Craftsman 917377690 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

£RAFTZMA,No

6.75 HORSEPOWER
22" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED
ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377690

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa_ol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

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

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

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 14

Assembly 4 Storage 16
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:

• 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 faiture 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

Safety standards require operator
presence controls to minimize the
risk of injury. Your unit is equipped
with such controls. De not attempt to
defeat the function of the operator

presence controls under any
circumstances.

TRAINING:

• Read this operator's manual carefully.
Become familiar with the controls and

know how to operate your mower
properly. Learn how to quickly stop

mower.

• Do not allow children to use your mower.
Never allow adults to use mower without

proper instructions.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all
persons, especially small children and

pets.

• Use mower only as the manufacturer
intended and as described in this

manual.

• Do not operate mower if it has been
dropped or damaged in any manner.

A_ways have damage repaired before
using your mower.

• Do not use accessory attachments that

are not recommended by the manufac-

turer. Use of such attachments may be

hazardous.

• The blade turns when the engine is
running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to be

mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks,
wires, bones, and other foreign objects.

These objects will be thrown by the

blade and can cause severe injury.

• Always wear safety glasses or eye
shields when starting and while using

your mower.

• Dress properly. Do not operate mower

when barefoot or wearing open sandals.
Wear only solid shoes with good traction

when mowing.

2

• Check fuel tank before starting engine.
Do not fill gas tank indoors, when the
engine is running or when the engine is
hot. Allow the engine to cool for several
minutes before filling the gas tank. Clean
off any spilled gasoline before starting
the engine.

• Always make wheel height adjustments

before starting your mower. Never
attempt to do this while the engine is
running.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light

OPERATION:

• Keep your eyes and mind on your

mower and the area being cut. Do not let
other interests distract you.

• Do not mow wet or slippery grass. Never

run while operating your mower. Always
be sure of your footing -- keep a firm

hold on the handles and walk.

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

• Always stop the engine whenever you
leave or are not using your mower, or
before crossing driveways, walks, roads,
and any gravel---covered areas.

• Never direct discharge of material
toward bystanders nor allow anyone
near the mower while you are operating

it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing
your mower, stop the engine and make

absolutely sure the blade and all moving
parts have stopped. Then disconnect the
spark plug wire and keep it away from

the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.

• Do not continue to run your mower if you

hit a foreign object. Follow the procedure

outlined above, then repair any damage

before restarting and operating you
mower.

• Do not change the governor settings or
overspeed the engine. Engine damage
or personal injury may result.

• Do not operate your mower if it vibrates
abnormally. Excessive vibration is an
indication of damage; stop the engine,
safely check for the cause of vibration
and repair as required.

• Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust
fumes are dangerous.

• Never cut grass by pulling the mower
towards you. Mow across the face of
slopes, never up and down or you

might lose your footing. Do not mow
excessively steep slopes. Use caution

when operating the mower on uneven
terrain or when changing directions --
maintain good footing.

• Never operate your mower without
proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
other safety devices in place.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the engine

mounting bolts often to be sure they are

tightened properly.

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at

frequent intervals for proper tightness to

be sure mower is in 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

recommended by and comply with

specifications of the manufacturer of

your mower

• Always keep a sharp blade on your

mower.

• Allow engine to cool before storing in

any enclosure

• Never store mower with 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.

ALook for this symbol to point out

important safety precautions. It means
CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

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

contact spark plug in order to prevent

accidenta! starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

AWARNING
The engine exhaust from this product

contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects,

or other reproductive harm

3

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not

shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service
centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide the model

number of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

' '

CL|PPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

_J

MULCHER KITS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

AIR FILTERS

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

YL

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

Read these instructions and this manual in its

entirety before you attempt to assemble or

operate your new lawn mower.
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

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 REMOVELAWNMOWER FROM

CARTON

Remove loose parts included with mower
Cut down two end comers of carton and

lay end panel down flat.
Remove all packing materials except
padding between upper and lower hand(,
and padding holding operator presence
control bar to upper handle.

Roll lawn mower out of carton and check
carton thoroughly for additional loose

parts.

4

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefully so as
not to pinch or damage controlcables.

• Raise handles until lower handle section

locks into place in mowing position.

• Remove protective padding, raise upper

handle section into place on lower handle
and tighten both handle knobs.

• Remove handle padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted
for your mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust

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

Operator presence
bar

Upper handle

Lift up

Mowing
position

TO INSTALL A'n'ACHMENTS

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 retum to mulching operation, install
mulcher plug into discharge opening of

mower. Be sure all tabs are seated
properly.

Mulcher plug _

_I,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.

Lower handle

5

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWI'
MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the

location of various controls and a_iustments. Save this manual for future reference.

These symbols mayappear on your lawn mower or inliteraturesuppliedwith the product.Learnand
understandtheir meaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HAND',

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone control cable

Starter handle

Grass catcher

Mulcher plug

Gasoline cap

Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

Handle knob

Engine oil
cap w/
dipstick

Housing

cover

Primer

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

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 Comm{ssion. 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

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

propelled forward motion of fawn mower,
Mulcher plug - must be removed to convert to

bagging or discharging operation.

starting a cold engine.

6

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

which can result in severe eye damage.

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 spectacles or standard safety
glasses.

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

• Lift the rear door of the lawn mower

and place the grass catcher frame
hooks onto the door pivot pins.

• The grass catcher is secured to the
lawn mower housing when the rear

door is lowered onto the grass catcher

frame.

ACAUTION: 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.

for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL _ _
ACAUTION: Federal regulations require !i

an engine control to De 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

Pivot

pins Catcher

operator presence control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned

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

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• Lift up on grass catcher using the frame
handle.

TO ADJUST CU'B'ING HEIGHT

• 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.

• Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.

• Empty clippings from bag using both
frame handle and bag handle.

NOTE: Do net drag the bag when
emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

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

Bag handle

down to suit your requirements. Be sure all
wheels are in the 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

_/Rear door

Grass

! catcher

handle

frame hook

Grass

frame
handle

Lower W2eels for High Cutr_ =_

__ _ Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

7

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 controt bar Drive

control

To engage drive Drive control
control disengaged

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87

octane. Do not mix oilwithgasoline.

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 engin_
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 fc
additional information. Never use engin_
or carburetor cleaner products in the rue
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

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL

Your lawn mower is shipped without oilin the

engine.

• 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.

NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate dipstick reading.

• Engine holds 27 ozs. of oil. Fortype and

grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in

Maintenance 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 ellen under dusty,
dirty conditions.

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primerthree
(3) times before tryingtostarL Use a firm
push. This step is not usuallynecessary
when startingan engine which has

already runfor a few minutes.

• Hold operator presence control bar down
to the handle and pullstarter handle

quickly. Do not allow starter ropeto snap

back.

• To stop engine, release operator presenc
control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In
warmer weather over priming may caus,

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.

8

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.

• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut by overlapping previously

cut path and mow slowly.

• For better grass bagging and most

cutting conditions, the engine speed

should be set in the fast position.

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

of this manual.

• The special mulching blade willrecut 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 aftemoon. 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.

Ifthe 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.

• 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 pattem from weekto
week. Mow north to south one week then

change to east to west the next week. This
will help prevent matting and graining of the

lawn.

th_4_'l_i?:,_f'l:;_'-'} Max 1/3

9