Craftsman 917377530 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

CRI:IFTSMgN°

6.0 HORSEPOWER

22" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377530

€

• Safety

- Assembly

• Operation . Maintenance

• EspaSol

- Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment

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

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11 Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 14 Assembly 4 Storage 15 Operation 6 Troubleshooting 16

Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 35 Maintenance 10 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 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

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

TRAINING:

. Read this operator's manual carefully.

Become familiar with the controls and know how to operate your mower prop-

erly. 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, especially small children and pets.

e Use mower only as the manufacturer

intended and as described in this manu- al.

• Do not operate mower ff 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 run- ning.

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.Allowtheenginetocoolforseveral minutesbeforefillingthegastank.Clean offanyspilledgasolinebeforestarting theengine. Alwaysmakewheelheightadjustments beforestartingyourmower.Never attempttodothiswhiletheengine is

running. Mow only in daylight or good artificial iight.

_ERATION: Keep your eyes and mind on your

mower and the area being cut. Do not let :)ther 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- ;harge opening at all times. _lways stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using your mower, or 3efore crossing driveways, walks, roads, _nd any gravel--covered areas. Never direct discharge of material toward 3ystanders nor allow anyone near the ,'nower while you are operating it. Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing /our mower, stop the engine and make _bsolutely sure the blade and all moving :)arts have stopped. Then disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away from :he spark plug to prevent accidental _tarting. 3o not continue to run your mower if you lit a foreign object. Follow the procedure 3utlined above, then repair any damage 3efore restarting and operating you

-nower. 3o not change the governor settings or 3verspeed the engine. Engine damage

)r personal injury may result. 3o not operate your mower if it vibrates

_bnormatly. Excessive vibration is an in- Jication of damage; stop the engine, afely check for the cause of vibration _nd repair as required. 3o 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 ex_

cessively steep slopes. Use caution when operating the mower on uneven

terrain or when changing directions -- maintain good footing.

o Never operate your mower without prop-

er 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 tight- ened properly.

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at fre- quent 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.

, Check grass catcher often for deteriora-

tion and wear and replace worn bags.

Use only replacement bags that are rec- ommended by and comply with specifi-

cations 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. CAUTION: Always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it can-

qot contact spark plug in order to pre- vent 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.

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwasproduced.Theyarealso

availableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservicecenters.MostSearsstorescanalso

orderrepakpartsforyou,whenyouprovidethemodelnumberofyourlawnmower.Some

oftheseaccessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

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. 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 assem- ble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM CARTON

Remove loose parts includedwith 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

MULCHER KITS

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

AIR FILTERS

FOR

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

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

MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables. , Raise handles until lower handle section

locks intoplace in mowing position.

o 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

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

Oppper

Lower handle /

Lift up

P" position

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging

or discharging:

• Open rear door and remove mulcher plug. Store mulcher plug in a safe place.

, You can now install catcher or optional

clippingdeflector.

• To return to mulching operation, install

muIcher plug into discharge opening of mower. Be sure all tabs are seated prop- erly.

Mulcher plu_

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plug in place or approved clipping deflector or grass catcher in place. Never attempt to op-

erate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

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 refer-

ence.

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

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone control cable

Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

Starter handle

Handle knob

Grass catcher,

Mulcher plug

Gasoline cap

Engine oil cap w/dipstick

Housing

Drive cover

Wheel adjuster

(oneach 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.

Operator presence control bar - must be Starter handle - used for starting the on- held down to the handle to start the engine, gine.

Release to stop the engine. Drive control lever +used to engage Primer +pumps additional fuel from the car- power-propelled forward motion of lawn

buretor to the cylinder for use when starting mower. a cold engine,

The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the

eyes, which can result in severe eye dam- age. 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 the spectacles or standard safety

glasses. 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 31ipping deflector or grasscatcher in _lace. Never attempt to operate the

lawn mower with the rear door removed 3r propped open.

ENGINE SPEED The engine speed was set at the factory

for optimum performance. Speed is not _.djustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL CAUTION: Federal regulations require

_n engine control to be installed on this Fawn mower in order to minimize the

risk of blade contact injury. Do not un- der any circumstances attempt to de- Ieat the function of the operator control. The blade turns when the engine is run- ning.

0 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.

[0 ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT ' Raise wheels for low cut and lower

wheels for high cut.

0 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 Nhen plate tab inserts into hole in lever.

_,lso, 9-position adjusters (if so _quipped) allow lever to be positioned 3etween the plate tabs.

Plate Tab

Lowe

,_ver

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

bracket

® 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

Rear door

Formed

tabs

the rear door removed or propped

open.

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER * To remove grass catcher, release opera-

tor presence control bar to stop engine.

* Lift up rear door and remove the grass

catcher by the handle.

, Do not drag the bag when emptying; it

will cause unnecessary wear.

_RIVECONTROL

Self-propellingiscontrolledbyholding theoperatorpresencecontrolbardown tothehandleandpushingthedrivecon-

trolleverforwarduntilitclicks;then releasethelever.

Forwardmotionwillstopwhentheoper- atorpresencecontrolbarisreleased.

Tostopforwardmotionwithoutstopping

engine,releasetheoperatorpresence

controlbarslightlyuntilthedrivecontrol disengages.Holdoperatorpresence

controlbardowntohandletocontinue mowingwithoutself-propelling.

Tokeepdrivecontrolengagedwhen turningcorners,pushdownonhandle

andliftfrontwheelsoffgroundwhile

turninglawnmower.

Operatorpresencecontrolbar

• /", Drive

k_\ .._\ _ \ \ _ control

To engage drive Drive control control desengaged

3EFORE STARTING ENGINE )IL

_'ourlawn mower is shipped without oil in

the engine.

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 ozs. 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 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. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that car'_be

used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh- ness.

IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera- tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean win- ter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting.

WARNING: Experience indicates that alco -_ ho! 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 dam- age 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.

Gasoline filler cap Engine oil cap

TO START ENGINE = 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.

• 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 pres-

ence 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.

Ifyou do flood engine, wait a few min- utes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps.

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.

, For extremely heavy 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 dis- charge of grass.

- 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

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

overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.

• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff. This wil! help 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.

Max 1/3

MULCHING MOWING TiPS iMPORTANT: For best performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and

trash. See "Cleaning" in CUSTOMER

RESPONSIBILITIES 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

wilt biodegrade quickly to provide nutri- ents 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 in- terferes 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 isovergrown 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 condi- tions 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 grain-

ing of the lawn.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

FILL IN DATES

AS YOU COMPLETE

REGULAR SERVICE

Clean/Inspect Grass Catcher (If Equipped)

Clean Lawn Mower

O I Clean Under Drive Cover _V (Power-Propelled Mowers)

E JCheck drive belt/pulleys

I (Power-Propelled Mowers)

R FCheck/SharpeniReplac e Blade i

Lubrication Chart

JClean Battery/Recharge

Electric Start Mowers

E JCheckEngine Oil Level

v' v'

NIChang e Engine Oil

G clean Air Filter .......

Inspect Muffler

N Clean or Replace Spark Plug E Replace ,A!,!Filter Paper Cartridge

1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures. 2 - Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions, 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil. 4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season,

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 man-

ual. 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.

- Follow the maintenance schedule in this manual.

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check engine oil level.

• Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICA-

TION CHART").

C) Wheel

Engin

oil

(_D mount- (_) Rear door

(_ Spray lubricant ®.Refer to .CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

IMPORTANT: Do not oi! or grease plastic wheel bearings. Viscous lubricants will at-

tract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the serf lubricating bearings. If you feet they

must be lubricated, use only a dry, pow- dered graphite _e lubricant sparingly.

ySERVICE DATES

!,,"

v'3

,,, ,,,

i,,' v'.

v'2

LUBRICATION CHART

adjuster

ing pin hinge

ENGINE section.

PRODUCT SPECiFiCATiONS

MODEL NUMBER 9t 7.377530

_ERIAL NUMBER DATE OF PURCHASE HORSEPOWER: 6.0

DISPLACEMENT: 11.5 CU. IN. GASOLINE CAPACITY/TYPE: 1.6 QUARTS

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 J19LM

VALVECLEARANCE: INTAKE: .005"

EXHAUST: °007"

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 pro-

I vided above.

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when perform-

ing any maintenance.

TIRES

Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect

control chemicals which can harm rubber. 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

o Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug.

o 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.

o Protect your hands with gloves and/or

wrap blade with heavy cloth. 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 con- dition to work properly. Replace adapt-

er 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 align- ing the two (2) holes in the blade with the

raised lugs on the adapter.

• Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo- site sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

= Install the blade bolt with the lockwasher

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.

- The recommended tightening torque is 35-40 ft. Ibs.

iMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat

treated.

3TE: We do not recommend sharp- ing blade - but if you do, be sure the

_de is balanced.

) SHARPEN BLADE _re should be taken to keep the blade

.lanced. An unbalanced blade will use eventual damage to lawn mower

engine.

The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower. To check Made balance, drive a nail into

a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of _hestraight 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

heavy end until the blade is balanced.

Blade Crank adapter shaft key-

Hade

ock zasher Hardened edge adapter

washer RASS CATCHER The grass catcher may be hosed with

water, but must be dry when used. Check your grass catcher often for dam- age or deterioration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replacing,

replace only with a manufacturer ap-

proved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model number when order-

ing.

RiVE WHEELS qeck front drive wheels each time before

_umow to be sure they move freely. le wheels not turning freely means trash, ass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel

ea and must be cleaned to free drive heels.

necessary to clean the drive wheels,

_eck both front wheels.

Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and washers.

Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

way

Crank shaft

Blade

* 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 autho-

rized service center.

GEAR CASE

, 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.

. 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 I Grease, Part No.

750355. Do not substitute. ENGINE LUBRiCATiON

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with APIservice classification SF, SG, or

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

temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting, in

cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption

when used above 32°R Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid

OSSibleengine damage from running

w on oil.

Changeafter the first25 hours of operation at least oncea year if the lawn moweris not

usedfor 25 hoursin one year. Checkthe crankcase oillevel before starting

the engine and after each five (5) hoursof continuoususe. Tighten oil plug securely

eachtime you checkthe oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINEOIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, drain fueltank by running

engine until fuel tank is empty.

Disconnectspark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire where it cannot come

in contactwith spark plug.

- Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface.

_p lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oi! into a suitable container. Rock

lawn mower back and forth to remove

any oil trapped inside of engine.

• Wipe off any spilled oil on lawn mower and on side of engine.

• Fill engine with oil. Fill only to the "FULL" line on the dipstick. DO NOT overfill.

• Replace engine oil cap.

° Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug. AIR FILTER

Container

Your engine will not run properly 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.

Do not wash air filter.

TO CHANGE AIR FILTER

• Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove.

• Carefully remove cartridge. . Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur-

face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to

clean cartridge. They may cause dete- rioration of the cartridge. Do not oil car-

tridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

MUFFLER

Back

inspect and replace corroded muffler as it

could create a fire hazard and/or damage.

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 plug.

• Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure

air filter and carburetor are up. Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scrap-

ing to remove build-up of grass and trash.

• Clean engine often to keep trash from

accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life.

• 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 in shortened engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under drive cover at least twice a

season. Scrape underside of cover with putty knife or similar tool to remove any build-up of trash or grass on underside of

drive cover.

Cartridge

Cover tabs

Slots

Cover

OAtJTmON:BEFOREPERFORMING

ANYSERVICEORADJUSTMENTS:

Releasecontrolbar.

Makesurethebladeandallmoving partshavecompletelystopped. Disconnectsparkplugwirefromspark

plugandplacewhereitcannotcome incontactwithplug.

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 operatoCs mowing position. If the rear deflector becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

TO REMOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT

• Remove drive cover. Remove belt by pushing down on gear case pulley and

roll belt off.

• Turn lawn mower on its side with carbure- tor and fuel cap up.

•" Remove blade.

= Remove debris shield.

Remove belt from engine pulley on crank-

shaft.

Install new belt by reversing above steps.

- Always use factory approved belt to assure fit and long life.

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 low. Handles are shipped mounted in the medium low position.

• To change from medium low to medium high position, the upper and lower handle

sections will have to be turned over.

• Remove cable clips.

• Remove the controls and operator pres- ence control bar from the upper handle.

Remove the starter rope guide from the

lower handle.

, Remove hairpin cotters.

Disconnect the lower handle from the handle brackets.

Turn the handle over and reassemble the hairpin cotters that have been removed.

= Reassemble the starter rope guide.

* Reassemble the controls and the opera-

tot presence control bar to the upper han- dle.

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 posi-

tion only the upper handle section will have to be turned over.

- To change from medium low to low posi-

tion, only the lower handle section will

Shipping position

Medium low

um high

Low

High

Lower handle

Squeeze to

remove

Hairpin clip

Handle bracket

immediately prepare your lawn mower for

storage at the end of the season or ifthe

unit wil! not be used for 30 days or more. LAWN MOWER

When lawn mower is to be stored for a peri- od of time, clean it thoroughly, remove a!l 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 sur- faces; 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 fold- ed back.

IMPORTANT: When folding the handle for

storage or transportation, be sure to fold the

handle as shown or you amy damage the

control cables. = When setting up your handle from the

storage position, the lower handle will automatically lock into the mowing posi-

tion. Lower

handle

Handle bracket

Operator presence control bar

for _torage ._ Fold,.forward

Lower

handle -

ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM

iMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel sys- tem parts such as carburetor, fuel system parts such as carburetor, fue! filter, fuel hose or tank during storage. Also, 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.

Drain the fuel tank.

- Start the engine and let it run until the fue!

lines and carburetor are empty. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

• Use fresh fuel next season.

Upper

_/_ _i_bhandle

_ ,,71 Fold back- %Y /

/ward

Mowing

position

NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation

of fuel gum deposits during storage. Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the

mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after

adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do not drain

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