Craftsman 917378420 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

iCRnFTSMnN°I

6.75 HORSEPOWER
21" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED
ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.378420

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• EspaSol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment

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

Visit our Craftsmanwebsite:www.sears.com/cmftsman

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

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

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

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

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

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

LIMITEDTWOYEAR 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 workman-

ship.

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

Product Specifications ........................ 11

Service and Adjustments .................... 13

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

Troubleshooting ................................. 16

Repair Parts ........................................ 35

Parts Ordering ..................... Back Cover

IMPORTANT= This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death.

I.GENERAL OPERATION •

• Read, understand, and 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.

• Crear the area of objects such as °
rocks, toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc.,

which could be picked up and thrown
by the blade. 2

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 instructions for

proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use accessories

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 unclogging the 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.
Always be sure of your footing: keep a

firm hold on the handle and walk; never

run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mecha-
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.

II. 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.

_bONOT:

• 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.

III. 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

resi_onsible 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 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
stodng.

• 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 reptace with
manufacturer's recommended parts,

when necessary.

• Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wrap the bLade(s) or wear groves, and

use extra caution when servicing them.

• Do not change the engine governor

setting or overspeed the engine.

3

_Look for this symbol to point out
important safety precautions. It means

CAU'TION!!! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

_. CAUTION: 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.

_,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.

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,

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 from these areas.

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.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR o.,_.v..._.., j

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS STABILIZER

REAR DISCHARGE SleE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS LAWN MOWERS

GAS CANS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS AIR FILTERS SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS SNGINE OIL

4

these instructions and this manual

;n 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 unassambled 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
lightened 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 fiat.

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 thorougly for additional

loose parts.

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 comfort. Refer to "Adjust

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

Operator

controlbar

Upper handle

Lift up

Mowing

Lower handle

5

KNOWYOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND 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

product. Learn and understand their meaning.

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

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Enginezone controlcable Operator presencecontrolbar

Drive control lever

Starter

Handle knob

Grass catchq

Gasolinecap

Housing

cover

Engine

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

the engine. (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 Commis-
sion, The blade turns when the engine is running,

Operator presence control bar - must Starter handle - used for starting the
be held down to the handle to start the engine.

engine, Release to stop the engine, Drive control lever - used to engage
Primer - pumps additional fuel from the power-propelled forward motion of lawn

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

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
ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not

adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

ACAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to be installed on this

lawn mower inorder 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 _ever toward wheel. Move

wheel up or down to suit your require-
ments. Be sure all wheels are in the

same setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is property positioned
when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.

Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positioned between the

plato tabs. Plate Tab

Lower Wheels for High Cut / ,td L

TO CONVERT MOWER
Yourlawn mower was shippedready to be

used as a mulcher. To convertto begging :

REAR SAGGING

• Liftreardoorof the lawn mower and place

the grasscatcher frame hooksonto the
door pivotpins.

• To convert to mulching operation, remove
grass catcher and close rear door.

_I,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 I_ropped open.
Pivot

Grass catcher
handle

Catcher frame
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

1. Open door and 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 notdrag the bag when

emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

Bag catcher frame

handle handle

_ Lever

RaiseWheels for Low Cut

7

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding

thO 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 lift front wheels off ground while

turning lawn mower.

Operator presencecontrolbar

/x

Drive

-- cootrol

_i:_tro,

drive control"" 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 oil slowly.

Do not over fill.

NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate reading. To read 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 gaso-
line, 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.

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.
Engineoilcap Gasolinefiller cap

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.

MOWINGTIPS

• Undercertainconditions,such as very

tan 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
(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 MOWINGTIPS
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 recur

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 biodegrede 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 iswet.
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.

,_,;_,_,,_'_'_-__'_ Max1/3

9