Craftsman 917374200 Owner’s Manual
Owner’s Manual
ROTARY LAWN MOWER
550 Series Briggs & Stratton Engine
21" Multi-Cut
Model No.
917.374200
• Español, p. 19
CAUTION:
Read and follow all
Safety Rules and In struc tions
before operating this equipment
Sears Brands Management Corp., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
Visit our Craftsman website: www.craftsman.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Warranty .................................................... 2
Safe ty Rules ...........................................2-4
Prod uct Spec i fi ca tions .............................. 2
Assembly / Pre-Operation ......................6-7
Op er a tion .............................................8-12
Maintenance Sched ule ...........................13
Maintenance .......................................13-16
Ser vice and Ad just ments ...................17-18
Stor age ...............................................18-19
Trou ble shoot ing .................................19-20
Re pair Parts ........................................36-43
Sears Service ...........................Back Cov er
WARRANTY
CRAFTSMAN 2-YEAR FULL WARRANTY
For TWO YEARS from the date of purchase, this product is warranted against any
defects in material or workmanship. Defective product will receive free repair or
replacement if repair is unavailable.
For warranty coverage details to obtain free repair or replacement, visit the web page:
www.craftsman.com/warranty
This warranty covers ONLY defects in material and workmanship.
Warranty coverage does NOT include:
• Expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty
period, such as blades, blade adapters, belts, filters or spark plugs.
• Product damage resulting from user attempts at product modification or repair
or caused by product accessories.
• Repairs necessary because of accident or failure to operate or maintain this
product according to all supplied instructions.
• Preventative maintenance, or repairs necessary due to improper fuel mixture,
contaminated or stale fuel.
This warranty is void if this product is ever used while providing commercial services or
if rented to another person.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Serial Number:
Date of Purchase:
Gasoline Capacity / Type: 0.8 Quarts (Unleaded Regular)
Oil Capacity: 16 Ounces
Oil Type (API SJ–SN): SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE 10W-30 (below 32°F)
Spark Plug: Champion RC12YC (Gap: .030")
Blade Bolt Torque: 35–40 ft. lbs.
• The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower
housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.
SAFETY RULES
IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is
capable of amputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Failure to observe the
following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.
Look for this symbol to point out im por tant safety precautions. It means
CAU TION!!! BECOME ALERT!!!
YOUR SAFE TY IS INVOLVED.
WARNING: In order to prevent ac ci-
den tal starting when setting up, trans port ing, ad just ing or making repairs, always
dis con nect spark plug wire and place wire
where it can not come in contact with plug.
2
CAUTION: Muffler and other engine
parts become extremely
hot during operation and
remain hot after engine
has stopped. To avoid
severe burns on contact,
stay away from these areas.
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle com po nents contain or emit chem i cals known to
the State of Cal i for nia to cause can cer and
birth defects or oth er re pro duc tive harm.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State
of Cal i for nia to cause can cer and birth
defects or oth er re pro duc tive harm. Wash
hands after handling.
WARNING: This lawn mower is
equipped with an internal com bus tion
engine and should not be used on or near
any un im proved forest-covered, brushcovered or grass-cov ered land unless the
engine’s exhaust system is equipped with
a spark arrester meeting applicable local
or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is
used, it should be maintained in effective
working order by the operator.
In the state of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states
may have similar laws. Federal laws apply
on federal lands. A spark arrester for the
muffler is available through your nearest
Sears Parts & Repair Center (See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).
I. CHILDREN
WARNING: CHILDREN CAN
BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR
KILLED BY THIS EQUIPMENT.
Carefully read and follow all of
the safety instructions below.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be a minimum of 12 year
of age before operating a pedestrian controlled lawn mower and a minimum of 16 years
of age before operating a riding lawn mower.
Tragic accidents can occur if the op er a tor is
not alert to the presence of children. Children
are often attracted to the ma chine and the
mowing activity. Never assume that children
will remain where you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area
and under the watchful care of a re spon si ble adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn machine off if chil dren
enter the area.
• Before and while walking back wards, look
behind and down for small chil dren.
• Never allow children to operate the
machine.
II. GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand, and follow all
in struc tions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before starting. Be thor ough ly
familiar with the controls and the proper
use of the machine before starting.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis charge opening at all times.
• Only allow responsible individuals, who
are familiar with the in struc tions, to
operate the machine.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,
toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which
could be picked up and thrown by
blade. Stay behind the handle when the
engine (motor) is running.
• Be sure the area is clear of other people
before mowing. Stop ma chine if anyone
enters the area.
• Do not operate machine bare footed or
while wearing sandals. Al ways wear
substantial footwear with good ankle
support while mowing.
• Do not pull mower backwards unless
absolutely nec es sary. Always look down
and behind before and while moving
backwards.
• Never direct discharged material toward
anyone. Avoid discharging material
against a wall or obstruction. Material
may richochet back toward the operator. Stop blade when crossing gravel
surfaces.
• Do not operate the mower without
proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
oth er safety protective devices in place.
• See manufacturer’s instructions for
proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use accessories approved by the manufacturer.
• Stop the blade(s) when crossing grav el
drives, walks, or roads.
• Never leave a running machine unattended.
• Stop the engine (motor) and wait until
the blade comes to a complete stop
before clean ing the machine, removing
the grass catcher, or unclogging the
discharge chute.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Never operate machine in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing: keep a
firm hold on the handle; walk, never run.
3
• Disengage the drive system, if so
equipped, before starting the engine
(motor).
• If the equipment should start to vi brate
abnormally, stop the engine (motor)
and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble.
• Always wear eye protection when op er at ing machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
• When loading or unloading this machine, do not exceed the maximum
recommended operation angle of 15°.
• Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while operating this machine, including (at a minimum) sturdy
footwear, eye protection, and hearing
protection. Do not mow in shorts or
open toed footwear.
Always let someone know you are outside
mowing.
III. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip &
fall accidents, which can result in severe
injury. All slopes require extra caution. If
you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes: nev er
up and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps or hidden
objects. Uneven terrain could cause
a slip and fall accident. Tall grass can
hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches
or embankments. You could lose your
footing or balance.
• Do not mow on wet grass or excessively steep slopes. Poor footing could
cause a slip and fall accident.
IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and
the vapors are explosive.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes
and other sources of ignition.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with
the engine running.
• Allow engine to cool before refueling.
• Never refuel the machine indoors.
• Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark
or pilot light such as a water heater or
on other appliances.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on
a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner.
Always place containers on the ground
away from your vehicle before filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the
ground. If this is not possible, then
refuel such equipment with a portable
container, rather than from a gasoline
dispenser nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim
of the fuel tank or container opening at
all times until fueling is complete. Do
not use a nozzle lock-open device.
• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change
clothing immediately.
• Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas
cap and tighten securely.
V. GENERAL SERVICE
• Never run machine inside a closed area.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with
the engine (motor) running. Dis con nect
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent ac ci den tal starting.
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the
equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation reg u lar ly.
Never do anything to interfere with the
intended function of a safety device or
reduce the protection provided by a
safety device.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool before storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if nec es sary,
before restarting.
• Never attempt to make wheel height adjustments while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components are sub ject
to wear, dam age, and de te ri o ra tion,
which could expose moving parts or
allow objects to be thrown. Frequently
check com po nents and replace with
man u fac tur er’s recommended parts,
when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and
use extra caution when ser vic ing them.
• Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.
4
Repair Protection Agreements
Congratulations on making a smart purchase. Your new Craftsman® product is
designed and manufactured for years of
dependable operation. But like all products, it may require repair from time to
time. That’s when having a Repair Protection Agreement can save you money and
aggravation.
Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement
now and protect yourself from unexpected
hassle and expense.
Here’s what’s included in the Agreement:
• Expert service by our 12,000 profe-
sional repair specialists.
• Unlimited service and no charge for
parts and labor on all covered repairs.
• Product replacement if your covered
product can’t be fixed.
• Discount of 25% from regular price of
service and service-related parts not
covered by the agreement; also, 25%
off regular price of preventive maintenance check.
• Fast help by phone – phone sup-
port from a Sears representative on
products requiring in-home repair, plus
convenient repair scheduling.
Once you purchase the Agreement, a
simple phone call is all that it takes for you
to schedule service. You can call anytime
day or night, or schedule a service appointment online.
Sears has over 12,000 professional repair
specialists, who have access to over 4.5 million quality parts and accessories. That’s the
kind of professionalism you can count on to
help prolong the life of your new purchase
for years to come. Purchase your Repair
Protection Agreement today!
Some limitations and exclusions apply.
For prices and additional information
call 1-800-827-6655.
Sears Installation Service
For Sears professional installation of home
appliances, garage door openers, water
heaters, and other major home items, in
the U.S.A. call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
ACCESSORIES
These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not
shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service
centers. SOME OF THESE ACCESSORIES MAY NOT APPLY TO YOUR LAWN MOWER.
5
ASSEMBLY / PRE-OPERATION
Read these instructions and this manual
in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower.
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the
engine.
Your new lawn mower has been as sem bled at the factory with the exception of
those parts left unassembled for shipping
pur pos es. To ensure safe and proper op er a tion of your lawn mower, all parts and
hard ware you assemble must be tight ened securely. Use the correct tools as
nec es sary to ensure proper tightness. All
parts such as nuts, wash ers, bolts, etc.,
nec es sary to complete the as sem bly have
been placed in the parts bag.
TO REMOVE MOWER FROM
CARTON
1. Remove loose parts included with
mower.
2. Cut down two end corners of carton
and lay end panel down flat.
3. Remove all packing materials except
padding be tween upper and lower
handle and padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.
4. Roll lawn mower out of carton and
check carton thor ough ly for additional
loose parts.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOW ER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage con trol cables.
1. Raise handles until lower handle section locks into place in mowing position.
2. Insert bolt through handle and bracket
and secure with nut.
3. Remove protective padding, raise upper handle sec tion into place on lower
handle and tighten both handle knobs.
4. 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 "AD JUST HANDLE" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
Operator
presence
control bar
LIFT
UP
LIFT
UP
MOWING
POSITION
Upper
handle
Bolt
Handle
knob
Lower handle
Nut
Bracket
6
TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCH ER
1. 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.
2. 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.
Frame
handle
INSTALL STARTER ROPE
1. Loosen T-knob.
2. Hold control bar against upper handle.
3. Slowly pull engine starter rope out until
rope will slip into loop of rope guide.
4. Tighten T-knob.
Control bar
Upper handle
Vinyl
bindings
Frame
opening
Rope guide
T-Knob
Engine
starter rope
TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or
discharging, see “TO CON VERT MOWER” in
the Operation section of this manual.
7
OPERATION
KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALL SAFETY RULES BEFORE OP ER AT ING 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.
These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the
product. Learn and understand their meaning.
Operator presence control bar
Handle knob
Starter
handle
Grass
catcher
Engine oil cap
with dipstick
Muffler
Mulcher door
Gasoline filler cap
Primer
Spark plug
Air filter
IMPORTANT: This lawn
mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL
OR GASOLINE in the engine.
NOTE: Gasoline containing up to 10%
ethanol (E10) is acceptable for use in this machine.
Wheel adjuster
(on each wheel)
Housing
The use of any gasoline exceeding 10% ethanol (E10) will void the product warranty.
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 Com mis sion.
Operator presence control bar – must
be held down to the handle to start the
engine. Release to stop the engine.
Mulcher door – allows con ver sion to
discharging or bagging operation.
WARNING: The blade turns when the engine is running.
Starter handle – used for starting engine.
Primer– pumps additional fuel from the
carburetor to the cylinder for use when
starting a cold engine.
8
The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects
thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage.
Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your
lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recom-
mend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask over spectacles.
Use ear
protectors to
avoid
damage to hearing.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
Engine speed was set at the factory for
optimum performance. It is not adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
CAUTION: Federal regulations re quire
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
func tion of the operator con trol. The blade
turns when the engine is running.
• 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
Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut, adjust cutting height to suit
your requirements. Me di um position is
best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze ad-
juster lever to ward wheel. Move wheel
up or down to suit your re quire ments.
Be sure all wheels are in the same setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned
when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.
Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the
plate tabs.
Pivot pins Grass
Catcher frame hook
Rear
door
catcher
handle
SIDE DISCHARGING
• Rear door must be closed.
• Open mulcher door and install dis charge deflector under door as shown.
• Mower is now ready for discharging
operation.
• To convert to mulching or bagging
operation, dis charge deflector must be
removed and mulcher door must be
closed.
LEVER BACKWARD TO
LOWER MOWER
LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER
Plate tab
Lever
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to
be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging:
REAR BAGGING
• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and
place the grass catcher frame hooks
onto the door pivot pins.
• To convert to mulching or dis charg ing
operation, remove grass catch er and
close rear door.
Open mulcher door
Install
discharge
deflector
9
MOWER IS NOW READY FOR
DISCHARGING OPERATION
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN
CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR REAR BAGGING -
1. Grass catcher installed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. Discharge deflector installed.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn
mower with out rear door closed, clipping
deflector or ap proved grass catcher in
place. Never at tempt to op er ate the lawn
mow er with the rear door re moved or
propped open.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
1. Lift up on grass catcher using the
frame han dle.
2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower han dle.
3. Empty clippings from bag.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.
Grass
catcher
frame
handle
IMPORTANT:
• Check oil level before each use. Add
oil if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may
need to change the oil more often
under dusty, dirty conditions. See “TO
CHANGE ENGINE OIL” in the Maintenance section of this manual.
ADD GASOLINE
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler
neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean,
regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with
gasoline. Purchase fuel in quan ti ties
that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline
near an open flame.
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels
(called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to
separation and for ma tion 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. Empty the gas tank, start
the engine and let it run until the fuel lines
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel
next season. See Storage In struc tions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
Engine oil cap Gasoline filler cap
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. For type and grade of oil to
use, see “EN GINE” in the Maintenance
section of this manual.
CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with
oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler
on startup.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level.
2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.
3. You receive a container of oil with the
unit. Slowly pour the entire container
down the oil fill spout into the engine.
NOTE: Initial oil fill requires only 14 oz.
due to residual oil in engine from the
manufacturers 100% quality testing. When
changing oil you may need 16 oz.
4. Insert and tighten dipstick.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stop engine, release operator presence con trol bar.
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the
engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present during the initial use of the product and should be considered normal.
10
Primer
1. To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before trying to start. Use a firm
push. This step is not usually necessary
when starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes.
2. Hold operator presence control bar
down to the han dle and pull starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary
to repeat priming steps. In warmer weather
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.
MOWING TIPS
CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments on your mower. Such
attachments are hazardous, will damage
your mower and could void your warranty.
• 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 over load ing the en gine
and leaving clumps of grass clippings. It
may also be necessary to reduce ground
speed and/or run the lawn mower over
the area a second time.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut by overlapping pre vi ous ly
cut path and mow slowly.
• For side discharge operation, cut in
a coun ter clock wise di rec tion, start ing
at the outside of the area to be cut, in
order to spread grass clip pings more
evenly and to put less load on the
engine. To keep clip pings off of walkways, flower beds, etc., make the first
cuts in a clock wise direction.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and extend
engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-up
grass and trash. See “CLEANING” in the
Maintenance 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 bio de grade
quick ly to provide nu tri ents for the lawn.
Always mulch with your highest engine
(blade) speed as this will provide the
best recutting action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps and
in ter feres with the mulch ing action. The
best time to mow your lawn is the early
afternoon. At this time the grass has
dried, yet the newly cut area will not be
exposed to direct sunlight.
• 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. If the lawn is over grown
it will be nec es sary to raise the height
of cut to reduce pushing effort and to
keep from over load ing the engine and
leaving clumps of mulched grass. For
ex tremely heavy grass, reduce your
width of cut by overlapping previously
cut path and mow slowly.
MAX 1/3
• If a trail of grass clipping is left on the
right side of the lawn mower during rear
discharge operation, mow in a clockwise direction with a small overlap to
collect the clippings on the next pass.
• 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 catcher off
with water and let dry before using.
• Certain types of grass and grass
con di tions may re quire that an area be
mulched a second time to com pletely
hide the clip pings. When doing a sec ond cut, mow across (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.
11
MAINTENANCE
Check for Loose Fasteners
Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher *
Check Tires
Check Drive Wheels ***
Clean Lawn Mower ****
Clean under Drive Cover ***
Check Drive Belt / Pulleys ***
Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade
Lubrication
Clean and Recharge Battery **
Check Engine Oil level
Change Engine Oil
Clean Air Filter
Inspect Muffler
Replace Spark Plug
Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge
Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer
BEFORE
EACH
USE
AFTER
EACH
USE
EVERY
10
HOURS
EVERY
25 HOURS
OR SEASON
EVERY
100
HOURS
BEFORE
STORAGE
1 - Change more often if operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures.
2 - Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions.
3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil.
4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.
5 - And after each 5 hours of use.
(if so equipped)
Electric-Start mowers
Power-Propelled mowers
Use a scraper
to clean under deck
*
**
***
****
GENERAL REC OM MEN DA TIONS
The warranty on this lawn mower does not
cover items that have been sub ject ed to
operator abuse or negligence. To receive
full value from the warranty, operator must
maintain unit as in struct ed in this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made
periodically to properly maintain your unit.
At least once a season, check to see if
you should make any of the adjustments
described in the Service and Ad just ments
section of this manual.
• At least once a year, replace the spark
plug, clean or replace air filter element
and check blade for wear. A new spark
plug and clean/new air filter element
assure proper air-fuel mix ture and help
your engine run bet ter and last longer.
• Follow the maintenance schedule in this
manual.
BEFORE EACH USE
• Check engine oil level.
• Check for loose fasteners.
LUBRICATION
Keep unit well lubricated
(See “LU BRI CA TION CHART”).
LUBRICATION CHART
Handle bracket mounting pins
Spray lubricant
See "ENGINE" in Maintenance section.
IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic
wheel bearings. Viscous lu bri cants will
attract dust and dirt that will short en the life
of the self-lu bri cat ing bearings. If you feel
they must be lu bri cated, use only a dry,
pow dered graphite type lubricant spar ingly.
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Wheel
adjuster (on
each wheel)
Engine oil
Mulcher
door hinge
Rear door
hinge
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when per form ing any main te nance.
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemi cals which can harm rubber.
• 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 a bent or dam aged blade.
CAUTION: Use only a replacement
blade approved by the manufacturer of
your mower. Using a blade not approved
by the manufacturer of your mower is
hazardous, could damage your mower
and void your warranty.
TO REMOVE BLADE
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make
sure air filter and carburetor are up.
3. Use a wood block between blade and
mower hous ing to prevent blade from
turning when re mov ing blade bolt.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-
clockwise.
5. Remove blade and attaching hard ware
(bolt, lock wash er and hardened wash er).
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position blade on the blade adapter
aligning the two (2) holes in the blade
with the raised lugs on the adapter.
2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo-
site sharp edge) is up toward the engine.
3. Install the blade bolt with the lock
washer and hardened washer into
blade adapter and crankshaft.
4. 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. lbs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharp en ing the blade - but if you do, be sure
the blade is balanced. An un bal anced
blade will cause eventual damage to lawn
mower or engine.
• The blade can be sharp ened with a file
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.
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for damage or de te ri o ra tion. Through normal use
it will wear. If catcher needs replacing,
replace only with ap proved replacement
catcher shown in the Repair Parts section
of this manual. Give the lawn mower model
number when ordering.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SJ–SN.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
Blade adapter Key
Lockwasher
Blade
Blade
bolt
Hardened
washer
Trailing edge
Crankshaft
keyway
Crankshaft
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°F. Check your engine oil
level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in
one year.
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* NOTE: An oil change is not required but
if you desire to change the oil follow the
procedure below.
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
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to
drain oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitable container.
Rock lawn mower back and forth to remove any oil trapped inside of engine.
4. Wrap foam element in cloth and
squeeze dry.
5. Lightly coat foam element with clean
engine oil. Squeeze in towel to re move excess oil. Do not satu rate.
6. Install foam element, then replace
cover.
Ta b
Slot
Foam
element
Cover
Container
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout,
stopping every few ounces to check
the oil level with the dipstick.
6. Stop adding oil when you reach the
FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a minute to allow oil to settle.
7. Continue adding small amounts of oil,
rechecking the dipstick until oil level
settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or
engine will smoke heavily from the
muffler on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick
before starting engine.
9. Re con nect spark plug wire to plug.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter.
Replace the air filter every 100 hours of
operation or every season, whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner more often
under dusty conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER ELEMENT
1. Remove cover.
2. Carefully remove foam element.
3. Wash foam element in liquid de ter gent
and water.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire hazard and/or dam age.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs
first. Spark plug type and gap setting
are shown in the “PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS” section of this manual.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-grass
and trash. Clean the underside of your
mower after each use.
CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with spark plug.
• 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.
• With the exception of the water washout port (if equipped), we do not recommend using a garden hose to clean
the outside of your lawn mower unless
the elec tri cal system, muffler, air filter
and carburetor are covered to keep
water out. Water in engine can result in
shortened engine life.
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