Craftsman 917378170 Owner’s Manual

®

L 17,378 70

Assembly

° Operation
, Maintenance

° Service

OWNER'S MANUAL

\

. Adjustments
° Repair Parts

Caution:

Read and Follow

aHJSafety Ru_es
and instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

L rl1'° "I ...... II']l"1............................ '1...................i,¸'¸',l.....

SAFETY' RULES

& 0AUT'ON:ALWAY O,SOONNEOTS A KPLUOW,.EANOP O W,R W. °E,TO .NOTCONT CT R*&

RF_PAIRS.

iMPORTANT

SAFETY STAN DARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJU RY, 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 famitiar with

the controls and know how to operate your mower properly,

Learn how to quickty slop mower,

• Do not altow children to use your mower. Never altow adults
to use mower without proper instructions. :i::i_

• Keep the area of operation clear of alf person:s_i!_e_eciaHy
small children and pets.

, Use mower only as the manufacturer in_.er_d_i.and as de-,

scribed in this manual, ..:_i:i'!i ' .

• , ,' 0,:" '

o Do not operate mower _fit has been i.d..r0pp;edolr-damaged m

any manner, Always have damag._;rffpa;i_ed ' before using
your mower, : _':_i,;'

° Do not use accessory attach_entsthat ai;enot recommended

by the manufacturer, Us_i!iof_iSu,ch attachments may be
hazardous. ,:_:i::i:i":'_i:_:::::.i:_

° Be aware that the m_r-,blA_e turns when the engine is

running.

pREPARATION("_"_: ...........

• Always thorough!y check the area to be mowed and clear it of
all stones, sticks;;wires, bones, and other foreign objects.

These objects wilt 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.

Check fuel tank before starting engine. Do not fi_tgas tank
indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is hot,

Allow the .engine to coot for several minutes before filling the
gas tank. Clean off any spilled gasoline bdore starling 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 afirm hotd °

on 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, roads, and
any gravePcovered 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,
Fottow the procedure outlined above, then repair any dam-
age 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, Exces-
sive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine,
safely check for the cause ofvibration and repair as required.

Do not run the engine indoors, Exhaust fumes are danger-
ous.

o 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 tighlened properly.

o Check al_ bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for

proper tigt_tness to be sure mower is in safe working condi-
tion.

, Keep alt safety devices in place and v¢orking.
o To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves

or excessive grease and oil

o Check grass catcher often for deterioration and wear and

replace worn bags. Use onty replacement bags that are
recommended by and comply with specifications of the
manufacturer of your mower.

o

Always keep a sharp blade on your mower,
Aflow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

Never store mower with fueI 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 3"O POINT OUT _MPORTANT SAFE!rY PRECAUTIONS,IT MEANS _ATTENTIONS!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED_

2

CONGRATULATmONS on your purchase of a Sears
Craftsman Lawn Mower, It has been designed, engineered
and manufactured to give you the best possible de-

pendability and performance.
Should you experience any probtems you cannot easily

.........._medy, please contact your nearest Sears Service Cen-

,eriDepartment. Sears has competent, well trained tech-
nicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will

enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower
properly, Always observe the SAFETY RULES'.

PRODUCT SPECIFtCATHONS

HORSEPOWER: 3.5
DISPLACEMENT: 9.06 cu. in.

GASOLINE CAPACITY: 1.5 quarts

(Unleaded)

OIL (20 oz. Capacity): SAE 30 or

(SAE ! 0W30)

MODEL
NUMBER 917.378170

SERIAL
NUMBER

DATE OF
PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE
FOUND ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO THE REAR
OF THE LAWN MOWER HOUSING,

YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER
AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP tN A SAFE

PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

SPARK PLUG (GAP .030 IN.):

(0.76 ram)

VALVE CLEARANCE: Intake: .008 in.

Exhaust: .008 in.

SOLID STATE IGNITION

AIR GAP: .0125 in.

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 ft.-tbs.

Champion
RJ 19LM or

Sears z.t 33312
or STD 36t458

or STD 360950

MAINTENANCE AGREEM ENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this product. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.

