Craftsman 917373231 Owner’s Manual

MODEL 917.373231 OWNER'SMANUAL

Conv_rt_bm_

° AssembHy ° Operation

oCustomer

Responsibilities

° Service

° Adjustments oRepair Parts

Caution:

Read and Follow

all Safety Rules and Instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

SAFETY RULES

REPAIRS.

IMPORTANT

SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJURY. YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS_ DO NOT ATT'EMPT 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-

scnbed 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 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 isrunningor 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 rvnning.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light

OPERATION:

• Keep your eyes and mind on your mower and the area being cuL Do not let other interests distract you.

o Do not mow wet or slippery grass.. Never run while operating

your mower. Always be sure of your footing- keep afirm 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 tire 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 objecL

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 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 rnower_.

• 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 a 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-

tedDepartment. Sears has competent, welt trained tech- nicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.

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

properly. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES'L

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

HORSEPOWER: 5.0 DISPLACEMENT: 11..57cue in,, GASOLINE CAPACITY: 1o6quarts

(Unleaded)

OIL (20 ozoCapacity): SAE 30 (Above 32°F)

5W30 (Below 32°F)

MODEL NUMBER 917,373231

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,.

SPARK PLUG (Gap ..030 ino):

(0_76 mm)

VALVE CLEARANCE: intake: °005-°007 ino

Exhaust: o007-_009 in.

SOLID STATE IGNITION AIR GAP: o010 in,.

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 ft.-Ibs_

Champion RJ19LM or

Sears zt 33312 or STD 361458 or STD 360950

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this producL 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. = Fo]fow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections of this Owner's Manual

LIMEED 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 NEAR- EST 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 vary from state to state.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO.., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ...... 3, 12-14

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

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

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

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

mNDEX

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

Adjustments:

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

Handle Height ............................ 16

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

Air Filter:

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

Assembly:

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

Grass Catcher .............................. 7

Blade:

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

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

Controls:

Operator Presence Control Bar .8

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

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

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

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

Drive Wheels .............................. 13

Engine ........................................ 14

Gear Case ................................... 13

Lubrication ................................. 12

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

Engine:

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

Oil Level ..................................... 14

Oil Type ...................................... 14

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

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

Fuel:

Type ............................................. 10

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

Handle:

Adjustment .................................. 16

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

Lubrication:

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

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

Handle Bracket Mounting Pin ..12

Wheel Adjuster .......................... 12

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

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

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

Mulching/Mowing Tips ..................... 11

Oil:

Engine ........................................ 14

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

Operation:

Operating Lawn Mower'. .............. 9

Drive Control ................................ 9

Operator Presence Control Bar ..... ;..8

Options:

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

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

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

TROU B LESHOOTING .................................. 19

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

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE ...................... 25-30

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE. BACK COVER

Repair Parts

Lawn Mower .......................... 20-24

Engine. .................................. 25-30

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

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

See,ice and Adjustments:

Carburetor'. ................................. 17

Drive Belt ................................... 15

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

Handle ........................................ 16

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

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

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

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

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

Trouble Sirooting Chart ................... 19

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

Wheels:

Wheel Adjusters .......................... 8

These accessories were available when this lawn mowerwas produced _They are also available at most Sears retail outlets, catalog 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 lawn mower.

ENGmNE

SPARK PLUG

MUFFLER

if lawn mower is an electric start

AIR FILTER

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

REAR BAG OPTIONAL

FABRIC BAG

REPLACEMENT BAG FOR REAR

DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

GAS CAN

CHARGER

DUST SHIELD

OPTIONAL

CATCHER FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWER

ENGINE OIL STABILIZER

BATTERY

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

SIDE DISCHARGE CATCHER

LAWN P/lOWER MAINTENANCE

,=,ljl ill .......

BELT BLADE

BLADE

ADAPTER

LAWN MOWER

COVER

Read these instructionsand the Operator's Manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or operate your

new lawn mower.. Your new lawn mower has been as- sernbled at the factory with the exception of those parts left

unassernbled for shipping purpose& To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower, all parts and hard-

ware you assemble must be tightened securelyv 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

- 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)

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

o Raise handles until lower handle section locks into

place in mowing position.

o 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 INSTALL ATTACHMENTS (See Fig. 2)

Your lawn mower" was shipped ready to be used as a mulchero To convert to bagging or discharging:

• Open rear door and remove mulcher plate, Store rfiulcher plate in a safe place..

• You can now install Latchetor optional clipping deflec- tor',

° To return to mulching operation, install mulcher plate

into discharge opening of mower_ Be sure all tabs are

seated properly,

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLBAR

UPPER HANDLE

LIFT UP

LOWER HANDLE

SLOTS

MULCHER PLATE

MOWING POSITION

FIG. 1

TABS

FIG, 2

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plate in place or ap-

proved clipping deflector or grass catcher in place, Never attempt to op-

erate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

ASSE BLY

TO ASSEMBLE & ATTACH GRASS

CATCHER (See Figs. 3-4)

o Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part

of bag on the bottom.

° Slip vinyl bindings over frame. NO'[E: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them in warm

water for a few minutes If bag gets wet, let it dry before

using.

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

grass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on the rear door hinge bracket_

- The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass

catcher frame.

CATCHER FRAME

HINGE

BRACKET _._

FIG. 3

REAR DOOR

FORMED

TABS

GRASS CATCHER FRAME

FIG. 4

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 familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference_

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL CABLE

GRASSCATCHER

GASOLINE CAP

MULCHER PLATE

OPERATOR PRESENCECONTROLBAR

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER

STARTER HANDLE

CABLE CLIPS

ENGINE OIL CAP W/DIPSTICK

DRIVE COVER

PRIMER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

AIR FILTER

HOUSING

WHEEL ADJUSTER (ON EACH WHEEL)

FIG. 5

,_llllll .................................

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.

_J iLi i ii i i i lllll ,i, i::ll:u,

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°

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL - located on the side of the engine which allows you to select either fast (,r_) or'slow

(,_) engine speed. MULCHER PLATE - located at the discharge opening,

must be removed when converting to bagging or discharge operation,

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER - used to engage power-pro- pelled forward motion of lawn mower..

OPERATION

:, ,llll,l,llll: lllll,l,,ll,i, ill,,

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without mtdcher plate in place and door closed orwithout an approved clipping deflector or grasscatcher in place.

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

propped openf

ENGINE SPEED (See Fig. 6)

The engine speed iscontrolled by a lever located on the

side of the engine. Fast (,_) position is for starting the engine, normal cutting, and better grass bagging. Slow (-_) position is for 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 un- der any circumstances attempt to de- feat the function ofthe operator control.

The blade turns when the engine is running,

ENGINE SPEED

FIG. 6

LOWER WHEELS RAISE WHEELS

FOR HIGH CUT FOR LOW CUT

o 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 ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 7)

= Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut o 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 afl wheels are in the same setting,

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See 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 retease& To stop forward motion without stopping engine, release the operator presence control

bar slightly until the drive control disengages, Hold operator presence control bar down to handte to con- tinue mowing without self-propelling..

o To keep drive control engaged when turning corners,

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

FIG. 7

FIG. 8

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR

DRIVE

CONTROL

DRIVE CONTROL

FIG. 9

OPERAON

BEFORE STARTONG ENGItNE

OIL (See Fig. 10)

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil inthe engine°

. Be sure mower is level and area around oif fill is clean_

o Remove engine oi! cap w/dipstick and fill to the full line

on the dipstick_

• Use 20 ozs. of oi!. For type and grade of oi! to use, see "ENGINE" in Customer Responsibilities section of this

manual,

o Pour oil siowly_ Do not over fill,,

° Check oil level before each user Add oil ifneeded,, Fill

to full line on dipstick,

° To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap each timev ° 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 (See Fig. 10)

° Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean, unleaded gasoline.

DO NOT USE PREMIUM GASOLINE. BE CAREFUL

NOT TO OVER FILL TANK..

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended 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. To avoid engine

problems, the fuel system should be emptied before stor- age of 30 days or longer.. Drain the fuel tank, start the

engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instruc-

tions for' additional inforrnation_ Never use engine or

carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent damage may occur,,

ENGINE OIL CAP W/DIPSTICK

GASOLINE FILLER CAP

FIG. 10

TO START ENGINE

° To start a cold engine, push pnmer three (3) times

before trying to start. Use a firm push, This step is not

usualty necessary when starting an engine which has

already run for a few minutes. . Move engine speed control lever to fast (,_) position_ = Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle

and pull starter handle quickly_, Do not allow starter' rope

to snap back. ° To stop engine, release operator' presence control

bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. Inwarmerweather over priming may cause

flooding and engine will not start. If you do flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not

repeat priming steps,,

OPERATIO

MOWING TraPS

o Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it

may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the en- gine and leaving dumps of grass clipping&

° For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut

and raise the rear of the lawn mower housing one (1) wheel adjuster setting higher than the front for better discharge of grass.

o For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions,

the engine speed should be set in the fast (,_) posi- tion°

o When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist,

heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing speed)

and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time°

• If a trail of grass clippings is ieft on the right side of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a small overlap to collect the clippings

on the next pass°

• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air

flow and extend engine life.

° Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with

dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catchers off with water and let dry before using°

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT,' FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP

MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND

TRASH. CLEAN AFTER EACH USE.. SEE "CLEANING"

IN CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.

° The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip-

pings many times and reduce them in size so that as

they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass

and not be noticed.. Also, the mulched grass will

biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn.. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the

blades.

MAX 1/3

FIG. 11

° Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass

tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.. The best time to mow your lawn is the early

afternoon. At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun°

• For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third

of the grass blades (See Fig° 11). If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut,

mow slowly and raise the rear of the lawn mower one wheel adjuster setting higher than the front.

° Certain types of grass and grass conditions may

require that an area be mulched a second time to

completely hide the clippings.. When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path..

, Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow

north to south one week then change to east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn_

CUSTOMER ESIPONSH ILHTI

MAI.TENA.CESC,EDULE

FILL IN DATES _:k_ _,_1 _ _, ,-4, _,, _'-o

YOU ° .

Clean/inspect Grass Ca'{'cher _..........

(If Equipped) ,...................H64_ 6/

Inspect/Clean Diive Wheels _ . '........

Clean Lawn Mower' '............. _ 6/ I

(Self-Propelled Mowers) I

R sharpeniRepiace MoWerBiade

cubi-icat_onCha_ .......................A

Clean Batte ry/Recii,_rge ..................U ....

(Electric Start Mowers) U 6/ 6/4 ,,..

E Check Eng,i,ne Oil Level 6/ .......... 6/ :

N Change Engine Oil _ ........

G clean Air Filter

Inspect Muffler

N Replace Spark P!ug ''":':'.".'.'."."."."i....

Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

t - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient lemperatures,

2 - Service more often when operating in dirty or' dusty conditions,, 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil 4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.

......_2.....

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

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

"]:.hewarranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or' negligence. To

receive full value from the warranty, operator must maintain mower as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintair! your unit..

All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season°

o Once a year, replace the spark plug, replace air filter

element and check blade for wear_ A new spark plug and clean/new air filter element assures proper air-fuel

mixture and helps your engine run better and last longer..

o Follow the maintenance schedule in this manual.

BEFORE EACH USE

= Check engine oil level..

o Check for loose fasteners..

LUBRICATION

Keep unit wet! lubricated (See "LUBRICATION CHART").

LUBRaCATUON CHART

(_) HANDLE BRACKET

MOUNTING PIN

(_) SPRAY LUBRICANT (_) REFER TO CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES "ENGINE" SECTION.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT OIL OR GREASE PLASTIC WHEEL BEARINGS. VISCOUS LUBRICANTS WILL ATTRACT DUST AND DIRT THAT WILL SHORTEN THE LIFE OF THE SELF LUBRICATING BEARINGS,. IF YOU FEEL THEY MUST BE LUBRICATED, USE ONLY A DRY,

POWDERED GRAPHITE TYPE LUBRICANT SPARINGLY.

(_) REAR DOOR

HINGE

CUSTOM ESPO

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-

nance.

TIRES

o Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi-

cals which can harm rubber°

o Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and

other hazards that may cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp., Re- place bent or damaged blades..

TO REMOVE BLADE (See Fig., 12) . Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place

wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug,,

o Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and

carburetor are up,,

o Use a wood block between blade and mower housing

to prevent blade from turning when removing blade boil

° Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with

heavy cloth,,

• Remove blade bolt by turning counter-clockwise., Use a 9/16" box or open-end wrench,

• Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock washer and hardened washer),

NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter., The key must be in good

condition to work properly. Replace adapter if damaged, TO REPLACE BLADE (See Fig., 12)

. Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft.

Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned°

- Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.

• Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

o Install the blade bottwith the lock washer and hardened

washer into blade adapter and crankshaft,

• Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise.

• The recommended tightening torque is 35-40 ft. Ib&

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED. NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if

you do, be sure the blade is balanced° TO SHARPEN BLADE

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.,

° The biade can be sharpened with arite or on a grinding

wheel° Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.

. To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or

wall., Leave about one inch of the straight nail ex-

posed° Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail. If blade is balanced, it should remain in a

horizontal position,, If either end of the blade moves

downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is

balanced,,

IL[['IES

II ,i,1,,i, i1,1,, ii, ,,, ii .... i ,

CRANK_ SHAFT &

BLADE

ADAPTER DETAIL BLADE

ADAPTER

KEY

_]_[ BLADE

BOLT

CRANK-

SHAFT

KEYWAY

LOCK WASHER

GEAR CASE

• To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean

and free of trash build-upo Clean under the drive cover

twice a season.

• The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs

attention is if service has been performed on the gear case.

° If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Pre-

mium Grease, part no.. 750355.. Do not substitute.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely,

The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc.,are in the drive wheel area and must be cleaned to free

drive wheel&

If necessary to clean the drive wheels, check both front

wheels, ° Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and washers°

• Remove wheels from wheel adjusterso o Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the

dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth°

• Putwheels back in place,.

• If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact your nearest service center.,

GRASS CATCHER

• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dr,,,when used,.

• Check your grass catcher often for damage or deterio- ration. Through normal use it will wear_. If catcher

needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower

model number when ordering.

TRAILING EDGE

HARDENED

BLADE ADAPTER

FIG, 12

CRANK- SHAFT

CUSTO

ENGUNE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service

classification SG. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

ESPONSU

mLmTJE$

_F "20° 0_ 3o° a2° 40" 60° _0° 100° ,

°c .___3o0.='oo .loo _° ;0_ _oo 30° 40"

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc,,) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oi]s

will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°Fo Check your engine oit level more frequently to avoid

possible engine damage from running low on oil,, Change the oil after-the first two hours of operation and every 25 hours thereafter or at least once ayear if the lawn

mower is not used for 25 hours in one year. Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil

plug securely each time you check the oil level_

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 13)

. Disconnect spark plug wke from spark plug and place

wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug,

• Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface,, o Tip lawn mower' on its side and drain oil into a suitable

container, Rock lawn mower back and forth to remove any oil trapped inside of engine,,

o, Wipe off any spilled oil on lawn mower and on side of

engine.

- Fill engine with oil. Fill only to the "FULL" line on the dipstick. DO NOT OVER FILL.

• Replace engine oil cap,

• Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug,

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air' filter,,

Replace the air fiiter every year, more often if you mow in very dusty, dirty conditions,,

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER (See Fig,,14) ° Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove,,

• Carefully remove cartridge,.

• Clean by gently tapping on a flat surfacer If very dirty, replace cartridge or clean as follows: Wash in a low or

non-sudsing detergentandwarmwatersotution. Rinse thoroughly with flowing water from mesh side until

water runs clear, Let cartridge airdry thoroughly before

using.

CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such

as kerosene, are not to be used to clean cartridge. They may cause deteriora-

tion of the cartridge. Do not oil car- tridge. Do not use pressurized air to

clean or dry cartridge.

install cartridge, then replace cover making sure the

tabs are aligned with the slots in the back plate. Fasten

screw securely.

CONTAINER

FIG. 13

CARTRIDGE

LIP

SCREW

FIG. 14

BACK PLATE

COVER

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffter as it could create a

fire hazard and/or damage.

SPARK PLUG

Change your spark plug each year to make your engine start easier and run better.. Set spark plug gap at .030 inch.

CLEANaNG

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT*UP GRASS AND

TRASH., CLEAN UNDERSIDE OF MOWER HOUSING AFTER EACH USE.

CAUTION: Disconnect Spark plug wire

from spark plug and place wire where it

cannot come in contact with the spark

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

Turn lawn mower on itsside, Make sure air'fifter and

carburetor are up, Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scraping to remove build-up of grass and

trash.

° Clean engine often to keep trash from accumulating, A

clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life,

° Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,

oil, etc.

° We DO NOT recommend using a garden hose to clean

lawn mower' unless the electrical system, muffler', air

filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out.

Water in engine can result in shortened engine life.

plug.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER

Clean under drive cover at least twice a season. Scrape underside of cover with putty knife or similar tool to remove any build-up of trash or grass on underside of drive cover,

i i ,i ,..nr'.r, I ill inln ill n.nn

3OVER

TABS

SERVICE

CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS:

, Release control bar.

Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.

, Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place where it cannot come in contact with plug.

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section of this manual..

REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector, attached between the rear wheels o! your lawn mower, is provided to minimize the possibility

that objects will be thrown out the rear of the lawn-mower into the operator's mowing position,.

if the rear deflector becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

TO REiVIOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT (See Fig. 15)

° Remove drive cover,, Remove bett by pushing down

on gear case pulley,,

. Turn lawn mower on its side with carburetor and fuel

cap up

° Remove blade, o Remove debris shield,

- Remove belt from engine pulley on crankshaft,, o Install new belt by reversing above steps,, o Always use factory approved belt to assure fit and

long life_

DRIVE COVER

FIG. '15

SERVICE AND

ADJUSTMENTS

TO ADJUST HANDLE (See Figs. 16 Thru 18)

Your fawn mower handle can be raised or lowered for' your

mowing comfort.. Four (4) positions are available: high, medium high, medium low and low. Handles are shipped mounted in the medium low position_

o To change from medium iow to medium high position,

the upper and lower handle sections will have to be turned over (See Fig. 16B).

° Remove the controls and operator presence control

bar from the upper handle,,

o Remove the starter rope guide from the lower handle, o Remove hairpin cotters_

° Disconnect the lower handle from the handle brackets

(See Fig° 18).

o Turn the handle over' and reassemble the hairpin

cotters that have been removed°

° Reassemble the starter rope guide° . Reassemble the controls and the operator presence

control bar to the upper handte_

................ ill ill , ' .......

CAUTION: The operator presence

control bar must pivot freely to permit blade brake engagement when control bar is released. Do not over tighten the fasteners holding the controls to the

upper handle.

SHIPPING POSITION

MEDIUM LOW MEDIUM HIGH

FIG. 16A

FIG. 16B

LOW

HIGH

° To change from medium low to high position only the

upper handle section will have to be turned over (See Fig 17A).

• To change from medium tow to low position, onty the lower handle section will have to be turned over (See

Fig° 17B)o

FIG. 17A FIG. 17B

LOWER HANDLE

SQUEEZE TO REMOVE

HANDLE BRACKET

HAIRPIN CLIP

FIG. 18

ENGINE

ENGINE SPEED

Your engine speed has been factory set,. Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may. result in personal

injury. If you believe that the engine is running too fast or

too slow, take your lawn mower to an authorized service

center for repair and adjustment°

TO ADJUST CARBURETOR (See Fig. 19)

Minor carburetor adjustments may be required to com- pensate for differences in fuel, temperature, altitude or

load,. The air cleaner and air cleaner cover must be assembled to carburetor when running.

INITIAL ADJUSTMENT-

With the engine not running, gently turn idle mixture screw clockwise until it just closes. Screw may be damaged by

turning it in too far..

Next open the screw one turn counter-clockwise. This initial adjustment will permit the engine to be started and

warmed up (approximately 5 minutes) prior to final adjust-

menL NOTE: Do not adjust top no load adjusting screw_ It was

pre-set at the factory..

FINAL ADJUSTMENT- Place engine speed control lever in idle or slow (,_.)

position° Adjust idle RPM by turning idle speed adjusting

screw to obtain 1700 RPM Next, turn idle mixture screw

in (clockwise -.lean mixture) until engine just starts to slow,

Then turn idle mixture screw out (counter-clockwise - rich

mixture) until engine runs unevenly.. Now turn idle mixture screw midway between rich and leano Engine should accelerate smoothly, If engine does not accelerate prop- erly, the carburetor should be readjusted, usually to a richer mixture, by turning the idle mixture screw counter-

clockwise 1/8 turn more.

TOP NO

LOAD SCF

IDLE SPEED ADJUSTING SCREW

IDLE

MIXTURE

SCREW

FIG. 19

IMPORTANT: NEVER TAMPER WITH THE ENGINE GOVERNOR, WHICH IS FACTORY SET FOR PROPER

ENGINE SPEED OVERSPEEDING THE ENGINE ABOVE

THE FACTORY HIGH SPEED SETTING CAN BE

DANGEROUS, IF YOU THINKTHE ENGINE-GOVERNED HfGH SPEED NEEDS ADJUSTING, CONTACT YOUR NEAREST AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER, WHICH

HAS PROPER EQUIPMENT AND EXPERIENCE TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS,,

STORAGE

Immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage at the

end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more.

LAWN MOWER

When lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean

it thoroughly, remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in

a clean, dry area. o Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the

Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).

o Lubricate as shown in the Customer' Responsibilities

section of this manual..

• Be sure that ail nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened.. Inspect moving parts for damage,

breakage and wear'. Replace if necessary.

° Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand

lightly before painting..

HANDLE (See Fig. 20)

You can fold your lawn mower handle for storage. ° Squeeze the bottom ends of the lower handle toward

each other until the lower handle clears the handle bracket, then move handle forward.

o Loosen upper handle mounting bolts enough to allow

upper' handle to be folded back.

IMPORTANT: WHEN FOLDING THE HANDLE FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORTATION, BE SURE TO FOLD

THE HANDLE AS SHOWN OR YOU MAY DAMAGE THE CONTROL CABLES

° When setting up your handle from the storage position,

the lower handle will automatically lock into the mow- ing position.

LOWER HANDLE

HANDLE BRACKET

SQUEEZETO

FOLD

ENGINE

FUEL SYSTEM

IMPORTANT: IT tS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM DEPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS CARBURETOR, FUEL FILTER,

FUEL HOSE, OR TANK DURING STORAGE. ALSO, EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL BLENDED

FUELS (CALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOL OR METHANOL) CAN ATTRACT MOISTURE WHICH LEADS

TO SEPARATION AND FORMATION OF ACIDS DURING STORAGE. ACID1C GAS CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE..

= Drain the fuel tank,

• Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty°

• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

o Use fresh fuel next season,, NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in

minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during stor- age. Add stabilizer' to gasoline in fuel tank or storage

container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after' adding

stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor, Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer,.

ENGINE OIL

Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean engine oil (See "ENGINE" in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).

CYLINDER

o Remove spark plug,.

• Pour one ounce (29 rnl) of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder.

• Pull starter handle slowly a few times to distribute oil,,

• Replace with new spark plug,

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLBAR

UPPER HANDLE

FOLDFORWARD FOR STORAGE

LOWER HANDLE

FIG. 20

HAIRPIN

COTTER

FOLD BACKWARD

MOWING POSITION

OTHER

° Do not store gasoline from one season to another,

* Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust,

Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems°

o If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give

protection from dust and dirt.

° Cover your unit with a suitable protective cover' that

does not retain moisture,. Do not use plastic, Plastic

cannot breathe which allows condensation to form and will cause your unit to rust.

IMPORTANT: NEVER COVER MOWER WHILE ENGINE

AND EXHAUST AREAS ARE STILL WARM

CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a build-

ing where fumes may reach an open

flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool

before storing in any enclosure,

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM

Does not start

Loss of power

Poor OUt - uneven

Excessive vibration

i illll illl,,i,l,ii

Starter rope hard to pull

CAUSE

1., Dirty air filter

2. Out offue{ 3 Stale fuel..

4 Water in fuel

5. Spark plug wire is disconnected

6., Bad sparkpIug

7. Loose blade or broken blade adapter.. 8 Control bar in released position

9 Control bar defective

1. Rear of lawn mower housing/blade dragging in heavy grass°

2. Cutting too much grass

3 Dirty air filter 4 Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under mower. 5 Too much oil in engine. "

6 Walking speed too fast

ii ,i

t, Worn, bent or toose blade 2, Wheet heights uneven 3 Low engine speed

4. Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower.

I'I'IIH

I Worn, bent or loose biade

2 Bent engine crankshaft

,H,i,i,i,i,i

1. Engine flywheel brake is on when control bar is reieased

2 Bent engi_e crankshaft 3 Biade adapter broken

4. Blade dragging in grass

CORRECTION

1 Cfean/replace air filter

2 Fill fuel tank 3 Drain tank and refill with fresh clean fuel 4 Drain fuel tank and carburetorand refill tank with fresh

gasoline

5,. Connect wire to plug..

6. Replace spark plug. 7 Tighten blade boJt or replace blade adapter

8 Depress control bar tohandle, 9 Reptace control bar.

1. Set in "Higher Cut" position

2. Set in "Higher Cut" position 3 Clean!replace air filter,

4 Clean underside of mower housing 5 Check oilleveL

6 Cut at slower walking speed,

t Replace blade. Tighten blade bott

2, Set all wheels at same height.

3., Set engine speed control in fast position

4. Clean underside of mower housing.

t, Replace blade, Tighten blade bolt, 2 Contact authorized service center/department

1, Depress control bar to upper hand[e before

pulling starter rope

2.. Contact authorized service center/department.

3. Replace blade adapter, 4 Move Eawn mower to cut grass or to hard surface

to start engine

Loss of drive

Grass catcher not filling (If so equipped)

Hard to push

1 Drive wheels not turning with drive control engaged

2. Belt not driving

t Cutting height too low

2 Lift on btade worn off 3 Catcher not venting air.

4 Low engine speed.

1 Grass is too high or wheel height is too low. 2 Rear of lawn mower housing/blade dragging

in grass.

3. Grass catcher too full.

4. Handle height position not right for you

1 Adjust or replace drive control cable, if broken.. 2 Put belt on pulleys or replace belts if broken

1,. Raise cutting height

2. Replace blade 3 Clean grass catcher

4. Set engine speed control in fast position

1. Raise cutting height

2, Raise rear of lawn mower housing one (1)

setting higher

3 Emptygrass catcher

4 Adjust handle height to suit.,

RIEPAnR PARTS

CRAFTSMAN 22" ROTARY LAWN MOWER MODEL NUMBER 917.373231

Po c:>

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