Craftsman 917378211 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

5.5 HORSEPOWER 21" MULTI-CUT

POWER PROPELLED

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.378211

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• EspaSol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and followall

Safety Rulesand Instructions before operatingthis equipment

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

Visit our Craftsman website: www,seam.com/craftsman

Warranty ................................................. 2 Product Specifications .......................... 12

Safety Rules ........................................ 2-4 Service and Adjustments................. 14-15

Assembly ................................................ 5 Storage ............................................ 15-16

Operation ........................................... 6-10 Troubleshooting .............................. 16-17

Maintenance Schedule ........................ 11 Repair Parts.......................................... 37

Maintenance .................................... 1%15 Parts Ordedng ........................ Back Cover

LIMITEDTWOYEAR WARRAN'[Y 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 instructionsin the owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workman-

ship. If this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty

appliesfor only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This Warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become worn dudng 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 crankshaftsand 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 productis in use inthe United States.

This Warranty gives you specific legal dghts, and you may also have other rights which varyfrom state to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA, Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60179

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwingobjects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could resultin

seriousinjury or death I, GENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand, and follow all instructionson the machine and in the

manual(s) before starting Be thor- oughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the machine before starting.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotatingparts. Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times.

Only allow responsible individuals, who are familiar with the instructions,to

operate the machine.

• Clear the area of objects such as

rocks,toys,wire, bones, sticks,etc.,

which could be picked up and thrown

by the 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 barefoot or wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial foot wear.

• Do not pull mower backwards unless absolutely necessary. Always look

down and behind before and while

moving backwards.

• Do not operate the mower without proper guards, plates, grass catcher or other safety protective devices in place.

• See manufacturer's instructionsfor proper operation and installation of

accassodes. Only use accessodes approved 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 uncloggingthe chute.

• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until the blade comes to complete stop

before removing grass catcher.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial

light.

• Do not operate the machine while

under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never operate machine in wet grass.

Alwaysbe sure of your footing: keep a

firm hold on the handle and walk; never

run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mecha-

nismor drive clutch on mowers so equipped before startingthe engine

(motor).

• If the equipment should start to vibrate

abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause.

Vibration is generally a waming of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety

glasses with side shields when operating mower.

I1.SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip

and fall accidents which can result in severe injury.All slopes require extra

caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do notmow it.

DO:

• Mow across the face ofslopes: 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 footing could cause slipping.

II1. CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur ff the operator

is notalert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the

machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where

you last saw them.

• Keep children out of the tdmming area

and under the watchfulcare 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 the machine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind

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

IV. SERVICE

• Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are flammable

and vapors are explosive.

-Use only an approved container.

-Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow

engine to cool before refueling. Do not smoke.

- Never refuel the machine indoors.

- Never store the machine or fuel

container inside where there is an open flame, such as a water heater.

• Never run a machine inside a closed

area.

• Never make adjustments or repairswith the engine (motor) running. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent acciden- tal starting.

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep equipment in good condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regulady.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debds build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool before

storing.

• Stop and inspect the equipment ifyou

stdke an object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting.

• Never attempt to make wheel height

adjustments while the engine (motor) 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 sewicing them.

• Do not change the engine governor

setting or overspeed the engine.

ALookforthissymboltopointout importantsafetyprecautions. It means

CAUTIONltl BECOMEALERTt!I YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

,&WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead

compounds, chemicals known to the State of Calitomia to cause cancer and birth

defects or other reproductive harm. Wash

,_ CAUTION: in order to prevent

hands after handling.

accidental starting when setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs,

always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot contact spark

plug.

,& 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 fromthese areas.

_I,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals

known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are 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

providethe model number of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not

apply to your lawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOVERS MULCHER KITS

GRASS CATCHERS GRASS CATCHERS

FOR FOR

REAR DISCHARGE SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS AIR RLTERS SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS ENGINE OIL

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

Read these instructionsand this manual

in its entirety before you attempt to

assemble or operate your new lawn

mower.

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shippedWITHOUT 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. All patts such as nuts,

washers, bolts, etc., necessary to com- plete the assembly have been placed in

the parts bag.To ensure safe and proper

operationof your lawn mower, all ports and hardware you assemble must be

tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM CARTON

1. Remove loose parts included with

mower.

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

3. Remove all packing marshals except padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

4. Roll lawn mower out of cartonand

check carton thorougly for additional loose parts.

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

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

I. Raisehandles until lowerhandle

section locks into place in mowing position.

2. Remove protective podding, raise

upper handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both handle

knobs.

3. Remove handle padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

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

JUST HANDLE" in the Service and

Adjustmentssection of this manual.

control bar Upper

Lift u

position

Lower handle

TO INSTALL AI"FACHMENTS

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

to bagging, see "TO CONVERT MOWER" in the Operation section of this manual.

KNOWYOUR LAWN MOWER READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND 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 literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUT1ON ENGINE ENGLNE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEPHANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF ANDFEET AWAY

ThrottLe/choke

Starter handle

Handle knob

Mulcher door

- Operator presence control bar

Ddve control lever

zone control cable

Gasoline filler cap

Airfilter

Fuel valve lever

Housing

Drive

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped Wheeladjuster WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine. (oneachwheel)

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 bar - must be held down to the handle to start the

engine. Release to stop the engine. Mulcher door - allows conversionto

discharging or bagging operation. Starter handle - used for starting the

engine.

Throttle choke/control lever - used for starting the engine; & allows you to select

either choke, fast or slow engine speed. Drive control lever - used to engage

power-propelled forward motion of lawn mower.

Theoperationofanylawn mowercanresultinforeign

objectsthrown into the eyes, which can result in

Alwayswear 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

ENGINE SPEED The engine speed is controlled by a

throttlecontrol located on the side of the upper handle. Choke position is for

starting a cold engine and fast position is for normal cutting,trimming, and better grass bagging. Slow positionis for light

cutting, trimming and fuel economy.

Choke/_ t, I// I I

/ ( ,,

severe eye damage.

Slow

Fast ..

ss....l \

III %" I II

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pushingthe drive

control lever forward until it clicks;then

releasing the lever.

• Forward motionwill stop when the

operator presence control bar is

released. To stop forward motion

without stopping engine, release the operator presence control bar slightly

untilthe drive control disengages. Hold operator presence control bar down against handle to continue mowing without serf-propelling.

• To keep ddve control engaged when

turning corners, push down on handle

and lift front wheels off groundwhile turning lawn mower.

\ \ Operatorpresencecontrolbar Drive

\ control

, ,-;, /

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

_,CAUTION: Federal regulations require an engine controlto be installed on this

lawn mower in order to minimize the dsk of blade contactinjury.Do not under any

circumstances attempt to defeat the functionof the operator control.The blade tums 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 suit your requirements. Medium positionis best for most lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze

adjuster lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your require-

ments. Be sure all wheels are in the

same setting. NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts intohole in lever. Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs.

LowerWheelsforHighCut Plat_Ta_

RaiseWheelsfor LowCut Lever

.TO CONVERT MOWER

Yourlawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. Toconvert to

bagging or discharging: REAR BAGGING

• Lif_rear door ofthe lawn mower and

placethe grass catcher frame books onto the door pivot pins.

• To convert to mulching or discharging

operation, remove grass catcher and close rear door.

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Rear door must be closed.

• Open mulcher door and install dis- charge deflector under guard as

shown.

• Mower is now ready for discharging

operation.

• To convert to mulching or bagging operation, discharge deflector must be

removed and mulcher door must be closed.

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN

CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER FOR MULCHING -

1. Rear door closed.

2. Mulcher door closed.

FOR REAR BAGGING -

1. Grass catcher installed.

2. Mulcher door closed. FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

1. Rear door closed.

2. Side discharge deflector installed. ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn

mower without rear door closed or approved grass catcher in place.

Never attempt to operate the lawn mower

with the rear door removed or propped open.

Pivot " Rear Grass

catcher

Open mulcher door

Discharge

Catcher frame hook

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE ADD OIL

Your lawnmowar is shipped without oil in the engine. Engine holds 18.5 oz. of oil

For type and grade of oil to use, sea "ENGINE" in Maintenance section of this

manual.

1. Be sure lawnmower is level and area around oil fill is clean.

2. Remove engine oil cap and fill to

upper limit mark on dipstick.Pour oil slowly. Do notover fill.

NOTE:Allowoiltosettledownintoengine

for accurate reading. To read proper level,

insertthe dipstickinto the tube and rest engine oil cap on the tube. Do not thread

the cap onto the tube. Remove and read the oil level.

3. Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed. Fillto upper limit mark on

dipstick.

• 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.

Gasoline

filler cap

cap

problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drainthe gas tank, start the

engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel

next season. See Storage Instructionsfor additional information. Never use engine

or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

A CAUTION: Fill tobottom of gas tank

filler neck. 0o not overfill. Wipe off any

spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE NOTE: Due to protective coatings onthe

engine, a small amount of smoke may be

present duringthe Initialuse of the product and should be considered

normal.

1. Turn fuel valve to ON position.

2. To start a cold engine, move handle

mounted throttle/choke control lever to

CHOKE position.

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

handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

4. Slowly move throttle control lever to

FAST position alter engine starts.

• To start a warm engine, move throttle controllever to FAST or SLOW position,

then follow steps above.

TO STOP ENGINE

• To stop engine, release operator presence control bar. Wait until blade

and all moving parts have stopped and turnfuel valve to OFF positionif you do

notintend to restartthe engine soon.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a mir_imum of

87 octane. Do not mixoil with gaso- line. Purchase fuel in quantitiesthat

can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

AWARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasahol 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

Fuel valve lever

MOWINGTIPS

• Under certain conditions,such as very

tall grass,it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effortand 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 cuttingconditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast position.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filted with dirt and dust with

use and catchers will collect less grass. To prevent this, regulady 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 forthe lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine

(blade) speed as this will provide the best recottingaction ofthe blades.

• Avoid cuttingyour lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interfereswith the mulching action.

The best time to mow yourlawn isthe

early afternoon. At this time the grass has dded and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun.

• For best results, adjustthe lawn mower

cuttingheight 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 pushingeffort and to

keep from overloading the engine and

leaving clumps of mulched grass. For

extremely heavy mulching, reduce your

width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

• Certain types of grass and grass conditionsmay require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicu-

lar tothe 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,

AS YOU COMPLETE /__'_0_ .....

Check for Loose Fasteners _ I_ Clean/Inspect Grass Catcher

IIfEquipped) 1#/ _ _,/

Clean Lawn Mower I,/ t/

_W! Clean Under Drive Cover

Power-Propefled Mowers)

Check drive belt/ ulleys

RE (Power_propelle_PMowers) t/

Check/Sharpen/Replace Bla_ IV/ :l

Lubrication Chart _ = _,/

Clean Battery/Rachar

Electric Start Mowe_ e I_4 11_4

E Check Engine Oil Level ¥/

_ Chan_e Engine Oil t/l_

Clean A_r Filter ll/ =

]_ Inspect Muffler

Clean or Replace Spark Plug

E Replace Air Filter Paper Cart ddge t/2

1 - Change more oftenwhen operatingund_ a heavybad or m high ambienttsmperaturN.

2 - Service more c41enwheatoperatinglit dlrlyor dustyconditions_

3. Replace _ades more often whe_ wowlr_ tnsandy sc_l. 4 - Chsrge 48 hcurs at end c4 season.

LUBRICA_ONCHART

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this lawn mower does

notcover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must maintain mower as

instructed in this manual. Some adjustments will need to be made periodicallyto properly maintain your

unit. All adjustments in the Service and

Adjustmentssection of this manual should be checked at least once each

-- -- -- J Rear door

season.

• 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.

• Follow the maintenance schedule in

this manual.

BEFORE EACH USE

1. Check engine oil level.

2, Check for loose fasteners. LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See 'LUBRI- CATION CHART").

(_) 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 llfe ofthe self-lubricat-

ing bearings. If you feel they must be lubricated, use only a dry, powdered

graphite type lubricant sparingly.

(_) Handle bracket mounting pins

ne oil

(_) Mulcher

door hinge

hinge

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

ERIALNUMBER:

DATE OF PURCHASE: GASOLINE CAPACITY/TYPE: 1.0 QUARTS UNLEADED REGULAR OILTYPE (API-SF-SJ): SAE 30 (ABOVE 32°F); SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F OIL CAPACITY: 18.5 OUNCES

SPARK PLUG (GAP: .030") NGK BPR6ES

BLADE BOLTTORQUE: 35-40 FT. LBS.

• The model and sedal numbers will be found on a decal attached to the rear ofthe

lawn mower housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in the space pmvidod above.

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when

performing any maintenance.

TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm

rubber.

• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE

For bestresults, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace bent or damaged

blades. TO REMOVE BLADE

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

come in contact with spark plug.

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

3. Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from

turning when removing blade bolt.

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

4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter- clockwise.

5. Remove blade and attaching hard- ware (bolt, lock washer and hardened washer).

NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and checkthe key inside hub of blade adapter. The key must be in good condi- tionto workproperly. Replace adopter if damaged.

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in

adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

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

withthe raised lugs on the adapter.

3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade

(opposite sharp edge) is up toward

the engine.

4. Install the blade bolt with the lock

washer and hardened washer into

blade adapter and crankshaft.

5. 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. Ibs.

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat treated.

TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE: We do not recommend sharpen- ing blade - but if you do, be sure the

blade is balanced. Care should be taken to keep the blade

balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower

or engine.

• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a gdnding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.

• To check blade balance, ddve 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.

Bladeadapter _ Crankshaft

Key-_ _ "_ keyway

BladeLockwasher

bolt Hardsnetl _ ' r _ _/,

12 washer Trailingedge Bladeadapter

GRASS CATCHER

• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used.

, Check your grass catcher often for

damage or deterioration. Through normal use itwill wear. If catcher

needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model

number when ordering.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check front drive wheels each time

before you mow to be sure they move freely.

The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings,etc. are in the drive

wheel area and must be cleaned to free

drive wheels. If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be

sure to clean both front wheels.

1. Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and

washers.

2. Remove wheels from wheel adjusters,

3. Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the dust cover, pinion and/ or drive wheel gear teeth.

_-. Put wheels back in place. NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels

do not turn freely, contacta Sears or other qualified service center.

GEAR CASE

, To keep your drive system woridng

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 isfilled with lubricantto

the proper level at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs attention is if

service has been performed on the gear case.

, If lubricantis required, use onlyTexaco

Starplex Premium 1Grease, Part No.

750369. Do not substitute.

ENGINE LUBRICATION

Jse only high quality detergent oil rated

NlthAPI service classificationSF-SJ. Select the oil's SAE viscositygrade acoording to your expected operating

emperature.

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc,) improve starting in

cold weather, these multi-viscosityoils will result in increased oil consumption

when used above 32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil.

Change the oil after every 25 hours of operationor at least once a year if the lawn mower Is not used for 25 hours in

one year. Check the crankcase oil level before

startingthe engine and after each five (5) hours of continuoususe. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil

level. TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, drain 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 spark plug.

2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on e

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 remove any oil trapped inside of

engine.

4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine.

5. Fill engine with oil. (See =ADD OIL" in the Operation section of this manual.)

6. 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

occursfirst. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

1. Remove cover.

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat surface. If very dirty, replace cadddge,

_CAUTION: P_roleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to clean

cartridge.They may cause detedoration of the cartridge. Do not oil cartddge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartddge.

4. Install cartddge, then replace cover.

MUFFLER Tabs Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it

could create a fire hazard and/or dam- age.

SPARK PLUG

Replace spark plugs 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 "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"

in Maintenance section of this manual.

CLEANING IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built.up 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 contactwith the spark plug.

• Clean the underside of your lawn

mower by scraping to remove build-up ofgrass and trash.

• Clean engine often to keep trash from accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life.

• Keep finished surfaces and 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 shortened engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under ddve cover at least twice a

season. Scrape underside of cover with puttyknife or similar toolto remove any build-upof trash or grass on underside of drive cover.

ACAUTION: Before performingany service or adjustments:

1. Release controlbar and stop engine.

2. Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.

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

LAWN MOWER TO ADJUST CUI"RNG HEIGHT See "1"OADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in

the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector, attached between the

rear wheels of your mower, is providedto

minimize the possibilitythat objects will be thrown out of the rear of the mower

intothe operator mowing position. If the deflector becomes damaged, it should be

replaced.

TO REMOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT

1. Remove ddve cover. Remove belt

from gearcase pulley by pushing down on pulley and rollingbelt off it.

2. Turn lawn mower on its side with air

filter and carburetor up.

3. Remove blade.

4. Remove debds shield.

5. Remove belt from engine pulley on

crankshaft.

6. Install new belt by reversing above

steps.

7. Always use factory approved belt to assure fit and long life.

{:)rive cover

Push

TO ADJUST HANDLE The upper handle may be adjusted to

four (4) different height positions.

1. Loosen both handle knobs only enough to allow the upper handle to pivot to the desired adjustment position.

2. Tighten both handle knobs securely.

Handle

knob

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

1. Put grass catcher frame intograss bag with rigidpart of bag on the bottom.

Make sure the frame handle isoutside

of the bag top.

2.Slip vinyl bindings over frame.

NOTE: If vinyl bindingsare too stiff,hold

them in warm water for a few minutes. If

bag gets wet, let it dry before using. _.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.

ENGINE ENGINE SPEED Yourengine speed has been factoryset.

Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may resultin personal injury, if you believe that the engine is running too fast or too slow, take your lawn mower to a Sears or other qualified service center for repair and adjustment.

CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENTS

The carburetor on your engine is low

emission. The idle mixture screw isfitted

with a limiter cap that prevents excessive

enrichment of the air-fuel mixture in order

to comply with emissions regulations and

is not adjustable.

Do not attempt to remove the limiter cap to make adjustments. The limitercap cannot be removed without breaking the

idle mixture screw.

IDLE SPEED SETTING - Adjustment will require the assistance of

an additional person to hold down the operator presence control bar.

1. Start engine and allow to warm for five

minutes.

2. With throttle control lever in slow

position, engine should idle at 2100 RPM. If engine idles too slowor fast, turnthrottle stop screw in or out until

correct idle is attained.

IMPORTANT: Never tamper with the engine governor, which is factory set for

proper engine speed. Overspeeding the engine above the factory high speed setting can be dangerous. If you think the engine-governed high speed needs adjusting, contact a Sears or other qualified service center, which has proper equipment and expedanca to make any necessary adjustments.

Throtfie stop screw

Catcher frame

Lirniter cap

Frame

ppening15

+ 33 hidden pages

Craftsman 917378211 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual