Craftsman 917375940 Owner’s Manual

Husqvarna

917 375940

Owner's Manual

532 1965-29 01,21.05 BY Printed in U,S,A,

A SAFETY RULES A

IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS FAILURE

TOOBSERVETHE FOLLOWINGSAFETY INSTRUCTIONSCOULD RESULTINSERIOUS INJURYOR DEATH

Look for this symbol to point out im-
portant safety precautions. It means

CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug
wire and place wire where it cannot contact

spark plug in order to prevent accidental
starting when setting up, transporting,
adjusting or making repairs.

WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to

A

A

A AUTION: Muffler and other engine parts

_2_ Toavoid severe burns on contact,stay away

I. GENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the

machine and in the manual(s) before starting, Be thor-
oughly 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 discharge opening at all times

• Only allow responsible individuals, who are familiar
with the instructions, 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 the blade,

• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mow-
ing, Stop machine if anyone enters the area

• Do not operate the mower when barefoot or wearing
open sandals Always wear substantial foot wear,

• Do not pull mower backwards unless absolutely nec-
essary, Always look down and behind before and while
moving backwards,

• Never direct discharged material toward anyone,
Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruc-

tion Material may richochet back toward the operator,
Stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces

• Do not operate the mower without proper guards,
plates, grass catcher or other safety protective devices

in place,

• See manufacturer's instructions for proper operation
and installation of accessories, Only use accessories

approved by the manufacturer,

the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.

WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and lead

compounds, chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth

defects or other reproductive harm. Wash
hands after handling.

become extremely hot during operation
and remain hot after engine has stopped.

from these areas.

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers

• Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks,
or roads.

• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you leave the equip-
ment, before cleaning the mower or unclogging the
chute.

• Shut theengine (motor) off and wait until the bladecomes
to complete stop before removing grass catcher.

• 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 and walk;
never run,

• Disengage the self-propelled mechanism or drive clutch
onmowerssoequipped beforestartingtheengine(motor).

• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally,
stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the

cause, Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side
shields when operating mower,

II. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and 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:

• Mowacrossthe face of slopes: neverupand down. Exer-
cise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes,

• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps, Tall grass can hide
obstacles,

DO NOT:

• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or embankments,
The operator could lose footing or balance,

• Do not trim excessively steep slopes,

• Donot mow on wet grass, Reduced footing could cause
slipping

III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to
the presence of children. Children are often attracted to

the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that
children will remain where you last saw them,

• Keep children out of the trimming area and under the
watchful care of another responsible adult.

• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the
area,

• Before and while walking backwards, look behind and

down for small children.

• Never allow children to operate the machine,

• Useextra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Use extreme care in handling gasoline, Gasoline is ex-
tremely 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 run-
ning. Allow engine to cool before refueling.

• Neverrefuelthemachineindoors,

• Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerwherethere
isanopenflame,sparkorpilotlightsuchasawater

heateroronotherappliances,

• Neverfillcontainersinsideavehicle,onatruckortrailer
bedwithaplasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson

thegroundawayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailer

andrefuelitontheground,Ifthisisnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentwithaportablecontainer,rather

thanfromagasolinedispensernozzle,

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltank

orcontaineropeningatalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete,

Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

• Iffuelisspilledonclothing,changeclothingimmedi-

ately,

• Neveroverfillfueltank,Replacegascapandtighten
securely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

• Never run a machine inside a closed area.

• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine
(motor) running. Disconnect spark plug wire, and keep

&WARNING: This lawn mower is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any
unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered 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 authorized service center.

wire away from plug to prevent accidental starting,

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachement
bolts, tight and keep equipment in good condition,

• Never tamper with safety devices, Check their proper
operation regularly,

• 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 ifyou strike an object.
Repair, if necessary, before restarting,

• Never attempt to make wheel height adjustments while
the engine (motor) is running,

• Grass catcher components are subject to wear, dam-
age, and deterioration, which could expose moving

parts or allow objects to be thrown, Frequently check
components and replace with manufacturer's recom-
mended parts, when necessary,

• Mower blade is sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or
wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing it,

• Do notchange theengine governor setting or overspeed
the engine,

• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary,

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new lawn
mower, Ithas been designed, engineered and manufactured

togive youthe best possible dependability and performance,
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily

remedy, please contact your nearest authorized service
center/department, We have competent, well-trained
technicians and the proper tools to service 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",

SERIAL
NUMBER:

DATE OF PURCHASE:
THE MODELAND SERIAL NUMBERSWlLL BEFOUND

ON A DECAL ATTACHEDTOTHE REAR OFTHE LAWN
MOWER HOUSING.

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

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Gasoline Capacity 1.6 Quarts
and Type: (Unleaded Regular Only)

Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 0°C / 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (below 0°C / 32°F)
Oil Capacity: 20 Ounces
Spark Plug: R J19LM or J19LM (Gap: .030")

Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. Ibs.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rules,

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

• Follow the instructions under "Maintenance" and "Stor-
age" sections of this owner's manual.

SAFETY RULES ......................................................... 2-3

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ................................. 3

ASSEMBLY ................................................................. 4-5

OPERATION ............................................................. 6-10

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ...................................... 11

MAINTENANCE ...................................................... 11-13

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ............................ 14-15

STORAGE ............................................................... 15-16

TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................. 17

REPAIR PARTS....................................................... 18-23

WARRANTY ................................................................. 24

3

ASSEMBLY

Readthese instructions and this manual in itsentirety before

you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower.

IMPORTANT: THIS LAWN MOWER IS SHIPPEDWlTH-
OUT OIL OR GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE.

Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory
with the exception of those parts left unassembled for ship-

ping purposes. All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc,,
necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in

the parts bag, To ensure safe and proper operation of your

lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must
be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary

to ensure proper tightness,

TO REMOVE LAWN 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 between

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-

ougly for additional loose parts,

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Figs. 1 and 2)

IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLE CAREFULLY SO AS

NOT TO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES,
1, Raise lower handle tooperating position and align hole

in handle with one of the height positioning holes in
the handle bracket,

2. Insert handle bolt through handle and bracket and
secure with knob,

3, Repeat for opposite side of handle.
4, Remove protective padding, raise upper handle sec-

tion into place on lower handle and tighten both handle
knobs,

5, Remove packing material from around control bar,
Your handles may be adjusted for your mowing comfort.

Referto"ADJ UST HANDLE"in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.

OPERATOR
PRESENCE
CONTROL

BAR

KNOB

HANDLE
BRACKEt

UP

MOWING

POSITION

/

//////

/ //

//

/

UPPER

HANDLE

HANDLE

KNOB

LOWER

HANDLE

FIG. 1

BOLT

FIG. 2

ASSEMBLY

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

(See Figs. 3 and 4)

1, Slide grass catcher bag over the frame. Make sure

the rear handle is on top (the same side as the front

handle) and the strap is on the bottom,
2, Slip vinyl bindings over frame,
NOTE: Ifvinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them inwarm water

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

3. Close grass catcher door,
NOTE: When fully closed, door will "snap" shut over frame

and vinyl bindings,

DOOR_

GRASS
CATCHER

VINYL

STRAP

\

\

\ \

\ \

FIG. 3

\,

• \

REAR

HANDLE

FRONT

BAG

/

FIG. 4

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a

mulcher, To convert mower to bagging or discharging,
see "TO CONVERT MOWER" in the Operation section of

this manual,

5

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.

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand
their meaning.

I',,I

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

"OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR

STARTER
HANDLE

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER

HANDLE

KNOE

GRASS

GASOLINE FILLER CAF

AIR FILTER

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped HOUSING

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

DRIVE COVER

ENGINE OIL CAP WITH DIPSTICK

PRIMER

MUFFLER

DUAL POINT HEIGHT

ADJUSTER LEVER

SPARK PLUG

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Our rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute

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

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR- must beheld

down to the handle to start engine. Release to stop engine,

MULCHER DOOR - allows conversion to discharge or
bagging operation,

STARTER HANDLE - used for starting the engine.

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

DUAL POINT HEIGHTADJUSTER-used to adjust cutting
height of lawn mower,

PRIMER - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor to the
cylinder for use when starting a cold engine,

OPERATION

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 recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety
mask over spectacles,

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory for optimum per-
formance, Speed is not adjustable,

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this
of blade contact injury. Do not under

any circumstances attempt to defeat

lawn mower in order to minimizethe risk

the function of the operator control.
The blade turns when the engine is

running.

Your lawn mower isequipped 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,

DRIVE CONTROL (See Fig. 5)

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator

presence control bar down to the handle and pulling

the drive control lever rearward to the handle, The
farther toward the handle the lever is pulled, the faster

the unit will travel.

• Forward motion will stop when either the operator pres-

ence control bar or drive control lever are released, To

stop forward motion without stopping engine, release

the drive control lever only, Hold operator presence
control bar down against handle to continue mowing

without self-propelling,

NOTE: If after releasing the drive control the mower will
not roll backwards, push the mower forward slightly to
disengage drive wheels.

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR

2. Turn nut on underside of drive control to increase drive
speed.

3. Operatemowertotestdrivespeed. Readjustasrequired.

4. If condition fails to improve after the above steps (for-
ward speed remains the same), your drive belt is worn
and should be replaced.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 6)

Both front wheels are adjusted by a single lever on the left

front wheel, Likewise, both rear wheels are adjusted by a

single lever on the left rear wheel.

• Pull adjuster lever toward wheel. To raise mower, move
lever forward to desired position.To lower mower, move

the lever toward the rear,

Be sure to adjust both front and rear wheels to same height,

HEIGHT

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER BACKWARD

LEVER FORWARD

TO RAISE MOWER

"ADJUSTER

FIG. 6

TO CONVERT MOWER (See Figs. 7 thru 9)

Yourlawn mower was shipped ready to be used asa mulche r.
To convert to rear bagging or side discharging:

REAR BAGGING

• Remove knob securing mulcher door to mower housing.

• Open mulcher door and insert tabs of discharge chute
into hinge bracket opening and position rear of chute

over threaded stud.

DRIVE
CONTROL

LEVER

ADJUSTMENT TO ENGAGE DRIVE
TURNBUCKLE DRIVE CONTROL

(ON UNDERSIDE) CONTROL DISENGAGED

FIG. 5

DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT (See Fig. 5)

Over time, the drive control system may become "loose",
resulting in decreased speed, There is a turnbuckle on the

underside of the drive control housing to increase tension
on the drive cable, Proceed as follows:

1, Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug wire from plug, 7

HINGE BRACKET MULCHER DOOR

FIG. 7

OPERATION

• Secure rear of discharge chute to lawn mower housing •
with knob, •

• Place rear handle of grass catcher on the crossbar of
the lawn mower's lower handle as shown.

• Lift the round door of the discharge chute and place
the grass catcher into place on the discharge chute.

NOTE: Be sure round door of discharge chute rests on

grass catcher as shown,

• Mower is now ready for rear bagging operation.

• Toconvert to mulching operation, remove grass catcher
and discharge chute. Secure mulcher door to mower

housing with knob,

• Toconvert to side discharging operation, remove grass
catcher and discharge chute. Install side discharge

deflector and secure it to mower housing with knob,

HANDLE

,CROSSBAR

GRASS

Mower is now ready for side discharging operation,

To convert to mulching operation, side discharge de-
flector must be removed and mulcher door secured to

mower housing with knob.
To convert to rear bagging operation, side discharge

deflector must be removed; discharge chute and grass
catcher installed and discharge chute secured tomower
housing with knob,

MULCHER KNOB
DOOR

THREADED

STUD

SIDE
DISCHARGE

DEFLECTOR

ROUND
DOOR

DISCHARGE
CHUTE

THREADED

STUD

MULCHER
DOOR

FIG. 8

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Grass catcher and discharge chute must be re-
moved.

• Open mulcher door and install front of side discharge
deflector beneath it as shown.

• Secure rear of side discharge deflector to lawn mower
housing with knob.

FIG. 9

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN

CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

1. Grass catcher, discharge chute and side discharge
deflector removed,

2. Mulcher door secured to mower housing with knob,

FOR REAR BAGGING -

1. Side discharge deflector removed,

2, Grass catcher and discharge chute installed with

discharge chute secured to lawn mower housing with
knob,

3, Round door of discharge chute resting on top of grass

catcher,

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1, Grass catcher and discharge chute removed,
2, Side discharge deflector installed and secured to mower

housing with knob.

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher door closed; side dis-

charge deflector installed, or discharge

&

chute and approved grass catcher in
place. Never attempt to operatethe lawn
mower with mulcher door or round door

removed or propped open.