Craftsman 917.377422 User Manual

Owner's Manual

CRAFTSMAN

6.5 HORSEPOWER 22" EZ MULCH

POWER PROPELLED ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377422

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa_ol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

Seam, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

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

Assembly 4 Storage 14

Operation 5 Troubleshooting 15 Maintenance Schedule 9 Repair Parts 33 Maintenance 9 Parts Ordering Back Cover

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

lubricated, and tuned-up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship.

if this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This Warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent 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 CentedDepartment 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 pres-

ence 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. Learn how to quickly stop

mower.

• Do not allow children to use your mower.

Never allow adults to use mower without proper instructions.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all

persons, especially small children and pets.

• Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as 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.

• 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 wheel 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 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--coverod areas.

• Never direct discharge of matedal 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. 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 tooting. 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 all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for proper tightness to

be sure mower is in sate 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 stodng in any

enclosure.

• Never store mower with fuel in the tank inside a building where fumes may roach

an open flame or an ignition source such as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

ACAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot

contact spark plug in order to prevent accidental starting when setting up,

transportir_g, 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.

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthis lawn mower was produced. 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

' '

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

I SIDEDISCHARGE

MULCHERKITS

GRASSGATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

STABlUZER

FOR

GAS CANS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

AIR RLTERS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

Read these instructions and this manual in • Remove all packing matedals except 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

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.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN

assembly have been placed in the parts bag. To ensure safe and proper operation MOWER

of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware TO UNFOLD HANDLE you assemble must be tightened securely. IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

Use the correct tools as necessary to

ensure proper tightness.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with mower.

• Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat.

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.

• Remove handle padding holding operator presence control bar to upper

handle.

• Yourlawnmowerhandlecan be

adjusted for your mowing comfort.

Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service and Adjustment section of this manual.

Operatorpresence controlbar

Upper handle __Liftu_;

u.up n'n

°,nW;ir

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrationswithyour lawn mower to familiarizeyourself with the

locationof various controlsand 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 Ct'K_KE FUEL C_L DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presencecontrol Enginezone control cable

Starter handle econtrol

Handle knob

Engineoilcap withdipstick

Mulcherdoor

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 tums when the engine is running.

Operator presence control bar- must be

helddown to the handle to start the engine. Release to stop the engine.

Primer- pumps additional fuel from the carburetor tothe cylinder for use when sta_r_g a coldengine.

Starter handle - used for startingthe engine. Drive control lever - used to engage power-

propelledforward motionof lawn mower.

Mulcher - allows conversion to discharge or bagging operation.

,controllever

Gasoline fillercap

Primer

Drive cover

Wheel adjuster (on eachwheel)

Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultin

foreign objects thrown intothe eyes, which can

resultin severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating

your lawn mower or performing any adjust- ments or repairs. We recommend a wide visionsafety mask over spectacles orstandard 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 ACALmON: Federal regulationsrequire an engine controlto be installed on this lawn

mower in order to minimize the riskof blade

contact injury.Do notunder any circumstances attempt to defeat the function ofthe operator

control. The blade turnswhen the engine is

running.

• Your lawn mower is equipped withan operator presence controlbar which

requiresthe operator tobe pos'fdoned behind the lawn mower handle to start and

operate the lawn mower.

DRIVE CONTROL

• Serf-propellingiscontrolledby holdingthe

operator presence control bar down to the handle and pushing the drive control lever

forward untilitdicks; then release the lever.

• Forward motion willstop when the operator presence control bar is released. To stop forward motionwithout stoppingengine,

release the operator presence controlbar slightlyuntilthe drive controldisengages. Hold operator presence controlbardown to

handle to continue mowing withoutself- propelling.

• To keep drive controlengaged when fuming

comers, push down on handle and liftfront wheals offgroundwhile turning lawn

mower.

Operator presence control Drive bar -,. _ \ . _ control

TO ADJUST cuTriNG HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels

for highcut,

• Adjustcuttingheight to suityour require-

ments. Medium positionis best for most

lawns.

• To change cuttingheight, squeeze adjuster lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or

downto suityour requirements. Be sure all

wheels am in the same setting.

NOTE: Adjusteris properly positionedwhen platetab insertsintohole in lever. Also, 9- positionadjusters (ifso equipped) allow lever

to be positioned between the plate tabs.

Lowerwheels for highcut

Raise wheelsfor low

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 INSTALL DISCHARGING DEFLECTOR

• Lift door upward on it's hinge until the deflector frame can be hooked over the

door mounting bracket as shown.

• Release the door to rest against

deflector frame.

• To retum to mulching operation, reverse

the above steps and be sure door is in closed position.

Deflector _.__,_'-" MulcherDoor

ACAUTION: Do not operate your lawn

mower without mulcher door in closed

position, discharge deflector in place, or

approved grass catcher in place.

Platetab

Mounting Bracket

To engage ddve control disengaged

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