CUSTOMER RESPONSiBiLiTIES

• Road and observe the safety rules.
Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower.

• Follow the instructions under "Maintenance" and "Storage" sections of this Owner's Manual.

LtMaTED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For one year 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 wil! 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 crankshafts and the failure to
maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained 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 tS 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/731CR-W SEARS TOWER, CHICAGO, IL 60684

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES ............................................. 2

PRODUCT SPECiFiCATiONS., ................ ,..... 3

CUSTOMER RESPONSiBiLiTiES ................. 3

WARRANTY ................................................... 3

LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES ................... 5

ASSEMBLY ......................................... ........... 5

OPERATION ................................................... 6

mNDEX

A

Accessories ............................................ 5

Adjustments:

Carburetor .................................. 13

Drive ControJ Cable ................... 12

Handle Height ............................ t3

Height of Cut .............................. 12

Air Filter:

Service ........................................ 11

Assembly:

Handle .......................................... 5

B

Blade:

Sharpening ................................. 10

Replacement .............................. 10

C

Controls'.

Operator Presence Control Bar .6

Dr_ve Control ............................... 6

Customer Responsibilities ................ 3

E

Engine:

Oi_Change ................................. 11

Oil Level ..................................... 11

Oil Type ...................................... 11

Starting ......................................... 8

Storage ....................................... 15

F

Fueh

Type .............................................. B

Storage ....................................... 14

Handle:

Adjustment ................................. 13

Assembly ..................................... 5

Lubrication:

Engine .......................................... 9

Discharge Guard Hinge Pin ........ g

Handle Bracket Mounting Pin ....9

Wheel Adjuster ............................ g

Brake Spring Bracket .................. 9

Maintenance:

Agreement .................................... 3

Air Filter ...................................... 11

Blade Care/Replacement .......... 10

Drive Wheels .............................. 10

Englne ........................................ 11

Lubrication ................................... g

Spark Plug .................................. tl

Mowing Tips ........................................ 8

Oil:

Engine .......................................... 8

Storage ....................................... 14

Operation:

Operating Lawn Mower ........... 6-8

ControlBar................................... 8

Throttle Control ........................... B

Operator Presence Control Bar ......... B

.Options:

Attachments .................................5

MAINTENANCE .............................................. 9

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS .................. 12

STORAGE ..................................................... 1_

TROUBLESHOOTING .................................. 23

REPAmR PARTS = LAWN MOWER ......... 15-1g

REPAIR PARTS =ENGINE ...................... 20-22

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ,BACK COVER

H

Repair Parts

Lawn Mower ........................... 15-19

Engine ................................... 2022

L

Responsibilities, Customer ............... 3

Safety Rules ........................................ 2

Service and Adjustments:

Carburetor .................................. 13

M

Drive Control Cable ................... 12

Drive Belt ................................... 12

Engine Speed ............................ 13

Handle ........................................ 13

Service Recommendations ................ 9

Spark Plug ......................................... 1'

Specifications ..................................... 3

Starting the Engine:

Drive Control ............................... 7

Stopping the Engine ........................... 8

Storage .............................................. 14

0

Throttle Control ................................ 13

Trouble Shooting Chart ................... 23

Warranty .............................................. 3

Wheels:

Wheel Adjusters .......................... B

P

R

S

T

W

4

LAWN MOWE

......_.heseaccessories were available when this lawn mower was produced, They are also available at most Sears retail o_,.ets,

catabg 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.

ACCESSO

[HGJNE

SPARKPLU_ MUFFLER

_ _ -- ©

AIR FILTER GASCAH

LAWNMOWERMAINTENANCE

8[LT

BLADE

ASS

Your lawn mower has been assembled at the factory.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON

° Remove loose parts included with mower.
o Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel

down flat,

o Remove all packing materials except padding be-

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

° Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton

thorougNy for additionaI loose parts.

m_

BL_#EAPAPTER

LY

OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR

UPPER HANDLE

LIFT UP

ENG|NEO_L

WHE[LS .

STASiLlZ[R

LAWNMOW[A COVER

{MOWING POSfT|ON

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig. 1)

o Raise handles until tower handle section tocks into

place in mowing position,

. Raise upper handfe section into place on lower handle,

remove protective padd{ng and tighten both handle
knobs,

Remove handle padding holding operator presence

contro_ 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.

LOWER HANDLE

FiG. 1

5

OP ATION

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER, Compare th_
illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location ofvarious controls and adjustments, Save this manual

for future reference.

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLBAR

DRIVE ANDZONECONTROL

STARTER HANDLE

HANDLE KNOB

CABLE CLIPS

PRIMER

DISCHARGE GUARD

,GASOLINE FILL CAP

ENGINE OiL CAP WITH DIPSTICK

DRIVE COVER

WHEELADJUSTER
(ON EACH WHEE_

HOUSING

FIG. 2

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 - must be held down
to the handle to start the engine. Release to stop the

engine.

STARTER HANDLE - used for starting the engine.
DRIVE CONTROL LEVER - used to engage power-pro-

pelled forward motion of lawn mower.

PRIMER - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor to the

cylinder for use when starting a cold engine,

6

OPERATION

...........:_OW 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: Federat regulations require
an engine controt to be installed on this

risk of blade contact injury. Do not un-
lawn mower in order to minimize the

de_ any circumstances attempt to de-
feat the function of the operator control,

The blade turns when the engine is

running.

• Your Iawn mower is equipped with an operator pres-
ence control bar which requires the operator to be

positioned behind the tawn mower handle to start and

operate the lawn mower.

DRIVE CONTROL (See F_go 3)

o Self-propelling is controfied by holding the operator

presence control bar down to the handle and pushing

the drive controt lever forward until it clicks; then

release the lever.

o Forward motion wiff stop when the operator presence

control bar is released. To stop forward motion without

: stopping engine, releasethe operator presence control

bar slightty until the drive control disengages. Hold
operator presence contro! bar down to handle to con-
tinue 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.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig, 4)

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

• Wheels are set in low cut for shipping. Adjust cutting

height to suit your requirements. Medium position is
best for most lawns.

, To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to-

ward wheel. Move wheeJ up or down to suit your
requirements. Be sure allwheels are in the same

setting.

OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR

DRIVE DRIVE

CONTROL CONTROL

TO ENGAGE DRIVE CONTROL

FIG. 3

LOWER WHEELS

FOR HiGH CUT

FIG. 4

RAISE WHEELS

FOR LOW CUT

7

OPERA 0

BEFORE STARTXNG ENGINE

OiL (See Fig. 5)

A 20 oz. bottle of Pennzoi] SAE 30 oil is included with your

new lawn mower.

• Remove engine oil cap and fill to the FULL line on the
dipstick.

o Use 20 ozs. of SAE 30 oit. SAE t0W30 oil can atso be

used.

• DO NOT use SAE t0W 40 oil.

• POUR OIL SLOWLY. DO NOT OVERFILL.
o Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed. Fill

to FULL fine On dipstick.

o To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap each time.
o Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

o After the first two (2) hours of mowing, change the oil,

and every 25 hours thereafter. You may need to
change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions.

GAS (See Fig. 5)

• Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean unleaded gasoline.
DO NOT USE PREMIUM GASOLINE. BE CAREFUL
NOT TO OVERFILL TANK.

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 for 30days 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.

GASOLINE FILLER CAP

ENGINE OIL CAP

W/DIPSTICK

FIG. 5

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.

o For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut

and raise the rear of the lawn mower housing one (1)
wheel adjuster setting higher than the front for better

discharge of grass.

• For side discharge mowers, cutting in a counter-clock
wise direction, starting at the outside of the area to b_.
cut, spreads grass clippings more evenly and puts less
load on the engine. To keep clippings off of walkways,

flower beds, etc., make the first cuts in a clockwise
direction.

, Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of

grass clippings and chaff. This wilt help engine air flow

and extend engine life.

TO START ENGINE

° To start a cold engine, push primer five (5) times

before trying to start. Use a firm push. This step is not
usually necessary when starting an engine which has

atready run for a few minutes.

o Hold operator presence control bar down to the handte

and putt starter handle quickly. DO NOT allow starter
rope to snap back.

o 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 primintg steps.

8