Craftsman 917378311 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

ICRAFT..TMAN"I

6.75 HORSEPOWER
22" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No,
917,378311

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• EspaSol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:
Read and followall

Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating thisequipment

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

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

Warranty............................................... 2

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

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

Operation.............................................. 6

Maintenance Schedule...................... 10

Maintenance....................................... 10

ProductSpecifications........................1t

Service and Adjustments....................14

Storage ...............................................16

Troubleshooting.................................17

Repair Parts........................................37

PartsOrdering..................... BackCover

LIMITEDTWO YEARWARRANTYON CRAFTSMAN POWERMOWER
Fortwo yearsfrom date ofpurchasa,when thisCraftsmanLawnMower ismaintained,

lubdcated,and tunedup accordingto theoperatingand maintenanceinstructionsin
the owner'smanual,Searswillrepairfree of chargeany defectin materialor workman-
ship.

IfthisCraftsmanLawnMoweris usedforcommemialorrental purposes,thiswarranty

appliesfor only90 daysfrom the date of purchase.
ThisWarrantydoes notcover:

• Expendableitemswhichbecomewornduringnormaluse, suchas rotarymower

blades, bladeadapters,belts, air cleanersand spark plug.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse or negligence,includingbent
crankshaftsand the failure to maintainthe equipmentaccordingtothe instructions

containedin the owner'smanual.

Warrantyserviceisavailableby returningthe Craftsmanpowermowerto the nearest

SearsServiceCenter/Departmentinthe UnitedStates.This warrantyappliesonly
whilethisproductisin use in theUnitedStates.
This Warrantygivesyou specificlegaldghts,and youmay also haveotherrightswhich

varyfrom stateto state.

SEARS,ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA,HOFFMAN ESTATES,ILLINOIS 60179

IMPORTANT: This cuttingmachineis capableof amputatinghandsand feet and
throwingobjects.Failureto observethe following safetyinstructionscould resultin

sedousinjuryor death.

I.GENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand, end follow all

instructions on 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

rotating parts. 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 notoperatethe mowerwhen

barefootor wearingopensandals.
Alwayswear substantialfoot wear.

• Do notpull mowerbackwardsunless

absolutelynecessary.Alwayslook
downand behind before and while

movingbackwards.

• Do notoperate themowerwithout

properguards,plates,grasscatcheror

othersafetyprotectivedevicesin
place.

• See manufacturer'sinstructionsfor

properoperationand installationof

accessories.Only use accessories

approved by the manufacturer.

• Stopthe blade(s)whencrossinggravel

drives,walks,or roads.

• Stopthe engine (motor)wheneveryou
leave the equipment,beforecleaning

the moweror uncloggingthechute.

2

• 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.
Always be sure of your footing: keep a

firm hold on the handle and walk; never

run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mocha-

nism or drive clutch on mowers so

equipped before starting the engine

(motor).

• If the equipment should start to vibrate

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

Vibration is generally a warning 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
not mow it.

DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes: 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 drep-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 if the operator

is not alert 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 trimming area
and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

• be aled 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

corners, 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 refuelirtg. 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 repairs with
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 regularly.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel

spillage. Allow machine to cool before
storing.

• Stop and inspect the equipment if you

strike 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 servicing them.

• Do not change the engine governor

setting or overspeed the engine.

_Look for this symbol to point out
important safety precautions, it means

CAUTION!tf BECOMEALERTl!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

_ WARNING: In order to prevent
accidental starting when setting up,

transporting, adjusting or making repairs,
always disconnect spark plug wire and

place wire where it cannot contact spark
plug.

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not

shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets 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.

_WARNING: Engine exhaust, some bf its
constituents, and certain vehicle compo-

nents contain or emit chemicals known to

the State of California to cause cancer

and birth defects or other reproductive

harm.
AWARNING: Battery posts, terminals and

related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds, chemicals known to the

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

Wash hands after handling.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASC CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

MULCHER KITS

FOR

I SiDE DISCHARGE

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

AIR FILTERS

4

STABlUZER

<f

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

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

assemble or operate your new lawn

mower.
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is
shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in

the engine.
Your new lawn mower has been as-

sembled at the factory with the exception

of those parts left unassembled for

shipping purposes. All parts such as nuts,

washers, bolts, etc., necessary to com-
plete the assembly have been placed in
the parts bag. 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.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

1. Remove loose parts included with

mower.

2. Cut down two end corners of carton

and lay end panel down flat.

3. Remove all packing materials except
padding between upper and lower

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

4. Roll lawn mower out of carton and
check carton thorougiy for additional

loose pads.

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables.

1. Raise handles until lower handle

section locks into place in mowing
position.

2. Remove protective padding, 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 comfod. Refer to "Adjust

Handle" in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual.

Operator I
control bar

Upper handle

Lift up

Mowing

Lower handle

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

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

bagging or 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, instalt
mulcher plug into discharge opening

of mower.

w_=tCAUTION:Do not run your lawn mower

hout mulcher plug in place or ap-

proved clipping deflector or grass catcher
in place. Never attempt to operate the

lawn mower with the rear door removed
or propped open.

Mulcher

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 controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future
reference.

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the

produot. Learn and understand their meaning,

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANI

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Enginezone controlcable

Operator presence control bar

\

Drive control lever

Starter handle

Grass catche

Mulcherplug

Engine oil

cap w/
dipstick

Gasoline cap

Primer

Housing

COVet

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is
shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in Wheet adjuster

the engine. (on each wheel)
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotarywalk-behind power lawn mowers conformto the safetystandards ofthe American
NationalStandards Instituteand the U.S. Consumer ProductSafety Commission. The blade

turnswhen the engine isrunninc_.
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

carburetor to the cylinder for use when

starting a cold engine.

Starter handle - used for starting the

engine.

Drive control lever - used to engage
power-propelled forward motion of lawn

mower.
Muleher plug - must be removed to

converttobegging or discharging

6 operation.

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,

HOW 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: 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 suit your requirements. Medium
position is 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 into hole in lever.

Also, g-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the

plate tabs. PlateTab

LowerWheelsfor HighCutr'-_LA_.J_IIF

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

1. Lift the rear door of the lawn mower
and place the grass catcher frame

side hooks onto the door pivot pins,

2, The grass catcher is secured to the

lawn mower housing when the rear

door 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.

Grass
catcher

handle

Pivot _, ... \ .

pins

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

1. Lift up on grass catcher using the

frame handle,

2. Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle,

3. Empty clippings from bag using both

frame handle and bag handle.

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

Bag handle

frame hook

(

Grass

frame

handle

., ar

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

DRIVECONTROL

• 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

releasing 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

against handle to continue mowing

without self-propelling.

• To keep drive control engaged when

turning corners, push down on handle
and liftfront wheels off ground while

turning lawn mower.

Operatorpresence controlbar

, _ control

To engage Drive control

drivecontrol disengaged

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL

Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. Engine holds 20 oz. of oil.

For type and grade of oil to use, see

"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 the
full line on the dipstick. Pour oilslowly.

Do not over fill.

NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate reading. To road proper level,

tighten engine oil cap, then remove it to

read the dipstick.

3. Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

• Check oil level before each use. Add

oil if needed. Fill to full line 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.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane Do not mix oilwith gasoline

Purchase fuel in quantities that can be

used within 30 days to assure fuet
freshne_

Drive

_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.

CAUTION: Fillto bottom of gas tank

filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe eft any
spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or

use gasoline near an open flame.

Engineoil cap Gasolinefillercap

TO START ENGINE

NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the

engine, a small amount of smoke may be

present during the initial use of the
product and should be considered

normal.

1. To start a cold engine, push primer

three (3) times before trying to start.
Use a firm push. This step is not

usually necessary when starting an
engine which has already run for a
few minutes.

2. Hold operator presence control bar
down to the handle and pull starter

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

TO STOP ENGINE

• 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. _t may also be necessary to

reduce ground speed and/or run the
lawn mower ever 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

(pushing 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: For best performance, keep
mower housing free of built-up grass and

trash. See "Cleaning" in 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 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

afternoon. At this time the grass has
dried and the newly cut area will not be

exposed to the direct sun.

• For best results, adjust the lawn mower
cutting height 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 pushing effort 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

conditions may require that an area be
mulched a second time to completely
hide the clippings. When doing a

second cut, mow across or perpendicu-
lar to the 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.

Max 1/3

9