Craftsman 917.377431 User Manual

Owner's Manual

£RIIFTSMIIN+

6.5 HORSEPOWER 22" EZ MULCH

POWER PROPELLED ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377431

• 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., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Visit our Craftsman webslte: www.sears.com/craftsman

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11 Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 14 Assembly 4 Storage 15

Operation 6 Troubleshooting 17 Maintenance"S'chedule 10 Repair Parts 36

Maintenance- " 10 Parts Ordering Back Cover

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

lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructionsin

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 wom 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 retuming 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, ROEBUCKAND 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 quicklystop

mower.

• Do not allow childrento 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 tums when the engine is running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughlycheck the area to be mowed and clear itof all stones, sticks,

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

• Always wear safety glasses or eye

shields when startingand while using your mower.

• Dress properly. Do not operate mower when barefoot or weadng open sandals.

Wear only solid shoes with good traction

when mowing.

• Chock 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 distractyou.

• Do not mow wet or slipperygrass. Never run while operating your mower. Always

be sure ofyour footing-- keep a firm hold on the handles and walk.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotatingpads. Keep clear of the dis- charge opening at all times.

• Always stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using yourmower, 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 disconnectthe spark plug wire and keep it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.

• Do not continue to run your mower ifyou

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

before restartingand operating you mower.

• Do not change the governor settingsor

overspeed the engine. Engine damage or personal injury may result.

• Do not operate your mower if it vibrates

abnormally. Excessive vibration is an indicationof damage; stop the engine,

safely chock for the cause ofvibration 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 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:

• Chock the blade and the engine mounting bolts often to he sure they are

tightened properly.

• Chock all bolts, 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.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine

free of grass, leaves or excessive grease and oil.

• Chock 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 iuel in the tank inside a building where fumes may

reach an open flame or an ignition source such as a hot water heater,

p_gpaCe heater, clothes dryer, etc.

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark

wire and place wire wh_re it cannot

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

transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

_eWARNING

engine exhaust from this product

contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

These acceasoneswere availablewhen this lawnmowerwas produced.They are not

shipped with your mower. They arealsoavailableat mostSears retailoutletsand service

centers. MostSears storescan alsoorderrepairpartsfor you,whenyou providethemodel

numberof yourlawnmower. Some ofthese accessoriesmay notapplytoyourlawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BLADES

Read these instructionsand thismanual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower.

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe

engine. Your new lawn mower has been as-

sembled at the factory withthe 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 correcttoolsas 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.

MULCHER KITS

! GRASS CATCHERS

_( SIDE DISCHARGE

• LAWN MOWERS

AIR RLTERS

FOR

STABILIZER

SPARK PLUGS

TOREMOVE LAWNMOWER FROM CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with mower.

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

• Remove all packing matedais except padding between upper ahd 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 pads.

IE!

GAS CANS

ENGINE OiL

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

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.

• 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 bar

Upper handle

TO PREPARE BATTERY

NOTE: Your battery must be charged before you can start your lawn mower.

• Disconnect engine battery connector

(male) from battery connector (female)

• Connect battery charger connector

(male) to battery connector (female).

• Plug battery charger into 110 volt A.C.

outlet.

• Leave battery charger connected for 24

hours before starting your engine for the first time.

• After charging, connect engine connec-

tor (male) to battery connector (female).

Your engine has an integral altemator for partial charging. Connect your battery

charger to charge battery as required.

IMPORTANT: THE ENGINE

ALTERNATOR WILL NOT CHARGE A

DISCHARGED BATTERY.

At the end of the mowing season the battery should be charged for 48 hours to

protect the battery duringwinter storage.

Lift up

Mowing

position

Lower handle

&CAUTION: Always disconnect the

engine connector (male) from the battery connector (female) to prevent accidental starting when transporting or storing your

lawn mower after the season.

Battery charger

Battery

Connector (male)

Engine Connector Battery

(male) Connector

(female)

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READTHIS OWNER'S MANUAL.ANDSAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN

MOWER. Compare the illustrationswithyourlawnmowertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththe locationofvariouscontrolsandadiustments. Save thismanual forfuturereference.

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 D._NGER, KEEPHANDS

OFtW/_RNING ON OFF AND FEETAWAY

__ Operator presence control bar

Key start

Engine zone control cable

Starter handle

Handle

lever

Engine oil cap with dipstick

Mulcher door

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

Gasoline filler cap

Primer

Housing

Drive cover

Wheel adjuster

(on each

wheel)

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe engine.

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.

Operator presence contr_ 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.

Key start switch - used for starting engine. Starter handle - used for startingthe engine.

Drive control lever - used to engage power-

propelled forward motion of lawn mower.

Mulcher - allows conversion to discharge or bagging operation.

The operationofany lawnmower can resultin foralgnobjectsthrownintotheeyee,whichcan

resultinsevere eye damage, Alwayswear safetyglassesoreye shieldswhileoperaling yourlawnmower or performingany adjust- mentsorrepairs. We recommenda wide

visionsafetymaskoverspectaclesorstandard safetyglasses.

HOWTO USE YOUR LAWNMOWER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL The engine speed was set at the factory

for optimum performance. Speed is not adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

,_CAUTION : Federal 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 posi_oned

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

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlledby 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 self-

propelling.

• To keep drive control engaged when

turning corners, push down on handle and

liftfront wheels off ground wh=letuming lawn mower.

Operator presence control Drive

bar "" "_\ " t control

regulations

TO ADJUST CUTrlNG HEIGHT

• Raise wheelsfor lew cut and lowerwheels forhighcoL

• Adjustcuttingheightto suityour require- merits. Medium positionis bestformost

lawns.

• To changecuttingheight,squeeze adjuster levertowardwheel. Move wheel up or

down to suityourrequirements. Besure all wheels are inthe same setting.

NOTE: Adjusteris properlypositionedwhen platetab insertsintoholein lever. ALso,9- positionadjusters(ifso equipped)allow lever

to be positionedbetween the platetabs.

Lower wheels for high cut

Raise wheels for low cut

Plate tab

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

• Liftdoor upward on it'shinge untilthe 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

_lb CAUTION: Do not operate your lawn mower without mulcher door in closed

position, discharge deflector in place, or approved grass catcher in place.

_ _, ,_'_._ Mulcher Door

_ _------ Mounting

Bracket

\_ \_ Drive control

To engage drive control disengaged

BEFORE STAR'RNG ENGINE OIL Yourlawn mower isshippedwithoutoginthe

engine.

• Be sum mower is leveland area aroundoil fillis clean.

• Remove engine oilcap and tifftothefull

fineon the dipstick.

NOTE: Allowoilto settledown intoenginefor accuratedipstk_ reeding.

• Engineholds 20 ozs. of oil. Fortype and grade ofoil to use, see =ENGINE"in

Maintenancesectionof thismanual.

• Pouroil slowly. Do notover fill

• CheckoHlevelboforeeach use. Addoilif

needed. Fillto full 5neondipstick.

• To readproperlevel,tightenengineoilcap each time.

• Reinstallengine o_1cap and tighton.

• Change the oil afterevery25 hoursof

operationor each seeson. You may need tochangethe oilmere oftenunderdusty,

dirty conditions.

GAS

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular

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

Purchase fu_l in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel

freshness.

_oARNING: Experienceindicatesthat

blended fuels (calledgasoholor

usingathanol ormethanel) can attrect moisturewhichleads to separationand

formationof acidsdudngstorage. Addicges candamage the fuel systemof an engine whileinstorage. To avoidengine problems,

the fuel systemshould be emptiedbefore storageof 30 daysor longer. Drainthe fuel tank,start the engineend letit rununtilfuel lfnseand carburatorare empty. Usefroshfuel nextseeson. See Storage Instructionsfor

additionalinfom_tion. Never useengineor carburetordeaner productsinfueltank or penxenent damage may occur.

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: Incooler weather itmay be necessary to repeat priming steps. In

warmer weather over priming may caus_ 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

cap

MOWING TIPS

•• Under certain conditions, such as ver_ tall grass, it may be necessary to raise

the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading thq 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 tt

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 directio starting at the outside of the area to b_ 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 gras To prevent this, regularly hose catche off with water and let dry before using

• Keep top of engine around starter cle

and clean of grass clippings and chaf This will help engine air flow and

extend engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: For beatparformance, keep mowerhousingfree ofbuilt-upgrass and

trash.See "Cleaning"inMAINTENANCE sectionofthismanual.

• Thespecialmulchingbladewillrecutthe grassclippingsmany timasand reduce

them insizeso thatasthey fallontothe lawn they willd'_oerseintothegrassand notbe noticed. Also,the mulchedgrasswill

biodegradequicldyto providenutrientsfor

the lawn. Alwaysmulchwithyourhighest

engine(blade)speed as this willprovidethe bestrecuttingac_onofthe blades.

• Avoidcuttingyourlawnwhenit iswet. Wet

grasstendstoform dumps andinterferes withthe mulchingaction. The best timeto

mow yourlawnisthe earlyafternoon,At this timethe grasshas driedand thenewly

cutarea willnot be exposedtothe dirsct

sun.

• Forbastrasults,adjustthelawn mower cuttingheightsothat the lawn mowercuts

offonlythetopone-thirdof the grassblades, ffthe lawn isovergrownitw111be necessaly

to raisethe heightofcutto reducepushing effortandto keepfromoverloadingthe

engineand leavingdumpsof mulched grass.Forextremelyheavymulching, reduceyourwidthofcutbyoverlapping

previouslycutpathand mowslowly.

• Certaintypesofgrassand grassconditions may requirethatan area be mulcheda

secondtimeto completelyhidethe clippings.When doinga secondcut,mow

acrossorperpendiculartothefirstcutpath.

• Changeyourcuttingpattemfrom weekto

week. Mow northtosouthone week then _ to eastto wastthe nextweek. This

willhelppreventmattingandgrainingofthe lawn.

M..NTEN..CESC. OUL

AS YOU COMPLETE /_/_/_-_X'_.v,'_'" *........

CheckforLooseFastenem I/ li/ Clean/InspectGrassCatcher

Clean Under Dd_ Cover

W (Power-ProP (WledMowers )Check drive belt_ulleys .j

(Power.Propelled Mowers)

R : CheckJShaq_dReplace Blade =

CleanBatteryiRecharip

i Lubdcalton Chart I/

IElect_ StartMowerst 1/ I/4

Change Engine Oil 1/1.2

i Check Engine Oil Level le#

Clean Air Rlter 1/2

iiiii lIB

InspectMuffler

Replaea Air Filter Paper Cartridge 1/2

t - ChangemoreoftenwlHmoperatingunderAheaw loadorInIdghambleNtempemture_ 2- servicemoreoft_ _twmopemingIndirlyordusly€onditions.

3- ReplaceIdad_ moreo1_ whenmov,tngk_m-,dy_L 4- Charge48 houmat_d of_alon.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The warrantyonthislawn mower doesnot

coveritemsthat have beensubjectedto

O Wheel (_) Mulcher door

operatorabuseornegrNgonce.To receivefull valuefrom thewarranty,operatormust

maintainmoweras instructedinthismanual. Some adjustmentswillneed to be mede pedodK_dlyto properly maintainyourunit.

Alladjuslmentsinthe ServloeandAdjust- mentssectionof this manual shouldbe

checkedatleastonceeach season.

• Onceayear, replacethe sparkplug,clean or replaceair filterelementand checkblade

forwear. A newsparkplugand clean/new air filterelementassuresproperair-fuel

mixtureand helpsyourengine runbetter

and lastlonger.

• Followthe maintenancescheduleinthis

(_) Spray lubricante

(_) Referto MAINTINANCE "ENGINE"

manual.

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check engine oillevel.

• Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICATION CHART").

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic wheel bearings. Viscous lubricantswill attract

dust and dirtthat 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.

LUBRICATION CHART

adjuster

oil

SECTION.

(_) Brake spring

bracket

(D Handle bracket

mounting pin

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