Craftsman 917377284 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

6.0HORSEPOWER

20" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377284

, Safety o Assembly o Operation

,, Maintenance o EspaSol

o Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60t79

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11 Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 13 Assembly 4 Storage 14

Operation 6 Troubleshooting 15 Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 32

Maintenance t0 Parts Ordering Back Cover

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained,

lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner's rnanual, 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 crank- shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con-

tained in the owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the craftsman power mower to the nearest sears service center/department in the united states, This warranty applies only while

this product is in use in the united states. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

van/from state to state,

SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO. D/817 WA, H©FFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

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,

o 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, especialiy small children and pets,

• Use mower only as the manufacturer

intended and as described in this manual.

• Do not operate mower if it has been

dropped or damaged in any manner. Always have damage repaired before using your mower,

o De not use accessory attachments that

are not recommended by the manufac-

turero Use of such attachments may be

hazardous.

• The blade turns when the engine is running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks,

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

° Always wear safety glasses or eye

shields when starting and while using your mower.

• Dress properly. Do not operate mower

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

when mowing.

• Check fuel tank before starting engine. Do not fill gas tank indoors, when the

engine is running or when the engine is

hot. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before filling the gas tank Clean off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine

• Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your mower_ Never

attempt to do this while the engine is running.

o Mow only in daylight or good artificial

light,

OPERATION:

• Keep your eyes and mind on your mower

and the area being cut. Do not let other interests distract you.

o Do not mow wet or slippery grass. Never

run while operating your mower. Always

be sure of your footing _ keep a firm hold

on the handles and walk.

° Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.

° Always stop the engine whenever you

leave or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads,

and any gravel-covered areas

° Never direct discharge of material toward

bystanders nor allow anyone near the mower while you are operating it.

° Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing

your mower, stop the engine and make absolutely sure the blade and all moving

parts have stopped. Then disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away from the

spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

o Do not continue to run your mower if you

hit a foreign object. Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any damage before restarting and operating your

mower.

o 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. Excessive 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 dangerous.

• 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 exces-

sively 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 mount-

ing bolts often to be sure they are tightened properly.

° Check at1bolts, nuts and screws at

frequent intervals for proper tightness to

be sure mower is in safe working condition.

° Keep all safety devices in place and

working.

o To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine

free of grass, leaves or excessive grease and oil.

o Check grass catcher often for deteriora-

tion and wear and replace worn bags. Use only replacement bags that are

recommended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your

mower.

o 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 buildEng where fumes may reach an open flame or an ignition source such

as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc

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

The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

TheseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwasproducedTheyarealso

available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers Most Sears stores can also order

repair parts for you, when you provide the model number of your fawn mower, Some of these

accessories may not apply to your lawn mower

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BLADES

v--'_--., m,

MULCHER KiTS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN IvlOWERS

AIR FILTERS

BLADEAOA ERS WREELS

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

Read these instRjctions and this manual in its

entirety before you attempt to assemble or

operate your new lawn mower. Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with

the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. 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

• Remove loose parts included with mower. o 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.

o Roll lawn mower out of carton and check

carton thoroughly for additional loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLES CAREFULLY SO AS NOT TO PINCH OR

DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES.

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

o Remove protective padding, raise upper

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

o Remove handte padding holding operator

presence control bar to upper handle

° Your lawn mower handfe can be adjusted

for your mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust

Handle" in the Service and Adjustment section of this manual,

NOTE: For shipping purposes, the rear wheels on your lawn mower are not adjusted to the same position as the front wheels°

Before operating mower adjust all wheels to the same cutting height position

Operator presence control bar

Upper Jft up

Lift

Mowing position

Lower handle

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher, To convert to bagging or discharging: o Open rear door and remove muicher plugo

Store mulcher plug in a safe place,

. You can now install catcher or optional

clipping deflector.

, To return to mulching operation, install

mulcher plug into discharge opening of mower,

Muche_ b

CAUTION: Do not run your fawn mower without mulcher plug in place or approved

clipping deflector or grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped

open.

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND 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

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in Eiterature supplied with the

producL Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUTION ENGtNE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OiL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone control cabte

""_,.. Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

Starter handle

Grass

Handle knob

Engine oil cap w/dipstick

Housing

Mulcher plug

Gasoline filler cap

Engine speed control

Primer Drive cover

Wheel adjuster

(on every wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and the [J.S Consumer Product Safety Commis-

sion: The b!ade turns when the en_nei s running. ......................................

Operator presence control bar - must be held down to the handle to start the

engine. Release to stop the engine. Primer - pumps additional fuel from the

carburetor to the cylinder for use when starting a cold engine. Starter handle- used for starting the

engine.

Drive control lever - used to engage power-propelled forward motion of lawn

mower. Engine speed control - located on the

side of the engine which allows you to select either fast or slow engine speed.

Mulcher plug - must be removed to convert to bagging or discharging opera-

tion.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plate in place and door closed or without an approved clipping

deflector or grasscatcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with

the rear door removed or propped open.

ENGINE SPEED The engine speed is controlled 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 under any circumstances attempt to defeat the

function of the operator control. The blade turns when the eng!ne is running,

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator presence control bar which

requires the operator to be positioned

behind the lawn mower handle to start and operate the lawn mower°

_ ngine speed

Lower Wheels for High Cut Plate Tab

Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER ° Close the flip lid_ Flip lid must be closed

while operating lawn mower.

• Lift the rear door on the mower housing and place the grass catcher frame onto

the formed tabs on the rear door hinge brackeL

° The grass catcher is secured to the lawn

mower housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without clipping deflector or approved

grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

Rear door

Hinge Grass catcher bracket frame

control lever

j_ Primer

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

= Raise wheels for low cut and lower

wheels for high cut.

• Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements° Medium position is best for most lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever toward wheel. Move

wheel up or down to suit your require- mentso 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_

Formed tabs

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• To remove grass catcher, release operator presence control bar to stop

engine.

- Lift up rear door and remove the grass catcher by the handle°

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emp- tying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

DRIVE CONTROL o 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 drive

control lever.

Forward motion will stop when the operator

presence control bar is released, 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

handle to continue mowing without self-

propelling°

• To keep drive control engaged when turning comers, push down on handle and lift front

wheels off ground while tuming lawn mower.

To engage disengaged drive control

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE OIL Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the

engine. o Be sure mower is level and area around oil

fill is clean.

• Remove engine oil cap w/dipstick and fill to

the full line on the dipstick.

• Use 20 ozso of oil, For type and grade of oil

to use, see "ENGINE" in Customer

Responsibilities section of this manual,

° Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill. . Check oil level before each use. Add oil if

needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

° To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap

each time.

° Reinstall engine oi! cap and tighten. o Change the oil after every 25 hours of

operation or each season. You may need to

change the oi! mere often under dusty, dirty

conditions.

GAS ° Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, dean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used

within 30 clays to assure fuel freshness_

Operator presence control bar "\.

Drive control

IMPORTANT: When operating in temperaturesbelow 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure

good cold weather starting 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 storage of 30 days or longer.

Drain 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 Instructions for additional information.

Never use engine or carburetor cleaner

products in the fuel tank or permanent

damage may occur.

CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler

neck, Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or

fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an

open flame_ TO START ENGINE

o 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,

. 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° In wannet weather over priming may cause flooding and engine

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

repeat priming steps.

Engine oil cap w!

Gasoline filler cap dipstick

MOWING TIPS

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 engine and leaving clumps of grass clippings.

• For extremely heaw 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.

• For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions, the engine speed should be set

in the fast position

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

o If a trail of grass clippings is left on the dght

side of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a small overlap

to collect the clippings c)nthe next pass.

o Keep top of engine around starter clear and

clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will hefp 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,

d}'it )

;,UI

Max. 1/3

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: Forbest performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See "Cleaning" in MAINTENANCE

section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings 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.

• 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.

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 by overlapping

previously cut path and mow slowly.

• 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.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

FILL IN DATES

AS YOU COMPLETE

REGULAR SERVICE

Check for Loose Fasteners I

C[ea_Vlnspect Grass Catcher (If Equipped)

Clean Lawn Mower _ .

Clean Under Drive Cover

(P0wer-Propefled Mowers)

Check drive be[VpuIleys

(Power-Propelled Mowers )

Check/Sharpen/Replace Blade

Lubrication Chart

Clean Battery/Recharge

(Electric Start Mowers)

._ul ,, , , J

E v"

Check Engine Oil Levei

Change Engine Oil ....................

Clean Air Filter

G .....

Inspect Muffler

Clean or ,Replace Spark Piug

,E _Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge _2 {

I - Chef, go more often when operating under a heavy' _oad or in higt'_ an_bient temperatures

2 - Service more often when operating in ditly or dusty concNJons

3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil

4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season

i ,, ,,J_,_,,,,,,,,_,,

V'._.........

v' 1 v" ]

SERVICE DATES

--t

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty 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 maintain your unit

All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should

be checked at least once each season.

• 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,

e Follow the maintenance schedule in this

manual.

BEFORE EACH USE o Check engine oil level.

o Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICA-

TION CHART")_

LUBRICATION CHART

i ........ i '

(_ Engine oil

tL i

(_ Rear door

(_ Handle bracket

mounting pin

(_ Spay tubricante

(_) 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.

hinge

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL NUMBER 917.377284 SERIAL NUMBER

DATE OF PURCHASE

HORSEPOWER: &0 DISPLACEMENT: 11,6 CU_ IN.

GASOLINE CAPACITY/TYPE: 1,6QUARTS

UNLEADED REGULAR

OIL TYPE (API-SF/SG/SH): SAE 30 (ABOVE 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F)

OIL CAPACITY: 20 OZS, SPARK PLUG(GAP: ,030") CHAMPION RJ19L

VALVECLEARANCE: INTAKE: 005" - .007"

EXHAUST: .007" - 009"

SOLID STATE IGNITION

AIR GAP: .010 IN.

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 FT. LBS.

The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal attached to the rear of the

lawn mower housing.Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance,

TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals 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. Replace bent or damaged blades,

TO REMOVE BLADE

• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot

come in contact with spark plug

° Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure

air filter and carburetor are up_

. Use a wood block between blade and

mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt.

. Protect your hands with gloves and/or

wrap blade with heavy clothe

, 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 ° 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 ofblade

(opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine_

° Install the blade bolt with 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

o The recommended tightening torque is

35.-40 ft. Ibs.

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat

treated.

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpen- ing 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.

o The blade can be sharpened with a file

or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.

o To check blade balance, drive a nail into

a beam or wall Leave about one inch of

the straight nail exposed° 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

Crank-

Blade shaft

adapter / keyway

Blade Key...._

B,ade\

""-. '_'_..-_ i: ;_o,_,, Crank-

Hardened/ I ['b¢A_."t_j/" ......

• Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and washers

• Remove wheels from wheel adjusters,

Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive

wheel gear teeth.

• Put wheels back in place.

If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not

turn freely, contact your nearest authorized service centerr

GEAR CASE o To keep your drive system working

properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free

of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

o 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 Premium 1 Grease, Part No.

750355° Do not substitute.

ENGINE LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG or SH.

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

washer / Trail_ _g Blade

Lockwasher edge adapter

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 deterioration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs

replacing, replace only with a manufac- turer approved replacement catcher°

Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.

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

wheels. If necessary to clean the drive wheels,

check both front wheels.

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,

10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multiMscosity 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,,

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, drain fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.

. Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplug

andplacewirewhereitcannotcomein contactwithsparkplug.

o Removeengineoilcap;layasideonaclean

surface,

. Tiplawnmoweronitssideasshownand

drainoilintoasuitablecontainer.Rocklawn

mowerbackandforthtoremoveanyoil

trappedinsideofengine°

° Wipeoffanyspilledoilonlawnmowerand

onsideofengine.

• Fillenginewithoil.Fillonlytothe"FULL"line onthedipstick.DONOToverfill°

° Replaceengineoilcap.

• Reconnectsparkplugwiretosparkplug,

• ontalner

AIR FILTER Your engine will not run p.ropefly and may be

damaged by using a dirty air filter.

Replace the air filter every year, more often if

you mow in very dusty, dirty conditions. TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

° Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove_

• Carefully remove cartridge.

. Clean by gently tapping on a flat

surface If very dirty, replace cartridge or clean as follows: Wash in a low or non-

sudsing detergent and warm water solution° Rinse thoroughly with flowing

water from mesh side until water runs clear, Let cartridge air dry thoroughly

before using

CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to clean cartridge. They may cause deterioration of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge Do not use

pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge,

Back

Slots

Cartridge Cover

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it

could create a fire hazard and/or damager

31ate

Covet

tabs

SPARK PLUG

Change your spark plug each year to make

your engine start easier and run better° Set

spark plug gap at .030 inch, CLEANING

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up 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 the spark plugo

• Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filterand carburetor are up. Clean the

underside of your lawn mower by scraping to remove buildup of grass and trash..

o Clean engine often to keep trash from

accumulating° A clogged engine nJnshotter and shortens engine life.

o 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 inshortened

engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under drive cover at leasttwice a

season..Scrape underside of cover with putty knife or similar too! to remove any buildup of

trash or grass on underside of ddve cover.

CAUTgON" BEFORE PERFORMING

ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: = Retease control bar_

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

o 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 of 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 REMOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT o Remove drive cover. Remove belt by

pushing down on gear case pulley and

rolling belt off it.

• Turn lawn mower on its side with

carburetor and fuel cap up. = Remove blade. = Remove debris shield°

o Remove belt from engine pulley on

crankshaft.

° Install new belt by reversing above

steps.

° Always use factory approved belt to

assure fit and tong life.

o To change from medium fow to medium

high position, the upper and lower handle sections will have to be turned over,

o Remove the cable clips.. o Remove the controls and operator presence

control bar from the upper handle.

° Remove the starter rope guide from the

lower handle.

o Remove hairpin cotters, ° Disconnect the lower handle from the

handle brackets

* Turn the handle over and reassemble the

hairpin cotters that have been removed

o Reassemble the starter rope guide, o Reassemble the controls and the operator

presence control bar to the upper handle 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. , To change from medium low to high

position only the upper handle section

will have to be turned over

° To change from medium !ow to low

position, only the lower handle section

will have to be turned over..

Shipping position

Medium low Medium high

Drive

cover Belt

Push

down

TO ADJUST HANDLE Your lawn mower handle can be raised or

lowered for your mowing comfort.. Four (4) positions are available: high, medium

high, medium low and towo Handles are

shipped mounted in the medium low position.

Low

Lower handle

Squeeze to _'/f

_Handle

remo_

Hairpin cotter

ENGINE ENGINE SPEED Your engine speed has been factory set

Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may result in personal injury tf 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

l bracket

CARBURETOR Your carburetor is not adjustable. If your

engine does not operate properly due to suspected carburetor problems, take your

lawn mower to an authorized service center for repair and/or adjustment.

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 think the engine- governed high speed needs adjusting, contact your nearest AUTHORIZED

service center, which has proper equipment and experience to make any

necessary adjustments.

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. ° Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEAN-

ING" in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual)

,, Lubricate as shown in the Customer

Responsibilities section of this manual

• Be sure that all 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

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°

• 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 mowing

position Lower handle

Handle

,racket

Squeeze to fold

Hairpin cotter

Operator presence control bar

Upper Handle

Fold forward for storage

Fold backward

Mowing

Lower handle

position

+ 33 hidden pages

Craftsman 917377284 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual