Craftsman 917372870 Owner’s Manual

MODEL NUMBER 917.372870 OWNER'SMANUAL

Convertible

oAssembly oOperation

oCustomer

Responsibilities Service

oAdjustments oRepair Parts

Caution: Read and Follow

all Safety Rules and Instructions

Before Operating This Equipment

146338 REVo 2 05,,1895 Printed in U,S.A.

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

SAFETY RULES

PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STARTING WHEN SETTING UP, TRANSPORTING, ADJUSTING OR MAKING REPAIRS.

CAUTION; ALWAYS DISCONNECTSPARKPLUGWlRE AND PLACEWIREWHERE ITCANNOT CONTACTSPARK &

IMPORTANT

SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJURY. YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH

SUCH CONTROLS. DO NOT ATrEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS UNDER ANY CIRCUM- STANCES.

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 ithas been dropped or damaged in

any manner. Always have damage repaired before using your mower.

• Do not use accessory attachments that are not recom- mended by the manufacturer_ Use of such attachments may

be hazardous

Be aware that the mower 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 oreye 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,

o 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 check for the 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 in 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 intervals for

proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe working condi- tion,.

* Keep aH safety devices in place and working. * To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves

or excessive grease and oil,

o 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. o 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, ciothes dryer, etc,.

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I 1_ LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

IT MEANS - ATTENTION!!! BECOME ALERTI!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Lawn Mower, It has been designed, engineered and manufac-

tured to give you the best possible dependability and performance..

Sl_ould you experience any problem you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center/Department.. We have competent, well-

trained technicians and the proper tools to sen,ice or repair this lawn mower°

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

properly. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".

MODEL NUMBER 917,372870

SERIAL NUMBER

DATE OF PURCHASE

THE MODELAND SERIAL NUMBERSWfLL 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..

PRODUCT SPECIFBCATBONS

HORSEPOWER: 6 0 DISPLACEMENT: 12.56 CU IN..

GASOLINE CAPACITY 15'QUARTS AND TYPE: UNLEADED REGULAR

OfL TYPE (AP1-SFiSG): SAE 30 (ABOVE 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F)

OIL CAPACITY: 27 OZS.

SPARK PLUG: CHAMPION RJ19-LM (GAP: ..030") STD36t458

VALVE CLEARANCE: INTAKE: ..008

EXHAUST: .008

SOLID STATE IGNITION AIR GAP: ..0125IN.

....... 35-40 FT LBS..

MAgNTENANCE AGREEMENT

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

CUSTOMER RESPONStBILOT ES

o Read and observe the safety rules.. o Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower.

o Follow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections of this owner's manual.

LUMgTED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER J OWER

For two years from date of purchase, wlqen tills 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.. Tills Warranty does not cover:

o Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts,

air cleaners and spark plug..

o Repairs necessaBt 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 tS 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 STATE&

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also tlave other rigl3ts which vary from state to state

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., Di731CR-W SEARS TOWER, CHICAGO, IL 60684

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ...................... 3,12-15

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

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

OPERATION .................................................................. 8

IIIDE×

Adjustments:

Carburetor .................................................17

Drive Contol ..................................16

Engine Speed ................................17

Handle Height ..................................17

Height of Cut ...............................................9

Air Filter:

Replacement ..............................................15

Service .........................................................15

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

Blade:

Sharpening ........................................13

Replacement .............................................13

Controls:

Drive Control .......................................8

Engine Zone Control ......................8

Engine Speed Control .......................8

Operator Presence Control Bar 8

Customer Responsibilities ........3,12-15

Air Filter ..................................................15

Blade Care/Replacement ............13

Drive Wheels .......................................14

Engine ........................................................15

Lubrication ...............................................15

Spark Plug .........................................15

Cutting Levels ......................................................9

Engine:

Air Filter ...................................................15

Oil Change ...........................................15

Oil Level ..................................................15

Oil Type .................................................15

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

Stopping ..........................................10

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

Fuel:

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

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

Type .......................................................i 0

Handle Adjustment:

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

Cutting Height ...............................17

Lubrication:

Engine ....................................................15

Lawn Mower ......................................12

Maintenance Agreement .................... 3

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

Mowing Tips ...........................................11

Oil:

Engine ................................................15

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES .............................. 12

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ................................ 16

STORAG E ................................................................... 18

REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER ........................ 19-23

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE .................................... 24-26

TROU BLESHOOTING ................................................. 27

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

Operation:

Drive Control ..........................................10

Engine Control ......................................9

Grass Catcher ....................................9

Mower .................................................9

Operator-Presence Control Bar 9

Repair Parts:

Engine ..................................................24-26

Lawn Mower- _...............................19-23

Responsibilities, Customer ... 3,12-15

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

Service and Adjustments .................16

Carburetor ............................................17

Drive Belt ................................................16

Drive Control ..........................................17

Engine Speed ...................................17

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

Spark Plug .........................................................15

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

Speed Control:

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

Starting the Engine ..............................10

Stopping the Engine ................................10

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

Trouble Shooting Chart ........................27

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

LAWN OWER ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers.. Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide'the model number of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not apply to your fawn mower..

ENGINE

i i i1,11_,,,i

SPARK PLUG

MUFFLER AIR FILTER

GAS CAN

ENGINE OIL STABILIZER

If lawn mower is an electric start

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

FABRIC BAG

REPLACEMENT BAG FOR REAR

DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER iViAUNTENANCE

CHARGER

DUST SHIELD

OPTIONAL

CATCHER FOR

SRDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWER

BATTERY

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

SIDE DISCHARGE CATCHER

BELT BLADE BLADE

ADAPTER

i,ll , i ............

WHEELS LAWN MOWER

COVER

ASSEM

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Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or' operate your' new lawn mower_ Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the

factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for' shipping purposes_ To ensure safe and proper opera-

tion of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened 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

o Remove loose parts included with mower. ° Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end

panel down flat..

o Remove all packing materials except padding be-

tween upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle,,

. Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton

thoroughly for additional loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN

MOWER

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLBAR

UPPER HANDLE

LIFT UP

LOWER HANDLE

HANDLE ADJUSTMENT

BRACKET

MOWING POSITION

FIG. 1

BOLT

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Figs. 1 & 2)

IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLE CAREFULLY SO AS NOT TO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES,,

° Raise lower handle section to operating position and

align hole in handle with one of three height positioning hotes_

o Insert handle bolt through handle and bracket and

secure with knob.

o Repeat for opposite side of handle,. o Raise upper handle section to operating position, re-

move protective padding and tighten handle knobs securely_

o Remove any packing material from around control bar,. . Your handles may be adjusted for'your mowing com-

fort,. Refer to Service and Adjustments section of this manual,.

FIG. 2

ASSEM LY

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a

mulcher.. To convert to bagging or discharging: REAR BAGGING (See Fig. 3A) -

= Open rear door and remove mulcher plate Store

mulcher plate in a safe place, = You can now install grass catcher.. = To convert to mulching or discharging ope ration, install

mulcher plate into rear discharge opening of mower,

making sure alt tabs are seated properly. SIDE DISCHARGING (See Fig° 3B) -

o MuIcher plate must be installed into rear discharge

opening of mower (see above instructions)° o Unlock closed discharge guard by lifting latch and allow

guard to swing open to discharging position. ° Mower is now ready for discharging operation° o To convert to mulching or bagging operation, dis-

charge guard must be closed and locked securely,

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER

WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER

FOR MULCHING - = Rear mulcher plate installed,, o Side discharge guard closed and locked securely,,

FOR REAR BAGGING - o Rear mulcher plate removed.,

• Grass catcher installed,,

• Side discharge guard closed and locked securely°

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

o Rear mulcher plate installed,.

• Side discharge guard unlocked and open_

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

MULCHER PLATE

FIG. 3A

TO UNLOCK AND OPEN

DISCHARGE GUARD

CLOSED POSITION %',

OPEN POSITION

FIG, 3B

CATCHER

FRAME HANDLE

CAUTION: Do not runyour lawn mower without rear mulcher plate in place or approved grass catcher in place,

Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or

propped open.

TO ASSEMBLE & ATTACH GRASS

CATCHER (See Figs. 4 & 5)

- Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom.. Make sure the frame handle is outside of the bag top°

° Slip vinyl bindings over frame, NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them in warm

water for a few minute& If bag gets wet, let itdry before using°

o Lift the rear door on the mower housing and place the

grass catcher frame side hooks onto handle bracket

hooks..

o The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower

housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass

catcher frame..

CATCHER FRAME

SIDEHOOK

HANDLE BRACKET HOOK

FRAME OPENING

FIG. 4

REAR DOOR

CATCHER HANDLE

FIG. 5

A 0

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KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER_ Compare the

illustrations with your {awn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controts and adjustments. Save this rnanual for future reference°

OPERATOR PRESENCE

DRIVE CONTROL BAR

STARTER HANDLE

CONTROLBAR

DRIVE SPEED CONTROL LEVER

"HANDLE KNOB

GRASS BAG

MULCHER PLATE

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER

PRIMER

SiDE DISCHARGE GUARD

GASOLINE FILLER CAP

ENGINE OIL CAP WITH DIPSTICK

HOUSING

WHEEL ADJUSTER (ON EACH WHEEL)

FIG. 6

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conformto the safety standards ofthe American National Standards Institute

and the UoS. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns when the engine is running,

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OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR - must be held down to the handle to start the engine. Release to stop the

engine.

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER - located on the side

of the engine which allows you to select either high (_) or low (._) engine speed,,

DRIVE SPEED CONTROL LEVER - used to select the

drive speed of your lawn mower_

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 BAR- used to engage power-propelled forward motion of lawn mower,

MULCHER PLATE - located atthe rear discharge opening, must be removed when converting to bagging operation.

OPERAT O

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED (See Fig. 7)

The engine speed is controlled by a lever located on the side ofthe engine. High (,_) position isforstarting engine, normal cutting and better grass bagging.. Low (,_) posi-

tion isfor light cutting, trimming 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 under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function ofthe operator con-

trol. 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..

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to rear bagging or side discharging,

see 'q'O CONVERT MOWER" in Assembly section of this manual..

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER

PRIMER

FIG. 7

GRASS CATCHER

FRAME HANDLE

FIG. 8

CAUTION: BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO CONVERT LAWN MOWER:

o Release control bar to stop engine. o Make sure the blade and all moving

parts have completely stopped_

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 8)

• Simply lift up rear"door and remove the grass catcher by the handle..

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying; it wil! cause unnecessary wear°

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 9)

o Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cuL

• 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..

LOWER WHEELS FOR HIGH CUT

RAISE WHEELS FOR LOW CUT

FIG, 9

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