Craftsman 917.372480 User Manual

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MODEL NUMBER 917.372480 owner s manual

Mulcher/Bagger

• Assembly

• Operation

• Customer

Responsibilities

• Service

• Adjustments

• Repair Parts

Caution: Read and Follow

all Safety Rules and Instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND Co., Chicago, IL. 60684 U.S.A.

SAFETY RULES

CAUTION: ALWAYS DISCONNECT SPARKPLUG WIRE AND PUCE WIRE WHERE ITCANNOT CONTACTSPARK

plug to prevent ACCIDENTAL STARTING WHEN SETTING UP, TRANSPORTING, ADJUSTING OR MAKING

REPAIRS.

IMPORTANT

SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJURY. YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

TRAINING:

• Read this operator’s manual carefully. Become familiar with the controls and know how to operate your mower properly.

Learn how to quickly stop mower.

• Do not allow children to use your mower. Never allow adults to use mower without proper instructions.

Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially

small children and pets.

Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as de

scribed in this manual.

Do not operate mower if it has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Always have damage repaired before using

your mower.

Do not use accessory attachments that are not recommended by the manufacturer. Use of such attachments may be hazardous.

The blade turns when the engine is running.

PREPARATION;

Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed and clear it of

all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects. These objects will be thrown by the blade and can cause severe injury.

Always wear safety glasses or eye shields when starting and while using your mower.

Dress properly. Do not operate mower when barefoot or

wearing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes with good traction when mowing.

Check fuel tank before starting engine. Do not fill gas tank

indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is hot.

Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before filling the

gas tank. Clean off any spilled gasoline before starting the

engine. Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your

mower. Never attempt to do this while the engine is running.

Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

OPERATION:

Keep your eyes and mind on your mower and the area being

cut. Do not let other interests distract you.

Do not mow wet or slippery grass. Never run while operating your mower. Always be sure of your footing - keep a firm hold on the handles and walk.

Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.

• Always stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and any gravel-covered areas.

• Never direct discharge of material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the mower while you are operating it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing your mower, stop the engine and make absolutely sure the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Then disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

• Do not continue to run your mower if you hit a foreign object.

Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any dam

age before restarting and operating you mower.

• Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the engine. Engine damage or personal injury may result.

• Do not operate your mower if it vibrates abnormally. Exces sive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine,

safely checkforthe cause of vibration and repair as required.

• Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are danger

ous.

« Never cut grass by pulling the mower towards you. Mow

across the face of slopes, never up and down or you might lose your footing. Do not mow excessively steep slopes. Use caution when operating the mower on uneven terrain or when changing directions - maintain good footing,

• Never operate your mower without proper guards, plates,

grass catcher or other safety devices iri place.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE;

• Check the blade and the engine mounting bolts often to be

sure they are tightened properly.

« Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent inten/als for

proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe working condi

tion.

• Keep all safety devices in place and working.

» To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves

or excessive grease and oil.

» Check grass catcher often for deterioration and wear and

replace worn bags. Use only replacement bags that are recommended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your mower.

• Always keep a sharp blade on your mower.

• Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure. » Never store mower with fuel in the tank inside a building

where fumes may reach an open flame or an ignition source such as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. IT MEANS-ATTENTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of Sears

Craftsman Lawn Mower. It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible de

pendability and performance. Should you experience any problems you cannot easily

remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Service Cen-

ter/Department. Sears has competent, well trained tech

nicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit. Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will

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

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

HORSEPOWER;

DISPLACEMENT:

GASOLINE CAPACITY:

OIL (20 oz. Capacity):

5.0

12.04 cu. in.

1 quart (Unleaded)

SAE 30 (Above 32°F) 5W30 (Below 32“F)

MODEL NUMBER 917.372480

SERIAL NUMBER

DATE OF PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE

found on a decal attached to the rear

OF THE lawn mow er HOUSING.

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

PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

___________

________

________________

SPARK PLUG (GAP .030 in.):

(0,76 mm)

VALVE CLEARANCE: intake:

Exhaust;

SOLID STATE IGNITION AIR GAP:

BLADE BOLT TORQUE:

Champion

RJ19LM or Sears 21 33312 or STD 361458

or STD 360950

.008 in.

.0125 in.

35-40 ft.-lbs.

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rules.

• Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower. . Follow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections of this Owner's Manual.

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner’s manual, Sears will repair free of charge any

defect in material or 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 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 legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/731CR-W SEARS TOWER, CHICAGO, IL 60684

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES ...................................

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS.......

....2

............

..3

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBIUTIES ......3,12-14

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

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

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

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

INDEX

Accessories..............

Adjustments:

Carburetor Drive Control Cable Handle Height

Height of Cut...............

Air Filter:

Service.............................................14

Assembly:

Handle

...

Grass Catcher

Blade:

Sharpening Replacement

Controls:

Operator Presence Control Bar .7 Drive Control

Customer Responsibilities..............3,12-14

Air Filter

.........

Blade Care/Replacement Drive Wheels Engine

...

.......................................

Gear Case

Lubrication

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

Engine:

Oil Change...................................... 14

Oil Level

.....

Oil Type

...

Starting

...............

Storage

.........................................

..................................

...................................... 16

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...............

......................................

..........................

.............

.........................

......16

..........6

„6

......................................

.....

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....13

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................................. 14

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..................................

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......

............. 12

....13

..13 14 13

..................................

.................................... .14

............................ 10

.17

Fuel:

Type

.............................................. 10

Storage

Handle:

Adjustment Assembly

Lubrication:

Engine...........................................

Brake Spring Bracket

Rear Door Hinge...............................12

Handle Bracket Mounting Pin ..12 Wheel Adjuster

Maintenance Agreement

Maintenance Schedule.. Mowing Tips.. Mulching/Mowing Tips

Oil:

Engine

...

Storage

....

Operation:

Operating Lawn Mower

Drive Control

Operator Presence Control Bar......................7

Options:

Attachments......

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

STORAGE

TROUBLESHOOTING

REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER

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

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE.BACK COVER

..............

........................................

.........................................

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...........................

..................................... 16

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............................

...........................

...............................

.................................... ..18

..............

....................................

.............

..........7

................

..............................

Repair Parts

Lawn Mower

..It

.10

....5

Engine...............................

Responsibilities, Customer ....3,12-14

Safety Rules Service and Adjustments;

Carburetor

Drive Control Cable...........

Drive Belt Engine Speed

Handle

Spark Plug....

Specifications .................................

Starting the Engine ........................

Stopping the Engine Storage

Trouble Shooting Chart

Warranty.........................................

Wheels:

Wheel Adjusters

.................17

.......

...............

..........27

......

...18-22

23-25

......................

....................................

......

....................... 16

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............................................17

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18-22 23-25

......

....14

.................

3 10

LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are also available at catalog and service centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide the mode! number of

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

ENGINE

SPARK PLUG

MUFFLER

AÍR FILTER

GAS CAN

ENGINE OIL

STABILIZER

1! lawn mower is an eleetric stall

LAWW iVIUlfCn rc,

REAR BAG OPTIONAL

REPLACEMENT BAG FOR REAR

DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MA

BELT

n r V# n IW!«k 1 ^ lU.

DUST SHIELD

FABRIC BAG

OPTIONAL

CATCHER FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWER

NTENANCE ...................................................

BLADE

ADAPTER

WHEELS

BATTERY

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

SIDE DISCHARGE CATCHER

LAWN MOWER

COVER

ASSEMBLY

Your lawn mower has been assembled at the factory except for the grass catcher bag and the grass catcher frame.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with mower,

• Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel

down flat.

• Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thor oughly for additional loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig. 1)

• Raise handles until lower handle section locks into place in mowing position.

• Raise upper handle section into place on lower handle,

remove protective padding and tighten both handle knobs.

• Remove handle padding holding operator presence 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.

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

{See Fig. 2)

• Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with stiff part of

bag on the bottom.

• Slip vinyl bindings over frame.

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.

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR

UPPER HANDLE

yPTUP

MOWING POSITION

LOWER HANDLE

FIG. 1

CATCHER FRAME

FRMAE OPENING

FIG. 2

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to farniliarizeyoursBlf with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual

for future reference.

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 Commission. The blade turns when the engine is running.

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL - 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.

STARTER HANDLE used for starting the engine. DRIVE CONTROL LEVER - used to engage power-pro

pelled forward motion of lawn mower. ENGINE SPEED CONTROL - located on the side of the

engine which allows you to select either "HiGH" (%») or "LOW" (-m) engine speed.

OPERATION

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

CAUTION: Do not ryn your lawn mower without mulchar plate In place and door closed or withoyf an approved clipping deflector or grasscatcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

ENGINE SPEED (See Fig. 4)

The engine speed is controHed by a lever (red knob) located on the side of the engine. “HIGH" (%) position

is for starting the engine, normal cutting, and better grass

bagging. "LOW" position is for light cutting, trim

ming and fuel economy.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

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 un der any circumstances attempt to de

feat the function of the operator control.

The blade turns when the engine is running.

REAR DOOR

® Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator pres

ence control bar which requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start and

operate the lawn mower.

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

(See Figs. 5 & 6)

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To install attachments for bagging or discharging:

• Open rear door and remove mulcher plate.

• You can now install catcher or optional clipping deflec tor.

® To return to mulching operation reverse the above

steps. BE SURE MULCHER PLATE IS INSTALLED

BEFORE USING FOR MULCHING OPERATION.

TO INSTALL GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 7)

• 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.

• The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower when

the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

FIG. 5

FIG. 7

OPERATION

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (Sea Fig. 8)

. To remove grass catcher, release operator presence

control bar to stop engine.

. Lift up rear door and remove the grass catcher by the

handle.

• Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear,

DRIVE CONTROL (See Fig. 9)

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pushing the drive control lever forward until it clicks; then

release the lever.

. Forward motion will stop when the operator presence

control bar is released. To stop forward motion without stopping engine, release the operatorpresence control bar slightly until the drive control disengages. Hold

operator presence control bar down to handle to con

tinue mowing without self-propelling.

. To keep drive control engaged when turning corners,

push down on handle and lift front wheels off ground while turning lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 10)

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut. . Wheels are set in low cut for shipping. Adjust cutting

height to suit your requirements. Medium position is best for most lawns.

. To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to

ward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your

requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same setting.

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