Craftsman 917377970 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

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6.75 HORSEPOWER 21" MULTI-CUT

POWER PROPELLED ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377970

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• EspaSol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions

before opera_ting this equipment

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

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

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 12 Safety Rules _. 2 Service and Adjustments 15

Assembly 4 Storage ; 16 Operation X 6 Troubleshooting 17 Maintenance Schedule 11 Repair Parts 37

Maintenance 11 Parts Ordering Back Cover

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained,

lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship.

If this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This Warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank- shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con-

tained in the owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by retuming 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 operator pres- ence 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

cimumstances.

TRAINING:

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

how to operate your mower properly. Leam 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.

Always have damage repaired before using your mower.

• Do not use accessory attachments that are not recommended by the manufacturer.

Use ofsuch attachments may be hazard- ous.

• The blade tuma when the engine is running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed and clear itof 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 orwearing open sandals.

Wear only solid shoes with good traction

when mowing.

• Checkfuel tank before starting engine. Do

notflU ges tank indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is hot. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before fillingthe gas tank. Clean offany spilled

gasoline before starting the engine.

• Always make wheel height adjustments

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

• Mow only in daylight or good ar_cial 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 holdon the

handles and walk.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.

• Always stop the engine whenever you leave

or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roods, 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 notcontinue to run your mower ifyou hit a foreign object. Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any damage before restarting and operating your mower.

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

• Do not operate your mower if itvibrates abnormally. Excessive vibration is an

indication of damage; stop the engine,

safely check for the cause of vibrationand

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 belts often to be sure they are tightened

properly.

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent

intervals for proper tightness to be sure mower isin safe worldng condition.

• Keep allsafety devices in place and working.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free

of grass, leaves orexcessive grease and oil.

• Check grass catcher often for deterioration and wear and replace wom 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 inany enclosure.

• Never store mower with fuel in the tank inside a buildingwhere fumes may reach an

open flame or an ignition source such as a

hot water heater, space heater, clothes

dryer, etc.

Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!!

BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED. 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.Theyarenot shippedwithyourmower.TheyarealsoavailableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservice

centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair pads for you, when you provide the model

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

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

_'_ GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble

or operate your new lawn mower. 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 exception 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.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with

mower.

• Cut down two end corners of carton and

lay end panel down flat.

MULCHERKITS

LAWN MOWERS

SIDE DISCHARGE

AIR RLTERS

FOR

STABIUZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

• Remove all packing materials except

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

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check

carton thoroughly for additional loose parts

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so as not to pinch or damage control cables.

• Raise lower handle section to operating

position and squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle towards each other until

the pin in handle can be inserted into

one of the three height adjustment holes.

• Remove protective paddihg, raise upper

handle section into place on lower

handle and tighten both handle knobs.

• Remove any packing material from

around control bar.

• Your handles may be adjusted for your

mowing comfort. Refer to Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

Operator presence

controlbar

Upper handle

Lift up

Lower

handle

3-position Handle

adjustment bracket

Lift up

Mowing

position

Handle pin

TO INSTALL ATrACHMENTS

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

or discharging; See OPERATION section of this manual.

TO PREPARE BATrERY

NOTE: Your battery must be charged before you can start your lawn mower.

• Disconnect engine battery connector

(male) from battery connector (female)

• Connect battery charger connector

(male) to battery connector (female).

• Plug battery charger into 110 volt A.C.

outlet.

• Leave battery charger connected for 24 hours before starting your engine for the

first time.

• After charging, connect engine connec-

tor (male) to battery connector (female).

Your engine has an integral alternator for partial charging. Connect your battery

charger to charge battery as required. IMPORTANT: The engine alternator will

not charge a discharged battery.

At the end of the mowing season the

battery should be charged for 48 hours to protect the battery during winter storage.

CAUTION: Always disconnect the engine connector (male) from the battery connector (female) to prevent accidental starting when transporting or storing your

lawn mower after the season.

Engine connector

(Male)

charger

Battery-

connector

(Female)

connector (Male)

KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER

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

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 their meaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST : SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER. KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence control

Key start switch

Cable clip

Grass catcher

Engine oilcap w/dipstick

Wheel adjuster lever

Mulcher

plug

• Gasoline cap

Mulcher door

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

without oil or gasoline in the engine, Housing

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commis- sion. The blade turns when the engine is running.

Operator presence control - 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 a cold engine•

Starter handle - used for starting the

Drive control bar - used to engage

power-propelled foward motion of lawn mower.

Mulcher plug - Located at the rear discharge opening must be removed when

converting to bagging operation.

Key start switch- used to start engine

engine•

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