Craftsman 917377593 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

6°75

22"

ORSEPOWER

=AR SCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917=377593

Safety

Assembly

o Operation o Maintenance

o 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 t6 Operation 6 Troubleshooting 17 Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 37 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: o Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower

blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

o 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, ROEBUCKAND 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 manual carefully,

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

properly. Learn how to quickly stop mower.

o Do not allow children to use your mower°

Never allow adults to use mower without proper instnJction.s.

° Keep the area of operation clear of all

persons, especially small children and pets.

o Use mower only as the manufacturew:

intended and as described in this manual.

o 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:

o 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.Do notoperatemower

whenbarefootorwearingopensandals. Wearonlysolidshoeswithgoodtraction whenmowing.

o Checkfueltank beforestartingengine.

Do notfill gastank indoors,whenthe engineis runningor whentheengineis hot°Allowtheengineto coolfor several

minutesbeforefillingthegastank.Clean off any spilledgasolinebeforestartingthe

engine.

o Alwaysmakewheelheightadjustments

beforestartingyour mower.Never attemptto dothiswhiletheengineis

running_

o Mowonlyin daylightorgoodartificial

light.

OPERATION:

• Keepyoureyesandmindonyourmower andtheareabeingcut.Do notletother

interestsdistractyou.

o Do not mowwet orslipperygrass.Never

runwhileoperatingyourmower.Always besure 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.

o Always stop the engine whenever you

leave or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and any gravelJcovered areas.

o Never direct discharge of material toward

bystanders nor allow anyone near the mower while you are operating it.

o 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.

o 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

mowe r.

° 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.

o Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust

fumes are dangerous.

o 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 exces-

sively steep slopes° Use caution when

operating the mower on uneven terrain

or when changing directions -- maintain good footing.

o 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.

o Check 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.

o 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.

o 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 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

availableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservicecenters.MostSearsstorescanalsoorder repairpartsforyou,whenyouprovidethemodelnumberofyourlawnmower.Someofthese

accessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWNMOWERPERFORMANCE

i,,i,,,,,,,,, , , ,,,,

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

......FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MqWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

u ........

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

llll i lli,H Hll,i

BLADE ADAPTERS

Read these instructionsand 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 assemble 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.

= Cut down two end comers of carton and lay

end panel down flat_

o Remove all packing materials except

padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence

control bar toupper handle.

MULCHER KITS

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

,,, ,,,,,,,i,,,,

AIR FILTERS

FOR

WHEELS

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

o Roll lawn mower out of carton and check

carton thoroughly for additional loose pads.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN

MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefullyso as notto pinch ordamage controlcables.

o Raise handles until lower handle section

locks into place in mowing position.

o Remove protective padding, raise upper

handle section intoplace on lowerhandle and tighten both handle knobs.

° Remove handle padding holding operator

presence control 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 _'Y

_I-_'_', _ _ "

l.owe, }

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 clipping deflector,

° To return 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.Comparetheillustrationswithyourlawnmowertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththe

location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference° These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the

product. Learn and understand these meaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE

OR WARNING ON OFF

Engine zone control cable

Starter handle

Grass catcher

Mulcher plug

FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

AND FEET AWAY

Iresence control bar

Drive control lever

Handle knob

Engine oil cap w/dipstick

Housing

Drive cover

Gasoline cap

Wheel adjuster

(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 carburetor 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 mower,

Mulcher pltJg - must be removed to convert to

bagging or discharging operation,

a cold engine,

The operationof any lawnmowercan

resultin foreign objectsthrown intothe

eyes,which can result in severe eye damage. Alwayswearsafety glasses or eye shields while operatingyour lawn mowerorperforming anyadjustmentsor repair& We recommenda wide vision safety maskover spectacles orstandard safetyglasses.

HOW TO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER ENGINESPEED

The enginespeed was set at the factory for optimumperformance. Speed is not adjustable.

ENGINEZONECONTROL

_CAUTION: Federalregulationsrequire anenginecontroltobeinstalledonthislawn

mowerinorderto minimizethe riskofblade contactinjury,Donotunderanycircumstances

attempttodefeatthefunctionoftheoperator control..Thebladetumswhentheengineis

running. o Yourlawnmowerisequippedwithan

operatorpresencecontrolbarwhich requirestheoperatortobepositioned

behindthelawnmowerhandletostartand operatethelawnmower.

TOADJUSTCUTTINGHEIGHT o Raisewheelsforlowcutandlowerwheels

forhighcut,

o Adjustcuttingheighttosuityourrequire-

ments.Mediumpositionisbestformost lawns.

o Tochangecuttingheight,squeezeadjuster

levertowardwheel. Movewheelup or downtosuityourrequirements°Besureall wheelsareinthesamesetting.

NOTE:Adjusteris properlypositioned whenplate tabinserts into hole in lever. Also,9-positionadjusters (ifso equipped) allow leverto be positionedbetweenthe platetabs.

Plate Tab

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER o Close the flip lid. Flip lid must be closed

while operating lawn mowen

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.

o 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 . _,,_i-_ brack_ _#7"-,__.1_"7 Rear door

Formed

tabs

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER o 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 wean

Lower Wheels for High Cut

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

Lever

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.

o 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 clown 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

\, \ A/\-\ Drive

,_'_'_, _[x_'X\_ control

GAS

o Fillfuel 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 thefuel 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 letit

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.

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 dean.

o Remove engine oil cap and fill to the full line

on the dipstick.

o Use 27 ozs. of oil, Fortype and grade of oil

to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance section of thismanual.

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.

o To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap

each time.

o Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten. o 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 o To start a cold engine, push primer three (3)

times before trying to start. Use a finn push.

This step is not usually necessary when

starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes.

o Hold operator presence control bar down to

the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

o To stop engine, release operator presence

control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be neces-

sary to repeat priming steps. In wanner weather over priming may cause flooding and

enginewill not start° If you do flood engine,

wait a few minutes 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. It may also be necessary to reduce ground speed and/or run the lawn

mower over the area a second time.

o For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the

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

o For better grass bagging and most

cutting conditions, the engine speed

should be set in the fast position.

o 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 tot dry before using.

o 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: Forbest performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See "Cleaning" in Maintenance section

of this manual°

o 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 will

biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade} speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades.

• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to mow your lawn is the early aftemoono 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-thirdof the grass blades. tf 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 heavy 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 will help prevent matting and graining ofthe

lawn_

Max 1/3

MAnNTENANCESCHEDULE

FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE

_'- _Chec/{ ior LooseFasieners ................ _'ii i ....;............. ;'

Clean/inspect Grass Catcher

(If Equ ped)

M Clean Lawn Mower

SERVICE DATES

(Power-Propelled Mowers)

O Clean Under Drive Cover

Check drive belt/pulleys

(Power-Propelled Mowers) ChecWSharpen/,Replace Blade

Lubrication Chart

Clean Battery/Recharge (Electric Start Mowers)

Check Engine Oil Level e/

N Change Engine Oil _#'l....t&2_ __

G ,C!ean Air Filter ,, _ 2

I Inspect Muffler 6/

N Clean or Replace Spark Plug ....... _/ ,

E Reptace Air Filter Paper Cartridge _/'2

1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in htgh ambient temperatures

2 - Service mope often when operaUng indirty or dusty e_nditions, 3 - Replace blades more o#len when mowing tn sandy soil

4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season

....... ,u,,,,,,,,,,

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

e,"

6'#3

e,;

LUBRICATION CHART

The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. "[b receive full value from the warranty, operator must

(_) Wheel

adjuster

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. o 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.

@ Handle bracket Rear door

mounting pin hinge

o Follow the maintenance schedule in this

manual

BEFORE EACH USE

o Check engine oil level o Check for loose fastener&

LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICA-

TION CHART")°

(_) Spraylubricant (_) Referto Maintenance"ENGINE" section..

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

dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the self lubricating bearings. Ifyou feel they must be

lubricated, use only a dry, powdered graphite type lubricant sparingly.

" /_t Engine oil

,J :JJ

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL NUMBER 917.377593 SERIAL NUMBER

DATE OF PURCHASE

HORSEPOWER: 6.75

DISPLACEMENT: 12.560 CU. INo

GASOLINE CAPACITY/TYPE: 1.5 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.

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

crankshaft. 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

TO REMOVE BLADE

o Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire wher e it cannot come in contact with spark plugo

o 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.

o Protect'your hands with gloves and/or

wrap blade with heavy cloth.

o Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

clockwise.

with the raised lugs on the adapter.

• Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the

engine,

o Install the blade boltwith the lock

washer and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.

o 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. lbs.

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.

o The blade can be sharpened with a file

or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower,,

o 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

Key

Blade

Crank

bolt shaft

Lock Blade

washer Hardened edge adapter

washer

o Remove any trash or grass cuttings from

inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive

wheel gear teeth. o Put wheels back in placer . If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not

turn freely, contact your nearest

authorized service center.

GEAR CASE

o 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.

o 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 1 Grease, Part No.

750369. 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- ing to yourexpected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

_F .20" 0" I ... ::_" 40' 6Q" B0" ,O0"

GRASS CATCHER o 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 itwill

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, etc. 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. o Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and

washers. Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,

t0W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°Fo 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 mower is not used

for 25 hours in one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before starting

the engine and after each five (5) hours of cor_tinuous use. Tighten oi! plug securely each time you check the oil level°

TOCHANGEENGINEOIL NOTE: Beforetippinglawnmowertodrain

oil,drainfueltankbyrunningengineuntilfuel

tankisempty.

o Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug

and place wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug_

= Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean

surface.

• Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container. Rock lawn

mower back and forth to remove any oil

trapped inside of engine.

o 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 plugo

Container

AIR FILTER

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 cover knob,

• Swing cover down and remove from hinge. ° Pull paper filterout of air cleaner body,

• Clean air cleaner cover and body.

° Install a new paper filter. o Reinstall cover to air cleaner body. Be sure

hinge is assembled properly.

° Swing cover up and tightencover 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 ,,030inch. 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,,

o Tum 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.

• 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.

= 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 toot to remove any build-up of

trash or grass on underside of drive cover.

Hinge

Paper filter

Air filter cover Cover

knob

,_kCAUTION: Before performing any" service or adjustments.

o Release control bar and stop engine. o Make sure the blade and aUmoving

parts have completely stopped.

• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place where it cannot come

in contact with plug.

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" inthe

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 operator's mowing position. Ifthe rear

deflector becomes damaged, itshould be replaced.

TO REMOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT

o Remove drive cover. Remove belt by

pushing down on gear case pulley and roll belt off.

o Turn lawn mower on itsside with carburetor

and fuel cap Upo

= Remove blade. = Remove debris shield.

Remove belt from engine pulley on

crankshaft.

o Install new belt by reversing above steps.

o Always use factory approved beltto assure

fit and long life.

Drive cover

o Remove the starter rope guide from the

upper handle.

o Remove hairpin cotters.

o Disconnect the lower handle from the

handle brackets.

o Turn the handle over and reassemble the

hairpin cotters that have been removed. = Reassemble the starter rope guide. o Reassemble the controls and the operator

,_presence control bar to the 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.

o To change from medium low to high

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

o To change from medium low to low position,

only the lower handle section will have to be

tumed over.

Shipping position

Medium low

Medium high

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

o To change from medium tow to medium

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

o Remove cable clips. o Remove the controls and operator presence

control bar from the upper handle.

Lower handle

Squeeze to _, _.._'_-_'3.

e ovo

bracket

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,

IMPORTANT: Never tamper with the engine governor, which is factory set for proper engine spee& Overspeeding the

engine above the factory high speed setting can be dangerous, if you think the

engine-governed high speed needs adjusting, contact your nearest

AUTHORIZED service center, which has prope_ 7_quipment and experience to make

any necessary adjustments.

Tubular frame

Sewn hem

Sewn

hem

Flip lid

Lower frame

(Frames

must be fully

seated)

Tubular frame

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

• 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

sew{_ hem, immediately wo_k the end of

frame down inside the bag as shown in

inset.

o Slide -_.ewnhem evenly around the

tubuf_._frame until both ends of frame are exposed out of the front opening.

• Assemble lower frame to tubular frame as shown. Be sure handle is outside of

bag and frames are fully seated as shown in inset.

o Slip vinyl bindings over frame.

NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold

them in warm water f_c,ra few minutes, tf

bag gets wet, le_it dr,_before _sing. o Clos_ the flip tid,.Flip lid must be closed

_kwhile 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 remov_:: "_rpr,:_p_ed open_

Lower frame handle

+ 33 hidden pages

Craftsman 917377593 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual