Craftsman 917378551 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

JCRHFTSMRN°J

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

5.5 Horsepower Power-Propelled

21" Multi-Cut

Model No.

917.378551

• Espa5ol, p. 18

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rulesand Instructions before operating thisequipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears _m/craftsman

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

Safety Rules ....................................... 2-4

Product Specifications ........................... 4

Assembly / Pre-Operation ..................... 6

Operation .......................................... 7-10

Maintenance Schedule ........................ 11

Maintenance ................................... 11-14

Service and Adjustments ................ 14-15

Storage ........................................... 15-16

Troubleshooting .............................. 16-17

Repair Parts .................................... 34-43

Sears Service ........................ Back Cover

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship.

If this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This Warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower

blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank-

shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con- tained in the owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest Sears

Parts & Repair Center in the United States. This warranty applies only while this product is used 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, IL 60179

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw-

ing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious

injury or death.

/I, WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and

/LLook for this symbol to point out im-

portant safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!!

YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

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.

AWARNING" In order to prevent ac-

cidental starting when setting up, trans- porting, adjusting or making repairs, always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot contact plug.

_i, 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.

_,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of 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.

I. GENERAL OPERATION

• Road, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the

manual(s) before starting. Be thoroughly

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 dis-

charge 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 bare-

foot 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 ap- proved 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 mech-

anism 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. Vibra- tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety

glasses with side shields when oper- ating 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 cau-

tion. 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 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 ma- chine and the mowing activity. Neveras-

sume 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 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 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 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. Disconnectthe spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting.

• Keepnutsand bolts,especiallyblade attachmentbolts,tight andkeepequip-

mentin goodcondition.

• Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Check their properoperationregularly.

. Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or

other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel spill- age. 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 adjust-

ments while the engine (motor) is running.

Serial Number: Date of Purchase:

Gasoline Capacity/Type: 1.0 Quarts (Unleaded Regular) Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 10W30 Oil Capacity: 18.5 Ounces

Spark Plug (Gap: .030") NGK BPR6ES

Valve Clearance (± 0.04 mm): Intake: 0.015 mm; Exhaust: 0.020 mm

Blade Bolt Torque: 36-44 ft. Ibs.

• 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.

• De net change the engine governor set- ting or overspeed the engine.

o The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower

housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.

Repair Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart pur-

chase. Your new Craftsman® product is

designed and manufactured for years of dependable operation. But like all prod- ucts, it may require repair from time to time. That's when having a Repair Protec- tion Agreement can save you money and aggravation.

Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement now and protect yourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

Here's what's included in the Agreement:

• Expert service by our 12,000 profe-

sional repair specialists.

• Unlimited service and no charge for

parts and labor on all covered repairs.

• Product replacement if your covered

product can't be fixed.

• Discount of 10% from regular price of

service and service-related parts net covered by the agreement; also, 10% off regular price of preventive mainte-

nance check.

Fast help by phone - phone support

from a Sears technician on products

requiring in-home repair, plus conve- nient repair scheduling.

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all that it takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytime day or night, or schedule a service ap-

pointment online. Sears has over 12,000 professional repair

specialists, who have access to over 4.5

million quality parts and accessories. That's the kind of professionalism you can count on to help prolong the life of your

new purchase for years to come. Purchase your Repair Protection Agreement today!

Some limitations and exclusions apply.

For prices and additional information call 1-800-827-6655.

Sears Installation Service

For Sears professional installation of home appliances, garage door openers, water

heaters, and other major home items, in the U.S.A. call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

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

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING

DEFLECTORS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

-- STABILIZER

GAS

CANS

_\\ \\ FOR

\\ GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS AIR FILTERS SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS 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 assem-

bled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping

purposes. All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete the as-

sembly 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 thorougly for additional

loose parts.

Operator presence control bar

Mowing position

Lower handle

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

1. Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom.

Make sure the frame handle is outside

of the bag top.

2. Slip vinyl bindings over frame. NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold

them in warm water for a few minutes. If

bag gets wet, let it dry before using.

Catcher frame

handle

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 sec- tion locks into place in mowing position.

2. Remove protective padding, raise up- per 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 Adjust-

ments section of this manual.

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulcher. To convert to bag-

ging or discharging, see "TO CONVERT

MOWER" in the Operation section of this manual.

KNOWYOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALL 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

DR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

'Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

Starter handle

Handle knob

cap

vaIve lever

Air filter

Engine oil cap

with dipstick

cover

Muffle€

Wheel adjuster (on each wheel)

IMPORTANT," This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine. 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 Com- mission. 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. Starter handle - used for starting the engine.

Mulcher door - allows conversion to

discharging or bagging operation.

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

mower.

The operation of any lawn

mower can result in for-

eign 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 perform- ing any adjustments or repairs. We recom- mend standard safety glasses orawide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER ENGINE SPEED

Engine speed was set at the factory for opti-

mum performance. Speed is not adjustable. ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

• i,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.

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the

operator presence control bar down to the

handle and pushing the drive control lever

forward untilit clicks;then releasing thelever.

• Forward motion will stop when the op-

erator 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 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.

bar Drive

control

TO ENGAGE CONTROL DRIVE DISENGAGED CONTROL

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 ad- juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel

up or down to suit your requirements. Be

sure all wheels are in the same setting.

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

plate tabs.

LEVER BACKWARD

Plate tab

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging:

REAR BAGGING

• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and

place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins.

• To convert to mulching or discharging

operation, remove grass catcher and close rear door.

Pivot " Rear Grass

catcher

handle

Catcher frame hook

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Rear door must be closed.

• Open mulcher door and install dis-

charge deflector under door as shown.

• Mower is now ready for discharging

operation.

• To convert to mulching or bagging opera-

tion, discharge deflector must be removed and mulcher door must be closed.

Open

mulcher

8 _ door

Discharge deflector

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.

_._ Discharge deflector installed.

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without rear door closed, clipping deflector or approved grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

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 empty- ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.

Grass

ocatcher

frame

handle

Bag handle

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

ADD OIL

Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in the engine. For type and grade of oil to

use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance

section of this manual.

CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or it will smoke on startup.

1. Be sure lawnmewer is level.

2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.

3. You receive a container of oil with the unit. Slowly pour the entire container

down the oil fill spout into the engine.

4. Insert and tighten dipstick.

IMPORTANT:

• 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. See "TO

CHANGE ENGINE OIL' in the Mainte- nance section of this manual.

Gasoline

filler cap

Oil

cap

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.

Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. De not mix oil with gasoline. Pur-

chase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or

fuel. De net store, spill or use gasoline

9 near an open flame.

A CAUTION: 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. Empty 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 orcarburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

TO STOP ENGINE

• To stop engine, release operator pres- ence control bar. Wait until blade and

all moving parts have stopped and turn fuel valve to OFF position if you do not

intend to restart the engine soon.

OFF ,Choke lever

Fuel valve lever

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 prod-

uct and should be considered normal.

1. Be sure fuel valve is in the ON position.

2. Move choke lever to ON ( I",1)position.

3. Hold operator presence control bar down

tothe handle and pull starter handle quick-

ly.Do not allow starter rope to snap back. NOTE: The choke lever automatically begins moving to the OFF position when operator presence control bar is held

down to handle.

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 clip- pings. It may also be necessary to re- duce 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 cut- ting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast position.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can be- come 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 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 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 mowyourlawn istheearlyafternoon. Atthis time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.

• 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 grass, reduce your width of cut by overlap- ping previously cut path and mow slowly.

' MAX 1/3

• Certain types ofgrass and grass conditions may require that anarea be mulched a sec- ond time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across (perpendicular) 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

10 graining of the lawn.

MAINTENANCE BEFORE AFTER EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE

EACH EACH 10 25 HOURS 100

SCHEDULE use use HOURSORSEASO.HOURSSTORAGE

Check _or Loose Fastener's Clean I Inspecf Grass Catcher *

Check Tires Check Drive Wheels *** Clean Lawn Mower ****

Clean under Drive Cover *** Check Drive Belt/Pulleys ***

Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade

Lubrication Clean and Recharge Battery ** Check Engine Oil level

E Change Engine Oil

Clean Air Filter

Inspect Muffler

Replace Spark Plug

E Replace Air Filter Paper Car[ridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

* (if SOequipped)

** Electric Start mowers

*** Pewer_Prope//ed mowers

**** Use a scraper

to clean under deck

1 _Change mere often if operating under a heavy lead or in high outdoor temperatures, 2 _Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions, 3 _Replace blades mere often when mowing in sandy soil. 4 _Charge 48 hours at end of season,

5 _And after each 5 hours of use.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must

maintain unit as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit.

At least once a season, check to see if you should make any of the adjustments

described in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

• At least 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

• Check engine oil level.

• Check for loose fasteners.

LU BRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated

(See "LUBRICATION CHART").

LUBRICATION CHART

Mulcher

door hinge

Rear door

hinge

Handle bracket mounting pins

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 life of

the self-lubricating bearings. If you feel they

must be lubricated, use only a dry, powdered

11graphite type lubricant sparingly.

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per- forming 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.

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 Jnthe 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, Iocknuts, 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.

4. Put wheels back in place.

NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact a Sears or other

qualified service center.

3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op- posite 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 heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual.

Blade adapter Crankshaft

Key ..... keyway

Lockwasher

Blade

Blade bolt

washer

/ \ shaft

Trailing edge Blade adapter

BLADE CARE For best results, 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 Jtcannot

come in contact with plug.

2. Turn 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 hardware

(bolt, lock washer, hardened washer). NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter. The key must be Jngood condition to work properly. Replace adapter if damaged.

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position the blade adapter on the en- gine crankshaft. Be sure key Jnadapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

2. Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes Jnthe blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

your mower blade - but Jfyou do, be sure the blade is balanced.

Care should be taken to keep the blade

balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause

eventual damage to mower or engine.

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

• To check blade balance, drive 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 Js balanced, it should remain Jn

a horizontal position. If either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the

heavy end until the blade is balanced.

GRASS CATCHER

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

• Check your grass catcher often for dam- age or deterioration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-

ing, replace only with approved replace- ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual. Give the lawn

mower model number when ordering.

GEAR CASE

• To keep your drive system working 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 lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time

the lubricant needs attention is if service

has been performed on the gear case.

• If lubricant is required, use only ELF

MULTIS EP00. Do not substitute.

ENGINE

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems, which are being done at the customers expense, may be performed by any non-road engine

repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized

engine manufacturer's service outlet.

LU BRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with

API service classification SG-SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAEVISCOSITYGRADES

"F -20 0 30 3Q 40 80 80 1GO

"c.ao _ -lo o lo 2o 3o 4o

TEMPERATURE RANGEANTICIPATEDBEFORENEXTOIL CHANGE

NOTE: MultFviscosityoils (5W30, 10W30

etc.) improve starting in cold weather, and you should check your engine oil level fre- quently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil. Change the oil after every 25 hours of opera- tion or at least once a year if the lawn mower

is not used for 25 hours in one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five (5)

hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug

securely each time you check the oil level. TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

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

2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a 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 re- move any oil trapped inside of engine.

Oil filler cap/dipstick

limit

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

5. Fill engine with oil. The engine oil capadty is 18.5 oz. Ifoil is not completely drained

from engine, you may not need the entire

container of a 20 oz. bottle of oil. Slowly pour 3/4 of the oil from the container down the oil fill spout into the engine.

6. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle. Use guage on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking

level. Insert dipstickintothe tube and rest

the oil fill cap on the tube. DO NOT th read the cap into the tube when taking reading.

7. Continue adding small amounts of oil and rechecking the dipstick until it

reads full. DO NOT overfill, or engine

will smoke on startup.

8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick before starting engine.

9. Reconnect spark plug wire to 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 occurs first. 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 sur-

_il face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

CAUTION" Petroleum solvents, such as

kerosene, are not to be used to clean car-

tridge. They may cause deterioration of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not use

pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.

Filter

Tabs

Filter

Cover

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it

could create a fire hazard and/or damage.

SPARK PLUG

Replace spark plug 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 Jnthe "PRODUCT SPECIFIC- ATIONS" 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. _I,CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it

cannot come Jncontact with plug.

• Clean the underside of your lawn mower

by scraping to remove build-up of grass 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 short-

ened engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER

Clean under drive cover at least twice a season. Scrape underside of cover with

putty knife or similar tool to remove any build-up of trash or grass on underside of

drive cover.

_WARNING: Toavoid serious injury, before

performing any service or adjustments:

1. Release control bar 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 wire where it cannot

come in contact with plug.

LAWN MOWER TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector, attached between the

rear wheels of your mower, is provided to

minimize the possibility that objects will be thrown out of the rear of the mower

into the operator's mowing position. If the deflector becomes damaged, it should be

replaced.

TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT

1. Remove drive cover. Remove belt from gearcase pulley by pushing down on

pulley and rolling belt off it.

2. Turn lawn mower on its side with air filter and carburetor up.

3. Remove blade.

4. Remove debris shield.

5. Remove belt from engine pulley on crankshaft.

TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT

1. Install new belt on engine pulley.

2. Reinstall debris shield and blade.

3. Return mower to upright position.

4. Install new belt on gearcase pulley.

5. Reinstall drive cover. NOTE: Always use factory approved belt

to assure fit and long life.

Drive

cover Belt

PUSH DOWN

TO ADJUST HANDLE

The handle can be mounted in a high or

low position. The mounting holes in the bottom of lower handle are off center for

raising or lowering the handle.

1. Remove upper handle and all wire

tie(s) securing cable(s) to lower handle.

2. Remove hairpin cotters from lower

handle bracket mounting pin.

3. Squeeze lower handle in to remove it

from mounting pins.

4. Turn lower handle over to raise or

lower handle.

+ 30 hidden pages

Craftsman 917378551 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual