Craftsman 917378772 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

ICR.FTSM.Wl

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

7.0 Horsepower Power-Propelled

21" Rear Discharge

Model No.

917.378772

CAUTION:

Read and followall

Safety Rules and Instructions beforeoperating this equipment

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

Visit our Craftsman website.'www.sears.eorn/eraftsman

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

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

Assembly / Pre-Operation ..................... 5

Operation ............................................ 6-9

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

Maintenance ................................... 10-13

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

Service and Adjustments ................ 13-14

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

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

Repair Parts .................................... 35-43

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 Service Center/Department 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, Illinois 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.

_Look for this symbol to point out

important safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

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

_, CAUTION: Always disconnect spark

hands after handling.

plug wire and place wire where it cannot contact spark plug in order to prevent

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

_, CAUTION: Muffler and other engine parts become extremely hot during

operation and remain hot after engine has stopped. To avoid severe burns on contact,

_,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its

stay away from these areas.

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

• Read, 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.

U. 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.Tal_ 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. Never as-

sume that children will remain where you last saw them.

• Keep children out of the tdmming area and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

• Before and whi_ewalking 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 be{ore 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 accidental starting.

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-

ment 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 ifyou 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 set- ting or overspeed the engine.

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 ser- vice 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

DEFLECTORS

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

I.AWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

FOR

STABILIZER

FOR

I SIDEDISCHARGE

AIR RLTERS

GRASSCATCHERS

LAWNMOWERS

SPARK PLUGS

BLADES

U_.OE AOAP'rERS _n.4_-_

ENGINEOIL

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.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR 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.

Operator presence control bar

LIFT UI

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

Frame

opening

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulcher. To convert to bag- ging, see "TO CONVERT MOWER" in the Operation section of this manual).

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READTHISOWNER'S MANUALAND 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

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FI_E'r AWAY

Operator presence control bar

Throttle

Drive control lever

Starter handle

Engine oilcap with dipstick

Grass catcher

Gasoline filler cap

Air filter

Muffler

Housing

Primer eeladjuster(oneachwheel)

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.

Primer- pumps additional fuel from the

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

mower.

Throttle control - used for starting the engine and allows you to select either

FAST or SLOW engine speed.

carburetor to the cylinder for use when 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 standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed is controlled by a

throttle control located on the side of the upper handle. FAST position is for starting,

normal cutting, trimming and better grass bagging. SLOW position is for light cutting,

trimming and fuel economy.

SLOW

DRIVE CONTROL

• 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 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.

Operator presence control bar Drive

\ " -\_ _ "\ _Control

FAST

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

_LCAUTION: 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

TO ENGAGE CONTROL

DRIVE CONTROL DISENGAGED

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 set-

ting.

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.

LOWER WHEELS FOR HIGH CUT

Plate tal

RAISE WHEELS FOR LOW CUT Lever

TO CONVERT MOWER

Yourlawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging:

• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame hooks

onto the door pivot pins.

• To convert to mulching operation, re- move grass catcher and close rear door.

_'_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.

Pivot " Rear Grass

catcher

handle

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

catcher

frame

handle

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

2. Remove oil dipstickfrom oil fill spout.

Make sure that rim of spout is clean.

3. You receive a container of oil with the

unit. Slowly pour the entire container

down the oil fill spout into the engine.

4. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle. Insert and tighten dipstick, then re-

move it to check oil level.

5. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick

before starting engine.

• 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 to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of

87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh-

hess.

• kCAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline

,_ar an open flame.

CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels

(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha- nol) 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 Instructionsfor additional information. Never use engine

or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel

tank or permanent damage may occur.

Bag

handle

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE ADD OIL

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

use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance cap section of this manual.

CAUTION; DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or it will smoke on startup. Primer

oilcap

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. 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. Move throttle control lever to FAST position.

3. 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 pres-

ence control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be neces- sary 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 attempt- ing to start and do not repeat priming

steps.

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. It may also be necessary to reduce ground speed and/or run the

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 MOWINGTIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See "CLEANING" in the Mainte-

nance section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in sJze 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 recut- ting 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 ofthe 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 overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

MAX 1/3

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 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

graining of the lawn.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE/__o_._:o__o_y

FILL 'N DATES _ __'_€_-_'_*_'s_-_"_O_

,BYou

CheckforLooseFastanem II/'

Clean/InspectGrassCatcher

M CleanLavmMower

(Power-Propelled Mowers) ¥1

_N CleanUnderDriveCover

Check drive belt/pulleys ql_

E {Power.Propailed Mowers)

ChecldSharpan/Replece Blade _t_=l

LubricationChart I_

Clean Battery/Recharge

IElectdc Start iowers_) 1/ I/4

E Check Engine Oil Level 1/

Change Engine Oil 1/iJ

G Clean Air Filter II/=

I InspectMuffler l/

N Clean or Replace Spark Plug

ReplaceAir Filter Paper Cadddge 1/=

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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 mower as instructed in this manual. Some adjustments will need to

be made periodically to properly maintain

your unit.

All adjustments in the Service and Adjust- ments section of this manual should be

checked at least once each 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").

LUBRICATION CHART

adjuster (on

each wheel)

(_) Handle bracket mounting pins

(_) Spray lubricant

(_) See "ENGINE" in Maintenance section.

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic wheel bearings. Viscous lubd-

cants 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

graphite type lubricant sparingly.

Wheel

Engine oil

Rear door

hinge

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Serial Number:

Date of Purchase:

Gasoline Capacity / Type: 1.6 Quarts (Unleaded Regular) Oil Type (API-SF-SJ): SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)

Oil Capacity: 20 Ounces Spark Plug (Gap: .020") Champion RC12YC

Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. Ibs.

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.

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per- forming any maintenance. TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasotine, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rub-

ber.

• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp

objects and other hazards that may

cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE

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

blades.

TO REMOVE BLADE

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

come in contact with spark 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 hard- ware (bolt, lock washer and hardened washer).

NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter.

The key must be in good condition to work properly. Replace adapter if damaged.

TO REPLACE BLADE

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

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

with the raised lugs on the adapter.

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 grade 8 heat treated. TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

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 grinding 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.

Blade adapter, _ Crankshaft

k°yway

B,ade Lo_kwas_=rr__. _ /

H-'rdo,',e \ " -r' shatt

1 1 washer Trailir Iedge Blade adapter

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 a manufacturer approved replacement catcher. Give the

lawn mower model number when order- ing.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely.

The wheels notturning 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.

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. 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 is filled 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 brand oil, Part No. REDUCTELF 100.

Do not substitute.

ENGINE LUBRICATION

Use only highquality detergent oil rated

with API service classification SF-SJ. Se-

lect the oil's SAE viscosity grade accord- ing to your expected operating tempera-

tura.

8AE V15C061"_ GRADES

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improvestarting 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

operation 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 start-

ing 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, 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 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.

4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn

mower or side of engine.

5. Fillengine with oil. The engine oil ca-

pacity is 20 oz. If oil 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 intothe engine.

6. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle.

Insert and tighten dipstick, then re- move it to check oil level.

7. Continue adding small amounts of oiland rechecking the dipstick untilit 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 plugwire to spark plug.

'1_ _ cp Iop I_* _ _ _ 10_'

W,_ATURE RANGI__ATED _ NEXT01. _A/_QE

Container

AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly using a

dirty air filter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of operation or every

season. Replace paper cartridge every

100 hours of operation or every season,

whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.

1. Loosen screws and remove cover.

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur- 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.

Base

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 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 contact with the spark

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.

_I_,WARNING: To avoid serious injury,

before performing any service or adjust- ments:

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 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.

Anti-fold

bracket

Lower

ROTATE

Mowing

Hairpin

Drive cover Belt

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. NOTE: The upper handle has an "anti-

fold" bracket located on the left side of the handle. This bracket prevents the upper

handle from folding forward, which helps protect control cable(s) from damage.

1. Remove upper handle and all parts

attached 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.

5. Squeeze lower handle in and position holes onto mounting pins on handle

bracket.

6. Reassemble upper handle and all parts removed from lower handle.

LOW POSITION

ENGINE ENGINE SPEED Your engine speed has been factory set,

Do not attempt to increase engine speed

or it may result in 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

Yourcarburetor is not adjustable. If your

engine does not operate properly due to

suspected carburetor problems, take your

lawn mower to a Sears or other qualified

service center for repair and/or adjust-

ment.

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 experience to make any

necessary adjustments.

+ 30 hidden pages

Craftsman 917378772 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual