Craftsman 917377410 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

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5.5 HORSEPOWER
22" SIDE DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED
ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377410

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa_ol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co ' !offman Estates, IL 60179

Visit our Craftsman website: www._ _._:om/craftsman

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 10
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 13

Assembly 4 Storage 14
Operation 5 Troubleshooting 16

Maintenance Schedule 9 Repair Parts 35

Maintenance 9 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 manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workman-

ship.
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 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

vary from state to state.
SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

Safety standards require operator

presence controls to minimize the risk of
injury. Your unit is equipped with such
controls. Do not attempt to defeat the
function of the operator presence controls
under any circumstances.

TRAINING:

• Read this operator's manual carefully.
Become familiar with the controls and

know how to operate your mower
properly. Leam 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 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.
Do not use accessory attachments that
are not recommended by the manufac-
turer. 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.

2

• Dross 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 wheet height adjustments

before starting your mower. Never

attempt to do this while the engine is
running.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial

light.

OPERATION:

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

• Do not mow wet or slippery grass. Never

run while operating your mower. Always
be sure of your footing -- keep a firm

hold on the handles and walk.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis-

charge opening at all times.

• Always stop the engine whenever you
leave or are not using your mower, or
before crossing driveways, walks, roads,

and any gravel-covered areas.

• Never direct discharge of material
toward bystanders nor allow anyone
near the mower while you are operating

it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing
your mower, stop the engine and make
absolutely sure the blade and all moving

parts have stopped. Then disconnect the

spark plug wire and keep it away from

the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.

• Do not continue to run your mower if you

hit a foreign object. Follow the procedure
outlined above, then repair any damage
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. 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. Exhaus
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
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 an

tightened properly.

• Check air botts, nuts and screws at

frequent intervals for proper tightness t

be sure mower is in safe working
condition.

• 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 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.

• 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.
ALook for this symbol to point out
important safety precautions. It means

CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

_,CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it cannol

contact spark plug in order to prevent

accidental starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs

AWARNING

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

California to cause cancer, birth defects,

or other reproductive harm.

3

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. 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.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

MULCHER KITS

STABILIZER

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

_j LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

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-
sembled at the factory with the exception of

those parts left unassembled for shipping

purposes. 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 neces-
sary to ensure proper tightness. All parts

such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., neces-
sary to complete the assembly have been

placed in the parts bag.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with

mower.

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

GAS CANS

AIR FILTERS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

• Cut down two end comers 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 thoroughly for additional
loose parts.

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN

MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully sc
as not to pinch or damage control cables

• Raise handles until lower handle

section locks into place in mowing
position.

• Remove protective padding, raise

upper handle section into place on
lower handle and tighten both handle
knobs.

4

• 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.

Operator presence control

Upper handle

/'/ " MOWing

position

OnW ra

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 reference.
These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the

product. Learn and understand their meaning.

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

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence

Engine zone

Starter handle

Handle knob

Engine oil cap with dipstick

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is
shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE Wheel adjuster

in the engine. '(on each 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 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commis-
sion. The blade turns when the engine is running.

Ddve control lever

Gasoline filler cap

Primer

Drive cover

ig

Operator presence control bar- must be

held down to the handle to start the engine.
Release to stop the engine.
Primer - pomps additional fuel from the
carburetor to the cylinder for use when
starting a cold engine.

Starter handle - usedfor startingthe engine.

Drive control lever - usedto engage power-
propelledforwardmotionof lawn mower,

5

can result in foreign objects thrown

The operation of any lawn mower
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 a wide vision
safety mask over spectacles or standard
safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not

adjustable.

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 engine is running.

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

requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start and

operate the _awn mower.

DRIVE CONTROL

• 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 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 serf-

propelling.

• To keep drive control engaged when
tuming comers, push down on handle and

lift front wheels off ground while tuming
lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels

for high cut.

• Adjust cutting height to suit your require-
ments. Medium position is best for most

lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze
adjuster lever toward wheel. Move wheel
up or down to suit your requirements. 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.

Lower wheels for Plate tab
high cut

Lever

Raise wheels for low
cut

NOTE: Your lawn mower has been
shipped ready for mulching operation. To

convert to discharging operation, you

must install the discharge deflector
attachment included with your mower.

TO CONVERT TO DISCHARGING

MOWER

• Lift discharge guard and remove
mulcher plate.

• Mower can now be used for side

discharging or optional grass catcher

can be attached.

• To return to mulching operation, simply
reinstall mulcher plate as shown.

Discharge
guard

Operator presence control Drive

bar _ control

To engage drive control

Drive control

disengaged

Mulcher plate

_,CAUTION: Do not operate your lawn

mower without mulcher door in closed
position, discharge deflector in place, or

6 approved grass catcher in place.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fillis clean.

• Remove engine oil cap and fillto the full

line on the dipstick.

NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into

engine for accurate dipstick reading.

• Engine holds 20ozs. of oil. Fortypeand

grade of oil to use, see =ENGINE" in

Maintenance 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 oil cap and tighten.

• 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.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline

will increase carbon and lead oxide
deposits and reduce valve life). Do not
mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in

quantities that can be used within 30
days to assure fuel freshness.

•.WARNING: Experience indicates that

alcohol blended fuels _called gasonol 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. De net store, spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primer five
(5) 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.

• 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

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.

Engine oil ca._p_ Gasoline filler

MOWING TIPS

• 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. 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 previously

cut path and mow slowly.

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

• For side discharge lawn mowers,
cutting in a counter-clockwise direction,

starting at the outside of the area to be
cut, spreads grass clippings more

evenly and puts less load on the
engine. To keep clippings off of

walkways, flower beds, etc., make the

first cuts in a clockwise direction.

• 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.

• Keep top of engine around starter clear

and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and

7

extend engine life.

MULCHINGMOWINGTIPS •
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 recur 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 itwill 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.

(__i__ Max. 1/3

8

MA,.TENANCESC.EOU'E

Check for Loose Fasteners ll/ I b4'
Clean/Inspect Crass Catcher

(If Equipped) ll/ _

M C_eanLawnMower

Clean Under Odve Cove_(Power-Propelled Mowers)

Check drive helt/_ulleys

E {Power-Pmpe(ted Mowers)

Check/Sharpen/Replace Blade _3

Lubrication Chart

Clean Battery/Recherge

Electric Start Mowers 1 I_/ 1_4

E IC_ck Enojneo, Lave_
N Change Engine Oil 11_'1,2

G Clean Air Filter _ g

I Inspect Muffler _1_

N Clean or Replace Spark Plug i/

E Replace Att Fitter Paper Cartridge 11/2

I . Changemore often whenoporatingunder a heavy loador in highambienttemperatures.
2 - Servicemoreoften whenoperatingin dirtyor dustycondition=.

3 - Replace blades rno_eoften when mowingin sandyso4i.
4 - Charge 48 hours al end ofseason.

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

periodicallytoproperlymaintain your unit.

All adjustments in the Service and Adjust-
mants section of this manual should be

checked at least once each season.

• Once a year, raplace the spark plug, clean
or replace air filter element and check

blade for wear. A new spark plug and
clean/new air filter element assures proper

alr4uel mixture and helps your engine run

better and last longer.

• Follow the maintenance schedule in this

manual.

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check engine oil level.

• Check for loose fasteners.
LUBRICATION

Keep unitwelllubricated(See "LUBRICATION
CHART").

LUBRICATION CHART

(_)Wheel

adjuster

oil

andle bracket

mounting pin

®Spray lubricante
€Refer to MAINTINANCE "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.

_Brake

spdng
bracket

9