Craftsman 917377971 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

rRRFTXMRNo

6.75 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT

POWER PROPELLED
ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377971

• 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

Safety Rules
Assembly

Operation i

Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance

2 Product Specifications 12
2 Service and Adjustments 15
4 Storage 16

6 Troubleshooting 17

11 Repair Parts 37
11 Parts Ordering Back Cover

LIMITED TWO.YEAR WARR/_NTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER
For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained,

lubricated, and tuned Up _ccot_ing to the operating and maintenance instructionsin the
owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect inmaterial or workmanship.
If this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercialor rental purposes, this warranty
applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This Warranty doesnot 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 ot_el"atorabuse or negligence, includingbent crank-
shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructionscon-

tained inthe owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest
Sears Service Center/Department inthe United States. This warranty applies only while

this productis 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 pres-
ence controls to minimize the risk of injury.
Your unit is equipped with such controls.
Do not attempt to defeat the function ofthe

operator presence controls under any
circumstances.

TRAINING:

• Read this operator's manual carefully.

Become farrullarwith the controls and know
how to operate your mower pmpedy. Leam

how to quickly stop mower.

• Do not allow children to use your mower.

Never allow adults to use mower without
proper instructions.

• KesptJ_ _ of _ c_of aln

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.

Alwayshave damage repairedbeforeusing
yourmower.

• Do not use accassery_t_chments thatare

notrecommendedbythe manufacturer.
Useofsuchattachmontsmaybe hazard-

ous,

• The bladetumswhentheengine,isrunning.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to be
mowed and dear 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

• Checkfueltank beforestarlingangine. Do
notfll gestank indoors,when theengine is

runningorwhenthe engineishot. Allowthe
engineto coolforseveralminutes before
tillingthe gastank. Clean offany spilled

gasolinebeforestartingthe engine.

• Alwaysmake whealheigl_ adjustments

beforestartingyourmower, Neverattempt
todo thiswhilethe engineis running.

• Mow onlyindayfightor goodert_cial light.
OPERATION:

• Keepyoureyes andmindon yourmower
andthearea beingcut. Do notletother

interestsdistractyou.

• Do notmowwet orslipperygrass. Never
runwhileoperatingyour mower. Alwaysbe

sureofyourfooting- keep a firmholdonthe
handlesand walk.

• DOnotputhandsorfeet nearorunder
rotatingparts. Keep clearof thedischarge

openingat alltimes.

• Alwaysstopthe enginewhenever youleave
or ere notusing yourmower, or before

crossingdriveways,walks, roads,and any

gravel-coveredareas.

• Never directdischargeofmaterialtoward
bystandersnor allowanyone neer the

mower while you are operatingit.

• Beforecleaning,inspecting,or repairing

yourmower,stopthe engineand make
absolutelysurethe bladeand all moving
partshave stopped. Then disconnectthe
sparkplugwireand keep itawayfromthe

sparkplugto preventaccidentalstarting.

• Do notcontinue torunyourmowerifyouhit
a foreign object. Followthe procedure

outlinedabove,then repairany damage
beforerestartingand operatingyour mower.

• Do notchangethegovemorsettingsor
overspeedtheengine. Enginedamageor

personalinjury'mayresult.

• DOnotoperateyour mower if itvibrates
abnormally.Excessivevibrationis an
indicationof damage; stop the engine,
sefeiy checkforthecause ofvibrationand
repairas required.

• Do not runthe engine indoors.Exhaust
fumesam dangerous.

• Nevercutgrassbypullingthe mower

towardsyou. Mow acrossthefaceof

slopes, neverupand downoryoumight
Iceeyour footing.DO notmow excessively
steepslopes, Use cautionwhenoperating

the mower onuneventerrainor when
changingdirections- maintaingoodfoot;ng.

• Neveroperateyour mowerwithoutproper
guards,plates,grasscatcher or othersafety

devicesin 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.

• Keepall safety devices in place and

working.

• To reduce tire hazard, keep the engine free
of grass, leaves or excessive grease and oil.

• Check grass catcher often for deterioration
and wear and replace worn begs. Use only

replacement bags that are recommended

by and comply with specifications of the
manufacturer of your mower.

• Al,._yskeep a sharpbladeon yourmower.

• Allow engine to cool before storingin any
enclosure.

• Never store mower with fuel inthe tank

inside a building where fumes may reach an

open _larne or an ign_on source such as a

hot water heater, space heater, clothes
dryer, etc.

3J_Look for t.h!ssymbol to point out
imponan[ safety precautions. It means
CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

pI_CAUTION.: ,Always dis.connect spark

ug wire ano place wire wnere it cannot

contact spark plug in order to prevent

accidental starting when setting up,

transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

WARNING: The engine e.xha.ustfrom
this proauct contains cnemicals Known to
the State of California to cause cancer,

birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

3

'ere not

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

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

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS

FOR FOR

REAR DISCHARGE '_ SIDE DISCHARGE

G SCATC,E.S O DATCNE.S

LAWN MOWERS i LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

MUFFLERS

BLADE AD_RS I

BUSES

Read these instructions and this manual in
itsentirety 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 unassemblad 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 fiat.

AIR RLTERS

WHEELS 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.

SPARK PLUGS

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 padding, raise upper
handle section into place on lower
handle and tighten both handle knobs.

• Remove any packing material from
around control bar.

4

• 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

Li_ up

Mowing

posRion

Handle
pin

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

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 BATTERY

NOTE: Yourbattery 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 firsttime.

• 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.

e_ncCnAeUTInOnN:Always disconnect the
e g" co ector (male) from the battery

connector (female) to prevent accidantal
startingwhen transporting or storing your

lawn mower after the season.

Engine

connector
(Male) \ . "

charger

_ Battery
_'_ Battery

•charger

_/_'/_-'_ \ _:_nector

connector

(Fettle)

5

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN

MOWER. Compare the illustrationswith 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 Iitersture 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

Speed control lever

Auxiliary Starter Cable clip
handle

Grass catcher

Engine oil cap w/dipstick

Wheel adjuster
lever

Mulcher

plug

Gasoline cap

Mulcher door

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

without oil or _asoline in the en_line. 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.

Auxiliary Starter handle - used for

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

starting the engine,

6

Theoper_onofanylawn mowercan resultin

foreignobjectsthrownintotheeyes,whichcan

resultinsevereeye damage. Always wear
safe,_yglassesor eyeshieldswhile operating

yourlawnmower orperforminganyadjust-

meritsor repairs. We recommenda wide

visionsafetymaskoverspectaclesorstandard

safetyglasses.

HOWTO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory for

optimum performance. Speed is not adjust-
able.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

A

_CAUTION: Federal regulaUensr_luire

an enginecontrolto be insr_isd onthis lawn
mower inorderto minimizethe riskofblade

contactinjury.Do notunderany
circumstancesattempttodefeatthe function

ofthe operatorcontrol.The bbde turnswhen
the engine is running.

• Your lawn mower is equippedw_ an
operatorpresence centralbar which

requiresthe operatorto be pos'dioned

behindthelawnmower handletostartand

operate the lawnmower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

• Allfourwheelsareadjustedby a single

lever.

• Pulladjusterlevertowardwheel.To raise
mower,move leverforwardtodesired

position.To lowermower,move thelever
towardtherear.

Lower Wheels for high cut

Lever

Raise Wheels for low cut

GROUND DRIVE SPEEDS

Your lawn mower provides multiple speeds

to let you select the speed that suits you
best.

• Lower speeds are for slow, heavy/thick
grass cutting or trimming.

• Medium speeds are for normal grass
cutting or trimming.

• High is for light cutting and for ground
transport.

NOTE: Do not move speed control lever
unless the engine is running

TO OPERATE DRIVE SYSTEM

• With engine running, select ground

speed by moving speed control lever to
desired position.

• To start forward motion, pull drive

control bar back against handle.

• To stop forward motion, release drive

control bar.

IMPORTANT: Always keep drive control
bar fully engaged against handle when in

use.

Speed control

lever

Operator presence

Drive control controlbar

engaged _ \_,_/_

':_:)::"Drive CO_ i_:"

disengaged

TO CONVERT MOWER

Yourlawnmowerwas shippedreadytobe
usedas a mulcher.Toconvertto baggingor
discharging:

REAR BAGGING-

. Open reardoorand remove mulcherplug.

Storemulcherplugin a safeplace.

• To convertto mulching ordischarging

operation,instaJlmulcherplugintorear
dischargeopeningofmower.

SIDE DISCHARGING-

• Rear door must be open.

• Open mulcher door and installdischarge

detlector underguard as shown.

• Mower is now ready for discharging

operation.

• To convert to mulching or bagging opera-
tion, discharge deflector must be removed

and mulcher door must be dosed.

7

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER

WHENCONVERTINGYOURLAWN

MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

• Rear muleher plug installed.

• Mulcher door dosed.

FOR REAR BAGGING -

• Rear mulcherplug removed.

• Grass catcherinstalled.

• Mulchardoorclosed.

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

• Rear muld'_r plug instalk_.

• Side di_ deflectorinstalled.
_CAUTION: Do not.run.y_.r lawn mower

withoutrear mulcherp=ug=np_aceor

approvedgrasscatcherin place.
Never attemptto operatethe lawnmower with

the rear door removedor proppedopen.

_CAUTION: Do not.runyour lawn .mower

without rear mulcherplugor approvea grass
catcherinplace. Neverattemptto operatethe

lawnmowerwiththe rear doorremovedor
propped open.

•door

slots Grass

handle

Catcher frame

hook

• Liftupon grasscatcher usingtheframe

handle.

• Remove grasscatcherwith clippingsfrom
under lawn mower handle.

• Emptyclippingsfrom bag usingbothframe

handleand bag handle.

NOTE: Do notdragthe bagwhen emptying;
itwill cause unnecessarywear.

Mulcher

Mulcher door

Open

mulcher door

Discharge deflector

TO AI"rACH GRASS CATCHER

• Lift the rear door of the lawn mower and
place the grass catcher frame hooks into

the slots of the rear door.

• The grass catcher is secured to the lawn

mower housing when the rear door is
towered onto the grass catcher 'frame.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL

Your lawn mower is shippedwithoutoilinthe
engine.

• Be sure mower islevel andarea aroundoil
fillis dean.

• Remove engineoilcap and fillto the_11

lineon the dil_Ck.

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

• Engineholds 27 ozs.of oil. Fortype and

gradeof oilto use, see"ENGINE" in
Maintenancesectionofthis rnadual.

• Pouroil slowly. Do notover fill.

• Check oillevelbeforeeach use. Adcloilif

needed. Filltofulllineon dipstick.

• To read properlevel, 'dghtenengine oil cap

each time.

• Reinstallengine oil cap and tighten,

• Change the oilafterovery 25 hoursof
operationor each season. You may need
to change the oil more often underdusty,

dirty conditions.

8

GAS

• RIIfuel tank. Usefresh, dean, regular
unleaded gasolinewith a minimum of 87

octane. (Use of leaded gasolinewill

increasecarbonand lead oxide deposits
and raduce valvelife). Do not mixoilwith

gasoline. Purchasefuel inquantitiesthat
can be usedwithin30 daysto assurefuel

frashnees.

_WARNING: Ex_'.ence indicatesthat

alcoholblendedfu_;is(calledgasoholor

usingethanolor methanol)canattract

moisture whichleads to seperationand

formation ofacidsduringstorage. Acidicgas

candamage the fuel systemof an engine
while in storage. To avoid engine problems,
the fuel systemshould be emptied before

storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas
tank, startthe engineand let it run until the
fu_ lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh
fuel next season. See StorageInstructions for

additionalinforma_on. Never use engine or

carburetorcleaner productsinthe fuel tankor
permanentdamage may occur.

Gasoline

filler cap

oilcap

TO START ENGINE

• To starta coldengine,pushprimerthree(3)

timesbefore tryingtostart. Usea _rm push.

Thisstep isnotusuallynecessarywhen
startingan enginewhichhas aJreadyrunfor

a few minutes.

• Move engine speedcontrol leverto fast

positJen.

• Hoid operatorpresenoe controlbardown to

the handle.

• Turn electdcstartkey olockwiseto crank

engine.

IMPORTANT: Do notcrankenginemorethan
fivecontinous secondsbetween each timeyou

tryto start. Wait 5 to 10 secondsbetween

each attempt.

• To startengine using the auxiliarystarter
handle,followthe steps above. Exchange

the useofthe startkeyfor starterhandle.

Pullstarterhandlequickly.Do notallow
starterropeto snapbask.

• To stopengine,releaseoperator presence
control bar.

NOTE: In coolerweatherit may be necessa_
to repeat priming steps. Inwarmer weather

over priming may causeflooding end engine
will notstart. If you do tk_edengine waita few
minutes before attempting tostart and do not

repeat priming steps.

9