Craftsman 917372290 Owner’s Manual

MODELNUMBER917o372290

oAssembly

oOperation

0 "

Maintenance

°Service
_,Adjustments

OWNER'SMANUAL

®RepairParts

Caution:

Readand Follow
all SafetyRules

and Rnstructions
BeforeOperating

ThisEquipment

SAFETYRULES

CAUTION:ALWAYS DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE AND PLACEWIRE
WHERE IT CANNOT CONTACT SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STAR-

T AO U T, O

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.

o 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'.

o DO NOT tie the operator presence control bar

to the handle_ Control must be free to permit
brake engagement when handles and control

are released.

o DO NOT allow children to use your lawn

mower.

o Check your lawn mower over before each use.

Tighten any loose bolts, nuts, etc.

o Remove all sticks, stones, wires, cans, boards,

etco from area to be mowed. These objects can
be thrown by the blade.

° DO NOT allow children, bystanders or pets in

the area while mowing°

o Always wear shoes when mowing_ DO NOT

operate lawn mower when barefoot or' wear-
ing open sandals.

o Always wear safety glasses or eye shields

before starting your lawn mower and while
mowing°

o Always shut off engine before trying to adjust

whee/heights.

o When engine is running, DO NOT put hands

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

o Stay clear of discharge opening at all times.
o 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.

o Mow only in goodlight.
° Always stop blade when not cutting grass or

when crossing gravel drive, sidewalk, or

roadway.

o DO NOT continue to run your lawn mower if

c_OU hit a foreign object. Stop the engine,

isconnect the spark plug wire from the spark

plug, inspect the lawn mower for damage and

make repairs as required.

o DO NOT use a damaged lawn mower. Always

have damage repaired before mowing.

o DO NOT run your lawn mower if it vibrates

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

o Never' use your lawn mower without proper'

guards or deflectors in place.

o Always mow across a slope or inclined area.

DO NOT mow up or down a slope or inclined

areao

o DO NOT mow in wet grass. Be careful of

footing when mowing in wet grass, use shoes
with good traction.

o DO NOT run with the lawn mower'.

• DO NOT run your lawn mower indoors° Ex-
haust gases are deadly poison.

o Always disconnect the spark plug wire from

spark plug to prevent accidental starting when
transporting or' storing your lawn mower' after
the mowing season.

o DO NOT attempt to raise engine speed above

factory settings. Engine damage or personal

injury may result.

° If a grass catcher' is used on your lawn mower,

check the catcher often for damage or
deterioration° it will wear through normal use.

Use only a recommended replacement catcher.

o Always stop blade to remove or insta!l catcher.
o 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.

I LOOKFORTHISSYMBOLTO POINTOUT IMPOR-

,_ TANTSAFETYPRECAUTIONS.IT MEANS-- ATTEN-

TION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS

INVOLVED

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

CONGRATULATIONSon your purchase of a Sears Craft-

sman Lawn Mower. It has been designed,
engineered and manufactured to give you the best

possible dependability and performance.
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..

PBODUCTSP[CBFICATUGNS

HORSE POWER: 4.0

DISPLACEMENT: 10.49 cu. in.

GASOLINE CAPACITY:

l oO.quart ,,

unteaaecll

Please read and retain this manual, The instructions
will enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn

mower properly° Always observe the "SAFETY
RULES".

,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i i,

MODEL
NUMBER 9t7o372290

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 PURCHASEAND KEEPIN A SAFE

PLACEFOR FUTUREREFERENCE.

OIL (21 oz. Capacity):
A.Pol. Classification

SG/SF/SE

SPARK PLUG (GAP °030 in.):

VALVE CLEARANCE: Intake:

Exhaust:

I II II1' '111 I I

SOLID STATE IGNITION
AIR GAP:

BLADE BOLT TORQUE:

SAE 30 or

(SAE10W30)

Champion
RJ19-LM or

Sears 7_j 33312
or STD 361458

.008 inn
°008 in,

..0125 in.

35-40 ft.-Ibs..

MAIHT :NAHCEAGREEMEHT

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

CLISTOMEERESPONSRBlUTIES

" Read and observe the safety rules°

o Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower.
° Follow the in s!ructions under "Maintenance" and "Storage" sections of this Owner's Manua...!..

OHEY[ARLIMIT[DWARBANTYOHCRA[:TSMAHPOWEBMOWEP,

For one year from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated and tuned-u R
accordinq to the instructions I'n the owner's manual, Sears will repair, free of charge, any defect in material
and workmanship°

if 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 1S AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER TO THE

NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT tN THE UNITED STATES_ THIS WARRANTY APPLIES

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

to state..

Sears, Roebuck and Company, D/731CR, Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60684

3

TABLEOFCONTENTS

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

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ...... 3

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES 3

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

LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES 5

ASSEMBLY .............. 6,7

OPERATION ..... 8-11

MAINTENANCE ........... 12-14

A

Adjustments:

Carburetor , 15
Handle Height 16

Height of Cut 9

Air Filter:

Replacement 14

Assembly:

Handle 6

Grass Catcher 6,7

Accessories 5

Blade:

Replacement 12

Sharpening 12

Handle:

Adjustment t6
Assembly .6

Bracket 17
Knob 8

Lubrication:

Engine t 8

Brake Spring Brackets _ 18

Handle Bracket Mounting Pins 18
Rear Door Hinge 18
Wheel Adjusters 18

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENT 15,16

STORAGE ...................... 17

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS ........ 18

TROUBLE SHOOTING ....... 19

REPAIR PARTS-LAWN MOWER 20-24

REPAIR PARTS-ENGINE ..... 25-27

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE 28

Repair/Replacement Parts 20-24
Responsibilities, Customer 3

Safety Rules 2

Service and Adjustments:

Carburetor' 15

Handle 16

Service Recommendation 18
Spark Plugs 14

Specifications 3
Starting the Engine:

Starter Handle_ 11

Stopping the Engine 1]
Storage 17

M

Controls:

Engine Zone Control Cable • 10
Operator Presence Control Bar 8

Customer Responsibilities 3

Engine:

Oil Cap .8
Oil Change 13

Oil Levet 10
Oil Type 10
Starting 1t

Storage 17

F

Fuel:

Type 10

Storage 17

Maintenance:

Agreement .3
Air Filter 14

Blade

Care/Replacement 12

Engine 13

Gear Case t3

Grass Catcher 13
Lubrication 18

Spark Plugs 14

Mowing Tips 11

0

Oil:

Engine 10

Storage 17

Operation:

Operating Lawn Mower' . 8-11

Operator Presence Control Bar 8
Options:

Attachments 5

T

Trouble Shooting Chart

W

Warranty

Wheels:

Wheel Adjusters

19

3

9

4

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced, They are also available at most Sears
retail outlets, catalog and service centers_ Most Sears stores can order repair parts for you, when you provide
the model number of your lawn mower,

ENGINE

SPARKPLUG MUFFLER

If lawn mower is an electric start

LAWNMOWERPERFORh'iANCE

DUSTSHIELD

REARBAG
OPTIONAL

REPLACEMENT FABRICBAG

BAGFORREAR

DISCHARGE

LAWN_OWERS

AIR FILTER GAS(:AN ENGINEOIL STABILIZER

LEAFCATCHER CLIPPINGDEFLECTOR

PERMANEXCATCHER

OPTIONAL

SIDEDISCHARGECATCHER

CATCHERFOR

SiDEDISCHARGE

LAWNt_OWER

LAWNMOWEBt_A_NTENANCE

BELT BLADE

BLADEADAPTER WHEELS LAWN MOWER COVER

Your lawnmowerhasbeenassembledat the fac-

tory except for' the grass catcher,.

The following parts are included - not assembled:

1 Grass Catcher' Top

1 Grass Catcher Bottom With Baffle
1 Grass Catcher Handle
1 Grass Catcher' Frame

1 Hardware Package

HOW TOS T-UP YOURLAWNMOWER

TO UNFOLDHANDLE

Remove handle padding holding operator presence

control bar to upper handle_

. Hold down operator presence control bar to up-

per handle to allow handle to move to mowing
position.

Raise handles until lower handle section locks in-

to place in mowing position (See Fig. 1).

o Raise upper handle section intoplace on lower

handle and tighten one (1) handle knob.

o Release operator presence controt bar' and

tighten remaining handle knob_

o Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your

mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the
service and Adjustment Section of this manual_

TO ASSEMBLEGRASSCATCHER

OPERATOR PRESENCE

CONTROL BAR

UPPER LIFT UP

UFT UP !?

LOWER ,NDLE

TRUSS HEAD SCREWS

#10_24 x 5t8"

/

CATCHER TOP

# 10-24 CATCHER FRAME

FIG. 1

CLAMP

SCREWS ACTUAL SIZE

1/4-20 x 3/4" #10-24 x 5/8" t/4-20 x 5/8"

SCREW SCREW SCREW

NOTE:The grass catcher for your lawn mower is sup-

lied unassemMedo To assemble your grass catcher

Ilow steps below_

o Place grass catcher frame into catcher top as

shown in Fig_ 2_

• Put one (1) #10-24 x 5/8 truss head screw into
hole in catcher top and catcher frame using
#10-24 locknuL DO NOT TIGHTEN (See Fig. 2).

o Put three (3) # 10-24 x 5/8 truss head screws into

the catcher frame using #10-24 iocknuts. Use a
medium phillips screwdriver to tighten screws
while holding the tocknut with an adjustable or

3/8 wrench (See Fig° 2)_

FIG. 2

TOP HANDLE

,'--, t/4-20 x 5/8"

k PHILLIPS HEAD

SCREW

1/4-20 LOCKNUT "-'-_(_

FIG. 3

Y

TO ASSEmblE 6RASS CATCHER ICO_TID) .............................. _ ..................................... .................................................................................................................. _o:_

• Position round end of top handle into hole at rear
of handle recess (See Fig 3), The flat end of top
handle will fit into the square pocket at front of

handle recess° Put the I/4-20 x 5/8 screw through
the handle and catcher top, and install 1!4-20
Iocknut (See Fig. 3)_

o Use a medium phillips screwdriver to tighten

screw while holding the Iocknut with an adjustable
or 7116 wrench (See Fig_ 3)°

o Position top half of catcher on the bottom half ISee

Fig 4)° Align the holes in sides of top and bot-

tom halves of catcher°

o Instal) the right front truss head 114-20 x 3/4

screw through the catcher and install one (1) 1/4

keps nut on the screw. DO NOT TIGHTEN (See

Fig_ 4)_

• Install the other seven (7) screws and keps nuts,

• Use a medium phillips screwdriver to tighten the
screws while holding the keps nut with an ad-

justable or 7116 wrench_

NOTE: Check all screws and nuts to be sure they are
tight,

TO ATTACHGRASSCATCHER

CATCHER TOP TRUSS HEAD

CATCHER BOTTOM

START HERE

1/4-20 x 3f4"
SCREWS

1 4 - 20 KEPS NUTS

FIG. 4

HINGE BRACKET

° Lift rear door,
o Hold catcher by handle and place catcher frame

onto hinge bracket (See Fig_ 5)°

° Release rear door,
o When grass catcher is removed from lawn mower,

rear door doses for safety°

CAUTION: DONOT RUNYOUR LAWN MOWER !

° NEVER ATTEMPT TO OPERATE THE LAWN

MOWER WITH THE REAR DOOR REMOVED
OR PROPPED OPEN_

REAR DOOR OPEN

FIG. 5

T

ENOWYOURLAWNMOW[R

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Cam-

pare the illustrations with your Lawn Mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls

and adiustmentso Save this manual For future reference,

OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR---_..,.._

ENGINE ZONE

CONTROL CABLE,

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER

;TARTER HANDLE

CABLE CLIP

GRASS CATCHER

WHEEL ADJUSTER

(ON EACH WHEEL)

HANDLE KNOB

CABLE CLIP

ENGINE OIL CAP

PSTICK

INE CAP

COVER

PRIMER

AIR FILTER

"HOUSING

FIG. 6

MELTSCPSCSAF[TYREQUHREM[NTS

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 DRIVE CONTROL LEVER - used to engage power'-
held down to the handle to start the engine. Release propelled forward motion of lawn mower.

to stop the engine.

PRIMER - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor

to the cylinder' for use when starting a cold engine.

STARTER HANDLE o,used for starting the engine.

8

DRIVECONTROL

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_ 7)°

o 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-propelling.

o To keep drive control engaged when turning cor_

ners, push down on handle and Hft front wheels

off ground while turning lawn mower.

TO EMPTYGRASSCATCHER

o Lift rear door.
o Grasp catcher handle and remove from lawn

mower_

o Empty by shaking catcher with open end

downward (See Fig 8)_

LPREBASE C

\\' TO ENGAGE _\ ORIVE CONTROL

DRIVE CONTROL DISENGAGED

FIG. 7

TO ADJUSTCUTTINGHEIGHT

FROMSPARKPLUGAND PLACEWIRE WHERE

: cAuTION: DISCONNECTSPARK PLUG WiRE

o Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for

high cut°

o Wheels are set in low cut for shipping_ Adjust cut-

ting height to suit your requirements° Medium
position is best for most lawns_

o 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. 9)°

IT CANNOTCOMEIN CONTACTWITH THESPARK
PLUG.

FIG. 8

LOWER WHEELS "- -',._, RAISE WHEELS

FOR LOW CUT

FIG. 9