Craftsman 917377981 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

CRI:IFTXMRN°

6.75 HORSEPOWER
22" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED
ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.377981

• 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 corn/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 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 operator

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.

• 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 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

2

when mowing.

• 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 itvibrates
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.

_&Look for this symbol to point out

tmportant safety precautions. It means

CAUTION!!t BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

41_CAUTION: ,Always disconnect spark

plug wire ano 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.

3

Theseaccessorieswere available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not

shipped with your mower. They are also available at mostSears retailoutletsandservice
centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair pads for you, when you providethe model

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

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOW,ERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MULCHER KITS

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

FOR

GAS CANS

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS

Read these instructionsand this manual in its

entiretybefore you attempt to assemble or

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

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe engine.

Your new lawn mower has been assembled
at the factory with the exception of those parts

left unessembled for shipping purposes. All
pads such as nuts,washers, bolts, etc.,

necessary to complete the assembly have
been placed in the pads bag. To ensure safe
and proper operation of your lawn mower, all

pads and hardware you assemble must be

tightened securely. Use the correct tools as

necessary to ensure proper tightness.

AIR FILTERS

WHEELS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

TOREMOVELAWNMOWERFROM

• 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 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.

4

HOWTO SETUPYOUR LAWNMOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefullyso as

not to pinch or damage controlcables.

• Raise handles untillower 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 control

Upper handle

bar _L p//_,/

Lift up ift u Mulcher plug

/ &CAUTION: Do not run your lawn

-:_'_-__!w_ng approved clipping deflector or grass

TO INSTALL A'I'rACHMENTS

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

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.

- ':_::_:-::.:_-_ operate the lawn mower with the rear

Lower handle

_._.-_ position catcher in place. Never attempt to

mower without mulcher plug in place or
door removed or propped open.

5

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

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

location of various control_ and adiustmen _. Save thi_ manupl for f_re reference.

These symbols may appear on your lawn moweror in literaturesuppliedwitha'teprodluct.Learnand
understandtheir meaning.

CAUTION ENGrNE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone control cable

Operator presence control bar

\

Drive control lever

Starter handle

Handle knob

Engine oil

Mulcher plug

cap w/
dipstick

Housing

//- Drive cover

Gasoline cap

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 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

Drive control lever - used to engage power-

propelled forward motion of lawn mower.

Mulcher plug - must be removed to convert to
bagging or discharging operation.

carburetor to the cylinder for use when starting
a cold engine.

Starter handle - used for starting the 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
ENGINESPEED

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.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut.

• Adjust cutting height to suityour require-
ments. Medium position is best for most

lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster

lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or
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.

TO ATrACH GRASS CATCHER

• Close the lifttop lid. Lifttop lidmust be
closed while operating lawn mower.

• Liftthe rear door on the mower housing

and place the grass catcher frame ontothe
formed tabs on the rear door hinge

bracket.

• The grass catcher is secured to the lawn
mower housing when the reardoor 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 "_-_

Rear door

Grass catcher
frame

Formed
tabs

TOEMPTYGRASSCATCHER

• To remove grass catcher, release operator
presence control bar to stop engine.

• Liftup rear door and remove the grass
catcher by the handle.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when
emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

Plate Tab

LowerWheels for HighCUtr..._=_

@

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 control 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. (Use of leaded gasoline will
increase carbon and lead oxide

deposits and reduce valve life). 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 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. 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 for

additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel

tank or permanent damage may occur.

A_,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.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped withoutoilin the

engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is clean.

• Remove engine oilcap and fillto 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

"gradeof oilto use, see "ENGINE" in

Maintenance sectionof this manual.

• Pour oilslowly. Do not over fill.

• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if
needed. Fillto full line on dipstick.

• To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap

each time.

• Reinstallengine oil cap and tighten.

• Change the oilafter every 25 hours of

operationor each season. You may need
tochange the oilmore often under dusty,
dirtyconditions.

Gasoline

filler cap

-- Engineoil cap

i

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before tryingto start. Use a firm

push. This step is not usuallynecessary

when startingan engine which has already

runfor a few minutes.

• Hold operator presence controlbar down to
the handle and pullstarter handle quicldy.

Do notallow starter rope to snap back.

• To stop engine, release operator presence

control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In

warmer weather over priming may cause
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: Forbest performance, keep
mower housing free of built-upgrass and

trash. See "Cleaning" inMaintenance section

of thismanual.

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
biedegrade 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 driedand the newly
cut area will not be exposed to the direct

sun.

For best results, adjust the lawn mower

cuttingheight so that the lawn mower cuts

offonly the top one-thirdof the grass blades.
Ifthe lawn isovergrown itwillbe necessary

to raise the height of cutto reduce pushing
effortand to keep fromoverloadingthe
engine and leaving clumps of mulched

grass. For extremely heavy mulching,

reduce your width ofcut by overlapping

previouslycut path and mow slowly.

C,edain types of grass and grass conditions
may requirethat an area be mulched a

second time to completely hide the
clippings. When doing a second cut, mow
across or perpendicular to the firstcut path.
Change your cuttingpettem fromweek to

weak. Mow northto south one week then

change to east to west the nextweek. This
will help prevent matting and grainingof the

lawn.

/3

9