Craftsman 917372282 Owner’s Manual

NUMBER917.3722

.Assembly *Operation

.Maintenance .Service

2 OWNER'SMANUAL

.Adiustments

*RepairParts

Caution:

Read and Follow aimSafety Rules

and Instructions

BeforeOperating

This Equipment \

_ _,,, _ t,nn Jn [l!l............... I ! I I1.................................

SAFETYRULES

CAUTION: ALWAYS DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE AND PLACE WIRE WHERE IT CANNOT CONTACT SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STAR- TING WHEN SETTiNG-UP, TRANSPORTING, ADJUSTING OR MAKING

REPAIRS TO YOUR LAWN MOWER.

:IMPORTANT

FEDERAL REGULATIONS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE BLADE STOP CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF BLADE CONTACT INJURY. YOUR LAWN MOWER IS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL UNDER ANY

CIRCUMSTANCES.

" BE CAREFUL-WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUN-

NiNG THE BLADE IS TURNING.

• Please read your owner's manual. Only allow

persons who know the safety rules to use your lawn mower. _;,,'_,

• DO NOT fie the operator presen_ €o_trbl bar to the handle. Control must be ffeelt6 permit

brake engagement when handles ai_d control are released. ;;

• DO NOT allow childre_iii_i_iii_;_i_' your lawn mower. ; i

• Check your lawn mower ove_;_efore each use.

Tighten any loose bolts, nuts, etc.

• Remove all sticks,;stc_nes_ wires, cans, boards, etc. from area to be m_ed. These objects can

be thrown by:the blad:e.

• DO NOT allow children, bystanders or pets in the area v_hile mowing.

• Always w;ar :shoes when mowing. DO NOT

operate tawn m_wer when barefoot or wear-

ing open safidafs. Alway s wedr safety glasses or eye shields

before starting your lawn mower and while mowing.

° Always shut off engine before trying to adjust

wheelheights.

• When engine is running, DO NOT put hands

or feet under lawn mower or in the discharge chute, nor make any adjustments.

° Stay clear of discharge opening at all times.

• Do not fill gas tank when engine is running,

when indoors or when engine is hot. Allow engine to cool for several minutes before fill- ing gas tank. Clean off any spilled gasoline before starting engine.

• Mow only in good light.

• Always stop blade when not cutting grass or

when crossing gravel drive, sidewalk, or

roadway.

i i ,,¸ ...............

LOOKFORTHISSYMBOLTO

TANTSAFETYPRECAUTIONS.

TION!!! BECOME ALERT!!!

INVOLVED.

° DO NOT continue to run your lawn mower if

you hit a foreign object. Stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, inspect the lawn mower for damage and make repairs as required.

° DO NOT use a damaged lawn mower. Always

have damage repaired before mowing.

. DO NOT run your lawn mower if it vibrates

too much. Stop engine and make repairs. Vibration is an indication of damage.

° Never use your lawn mower without proper

guards or deflectors in place.

• Always mow across a slope or inclined area. DO NOT mow up or down a slope or inclined

area.

• DO NOT mow in wet grass. Be careful of footing when mowing in wet grass, use shoes with good traction.

• DO NOT run with the lawn mower

- DO NOT run your lawn mower indoors Ex-

haust gases are deadly poison.

• Always disconnect the spark plug wire from spark plug to prevent accidental starting when

transporting or storing your lawn mower after the mowing season.

° DO NOT attempt to raise engine speed above

factory settings. Engine damage or personal

injury may result.

o If a grass catcher is used on your lawn mower,

check the catcher often for damage or deterioration, it wilt wear through normal use. Use only a recommended replacement catcher.

. Always stop blade to remove or install catcher. ° DO NOT store your lawn mower or gasoline

where fumes may reach an open flame and

cause a fire.

• DRAIN THE GASOLINE from your lawn mower before transporting your lawn mower inside your car or other vehicle.

POINT OUT IMPOR-

IT MEANS-- ATTEN-

YOUR SAFETYIS

CONGRATULATIONSon your purchase of a Sears Crafts- man Lawn Mower° It has been designed, engineered

and manufactured to _ive you the best possible dependability and perTormance.

Should you experience any problem you cannot easi- ly remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Ser-

vice Center!Department. We have competent, well- trained technicians and the proper tools to service

or repair this unit°

PEODUCTSPECIFICATIONS

HORSE POWER: 4.0

DISPLACEMENT: 10.49 cu. in.

GASOLINE CAPACITY: 1.5 quarts

(Unleaded)

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions

will enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower properly. Always observe the "SAFETY

RULES".

OIL (20 oz. Capacity): SAE 30 or

(SAE10W30)

SPARK PLUG (GAP .030 in.): Champion

MODEL NUMBER 917.372282

SERIAL NUMBER

DATE OF PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE

FOUND ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE LAWN MOWER HOUSING.

YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE

PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

VALVE CLEARANCE: Intake: .008 in.

Exhaust: .008 in°

SOLID STATE IGNITION AIR GAP: .0125 in.

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 ft.-Ibs.

RJ 19_LM or Sears _ 33312 or STD 361458

or STD 360950

MAINTENANCEAGEEEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this product. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.

CUSTOMEERESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rules.

• Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower.

• Follow the instructions under "Maintenance" and "Storage" sections of this Owner's Manual.

ONEYEARLIMITEDWAERANTYONCRAFTSMANPOWER OWEP,

For one year from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower ismaintained, lubricated and tuned-up. accordinq to the instructions m the owner's manual, Sears will repair, free of charge, any defect in material

and workmanship. ff this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90

days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover:

Expendable items which 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 crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual.

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

NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS WARRANTY APPLIES

ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN USE IN THE UNITED STATES. This warranty gives you specific legat rights, and you may also have other rights which may vary from state

to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Company, D/731CR-W, Sears Tower, Chicago, tL 60684

TABLEOFCONTENTS

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

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES . 3

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

LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES ........... 5

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

OPERATION ..................... 7,8,9, !0

MAINTENANCE ................. 11,12,13

Adjustments:

Carburetor ................. 14

Engine Speed ............. 15

Handle Height .............. 15

Height oF Cut ................ 9

Air Filter:

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

Assembry:

Handle .................. 6

Accessories .................. 5

Blade:

Replacement ............... 11

Sharpening ................ 11

Controls:

Drive Control .............. 7,8

Engine Zone Control ......... 7,8

Engine Speed Control ....... 7,8

Operator Presence Control Bar .. 7

Customer Responsibilities ........ 3

Cuffing Levels ............... 9

Handle:

Adjustment ................. 15

Assembly ................... 6

Height, Cutting .............. 9

Lubrication:

Brake Spring Bracket ......... 17

Engine .................... 17

Handle Bracket Pin .......... t7

Rear Door Hinge ............ 17

Wheel Adjuster ............. 17

Maintenance:

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

Air Filter .................. 12

Blade Care/Repiacement ..... 11

Engine ................... 12

Grass Catcher ............. 12

Lubrication ................ 17

Spark Plug ................ t3

Mowing Tips ................ 10

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENT ......... 14&15

STORAGE ............................ 16

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS .......... t7

REPAIR PARTS.LAWN MOWER ........ 18-21

REPAIR PARTS-ENGINE .............. 22.25

TROUBLE SHOOTING .................. 26

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ...... Back Cover

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

Service and Adjustments:

Carburetor ................. 14

Engine Speed .............. 15

Drive Belt ................. 14

Handle ................... 15

Rear Deflector .............. 15

Service Recommendation ....... 17

Spark Plug .................. 13

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

Speed Control:

Engine ................... 7,8

Starting the Engine:

Starter Handle .............. 10

Storage ..................... 16

Trouble Shooting Chart ......... 26

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

Wheels:

Wheel Adjusters ........... 7,17

Engine:

Oil Change ................ 12

Oi! Levet .................. 9

Oil Type .................. 9

Starting ................... 10

Storage ................... 16

Fuel:

Capacity ................... 3

Type .................... 9

Storage ................... "I6

Oil:

Engine .................... 9

Storage .................. ] 6

Operation:

Operating Lawn Mower .... 7-10

Operator Presence Control ..... 7

Options:

Attachments ................ 5

Parts .................... ! 8-25

Engine ................. 22-25

Lawn Mower ............ 18-21

Primer ................... 7,10

. These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are also available at most Sears

retail outlets, catalog and service centers. Moss Sears stores can order repair parts for you, when you provide

the model number of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower_

ENGINE

ecd_

SPAREPLUG MUFFLER Ale FILTER GASCAN ENGINEOiL STABILIZER

if ]awn mower is an electric start

LAWNMOWERPERFORMANCE

DUSTSHIELD

REARBAG OPTIONAL

REPLACEMENT

FABRICBAG

BAGFORREAR

DISCHARGE

LAWNMOWERS

OPTIONAL

SIDE DISCHARGECATCHER

CATCHERFOR

SIDEDISCHARGE

LAWNMOWER

• .. .. _

LAWN_OWERMAINTENANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

PERMAHEXCATCHER

BELT BLADE BLADEADAPTER

WHEELS

LAWN MOWER COVER

ASSEMBLY

..... ___ !lUl II'll ............................ ,.___ '

Your lawn mower has been assembled at the fac- tory except for the Grass Catcher Bag and the Grass

Catcher Frame.

TOREMOVELAWNMOWERFROMCARTON

• Cut down the corners of the carton and lay ends

and sides down fiat.

o Remove packing material.

• Lift lawn mower off of shipping base and check carton thorougly for loose parts.

HOWTOSET-UPYOURLAWNMOWER

TO UNFOLDHANDLE

0 Raise handles until lower handle section locks into

place in mowing position (SeeFig. 1). Raise upper handle section into place on lower

handle, remove protective padding and tighten

both handle knobs.

• Remove handle padding holding operator pres- ence control bar to upper handle.

- Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your

mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service and Adjustment sectionof this manual.

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

OPERATOR PRESENCE

CONTROL BAR

UPPER

LIFT UP

MOWING POSITION

CATCHER FRAME

FRAME OPENING

FI6. 2

i Iq u' '1I"'l'lq I

o Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with stiff

part of bag on the bottom. ® Slip vinyl bindings over frame (See Fig. 2). 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.

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

* Lift the rear door on the lawn mower housing and

place the grass catcher frame onto the formed up

tabs on the rear door hinge bracket (See Fig. 3).

The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is Jowered onto the grass catcher frame.

HINGE BRACKET _/ __*_---REAR DOOR

FORME._¢D UP TABS

GRASS

FIO. 3

CAUTION: DO NOT RUN YOURLAWN mOWER

ORASSCATCHERIN PLACE.NEVERATTEMPTTO

WITHOUTCLIPPINGDEFLECTOROR APPROVED OPERATETHE LAWNmOWER WITH THEREAR

DOOR REMOVEDOR PROPPEDOPEN.

OPERATION

KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Com- pare the illustrations with your Lawn Mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls

and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

OPERATOR PRESENCE

CONTROL E CONTROL

HANDLE KNOB

STARTER ROPE

CABLE CLIP

GRASS CATCHER

ENGINE SPEED

CONTROL LEVER

PRIMER

AIR FILTER

WHEEL ADJUSTER

(ON EACH WHEEL)

GfNE OiL CAP

WITH DIPSTICK

GASOLINE FILL CAP

DRIVE COVER

HOUSING

FIG. 4

MEETSCPSCSAFETYREQUIREMENTS

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 Commission. 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 :top the engine. ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER- located on the

right side of the engine which allows you to select either "HIGH" or "LOW" engine speed.

PRIMER - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor

to the cylinder for use when starting a cold engine

STARTER ROPE - used for starting the engine.

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER- used to engage power

propelled forward motion lawn mower.

HOWTOUSEYOURLAWNMOWER

ENGINESPEEDCONTROL

The engine speed is controlled by a lever (red knob)

located on the right side of the engine. "HIGH" posi-

tion is for starting engine, normal cutting and better

grass bagging. "LOW" position is for light cutting,

trimming and furl economy (See Fig. 5).

ENGINEZONECONTROL

CAUTION: FEDERALREGULATIONSREQLIIREAN

ENGtNECOHTROLTO 8E INSTALLEDON THIS LAWN MOWER IN ORDERTO MBHIMiZE THE

RtSE OF gLADE COHTACTJNJLtR¥_ DO NOT

UNDERANY GRCgMSTANCESATTEMPTTO DE-

F_,_T THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR

CONTROL,THEBL_OETLtRHSWHENTHEENGINE

!$ RUNNING.

Your Lawn Mower is equipped with an Operator

Engine Control Bar which requires the operator to be positioned behind the Lawn Mower Han- dle to start and operate the lawn mower.

I)RIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the Operator Presence Control Bar down to the Han- dle and pushing the Drive Control Lever forward until it clicks; then release the Lever (See Fig. 6).

® Forward motion will stop when the Operator

Presence Control Bar is released. To stop forward motion without stopping the engine, release the

Operator Presence Control Bar slightly until the

Drive Control disengages. Hold Operator Presence Control Bar down to Handle to continue

mowing without self-propdling.

o To keep Drive Control engaged when turning cor-

ners, push down on Handle and lift Front Wheels

off ground while turning lawn mower. NOT_: When your lawn mower is new, the Drive Wheels may rotate without the Drive Control engag- ed when the Wheals are lifted off the ground. This is normal and should stop after the first few hours of operation.

TO EMPTYGRASSCATCHER

PRIMER

CONTROL

DRIVE CONTROL DtSENGAGED

Ft$. 6

Ft6.7

To remove Grass Catcher, release Operator

Presence Control Bar to stop engine.

, Lift up Rear Door and remove the Grass Catcher

by the Handle (See Fig. 7).

* Do not drag the Bag when emptying; it wiJf cause

unnecessary wear.

OPERATION

-' ___ ....... _z_::_ __ '!l I I iI lllll, i I iiiii ii ll,lrlll,,ll, i i'i ii,, ..............

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT ........ _ _ +

° Raise Wheels for low cut and lower Wheels for

high cut+

+ Wheels are set in low cut for shipping. Adjust cut-

ting height to suit your requirements. Medium

position is best for most lawns+

To change cutting height, squeeze Adjuster Lever toward Wheel. Move Wheel up or down to suit

your requirements. Be sure all Wheels are in the same setting (See Fig. 8).

BEFORESTARTINGENGINE

OIL:

A 20 oz. bottle of Pennzoil SAE 30 Oil is included with your new lawn mower.

Remove Engine Oil Cap (See Fig. 9) and fill to

the FULL line on the dipstick+

+ Use 20 ozs. of SAE 30 oil+ SAE 10W 30 oil can

also be used.

DO NOT use SAE 10W 40 oil.

° POUR OiL SLOWLY. DO NOT OVERFILL.

Check oi! level before each use. Add oil if need- ed. Fill to FULL +ine on dipstick.

+ To read proper level, tighten Engine Oit Cap each

time.

* Reinstall Engine Oil Cap and tighten.

After the first two (2) hours of mowing, change the oil, and every 25 hours thereafter. You may

need to change the oil more often under dusty,

dirty conditions+

GAS:

+, Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean unleaded

gasoline. DO NOT USE PREMIUM GASOLINE.

BECAREFULNOTTOOVERFILLTANK(SEE

FiG. 9).

WABNIN6: Experience indicates that alcohol blend-

ed fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol)

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.

FIG. 8

GASOLINE FILLER CAP

ENGINE OIL CAP W/DIPSTICK

FIG. 9

To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage for 30 days or longer. Drain

the gas tank, start the engine and Jet 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+

+ 19 hidden pages

Craftsman 917372282 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual