Craftsman 917377844 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

6.5 Horsepower Power-Propelled

21" Multi-Cut

Model No.

917.377844

• EspaSol, p. 20

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: wwwosearscom/crafisman

U.S.A.

Warranty ................................................... 2

Safety Rules .......................................... 2-4

Product Specifications .............................. 4

Assembly / Pre-Operation ..................... 5-6

Operation ............................................ 7-11

Maintenance Schedule ........................... 12

Maintenance ........................................ 12-15

Service and Adjustments ................... 15-_17

Storage .............................................. 17-18

Troubleshooting ................................. 18-19

Repair Parts ....................................... 38-47

Sears Service .......................... 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 owneCs manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest Sears

Parts & Repair Center in the United States. This warranty applies only while this product is used 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, IL 60179

IMPORTANT: ']'his cutting machine iscapable of amputating hands and feet and throwing ob-

jects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. ALook for this symbol to point out important

safety precautions. It means CAUTION! BE- COMEALERT!YOU RSAFETYIS INVOLVED.

AWARNING: In order to prevent accidental starting when setting up, transporting, ad-

justing or making repairs, always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot

come in contact with plug. AWARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components

contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Californiato cause cancer and birth defects

or other reproductive harm. ,&WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and

related accessories contain lead and lead

compounds, chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

,& CAUTION: Muffler and other engine parts become

extremely hot during operation and remain hot after' engine has stopped. To

avoid severe burns on contact, stay away from these areas.

I. GENERAL OPERATION

* Read, understand, and follow all

instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before starting° Be thoroughly

familiar with the controls and the proper

use of the machine before starting.

° Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis- charge opening at all times.

Only allow responsible individuals, familiar withtheinstructions,tooperatethernachine.

• Clear thearea of objectssuch as rocks, toys,wire, bones,sticks,etc,.,which

couldbepickedupand thrownby blade.

° Be sure the area is clear of other people

before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

• Do not operate the mower when bare- foot or wearing open sandals. Always

wear substantial foot wear.

° Do not pull mower backwards unless ab-

solutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving backwards,

° Never direct discharged material toward

anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material may richo-

chet back toward the operator. Stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces.

° Do not operate the mower without

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or other safety protective devices in place.

° See manufacturer's instructions for

proper operation and installation of accessories. Only use accessories ap-

proved by the manufacturer.

• Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.

• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the equipment, before cleaning the mower or unclogging the chute.

° Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until

the blade comes to complete stop before

removing grass catcher.

° Mow only in daylight / good artificial light.

• Do not operate the machine while under

the influence of alcohol or drugs.

° Never operate machine in wet grass.

Always be sure of your footing: keep a firm hold on the handle; walk, never run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mech-

anism or drive clutch on mowers so equipped before starting the engine.

° If the equipment should start to vibrate

abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause. Vibra- tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wearsafetygoggles orsafety glass- es with side shields when operating mower.

I1.SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to stip &

fall accidents which can result in severe in- jury. All slopes require extra caution. If you

feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow iL DO:

° Mow across the face of slopes: never

up and down. Exercise extreme caution

when changing direction on slopes.

° Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree

limbs, etc.

° Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps° Tall

grass can hide obstacles°

DO NOT:

° Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or

embankments. The operator could lose footing or balance.

° Do not trim excessively steep slopes.

• Do not mow on wet grass° Reduced foot- ing could cause slipping.

III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

is not alert to the presence of children° Children are often attracted to the machine

and the mowing activity. Never assume

that children wilt remain where you last

saw them.

- Keep children out of the trimming area

and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

- Be alert and turn machine off if children

enter the area°

- Before and while walking backwards, look behind and down for small children.

- Never allow children to operate mower,

• Use extra care when approaching blind

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE Use extreme care in handling gasoline.

Gasoline is extremely flammable and the

vapors are explosive,.

• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition,

- Use only an approved container.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with

the engine running. Allow engine to coot

before refueling°

o Never refuel the machine indoors.

° Never store the machine or fuel contain-

er where there is an open flame, spark

or pilot light such as a water heater or on

other appliances.

• Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner,

Always place containers on the ground

away from your vehicle before filling.

• Remove gas-powered equipment from

the truck or trailer and refuel it on the

ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment with a portable

container, rather than from a gasoline

dispenser nozzle_

. Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim

of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not

use a nozzle lock-open device.

If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately.

Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten securely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

= Never run machine inside a closed area.

• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine (motor) running. Disconnectthe

spark plug wire, and keep the wire away

from plug to prevent accidental starting.

o Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade

attachment bolts, tight and keep equip- ment in good condition.

o Never tamper with safety devices, Check

their proper operation regularly.

° Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or

other debris build-up. Clean oilorfuel spill- age. Allow machine to cool before storing.

° Stop and inspect the equipment if you

strike an object. Repair, if necessary,

before restarting.

Serial Number:

Date of Purchase: Gasoline Capacity / Type: 1.0 Quarts (Unleaded Regular)

o Never attempt to make wheel height

adjustments while the engine is running.

° Grass catcher components are subject

to wear, damage, and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or

allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and replace with

manufacturer's recommended parts,

when necessary.

= Mower blades are sharp and can cut.

Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.

= Do not change the engine governor set-

ting or overspeed the engine.

• Maintain or replace safety and instruc- tion labels, as necessary°

Oil Capacity: 18.5 Ounces Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F) or SAE 10W-30

Spark Plug (Gap: _030") NGK BPR6ES

Valve Clearance (± 0.04 mm): Intake: 0.015 mm; Exhaust: 0.020 mm

Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. lbs. ° The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower

housing° Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.

Repair Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart pur- chase. Your new Craftsman@ product is

designed and manufactured for years of dependable operation. But like all prod-

ucts, it may require repair from time to time. That's when having a Repair Protec- tion Agreement can save you money and

aggravation.

Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement

now and protect yourself from unexpected

hassle and expense. Here's what's included in the Agreement:

° Expert service by our 12,000 profeo

sional repair specialists_

, Unlimited service and no charge for

parts and labor' on all covered repairs.

• Product replacement if your covered product can't be fixed.

= Discount of 10% from regular price of

service and service-related parts not covered by the agreement; also, 10%

off regular price of preventive mainte- nance check_

o Fast help by phone - phone support

from a Sears technician on products requiring in-home repair; plus conve-

nient repair scheduling.

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all that it takes for you

to schedule service. You can call any'Lime day or night, or schedule a service ap- pointment online.

Sears has over 12,000 professional repair specialists, who have access to over 4_5

million quality parts and accessories.

That's the kind of professionalism you can count on to help prolong the life of your

new purchase for years to come. Purchase your Repair Protection Agreement today!

Some limitations and exclusions apply.

For prices and additional information

call 1-800-827-6655. Sears Installation Service

For Sears professional installation of home appliances, garage door openers, water

heaters, and other major home items, in

4 the U.S.A. call 1-800-4-MY-HOME@.

Theseaccessorieswere availablewhenthis lawn mowerwas produced. They are not shipped with your mower. They are alsoavailableat mostSearsretailoutletsand

servicecenters. Someof theseaccessories maynotapplyto your lawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING

DEFLECTORS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

iiii i, ...............

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS AIR FILTERS

BLADESBELTS BLADE ADAPTERS

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 as-

sembled at the factory with the excep-

tion of those parts left unassembled for

shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be

tightened securely, Use the correct tools

as necessary to ensure proper tightness. All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc.,

necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag°

_-'_t GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

LAWN MOWERS

SIDE D_SCHARGE

..... SPARK PLUGS.....

i t

WHEELS

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

1. Remove loose parts included with mower,

2. Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat,

3. Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower

handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

4, Roll lawn mower out of carton and

check carton thoroughly for additional loose parts,

ENGINE OIL

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handJe carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables. I, Raise lower handle section to operat-

ing position and align hole in handle with one of the height positioning holes

in handle bracket.

2. Insert handle bolt through handle and bracket and secure with knob.

3. Repeat for opposite side of handle.

4. Remove protective padding, raise up- per handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both handle knobs.

5. Remove any packing material from around control bar:

Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort, Refer to "AD-

JUST HANDLE" in the Service and Adjust-

ments section of this manual.

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

1. Slide grass catcher bag over' the frame. Make sure the rear handle is on top

(the same side as the front handle) and the strap is on the bottom.

2. Slip vinyl bindings over frame.

NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold

them in warm water for a few minutes. If

bag gets wet, let it dry before using.

3, Close grass catcher door:

NOTE; When fully closed, door will "snap"

shut over frame and vinyl bindings.

handle

Operator presence control bar

LIFT

Knob

Handle

bracket

Mowing

position

Lower handle

Bolt

Grass catcher' frame

Vinyl

\ \

\\ \\

Front

TO INSTALL A'I-rACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher. To convert mower to

bagging or discharging, see '%0 CON-

VERT MOWER" in the Operation section

of this manual.

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALL 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 reference. These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the

product.

ul J ,llll,ul_uu i .... .11.... .,,.,j,j,,..w .r %_.I l, _ i

Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUTION

OR WARNING

Starter handle

Grass

catche

Engine oil cap with di

ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE

ON OFF

,,, H r_ ., p.i ,,,,_u

Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

FUEL

OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

1,4_IIW, , pq I"',,'11''

Gasoline filler cap

Fuel valve lever

Air filter

AND FEET AWAY

Dual

point

height

adjuster

lever

Muffler

Mulcher door

Housing

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

i , i,,,,,,i,iiii ii, I, , ,i ,i J

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 Com-

mission. The blade turns when the engine is running.

I I//_ ,, i,ii1,1,,,,, i ,1'iiiii ii ,

Operator presence control bar - must be held down to the handle to start the

engine. Release to stop the engine. Drive control lever - used to engage

power-propelled forward motion of mower.

Starter handle - used for starting engine,

Mulcher door - allows conversion to discharging or bagging operation_

Dual point height adjuster- used to adjust cutting height of lawn mower.

i, ,i,, ii1,, ii ,

Theoperationof any lawn mowercan resultin foreign

objectsthrown into the eyes,whichcan resultin severeeyedamage.Always

wear safetyglassesoreye shieldswhile

operatingyour lawnmoweror performing....

any adjustmentsor repairs.We recom-

menda standard safetyglassesorwide

visionsafetymask worn overspectacles.

HOW TO 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.

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by hold- ing the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pulling the drive

control lever rearward to the handle. The farther toward the handle the lever

is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.

• Forward motion will stop when either the operator presence control bar or

drive control lever are released. To stop forward motion without stopping engine,

release only the drive control lever. Hold

operator presence control bar down

against handle to continue mowing

without self-propelling.

NOTE; If after releasing the drive control the mower' witl not roll backwards, push the mower' forward slightly to disengage

drive wheels.

O _=ratorpresence control bar

Drive

Adjustment ENGAGE

button (on DRIVE

underside) CONTROL

control lever DRIVE

CONTROL

DISENGAGED

o To keep drive control engaged when

turning corners, push down on the

handle to lift the front wheels off the ground while turning lawn mower.

DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT Over time, the drive control system may be-

come "loose", resulting in decreased speed° There isabutton on the underside of the drive

control housing to increase tension on the drive cable. Proceed as follows:

1. Turn mower engine off and disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.

2. Pull out button on underside of drive control, then push it back in.

3. Operate mower to see if drive speed

has increased. If there is no increase,

the drive belt is worn and needs to be

replaced.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

Both front wheels are adjusted by a single lever on the left front wheel. Likewise,

both rear wheels are adjusted by a single lever on the left rear wheel.

= Pull adjuster lever toward wheel. To

raise mower, move lever forward to desired position. To lower mower, move

the lever backward to desired position.

Be sure to adjust both front and rear

wheels to the same height.

Height uster lever

LEVER BACKWARD

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD

TO RAISE MOWER

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to rear

bagging or side discharging:

REAR BAGGING

o Remove knob securing mulcher door to

lawn mower housing.

, Open mutcher door and insert tabs

of discharge chute into hinge bracket opening and position rear of chute over

threaded stud.

Hinge bracket Mulcher door

° Secure rear of discharge chute to lawn

mower housing with knob.

o Place rear handle of grass catcher on

the crossbar of the lawn mower's lower

handle as shown.

• Lift the round door of the discharge chute and place the grass catcher into

place on the discharge chute.

NOTE: Be sure round door of discharge chute rests on grass catcher as shown. o Mower is now ready for rear bagging

operation.

• To convert to mulching operation,

remove grass catcher and discharge chute. Secure mulcher door to mower

housing with knob.

• To convert to side discharging opera-

tion, remove grass catcher and dis- charge chute. Install side discharge

deflector and secure it to lawn mower

housing with knob.

Crossbar

Grass

Round

door

chute

Threaded

Mulcher door

stud

SIDE DISCHARGING

o Grass catcher and discharge chute

must be removed.

o Open mulcher door and install front of

side discharge deflector beneath door and position rear over threaded stud.

o Secure rear of side discharge deflector

to lawn mower housing with knob.

o Mower is now ready for side discharging

operation.

° To convert to mulching operation, side

discharge deflector must be removed and mulcher door secured to mower

housing with knob.

o To convert to rear bagging opera-

tion, side discharge deflector must be

removed; discharge chute and grass

catcher installed and discharge chute secured to mower housing with knob.

Mulcher door - Knob

stud

Side discharge

deflector

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN

CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

1. Grass catcher, discharge chute and side discharge deflector removed.

2. Mulcher door secured to mower hous- ing with knob.

FOR REAR BAGGING -

1. Side discharge deflector removed°

2. Grass catcher and discharge chute installed with discharge chute secured to lawn mower housing with knob.

3. Round door of discharge chute resting on top of grass catcher.

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

!. Grass catcher and discharge chute

removed.

2. Side discharge deflector installed and secured to mower housing with knob.

_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without mulcher door closed; side dis- charge deflector installed, or discharge

chute and approved grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn

mower with mulcher door or round door removed or propped open.

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

1. Open round door of discharge chute to move starter rope out and away from

grass catcher.

Round Starter

door rope

2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from lawn mower using both front and

rear handle&

3. Empty clippings from grass catcher using both rear handle and strap. "['he

weight of the grass will open the door.

4. Snap door shut over frame before

installing grass catcher on mower.

NOTE: Do not drag the grass catcher when emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear=

Rear

handle

3o You receive a container of oil with the

unit. Slowly pour the entire container

down the oil fill spout into the engine.

4. insert and tighten dipstick. IMPORTANT:

= Check oil level before each use° Add oil

if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

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. See 'q_O

CHANGE ENGINE OIU' in the Mainte- nance section of this manual.

ADD GASOLINE

o Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.

Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87

octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Pur- chase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

_b.CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline

near an open flame.

CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels

(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha- nol) 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. Empty 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.

Front

handle

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

ADD OIL

Your lawnrnower is shipped without oil in the engine. For type and grade of oil to

use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance section of this manual.

_k CAUTION; DO NOT overfill engine with oil, or it wilI smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

1. Be sure tawnmower is level.

2. Remove oil dipstick from oit fill spout.

Oil fill cap / Gasoline di filler cap

Upper Lowe mark mark

TO STOP ENGINE o To stop engine, release operator pres-

ence control bar. Wait until blade and

atl moving parts have stopped and turn

fuel valve to OFF position if you do not

intend to restart the engine soon.

TO START ENGINE NOTE:Dueto protective coatings on the

engine, a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the prod-

uct and should be considered normal.

1. Be sure fue! valve is in the ON position_

2o Move choke lever to ON (N) position.

3. Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter

handle quickly. Do not allow starter

rope to snap back. NOTE: The choke lever automatically begins moving to the OFF position when

operator presence control bar is held down to handle.

OFF lever

Fuel valve lever

MOWING TIPS

CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher

blade attachments on your mower. Such attachments are hazardous, will damage

your mower and could void your warranty. = 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 clip- pings, it may also be necessary to re-

duce 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.

o For better grass bagging and most cut-

ting conditions, the engine speed should

be set in the FAST position.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can be- come 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 the

Maintenance 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 will biodegrade quickly

to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always

mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recut-

ting 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, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight°

° 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 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 grass, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly_

1/3

° 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 sec- ond cut, mow across (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 of the lawn.

MAINT NAN@E

Checkfor Loose Fasteners

"-' Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher *

A ICheck Tires

N I Check Drive Wheels ***

Clean Lawn Mower ....

MI Clean under Drive Cover "'* Ot Check Drive Belt/Pulleys ***

WI Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade

] Lubrication

Cfean and Recharge Battery **

Check Engine Oil level

Change Engine Oil

Clean Air Filter

inspect Muffler

Replace Spark Plug

ReplaceAir Filter PaperCartridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

* (if so equipped)

** Electric-Start mowers

*** Power-Propelled mowers

**** Use a scraper

to dean under deck

1 - Change more often if operating under a heavy toad or in high outdoo_temperatures.

2 - Service more often if operating indirty or dusty condition& 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil

4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season 5 - And after each 5 hours of use,

BEFORE

EACH

USE

AFTER ] EVERY

EACH I 10

USE ] HOURS

,/j

, q

-- i

EVERY

25 HOURS

OR SEASON

EVERY BEFORE

100 STORAGE

HOURS

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 unit as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments wilt need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit.

At least once a season, check to see if you should make any of the adjustments

described in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

o At least once a year, replace the spark

plug, clean or replace air filter element and check blade for wear. A new spark

plug and clean!new air filter element assure proper air-fuel mixture and help

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 welt lubricated

(See "LUBRICATION CHART")°

LUBRICATION CHART

Engine oil

(_ Mulcher

door hinge pin

tO Rear door

(_) Handle bracket mounting pins

_ Spray lubricant

See "ENGINE" in Maintenance 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. If you feel they

must be lubricated, use only a dry, powdered

2graphite type lubricant sparingly.

hinge

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per- forming 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.

DRIVE WHEELS Check rear drive wheels each time you

mow to be sure they move freely. The

wheels not turning freely means trash,

grass cuttings, etc., may be inside the drive wheel and dust cover area and must

be cleaned out to free drive wheels.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade.

TO REMOVE BLADE

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug_

2. Turn lawn mower on its side° Make sure air filter and carburetor are up.

3o Use a wood block between blade and

mower housing to prevent blade from

turning when removing blade boil

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

4o Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

clockwise.

5o Remove blade and attaching hardware

(bolt, lock washer, hardened washer)_

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade

with the raised lugs on the adapter°

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

& Install the blade bolt with the lock

washer and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.

4. 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 heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

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

is balanced. Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will

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°

Trailing

Blade adapter,

Loc#

washer

Hardened Blade

Blade washer bolt

GRASS CATCHER

o The grass catcher may be hosed with

water, but must be dry when used.

o Check your grass catcher often for dam-

age or deterioration. Through normal

use it will wear. If catcher needs replac- ing, replace only with approved replace-

ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts

section of this manual° Give the lawn

mower model number when ordering.

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.

750369. Do not substitute.

ENGINE

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems, which

are being done at the customers expense, may be performed by any non-road engine

repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized

cause eventual damage to mower or engine. 13engine manufacturer's service outlet.

LUBRICATION Use only high quality detergent oil rated

with API service classification SG-SL, Select the oil'sSAE viscosity grade according

to your expected operating temperature,

I $AE VISCO_R'Y GRADES

I'F ...... -2o o _o 32 40 sO a0 4{}o

"c._o -_`O -1'o o 1o =o so 4_

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATEDBEFORE NEXT OILCHANGE

NOTE: Multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather', and

you should check your engine oil level fre-

quently to avoid possible engine damage

from running low on oil.

Change the oil after every 25 hours of opera-

tion or at least once a year if the 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 continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until

fuel tank is empty°

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

2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick; lay aside on a clean surface.

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

Rock lawn mower back and forth to re- move any oil trapped inside of engine.

7. Continue adding small amounts of oil and rechecking the dipstick until it

reads full DO NOT overfill, or engine

will smoke on startup.

8. Always be sure to retighten oil fill cap/ dipstick before starting engine°

9. Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.

AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly and may

be damaged by using a dirty air filter:

Replace the air filter every 100 hours of

operation or every season, whichever oc- curs first. Service air cleaner more often

under dusty conditions. TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

i. Remove cover.

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. 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 car-

tridge. They may cause deterioration of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not use

pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.

Tabs

Oil fill cap /

dipstick

Upper ma

mark

Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine_

Fill engine with oil Slowly pour oil

down the oil fill spout into the engine. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle.

Use guage on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube.

DO NOT thread the cap into the tube when taking reading.

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it

could create a fire hazard and/or damage. SPARK PLUG

Replace spark plug at the beginning of

each mowing season or after every 100

hours of operation, whichever occurs

first. Spark plug type and gap setting

are shown in the "PRODUCT SPECIFIC-

ATIONS" section of this manual°

CLEANING IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-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 plug.

• Cleanthe undersideof your lawn mower byscrapingto removebuild-up ofgrass

andtrash.

• Cleanengineoftento keeptrashfrom accumulating°A cloggedengine runs hotterand shortensenginelife.

• Keepfinishedsurfacesand 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 short_ ened 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.

A.WARNING: To avoid serious injury, before

performing any service and adjustments:

1. Release control bar and stop engine°

2. Make sure the blade and all moving

parts have completely stopped.

& Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

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

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

See 'q-o ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR The rear deflector, attached between the

rear wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will be

thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position° If deflector

becomes damaged, it should be replaced. TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot

come in contact with plug.

2. Remove screws retaining drive cover and remove drive cover from lawn

mower housing (See Figure A)o

3. Remove drive cable from anchor, then detach the drive cable spring from the

idler arm assembly (See Figure B).

Idler arm Drive cable anchor

ass_ / Drive belt

o) ID

__PIVOT

pulley _ \ Housing Belt keeper \ \ hole

Figure 8

4. Pivot idler arm assembly to slacken drive belt, then remove drive belt from

drive pulley, belt keepers and idler arm.

5. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up.

6. Remove screw securing debris shield.

Note that the debris shield has a tab

which fits into a gap in the housing

(See Figure C).

Crankshaft Tab Blade

Housing adapter hole \ (pulley

end)

Lawn

mower

housing

Drive cove r

_ _,. _ 1 Screw

Figure A 15

Trailing edge

Figure C

Hardened

washer

Blade

bolt

Lock-washer

+ 33 hidden pages

Craftsman 917377844 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual