Craftsman 917372470 Owner’s Manual

MODEL NUMBER917.3724.70

Assembly

oOperation oMaintenance

oService oAdjustments

OWNER'SMANUAL

RepairParts

(action:

Readand Fallow

all Safety Rules

and instructions BeforeOperating

This Equipment

IIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIHIIIIIII

SAFETYRULES

CAUTION: ALWAYS DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE AND PLACE WIRE

A_. WHERE IT CANNOT CONTACT SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STAR- _k

TING WHEN SETTING-UP, TRANSPORTING, ADJUSTING OR MAKING

REPAIRSTOYOURLAWNMOWER

IMPOBTANT

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.

o Please read your owner's manual Only allow

raerSonswho know the safety rules to use your

wn mower_

• 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'.

° Check your lawn mower over before each use

Tighten any loose bolts, nuts, etc.

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

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

o DO NOT allow children, bystanders or pets in

the area while mowing

• 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°

• Always shut off engine before trying to adjust

whee/heights.

• 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_

a 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_ o Always stop blade when not cutting grass or

when crossing gravel drive, sidewalk, or' roadway_

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LOOKFORTHISSYMBOLTOPOINTOUTIMPOR- I TANTSAFETYPRECAUTIONS.ITMEANS-.-ATTEN-I

TION!!! BECOMEALERT!!!YOUR SAFETYIS I

• 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 usea 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_

• 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_

o DO NOT run with the lawn mower, o 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.

• DO NOT attempt to raise engine speed above

factory settings° Engine damage or personal injury may result.

• If a grass catcher isused on your lawn mower', check the catcher often for damage or

deterioration° It will 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.

o DRAIN THE GASOLINE from your lawn

mower before transporting your lawn mower' inside your car or other' vehicle.

INVOLVED. J

CONGRATULATIONSonyourpurchaseof a SearsCraft-

sman Lawn Mower. It has been designed, engineeredand manufacturedto give you the best possibledependability and performance. Shouidyou experienceanyproblemyoucannoteasi-

ly remedy, pleasecontactyour nearest Sears Ser_

vice Center/Departmento We have competent, well- trained technicians and the proper tools to service

or repair this unit,

PRODUCTSPECH:RCATRONS

, ,, ,, ,,, ,,,

HORSE POWER:

DISPLACEMENT:

GASOLINE CAPACITY:

5.0

11.57 cu. in.r

....... ,,,, ,,

1.5,quart.,

(bmeaaea,_

Please read and retain this manual_ The instructions

wil! enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn

OIL (21 oz. Capacity):

SAE 30 or (SAE IOW30)

mower properly_ Always observe the "SAFETY RULES"_

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MODEL

NUMBER 917.372470

SERIAL NUMBER

SPARK PLUG (GAP _030 ira):

i, ,,,i........................

iiiiii ,i,n,, ,111 ,

Champion

RJ19-LM or

Sears 7j 33312

or STD 361458

VALVE CLEARANCE: Intake: .006 ino

DATE OF PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBFRS 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 KEEPtN A SAFE

PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

i ii1,, ,i,i ....

, i i ,1111,

SOLID STATE IGNITION

AIR GAP: _010 inn

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 fl._lbs.

Exhaust: _008 in.

MAONTENANCEAGREEMENT

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

CUSTOMERRESPONSDBRLITIES

o Read and observe the safety rules_

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

Follow the.!nstructions under "Maintenance" and "Storage" sections of this Owner's Manual.

TWOYEARLIMBTEDWARRANTYON CRAg:TSMANPOWERMOWER

For two years from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated and tuned- up accordinq to the instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair, free of char cle, any defect in material and workmc]nshlp

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 IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER TO THE

NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTERIDEPARTMENT IN 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-W, Sears Tower, Chicago, IL 60684

TABLEOF CONTENTS

SAFETYRULES................................................ 2

PRODUCTSPECIFICATIONS............................. 3

CUSTOMERRESPONSIBILITIES......................... 3

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

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

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

OPERATION ................................................... 7

MAINTENANCE ............................................ 12

nNDEX

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

Adjustments:

Carburetor.................................. t6

EngineSpeed.............................. 16

HandleHeight.............................. 17

HeightofCut................................. 9

AirFilter:

Service........................................ t4

Assembly:

GrassCatcher............................... 6

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

Blade:

Sharpening................................. 12

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

Controls:

Operator PresenceControlBar......8

DriveControl................................. 8

CustomerResponsibilities..................... 3

Engine:

Oil Change................................. 13

Oil Level..................................... 10

OilType......................................I0

Starting....................................... I 1

Storage....................................... 18

Fuel:

Type........................................... t0

Storage....................................... 18

Handle:

Adjustment .................................17

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

Lubrication:

Engine........................................19

RearDoor Hinge......................... 19

Handle BracketMountingPin....... 19

WheelAdjuster ........................... 19

Maintenance:

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

Air Filter.....................................14

BladeCare/Replacement............. 12

Engine........................................13

GrossCatcher............................. 13

Lubrication ........................................ lg

Spark Plug.................................. 14

MowingTips......................................11

Mowing/MulchingTips....................... I I

Oil:

Engine........................................10

Storage.......................................18

Operation:

OperatingLawnMower ..........7-11

ControlBar................................... 8

EngineControl.............................. 8

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ........................ 15

STORAGE ..................................................... 18

SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS ...................... 19

TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................... 31

REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER ............... 20-24

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE .......................... 25-29

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE .......... BACK COVER

OperatorPresenceControlBar............. 8

Options:

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

Repair Parts

LawnMower..........................20-24

Engine................................... 25-29

Responsibilities,Customer.................... 3

Safely Rules.........................................2

ServiceandAdjustments:

Carburetor.................................. 16

EngineSpeed.............................. 16

Handle ....................................... 17

ServiceRecommendations.................. 19

SparkPlug......................................... 14

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

Startingthe Engine:

DriveControl................................. 8

StoppingtheEngine........................... 11

Storage.............................................. 18

TroubleShootingChart....................... 31

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

Wheels:

WheelAdjusters............................ 8

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

ENGINE

....+ .

SPARKPI.UG MUFFLER

tf lawn mower is an etectric start

LAWNMOWERPERFORMANCE

DUSTSHIELD

REARBAG OPTIONAL

AIR FILTER

........ i,,_u_ +_,1 +¸.¸¸¸++2

GASCAN ENGINEOIL STABILIZER

....... ::7++++ : ................................... + ,,,

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

REPLACEMENT

FABRICBAG

BAGFORREAR

DISCHARGE

LAWNMOWERS

OPTIONAL

SIDEDISCHARGECATCHER

CATCHERFOR

SiDEDISCHARGE

LAWNMOWER

LAWNMOWERMABNTENANCE

BELT

BLADE BLADEADAPTER

PERMANEXCATCHER

,,u m,,, nu,_

WHEELS

LAWN P_OWERCOVER

Your'lawn mower has been assembled at the fac-

tory except for the Grass Catcher Bag and the Grass Catcher Frame.

TOR MgVE MOWERFROMCARTON

• Remove loose parts included with mower.

• Cut down two end corner's of carton and lay end panel down flat.

o Removeall packing materials except upper handle

padding.

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thoroughly for additional loose parts.

HgW TOSET=UPYOURLAWNMOWER

TO UNFOLDHANDLE

• Raise handles until lower handle section locksinto place in mowing position (SeeFig. 1).

• Raise upper handle section into place on lower handle, remove protective podding 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 section of this manual.

OPERATOR PRESENCE

CONTROL BAR

UPPER HANDL

LIFT UP

tJ MOW,NG POSITION

TO ASS[MBLEGRASSCATCHER

o PutGrass Catcher Frame into Grass Bag with stiff

part of Bag on the bottom.

o 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°

FIG. 2

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