Craftsman 917371801 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

CRAFTSMAN°

ROTARY

875 Series Briggs & Stratton

Power-Propelled

Electric Start

21" Multi-Cut

Model No.

917.371801

Engine

• EspaSol, p. 21

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.sears.com/craftsman

U.S.A.

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

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

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

Assembly / Pre-Operation ..................... 6-7

Operation ............................................. 8-12

Maintenance Schedule ........................... 13

Maintenance ...................................... 13-16

Service and Adjustments ................... 16-17

Storage .............................................. 18-19

Troubleshooting ................................. 19-20

Repair Parts ....................................... 40-50

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 plug.

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.

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

CAUTION!H BECOME ALERT!H

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.

• i,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components

contain or emit chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

_I,WARNING: 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.

A 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.

IoGENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand,andfollowall instructionson the machineandin the

manual(s)beforestarting.Be thoroughly familiarwith the controlsandthe proper

useof the machinebeforestarting.

• Do notput hands or feet near or under

rotatingparts. Keepclear of the dis-

chargeopening atall times.

• Onlyallowresponsibleindividuals,familiar withtheinstructions,tooperatethemachine.

• 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 ab- solutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving backwards.

• Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against

a wall or obstruction. Material may richo- chet back toward the operator. 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 / 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.

• AIwayswear safety goggles or safety glass- es with side shields when operating mower.

Ii. SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip &

fall accidents which can result in severe

injury. 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 embankments. 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.

i11. 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 mower.

• 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.

• Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner.

Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom thetruck ortrailer andrefuel iton the

ground. Ifthis is not possible,then refuel suchequipmentwith a portable

container,ratherthan from agasoline dispensernozzle.

• Keepthe nozzlein contactwith the rim of the fuel tank or containeropening at

all times untilfueling is complete. Do not usea nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Iffuel is spilledon clothing,change clothing immediately.

• Neveroverfill fuel tank. Replacegas cap andtightensecurely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

• Never runmachineinsidea closedarea.

• Never makeadjustmentsor repairs with theengine(motor)running.Disconnectthe

spark plugwire, and keep the wire away from plug to preventaccidentalstarting.

• Keep nuts andbolts, especially blade attachmentbolts, tight and keepequip-

mentin good condition.

• Nevertamperwithsafetydevices. Check their properoperationregularly.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanoilorfuelspill-

age.Allowmachineto coolbeforestoring.

• Stopand inspectthe equipment ifyou strikean object.Repair,if necessary, beforerestarting.

• Neverattemptto makewheel height adjustmentswhile the engineis running.

• Grasscatcher componentsare subject towear, damage, anddeterioration,

whichcould expose movingpartsor allowobjectsto be thrown.Frequently check componentsandreplacewith

manufacturer'srecommendedparts, whennecessary.

• Mowerblades aresharp and can cut. Wrapthe blade(s)or wear gloves,and

use extracautionwhen servicingthem.

• Do not changethe enginegovernorset- ting oroverspeedtheengine.

• Maintainor replacesafetyand instruc- tion labels,asnecessary.

AWARNING: Thislawnmower isequippedwith an internalcombustionengine and

should notbe usedon or nearany unimprovedforest-covered,brush-coveredor grass-coveredlandunlessthe engine'sexhaustsystem isequippedwith aspark

arrester meetingapplicablelocalor state laws(if any). If aspark arresteris used, it should be maintainedin effectiveworkingorder bythe operator.

Inthestateof Californiatheabove is requiredby law (Section4442 of the California PublicResourcesCode). Other states may havesimilar laws. Federallaws applyon federallands. A spark arresterfor themuffleris availablethroughyour nearest Sears Parts& RepairCenter(Seethe REPAIRPARTSsectionof this manual).

SerialNumber: Dateof Purchase:

GasolineCapacity/Type: 1.6Quarts (UnleadedRegular) OilCapacity: 20 Ounces

OilType (APISG-SL): SAE30 (above32°F); SAE 5W-30(below32°F) SparkPlug: ChampionRC12YC(Gap: .030") BladeBoltTorque: 35-40ft. Ibs.

Themodel andserial numberswill befoundon adecal on the rear ofthe lawn mower housing. Recordbothserial numberanddate of purchaseinspace providedabove.

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 12,000 profe- sional repair specialists.

• 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, 10% 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

million 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

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

CANS

GAS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

AIR FILTERS

SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS

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, all parts

and hardware you assemble must be tight- ened securely. 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 lawn 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.

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 lower handle section to operat- ing position and align hole in handle

with one of the height positioning holes

in handle bracket.

2. Insert handle bolt through handle and bracket and secure with knob.

3. Repeat for opposite side of handle.

4. Remove protective padding, raise up- per handle section into place on lower

handle and tighten both handle knobs.

5. Remove any packing material from around control bar.

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.

Operator MOWING presence POSITION

control bar _:,

LIFT Upper UP handle

/ /'/

Handle

knob

Lower handle

Knob

Handle bracket

TO PREPARE BATTERY

NOTE: Your battery must be charged before you can start your lawn mower.

Bolt

1. Connect battery charger connector (male) to harness connector (female).

2. Plug battery charger into 110 volt A.C. outlet.

3. Leave battery charger connected for 24 hours before starting your engine

for the first time.

4. After charging, disconnect harness connector (female) from battery char-

ger connector (male).

Connect your battery charger to charge

battery after each use. IMPORTANT: The engine will not re-

charge your battery. At the end of the mowing season the

battery should be charged for 48 hours to

_lotect the battery during winter storage.

CAUTION: Always disconnect the

engine connector (male) from the battery connector (female) to prevent accidental starting when transporting or storing your

lawn mower after the season.

Battery charger

Charger

Harness connector

connector (male) (female)

Engine connector (male)

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher. To convert mower to bagging or discharging, see "TO CON-

VERT MOWER" in the Operation section of this manual.

Battery

box

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

product. Learn and understand their meaning.

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

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Key start

switch

Auxiliar

starter handle

Grass catcher Primer

Gasoline filler cap

Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

knob

Engine oil cap with dipstick

Muffler

Dual

point

height

adjuster

lever

Mulcher door

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

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. Operator presence control bar - must

be held down to the handle to start the engine. Release to stop the engine.

Primer- pumps additional fuel from the carburetor to the cylinder for use when

starting a cold engine.

Drive control lever - used to engage power-propelled forward motion of mower. 8

Key start switch = used for starting the

engine.

Mulcher door- allows conversion to

discharging or bagging operation. Auxiliary starter handle - used for start-

ing the engine. Dual point height adjuster - used to

adjust cutting height of lawn mower.

Spark plug

Housing

The operation of any lawn

mowercan result in foreign

objectsthrownintotheeyes, which can result in severe

eye damage, Always wear

safety glasses or eye shields while oper- ating your lawn mower or performing any adjustmentsor repairs, We recommenda

standardsafetyglassesorwidevisionsafety

maskworn overspectacles,

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

_kCAUTION: 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,

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by hold-

ing the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pulling the drive

control lever rearward to the handle. The farther toward the handle the lever

is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.

• Forward motion will stop when either the operator presence control bar or drive control lever are released. To stop forward motion without stopping engine,

release only the drive control lever. Hold operator presence control bar down against handle to continue mowing without self-propelling.

NOTE: If after releasing the drive control

the mower will not roll backwards, push the mower forward slightly to disengage

drive wheels.

Operator presence control bar Drive control

lever

ENGAGE DRIVE

DRIVE CONTROL

CONTROL DISENGAGED

DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT Over time, the drive control system may

become "loose", resulting in decreased

speed, There is a turnbuckle on the

underside of the drive control housing to increase tension on the drive cable, Pro-

ceed as follows:

1, Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug

wire from spark plug,

2, Turn nut on underside of drive control

to increase drive speed,

3, Operate mower to test drive speed,

Readjust as required,

4, If condition fails to improve after the

above steps (forward speed remains the same), your drive belt is worn and

should be replaced,

Adjustment turnbuckle

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

Both front wheels are adjusted by a single lever on the left front wheel, Likewise,

both rear wheels are adjusted by a single lever on the left rear wheel,

• Pull adjuster lever toward wheel, To raise mower, move lever forward to desired position, To lower mower, move the lever backward to desired position,

Be sure to adjust both

front and rear wheels to the same height, Height uster lever

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER BACKWARD

LEVER FORWARD

TO RAISE MOWER

TO CONVERT MOWER Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulcher. To convert to rear bagging or side discharging:

REAR BAGGING

• Remove knob securing mulcher door to lawn mower housing.

• Open mulcher door and insert tabs of discharge chute into hinge bracket opening and position rear of chute over

threaded stud.

Hinge bracket Mulcher door

• Secure rear of discharge chute to lawn mower housing with knob.

• Place rear handle of grass catcher on the crossbar of the lawn mower's lower

handle as shown.

• Lift the round door of the discharge chute and place the grass catcher into place on the discharge chute.

NOTE: Be sure round door of discharge chute rests on grass catcher as shown.

• Mower is now ready for rear bagging operation.

• To convert to mulching operation, remove grass catcher and discharge

chute. Secure mulcher door to mower housing with knob.

• To convert to side discharging opera- tion, remove grass catcher and dis-

charge chute. Install side discharge deflector and secure it to lawn mower

housing with knob.

Round

door

Dischar( chute

Mulcher door

handle

Grass

Threaded

stud

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Grass catcher and discharge chute must be removed.

• Open mulcher door and install front of side discharge deflector beneath door

and position rear over threaded stud.

• Secure rear of side discharge deflector to lawn mower housing with knob.

• Mower is now ready for side discharging operation.

• To convert to mulching operation, side discharge deflector must be removed

and mulcher door secured to mower housing with knob.

• To convert to rear bagging opera- tion, side discharge deflector must be

removed; discharge chute and grass catcher installed and discharge chute secured to mower housing with knob.

Mulcher door Knob

Threaded

stud

Side discharge

deflector

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN

CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

1. Grass catcher, discharge chute and side discharge deflector removed.

2. Mulcher door secured to mower hous- ing with knob.

FOR REAR BAGGING -

1. Side discharge deflector removed.

2. Grass catcher and discharge chute installed with discharge chute secured

to lawn mower housing with knob.

3. Round door of discharge chute resting on top of grass catcher.

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

1. Grass catcher and discharge chute removed.

2. Side discharge deflector installed and secured to mower housing with knob.

_IbCAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher door closed; side dis- charge deflector installed, or discharge

chute and approved grass catcher in

place, Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with mulcher door or round door

removed or propped open,

TO EMPTYGRASS CATCHER

1. Open round door of discharge chute to move starter rope out and away from grass catcher.

\ Front

X handle..

OPEN

Round Starter

door rope

2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from lawn mower using both front and

rear handles.

3. Empty clippings from grass catcher using both rear handle and strap. The weight of the grass will open the door.

4. Snap door shut over frame before installing grass catcher on mower.

NOTE: Do not drag the grass catcher when emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

Rear

handle

Stra_

\ \

•Front

handle

1. Be sure lawnmower is level.

2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.

3. You receive a container of oil with the unit. Slowly pour the entire container

down the oil fill spout into the engine.

NOTE: Initial oil fill requires only 18 oz.

due to residual oil in engine from the

manufacturers 100% quality testing. When

changing oil you may need 20 oz.

4. Insert and tighten dipstick.

IMPORTANT:

• Check oil level before each use. Add oil

if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

• Change the oil after every 25 hours of

operation or each season. You may need to change the oil more often

under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte-

nance section of this manual.

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. Pur- chase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

_Ik CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline

near an open flame.

A 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 let 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.

gine oil cap

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.

• h,CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler

on startup.

Primer

Gasoline filler cap

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 which has already run for a few

minutes,

2, Hold operator presence control bar

down to the handle and turn the start key,

IMPORTANT: Do not crank engine more

than five continous seconds between each time you try to start, Wait 5 to 10 seconds

between each attempt,

• To start engine using the rope starter, follow the steps above. Exchange the

use of the starter rope for start key. Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be neces- sary 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 at-

tempting to start and do not repeat priming

steps.

MOWING TIPS

A 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 clip- pings. It may also be necessary to re- duce 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 be- come filled with dirt and dust with use

and catchers will 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 will 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 results, adjust 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 overlap-

ping previously cut path and mow slowly,

MAX 1/3

• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a sec-

ond time to completely hide the clippings, When doing a second 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 will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn,

MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULE

Check for Loose Fasteners

_ Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher *

Check Tires

_ Check Drive Wheels

Clean Lawn Mower ....

M Clean under Drive Cover *** O Check Drive Belt / Pulleys ***

_ Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade

R Lubrication

Clean and Recharge Battery **

Check Engine Oil level

_' Change Engine Oil N Clean Air Filter

_ Inspect Muffler

N Replace Spark Plug IE Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

* (if so equipped)

** Electric-Start mowers

*** Power-Propelled mowers

**** Use a scraper

to clean under deck

1 - Change more often if 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.

BEFORE AFTER EVERY EVERY EVERY

EACH EACH 10 25 HOURS 100 BEFORE

USE USE HOURS OR SEASON HOURS STORAGE

v' v'

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

Engine oil

I / ¢ Mulcher

I \ ') door hinge pin

_' ") (_ Rear door

hinge

(_ 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

graphite 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.

DRIVE WHEELS Check rear drive wheels each time you

mow to be sure they move freely. The

wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc., may be inside the

drive wheel and dust cover area and must

be cleaned out to free drive wheels. BLADE CARE

For best results, mower blade must be kept

sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade. _, 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, hardened washer).

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. 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.

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

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts

section of this manual.

Trailing

Blade ada

Lock-

washer

Hardened Blade

Blade washer bolt

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

the blade - but if you do, be sure the blade

is balanced. Care should be taken to keep

the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to 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 wall. 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.

GEAR CASE

• To keep your drive system working

properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free of trash build-up. Clean under the drive

cover twice a season.

• The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time

the lubricant needs attention is if service has been performed on the gear case.

• If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No.

750369. Do not substitute.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

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.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100

c -10 -2; -1; ; 1; _0 10 4?

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, and

you should check your engine oil level fre- quently to avoid possible engine damage

from running low on oil.

Change the oil after every 25 hours of opera-

tion or at least once a year if the lawn mower

is not used for 25 hours in one year. Check the crankcase oil level before

starting the engine and after each five (5)

hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain

oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot

come in contact with plug.

2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface.

3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container.

Rock lawn mower back and forth to re- move any oil trapped inside of engine.

8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick before starting engine.

9. Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.

AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly using

a dirty air filter. Replace paper cartridge every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner more often under dusty condi-

tions.

1. Loosen screws and remove cover.

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur-

face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

_,CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such

as kerosene, are not to be used to clean cartridge. They may cause deterioration

of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do

not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.

Cartridige

Base

4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine.

5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout, stopping every few ounces to check the

oil level with the dipstick.

6. Stop adding oil when you reach the FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a

minute to allow oil to settle.

7. Continue adding small amounts of oil, rechecking the dipstick until oil level settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or

engine will smoke heavily from the muf- fler on startup.

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage.

SPARK PLUG Replace spark plug at the beginning of

each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs

first. Spark plug type and gap setting

are shown in the "PRODUCT SPECIFIC-

ATIONS" section of this manual.

CLEANING IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-grass and trash, Clean the underside of your

mower after each use,

_I:_CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it

cannot come in contact with plug.

• Clean the underside of your lawn mower

by scraping to remove build-up of grass and trash.

• Clean engine often to keep trash from

accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life.

• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free

of all gasoline, oil, etc.

• We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean lawn mower unless the electrical

system, muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine

can result in shortened engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under drive cover at least twice a season. Scrape underside of cover with

putty knife or similar tool to remove any build-up of trash or grass on underside of

drive cover.

_i_WARNING: To avoid serious injury, before

performing any service and adjustments:

1. Release control bar and stop engine.

2. Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.

3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot

come in contact with plug.

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in

the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector, attached between the

rear wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will be

thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position. If deflector

becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.

2. Remove screws retaining drive cover and remove drive cover from lawn

mower housing (See Figure A).

Screws_

3. Remove drive cable from anchor, then detach it and return spring from idler

arm assembly (See Fig. B).

Return spring cable anchor

/ Drive belt

Housing

hole

pulley Idler arm Belt keeper PIVOT \ assembly

Figure B

4. Pivot idler arm assembly to slacken drive belt, then remove drive belt from drive pulley, belt keepers and idler arm.

5. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up.

6. Remove screw securing debris shield. Note that the debris shield has a tab

which fits into a gap in the housing

(See Figure C).

Crankshaft Tab Blade

Housing adapter hole \ (pulley

end)

Lawn

mower

housing

Drive

cover

Figure A 16

Screw

Trailing edge

Figure C

Hardened

washer

Blade

bolt

Lock-washer

+ 36 hidden pages

Craftsman 917371801 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual