Craftsman 917.377592 User Manual

Owner's Manual

&75 HORSEPOWER 22" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917+377592

° Safety

Assembly

o Operation o Maintenance

o EspaSoi o Repair Parts

CAUTRON:

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 dudng 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 owneCs manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest Sears Service Center/Department in the United State& 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 operatore 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 manua( 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.

o 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.

o 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.

o Dressproperly,Donotoperatemower

whenbarefootorwearingopensandals, Wearonlysolidshoeswithgoodtraction whenmowing

o Checkfueltankbeforestartingengine.

Donotfillgastankindoors,whenthe engineis runningorwhentheengineis hot Allowtheenginetocoolforseveral minutesbeforefillingthegastank,Clean

offanyspilledgasolinebeforestartingthe engine,

- Alwaysmakewheelheightadjustments beforestartingyourmower.Never

attempttodothiswhiletheengineis running,

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificial light

OPERATION: ° Keepyoureyesandmindonyourmower

andtheareabeingcut Donotletother interestsdistractyou.

- Donotmowwetorslipperygrass.Never

runwhileoperatingyourmower.Always

besureofyourfooting-- keepafirm

holdonthehandlesandwalk,

• Donotputhandsorfeetnearorunder

rotatingparts.Keepclearofthedischarge openingatalltimes.

o Alwaysstoptheenginewheneveryou

leaveorarenotusingyourmower,or beforecrossingdriveways,walks,roads,

andanygravel--coveredareas.

° Neverdirectdischargeofmaterialtoward

bystandersnorallowanyonenearthe mowerwhileyouareoperatingiL

. Beforecleaning,inspecting,orrepairing

yourmower,stoptheengineandmake

absolutelysurethebladeandallmoving partshavestopped.Thendisconnectthe sparkplugwireandkeepitawayfromthe sparkplugtopreventaccidentalstarting.

• Donotcontinuetorunyourmowerifyou hitaforeignobjectFollowtheprocedure

outlinedabove,thenrepairanydamage beforerestartingandoperatingyou

mower

• Donotchangethegovernorsettingsor overspeedtheengine.Enginedamageor personalinjurymayresult

• Donotoperateyourmowerifitvibrates abnormally.Excessivevibrationisan

indicationofdamage;stoptheengine, safelycheckforthecauseofvibration

andrepairasrequired.

• DonotruntheengineindoorsExhaust

fumesaredangerous

° Nevercutgrassbypullingthemower

towardsyou.Mowacrossthefaceof slopes,neverupanddownoryoumight

loseyourfooting.Donotmowexces- sivelysteepslopesUsecautionwhen operatingthemoweronuneventerrain orwhenchangingdirections-- maintain goodfooting

o Neveroperateyourmowerwithout

properguards,plates,grasscatcheror othersafetydevicesinplace.

MAINTENANCEAND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the engine mount- ing bolts often to be sure they are

tightened properly.

o Check a!l bolts, nuts and screws at

frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe working

condition.

o 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 bag&

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

o 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 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.

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwasproduced.Theyarealso

availableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservicecentersMostSearsstorescanalsoorder repairpartsforyou,whenyouprovidethemodalnumberofyour'townmower:Someofthese

accessonesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE.

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

_FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWNMOWERS

_wE'R MAI'NTE_

MULCHER KITS

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

FOR

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS ! WHEELS

Read these instructions and thismanual inits 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 inthe 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

o 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.

AIR FILTERS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

• 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 untUlower 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.

° Remove handle padding holding operator

presence central bar to upper handle.

o 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

Uppper handle

Lift up

Lower handle

Mowing position

TO INSTALL A"rrACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher_ To convert to bagging or discharging:

o Open rear door and remove mulcher plug

Store mulcher plug in a safe place,

o You can now install catcher or optional

clipping deflector,

,, To retum to mulching operation, install

mulcher plug into discharge opening of mower Be sure all tabs are seated

properly

Mulcher plug

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn 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,

KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER READTHISOWNER'SMANUALANDSAFETYRULESBEFOREOPERATINGYOURLAWN

MOWER.Comparetheillustrationswith your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the

location of vadous 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 these meaning

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

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone control cable

perator presence control bar

Drive control lever

Srarter handle

Handle knob

Mulcher plug Engine oil cap w/dipstick

/ Housing

Drive cover

Gasoline cat:

Wheel adjuster

Prime (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 Commission_ The blade turns when the engine is 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 carbureto[ to the cylinder for use when starting

Starter handle - used for starting the engine.

Drive control lever -used to engage power_ propelled forward motion of lawn mowe[:

Mulcher plug - must be removed to convert to bagging or discharging ope[ation,

a cold engine.

Theoperationofanylawnmowercan

resultinforeignobjectsthrownintothe

eyes,whichcanresultinsevereeye damage.Alwayswearsafetyglassesor

eyeshieldswhileoperatingyourlawn mowerorperforminganyadjustmentsor repairs.Werecommenda widevision safetymaskoverspectaclesorstandard

safetyglasses HOWTO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED 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 lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTrlNG HEIGHT

o 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 inthe 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

Plate Tab

TO A'I'TACH GRASS CATCHER o Close the flip lid. Flip lid must be closed

while operating lawn mower.

o 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 the rear door

removed or propped open.

Hinge bracket

Rear door

Formed tabs

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER ° To remove grass catcher, release operator

presence control bar to stop engine.

o Lift up rear door and remove the grass

catcher by the handle

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

',%

Lower Wheels for High Cutr.._._._ ._

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

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 self-

propelling.

• To keep drive control engaged when turning corners, push down on handle

and lift front wheels off ground while

turning lawn mower_

Operator presence control bar

Drive

'_ trol

GAS ° 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 can be used

within 30 days to assure fuel freshness 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:

Gasoline filler cap Engine oil cap

To engage drive Drive control control desengaged

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 and fill to the full line on the dipstick.

• Use 27 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance section of this manual.

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

needed. Fill to full line on dipstick

= To read properlevel, 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.

TO START ENGINE ° To start a celd 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 presence

control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be neces- sary 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.

MOWINGTIPS o Undercertainconditions,suchasvery

tallgrass,it maybenecessarytoraise theheightofcut toreducepushingeffort andtokeepfromoverloadingtheengine

andleavingclumpsofgrassclippings It

mayalsobe necessaryto reduce

groundspeed and/orrunthelawn

mowerovertheareaa secondtime

o Forextremelyheavycutting,reducethe

widthofcutbyoverlappingpreviously

cutpathandmowslowly

. For better grass bagging and most

cutting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast position.

° When using a rear discharge lawn

mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the grass

catcher Reduce ground speed (push- ing speed) and/or run the lawn mower

over the area a second time

,, If a trail of clippings is left on the right

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

overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.

• 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 extend

engine life

MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best perfon'nance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and trash See "Cleaning" inMaintenance section of this manual

o 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 recurring 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

oft only the top one4hird 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 heaw mulching,

reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

o 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

wilt help prevent matting and graining of the

lawn,

Max 1/3

MA,°+ .A.OESO.EOOLE

AS YOU COMPLETE

Check for Loose Fasteners ,6/ Clean/Inspect Grass Catcher (If Equipped) _

M Clean Lawn Mower 6/

O Clean Under Ddve Cover(Power-Propelled Mowers) 6/ ....

Check drive bell/pulleys (Power-Propelled Mowers)

Check/Sharpen/Replace Blade _,/3'

Lubrication Chart 6,/ , Clean Battery/Recharge

{Electric Start Mowers)

S Cheek Engine Oil Level 6/

_r rrr--

N Change Engine Oil 6/1,2

G Clean Air Filter _ 2

I tnepeot Muffler

N Clean or Replace Spark Plug

Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge _,/2

1 • Change more olten when operating undera heavy loador in high ambient temperatures 2 - Service mote otlenwhen operagngindirty or dusty condilio_l_ g -Replaca blades mote ellen when mowing in s_n_, soil

4 - Charge 48 bout8 at end of =_eason

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.

o 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")

(_ Wheel

adjuster

1_) Handle bracket

mounting pin (_) Spraylubricant (_ Referto Maintenance"ENGINE" section+

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic

wheel bearings+Viscous lubricants will attract dust and dirtthat will shorten the life of the self

lubricating bearings. If you feel they must be

lubricated, use only adry, powdered graphite

type lubricant sparingly,

_,_SERVICE DATES

LUBRICATION CHART

+, , ._ _ Engine el{

I! l+l,L+' l; li )1

Rear door

hinge

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL NUMBER 917.377592

;ERIAL NUMBER

DATE OF PURCHASE HORSEPOWER: 675

DISPLACEMENT: 12,560 CU IN GASOLINE CAPACITY/TYPE: 15 QUARTS

UNLEADED REGULAR

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

SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F)

OIL CAPACITY: 27 OZS,

SPARK PLUG(GAP: 030") CHAMPION RJ19LM OR J19LM VALVE CLEARANCE: INTAKE: 004" - .008"

EXHAUST: .004" - .008"

SOLID STATE IGNITION AIR GAP: .0125 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

o 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 cloth.

o Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

clockwise,

o 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

o Position the blade adapter on the engine

crankshafL Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

o Position blade on the blade adapter

aligning the two (2) holes in the blade

with the raised lugs on the adapter.

o Be sure the trailing edge of blade

(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

11treated.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is

balanced.

Care should be taken to keep the blade

balanced An unbalanced blade will cause

eventual damage to lawn mower or 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 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 heavy end until the blade is balanced

Blade Crank shaft

adapter keyway

bolt

shaft Lock Blade washer Hardened edge adapter

washer

GRASS CATCHER

,, The grass catcher may be hosed with

water, but must be dry when used.

o Check your grass catcher often for damage

or deterioration. Through normal use it will

wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace

only with a manufacturer 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, etco 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.

,, Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and

washers.

- Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

o 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 center

GEAR CASE " To keep your' drive system working

properly, the gear case and area areund

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 Premiurn 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 accord- ingtoyour expected operating temperature.

.20'

=C _30. ,=0" *ta, O, _o,

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

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 possible engine damage from running

low on oil. Change after the first 25 hours of operation at

least once a year ifthe lawn moweris 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. "lighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level

TOCHANGEENGINEOIL

NOTE:Beforetippinglawnmowertodrain oil.drainfueltankbyrunningengineuntilfuel

tankisempty o Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplug

andplacewirewhereitcannotcomein contactwithsparkplug

° Removeengineoilcap;layasideonaclean

surface

° Tiplawnmoweronitssideasshownand

drainoil into a suitable container Rock lawn

mower back and forth to remove any oil

trapped inside of engine

. Wipe off any spilled oi_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 Your engine will not run properly and may be

damaged by using a dirty airfilter

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 cover knob.

• Swing cover down and remove from hinge

• Pull paper filter out of air cleaner body. o Clean air cleaner cover and body.

° Install a new paper filter.

• Reinstall cover to aircleanerbody. Be sure hinge is assembled properly.

• Swing cover up and tighten cover knob, (Do not overtighten).

MUFFLER

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: Forbest 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 o Turn lawn mower on its side Make sure air

filter and carburetor are up. Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scraping

to remove build-up of grass and trash

o Clean engine often to keep trash from

accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter

and shortens engine life.

o Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of

all gasoline, oil,etc.

o 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

Hinge

Air filter cover

Cover knob

Paper filter

CAUTION: Beforeperformingany serviceoradjustments.

o Releasecontrolbarandstopengine o Makesurethebladeandallmoving

partshavecompletelystopped.

o Disconnectsparkplugwirefromspark

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 reardeflector, 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

° Remove drivecover_ Remove belt by

pushing down on gear case pulley and roll belt off.

- Turn lawn mower on itsside with carburetor

and fuel cap up.

• Remove blade,

- Remove debris shield. ,, Remove belt from engine pulley on

crankshaft,

= 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 mewing comfort, Four (4) positions are available: high, medium high,

medium low and tow, Handles are shipped mounted inthe medium low position_

o To change from medium low to medium

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

• Remove cable clips.

o Remove the controls and operator presence

centre{ bar from the upper handle,

° Remove the starter rope guide from the

upper 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 operator

presence control bar tothe 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 low to low position,

only the lower handle section will have to be

turned over,.

Shipping position

Medium low

High

Lower handle

Low

Squeeze to remove

Hairpin clil Har_dle

bracket

high

ENGINE SPEED

Your engine speed has been factory set

Do not attempt to increase engine speed

or it may result in personal injury, If 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

CARBURETOR

Your carburetor has a non-adjustable fixed

main jet for mixture control, If your engine does not operate properly due to sus- pected carburetor problems, take your

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

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

Tubular frame Sewn

Sewn hem Flip lid

Lower frame

.-" _ must be

o Insert leg of tubular frame through front

opening of grass catcher and thread

frame into sewn hem of bag. NOTE: Keep bag hem gathered on the straight leg of the tubular frame,

o When frame comes out the other end of

sewn hem, immediately work the end of

frame down inside the bag as shown in

inset, o Slide sewn hem evenly around the

tubular frame until both ends of frame

are exposed out of the front opening. o Assemble lower frame to tubular frame

as shown. Be sure handle is outside of

bag and frames are fully seated as

shown in inset.

• Slip vinyl bindings over frame. NOTE: tf vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold

them in warm water for a few minutes. If bag gets wet, let it dry before using

o Close the flip lid. Flip lid must be closed

while operating lawn mower, 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

,..." fully

Tabular frame

Lower frame handle

bindings

Jny,

seated)

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