do not mow on wet grass Reduced foot- ing could cause slipping,

III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

is not alert to the presence of children

Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity Never assume

that children will remain where you last saw them

• Keep children out of the trimming area

and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area

• Before and while walking backwards,

look behind and down for small children

• Never allow children to operate the ma- chine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects

that may obscure vision

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE Use extreme care in handling gasoline

Gasoline is extremely flammable and the

vapors are explosive°

• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes

and other sources of ignition

• Use only an approved container.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running Allow engine to cool

before refueling

• Never refuel the machine indoors

• Never store the machine or fuel contain-

er where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances

• Neverfill containersinsideavehicle,on atruckortrailerbedwitha plasticliner.

Alwaysplacecontainersonthe ground awayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom thetruckortrailerandrefuelitonthe

ground. Ifthisisnot possible,then refuelsuchequipmentwithaportable

container,ratherthanfroma gasoline dispensernozzle.

• Keepthe nozzlein contactwiththe rim ofthefueltank orcontaineropeningat

alltimesuntilfuelingis complete. Do notusea nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Iffuelis spilledonclothing,change clothingimmediately.

, Neveroverfillfueltank. Replacegas

capandtightensecurely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

• Never run a machine inside a closed

area.

• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine (motor) running. Disconnect

the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental

starting,

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-

ment in good condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris buitd-uF Clean oil or fuel

spillage, Allow machine to coot before storing.

• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object, Repair, if necessary,

before restarting.

• Never attempt to make wheel height adjustments while the engine is running.

• Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage, and deterioration,

which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently

check components and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when necessary.

• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and

use extra caution when servicing them.

• Do not change the engine governor set- ting or overspeed the engine.

• Maintain or replace safety and instruc- tion labels, as necessary.

&WARNING: This lawn mower is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or

grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any), If a spark arrester is used, it

should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the state of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code), Other states may have similar laws. Federa! laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears

Parts & Repair Center (See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual),.

Serial Number: Date of Purchase:

Gasoline Capacity / Type: 1_0 Quarts (Unleaded Regular) Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)

Oil Capacity: 20 Ounces

Spark Plug (Gap: 030") Champion RJ19LM or J19LM

Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. Ibs,

The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower

housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above,

Repair Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart pur-

chase. Your new Craftsman® product is

designed and manufactured for years of dependable operation, But like all prod- ucts, it may require repair from time to

time. That's when having a Repair Protec- tion Agreement can save you money and

aggravation,

Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement now and protect yourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

Here's what's included in the Agreement:

• Expert service by our I2.000 profe- sional repair specialist&

• Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor on all covered repairs,

• Product replacement if your covered product can't be fixed.

• Discount of 10% from regular price of service and service-related parts not

covered by the agreement; also, I0% off regular price of preventive mainte-

nance check.

• Fast help by phone- phone sup- port from a Sears representative on products requiring in-home repair, plus

convenient repair scheduling.

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all that it takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytime

day or night, or schedule a service ap-

pointment online.

Sears has over 12,000 professional repair specialists, who have access to over 4.5

mitlion quality parts and accessories, That's the kind of professionalism you can count on to help prolong the life of your

new purchase for years to come. Purchase your Repair Protection Agreement today! Some limitations and exclusions apply.

For prices and additional information call 1-800-827-6655.

Sears Installation Service For Sears professional installation of home

appliances, garage door openers, water

heaters, and other major home items, in the U_S,A, call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®,

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not shipped with your mower, They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and

service centers. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower,

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING

DEFLECTORS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

StDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

AIR FILTERS

SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS

',&t

WHEELS

ENGINE OIL

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble

or operate your new lawn mower. IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine, Your new lawn mower has been assem-

bled at the factory with the exception of

those parts left unassembled for shipping

purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower, atl parts and hardware you assemble must be

tightened securety, Use the correct tools

as necessary to ensure proper tightness.

All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc.,

necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag,

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

1. Remove loose parts included with mower.

2. Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat,

3, Remove all packing materials except

padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator

presence control bar to upper handle.

4, Roll lawn mower out of carton and

check carton thoroughly for additional loose parts.

Operator

MOWING

control bar

Upper

handle

Handle

knob

Lower handle

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

I, Put grass catcher frame into grass bag

with rigid part of bag on the bottom. Make sure the frame handle is outside

of the bag top.

2, Slip vinyl bindings over frame.

NOTE: if vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold

them in warm water for a few minutes, If

bag gets wet, let it dry before using.

Frame

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables,

1. Raise handies until lower handle sec- tion locks into place in mowing position.

2, Remove protective padding, raise up-

per handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both handle knobs.

3, Remove handle padding holding

operator presence controi bar to upper handle.

Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort, Refer to 'AD-

JUST HANDLE" in the Service and Adjust- ments section of this manual.

Vinyl

bindings

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulcher, To convert to bag- ging or discharging, see 'q'O CONVERT MOWER" in the Operation section of this

manual,

Frame

opening

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALL SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING

YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments, Save this manual for

future reference,

,11,1 i , i i ii i i1,1 i i i Nil IIIII II1'111111,',1

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the

product. Learn and understand their meaning,

CAUTION ENGLNE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

i ii i I,,111 , I, ,i i i,ii iii1,11 ii1,,,I,I,I,I'I,MI'IIII

Operator presence control bar

Handle knob

Starter

Engine oil cap with dipstick

handle

plug

Grass

Muffler

Gasoline filler cap

Air filter

Primer

Housing Wheel adjuster

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped (on each wheel)

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine,

i ................. iiiiiii

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and the U,S Consumer Product Safety Com-

mission° The blade turns when the engine is running,

.......................................................... i

Operator presence control bar - must Primer- pumps additional fuel from the be held down to the handle to start the carburetor to the cylinder for use when

engine, Release to stop the engine, starting a cold engine, Starter handle- used for starting engine. 7

The operationof any lawn mowercan resultinforeign

objectsthrownintotheeyes, which can result in severe

eye damage.Always wear

safety glassesor eye shieldswhile oper-

atingyourlawnmoweror performingany adjustmentsor repair& We recommenda

standardsafetyglassesorwidevisionsafety

maskwornoverspectacles,

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN

MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

Engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance, It is not adjustable,

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

_CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this lawn mower in order to minimize the risk

of blade contact injury° Do not under any circumstances attempt to defeat the

function of the operator control. The blade

turns when the engine is running°

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator presence control bar which

requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start

and operate the lawn mower,

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels

for high cut, adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Medium position is

best for most lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze ad- juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel

up or down to suit your requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same set-

ting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts into hole in lever. Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)

allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs,

TO CONVERT MOWER Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:

• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame hooks

onto the door pivot pins,

• To convert to mulching operation, re- move grass catcher and close rear door.

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without rear door closed, clipping deflector or approved grass catcher in place. Never

attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open,

)ins Rear Grass

catcher

handle

Catcher frame hook

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

t. Lift up on grass catcher using the

frame handle,

2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn mower handle°

3. Empty clippings from bag,

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty- ing; it will cause unnecessary wear,

Grass

catcher

frame

die

LEVER BACKWARD

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

ADD OIL

Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in the engine. For type and grade of oil to

use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance

section of this manual. A CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

1. Besurelawnmoweris level,

2. Removeoil dipstickfromoilfillspout.

3. Youreceiveacontainerofoil withthe unit. Slowlypourthe entirecontainer

downtheoilfill spoutintotheengine.

NOTE:Initialoilfill requiresonly18oz.

dueto residualoilinenginefromthe

manufacturers100%qualitytesting.

Whenchangingoilyoumayneed20oz.

4. Insertandtightendipstick,.

IMPORTANT:

• Checkoillevelbeforeeachuse. Addoil

if needed,Filltofull lineondipstick.

• Changetheoilafterevery25 hoursof

operationoreachseason. Youmay needto changetheoilmoreoften underdusty,dirtyconditions.See"TO

CHANGEENGINEOIE'intheMainte- nancesectionofthismanual,

Engine

oil cap

Primer

TO STOP ENGINE

. To stop engine, release operator pres-

ence control bar_

TO START ENGINE NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the

engine, a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the product

and should be considered normal.

1, To start a cold engine, push primer

three (3) times before trying to start.

Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when starting an

engine wMch has already run for a few minutes,

2, Hold operator presence control bar

down to the handle and pull starter handie quickly. Do not allow starter

rope to snap back.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. In

warmer weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not start. If you do

flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat

priming steps,

Gasoline filler cap

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not overfill, Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh-

ness,

CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or

fuel, Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame,

,& CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels

(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha-

nol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage° To avoid engine problems, the fuel system

should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer, Empty the gas tank, start

the engine and Iet it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty, Use fresh fuel next season, See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine

or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur,,

MOWING TIPS

CAUTION', Do not use de-thatcher

blade attachments on your mower. Such attachments are hazardous, will damage your mower and could void your warranty,

° Under certain conditions, such as very

tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing

effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of grass

clippings. It may also be necessary to reduce ground speed and/or run the

lawn mower over the area a second

time.

• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by overlapping previously

cut path and mow slowly.

• For better grass bagging and most cut- ting conditions, the engine speed should

be set in the FAST position,

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can

become filled with dirt and dust with use

and catchers wil! collect less grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catcher off

with water and let dry before using,

• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff.

This wil! help engine air flow and extend engine life,

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash_ See "CLEANING" in the

Maintenance section of this manual. ° The special mulching blade will recut

the grass clippings many times and

reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into

the grass and not be noticed, Also, the

mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn, Always

mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recut-

ting action of the blades.

• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and

interferes with the mulching action° The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon, At this time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.

• For best resutts, adiust the lawn mower

cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades_ If the lawn is overgrown

it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving

clumps of mulched grass, For extremely heavy grass, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly,

• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be

mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a sec- ond cut, mow across (perpendicular) to

the first cut path,

• Change your cutting pattern from week

to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next

week. This wilt help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

MAINTENANCE BEFOREAFTE.EVERYEVERY EVE.YBEFORE

SCHEDULE use USE HOURSORSEASOHHOURSSTORAGE

Check for Loose Fasteners Ikl V'

L Clean 1Inspect Grass Catcher *

Check'Ttres ............

EACH EACH 10 25 HOURS 100

1/ v' 1/ 1/ 1/

Clean Lawn Mower ***"

M Clean under Drive Cover ***

O Check Drive Beltl Pulleys *** If

W Check i sharpen / Replace Blade I/3

R Lubrlcatfon V'

Clean and Recharge Battery ** If Check Engine OII level I_

E Change EngfneOil 1_,2

N Clean Air Filter I_

inspect Muffler 1/

NI Replace Spark Plug E Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

* Ofsoequipped)

** Electric-Startmowers

*** Power-Propelledmowers

**** Usea scraper

to clean underdeck

1 - Change more often tf operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures,

2 - Service more often if operating In dirty or dusty conditions 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing In sandy soil,

4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season, 5 - And after each 5 hours of use

1/ 1/

it"

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this lawn mower does not

cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive

full value from the warranty, operator must

maintain unit as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments will need to be made

periodically to properly maintain your unit,

At least once a season, check to see if you should make any of the adjustments described in the Service and Adjustments

section of this manual.

• At least once a year, replace the spark plug, clean or replace air filter element and check blade for wear. A new spark

plug and clean/new air filter element assure proper air-fuel mixture and help

your engine run better and last longer.

• Follow the maintenance schedule in this manual

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check engine oil level.

• Check for loose fasteners°

LUBRICATION Keep unit well lubricated

(See "LUBRICATION CHART").

LUBRICATION CHART

Wheel

adjuster (on

each wheel)

Engine oil

Rear door

hinge

O Handle bracket mounting pins

_ Spray lubricant

See ENGINE in Maintenance section.

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic

wheel bearings. Viscous lubricants will attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of

the self-lubricating bearings, if you feel they

must be lubricated, use only a dry, powdered

11graphite type lubricant sparingly.

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per- forming any maintenance, TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber.

• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE For best results, mower blade must be kept

sharp. Replace bent or damaged blades°

& CAUTION; Use only a replacement

blade approved by the manufacturer of

your mower. Using a blade not approved

by the manufacturer of your mower is hazardous, could damage your mower and

void your warranty. TO REMOVE BLADE

1, Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.

2. Turn lawn mower on its side° Make sure air filter and carburetor are up,

3. Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from

turning when removing blade bolt.

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves

and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth. 4_ Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

clockwise.

5. Remove blade and attaching hardware

(bolt, lock washer and hardened washer),

TO REPLACE BLADE

I, Position blade on the blade adapter

aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter,

2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo- site sharp edge) is up toward the engine,

3, Install the blade bolt with the lock

washer and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft,

4, Use block of wood between blade and

lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise.

• The recommended tightening torque is

35-40 ft, Ibs_

Blade adapter Key Crankshaft

Lockwasher _'*._

bolt Hardened _ \ "_',

washer Trailing'edge

Crankshaft 12 securely each time you check the oil level.

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual.

TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE: We do not recommend sharp-

ening the blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced. An unbalanced

blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.

• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.

• To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or wail. Leave about one inch of

the straight nail exposed. Place center

hole of blade over the head of the nail. If blade is balanced, it should remain in

a horizontal position. If either end of the

blade moves downward, sharpen the

heavy end until the blade is balanced.

GRASS CATCHER

• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used°

• Check your grass catcher often for dam- age or deterioration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-

ing, replace only with approved replace- ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts

section of this manual. Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.

ENGINE

LU B RICATIO N

Use only high quality detergent oil rated

with API service classification SG-SL.

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating

temperature,

SAEVISCOS{TYGRADES

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in

cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will

result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°E Check your engine oU

level more frequently to avoid possible

engine damage from running low on oil.

Check the crankcase oil level before

starting the engine and after each five (5)

hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug

+ 28 hidden pages

Craftsman 917371740 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual