Craftsman 917-371813 User Manual

Owner's Manual

CRAFTSMAN°

ROTARY

160cc Honda Engine

Power-Propelled

21" Multi-Cut

Model No.

917.371813

• Espa_ol, 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

Operation ............................................. 7-11

Maintenance Schedule ........................... 12

Maintenance ...................................... 12-15

Service and Adjustments ................... 16-18

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

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

Repair Parts ....................................... 40-51

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

_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.

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.

IoGENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand,andfollow all

instructionsonthe machineandinthe manual(s)beforestarting.Bethoroughly

familiarwith the controlsandthe proper

useof the machinebeforestarting.

• Do not put handsorfeet nearor under

rotatingparts.Keepclearof thedis-

chargeopeningatall 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 or trailer and refuel it on the

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

container,ratherthan from agasoline dispensernozzle.

• Keepthe nozzle in contactwith the rim of thefuel tankor containeropeningat

all timesuntilfueling is complete. Do not use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• If fuel is spilledon clothing,change clothing immediately.

• Neveroverfillfuel tank. Replacegas cap andtightensecurely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

• Never run machineinsidea closedarea.

• Never make adjustmentsor repairs with theengine(motor)running.Disconnectthe

spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from plugto preventaccidentalstarting.

• Keep nutsandbolts,especiallyblade attachmentbolts,tight and keep equip-

mentin good condition.

• Never tamperwithsafetydevices.Check their properoperationregularly.

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

age.Allowmachineto coolbeforestoring.

• Stop and inspectthe equipmentifyou strikean object. Repair,if necessary, beforerestarting.

• Never attemptto makewheel height adjustmentswhile the engine is running.

• Grass catcher componentsare subject towear, damage, anddeterioration,

whichcouldexpose moving partsor allowobjectsto be thrown.Frequently check componentsandreplacewith

manufacturer'srecommendedparts, whennecessary.

• Mower blades aresharp and can cut. Wraptheblade(s)or wear gloves,and

use extra cautionwhen servicingthem.

• Do not changethe enginegovernorset- ting or overspeedthe engine.

• Maintainor replacesafetyand instruc- tion labels, as necessary.

AWARNING: Thislawn mower is equippedwith aninternalcombustionengine and

should not be usedon or near any unimprovedforest-covered,brush-coveredor grass-coveredland unlessthe engine'sexhaustsystem is equippedwith aspark

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

Inthe stateof Californiathe aboveis required by law (Section4442of the California PublicResourcesCode). Other states may havesimilar laws. Federallaws applyon federallands. A spark arresterfor the muffleris availablethroughyour nearestSears Parts& RepairCenter(Seethe REPAIRPARTSsectionof this manual).

SerialNumber: Dateof Purchase:

GasolineCapacity/ Type: 1.0 Quarts (Unleaded Regular)

Oil Capacity: 18.5 Ounces Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F) or SAE 10W-30

Spark Plug (Gap: ,030") NGK BPR6ES

Valve Clearance (_+0.04 mm): Intake: 0,015 mm; Exhaust: 0,020 mm

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 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.

Operator MOWING presence POSITION

control bar

LIFT UP

Lower handle

Upper

handle

Handle

knob

Bolt

Knob

Handle

bracket

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.

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.

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

Operator presence control bar

- Drive control lever

Starter handle knob

Gasoline filler cap

Grass catcher

Fuel shutoff valve

Air filter

,Dual point

height

Engine oil cal

with dipstick

adjuster

levers

Muffler

Mulcher door

Housing Spark plug

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.

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

Mulcher door- allows conversion to

discharging or bagging operation. Starter handle - used for starting engine.

Dual point height adjuster - used to

adjust cutting height of lawn mower.

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

_I, 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,

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,

• To keep drive control engaged when

turning corners, push down on the

handle to lift the front wheels off the

ground while turning lawn mower,

Operator presence control bar Drive control

lever

ENGAGE DRIVE

DRIVE CONTROL

CONTROL DISENGAGED

DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT

Over time, the drive control system may be- come "loose", resulting in decreased speed,

There is a turnbuckle on the underside of the drive control housing to increase tension on

the drive cable, Proceed 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,

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.

Height

uster lever

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.

handle

-Crossbar

Grass

Round

door

Dischar( chute

Threaded

Mulcher door

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.

_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn

mower without mulcher door closed; side

discharge 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

Stral:

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

down the oil fill spout into the engine.

4. Insert and tighten oil fill cap/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.

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 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.

,Front

handle

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 on startup.

1. Be sure lawnmower is level.

2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick from oil fill spout. 10

Oil fill cap / Gasoline dips filler cap

Upper Lowe

mark mark

TO STOP ENGINE

To stop engine, release operator pres- ence control bar. Wait until blade and

all moving parts have stopped and turn fuel valve to OFF position if you do not intend to restart the engine soon.

TO START ENGINE

NOTE:Dueto protectivecoatingson the engine,asmall amountofsmoke maybe presentduring the initialuse of the product

andshould be considerednormal, 1, Be sure fuel valve is inthe ONpo-

sition,

2, Holdoperator presencecontrolbar

downto the handleand pull starter handlequickly,Do notallowstarter

ropeto snap back,

NOTE:Thechoke leverautomatically beginsmovingto the OFF positionwhen

operator presencecontrolbar is held downto handle,

OFF

Fuel valve lever

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

Maintenance,repair,or replacementof the emissioncontroldevices andsystems, whichare beingdoneat the customersex-

pense,may be performedby any non-road

enginerepair establishmentor individual. Warrantyrepairsmustbe performedby an

authorizedenginemanufacturer'sservice outlet.

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL.

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade accord-

ing to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

1'__]' k

°F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100

°c -_o -2o -1; ; _ _o 1o

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 operation 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 oil fill cap/dipstick; 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.

Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn

mower or side of engine.

Fill engine with oil. Slowly pour oil

down the oil fill spout into the engine.

Wait one minute to allow oil to settle.

Use guage on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the

tube. DO NOT thread the cap into the tube when taking reading.

Oil fill cap / dipstick

Upper _

mark

Lower./ ',

mark

7. Continue adding small amounts of oil and rechecking the dipstick until it

reads full. DO NOT overfill, or engine

will smoke on startup.

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

9. Reconnect spark plug wire to spark

plug.

AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly and may

be damaged by using a dirty air filter, Replace the air filter every 100 hours of

operation or every season, whichever oc-

curs first, Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions,

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

1. Remove cover.

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur- face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

_LCAUTION: 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.

Tab

Cartridge

Filter covel

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.

_kCAUTION: 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.

Return spring Drive cable anchor

/ Drive belt

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).

Housing

Drive 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)

Hardened

washer

Drive

cover

Figure A

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

arm assembly (See Fig, B),

Lawn

mower

housing

Screw Trailing edge

Lock-washer

Figure C

7. 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.

8. Remove blade bolt.

9. Remove blade, attaching hardware (bolt, lock washer and hardened wash- er), blade adapter and debris shield as

one assembly.

10. Remove drive belt from blade adapter and debris shield; discard old belt.

Blade

bolt

+ 36 hidden pages

Craftsman 917-371813 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual