Craftsman 917379120 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

CRAFTSMAN°

6.5 Horsepower Power-Propelled

22" Side Discharge

Model No.

917.379120

Espahol, p. 19

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment

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

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

U.S.A.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Repair Parts ....................................... 36-43

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

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

mMPORTANT: 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. &WARNING: 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 come in con- tact with plug. &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.

&WARNING: 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.

L 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 oper-

ate the machine. Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which

could be picked up and thrown by 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. Never direct discharged material toward

anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material may richochet back toward the opera- tor. Stop the blade when crossing gravel

surfaces. 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 atcohol or drugs. Never operate machine in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing: keep a

firm hold on the handle; walk, never run. Disengage the self-propelled mech-

anism or drive clutch on mowers so equipped before starting the engine.

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 operating mower.

H. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip & fail accidents which can result in severe in-

jury. 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 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 foot-

ing could cause slipping.

ill. 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 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 ma- chine.

Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

IW SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.

Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. Use only an approved container. Never remove gas cap or add fuel with

the engine running. Allow engine to cool

before refueling. Never refuel the machine indoors.

Never store the machine or fuel contain-

er where there is an open flame, spark

or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances.

Neverfill containersinsidea vehicle,on atruck ortrailerbedwitha plasticliner. Alwaysplacecontainerson the ground awayfromyourvehiclebeforefilling. Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom

thetruckortrailerandrefuelitonthe ground. Ifthis is notpossible,then

refuelsuch equipmentwith a portable container,ratherthan fromagasoline

dispensernozzle. Keepthe nozzleincontactwith the rim ofthefueltankorcontaineropeningat alltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete. Do notuse a nozzlelock-opendevice.

Iffuel is spilledonclothing,change clothingimmediately. Neveroverfillfuel tank. Replacegas cap andtightensecurely.

V, GENERAL SERVmCE

Neverrun a machineinsidea closed area. Nevermakeadjustmentsorrepairswith

theengine(motor)running.Disconnect thesparkplug wire,and keepthe wire awayfromtheplugto preventaccidental starting.

Keepnutsandbolts,especiallyblade attachmentbolts,tightand keepequip- mentin goodcondition. Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Check

their properoperationregularly.

Keepmachinefree of grass,leaves,or otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanoilorfuel

spillage.Allowmachineto cool before storing.

Stopand inspecttheequipmentifyou

strikean object.Repair,ifnecessary,

beforerestarting. Neverattemptto makewheelheight adjustmentswhiletheengineis running.

Grasscatchercomponentsaresubject to wear,damage,anddeterioration, whichcouldexposemovingpartsor

allowobjectsto bethrown.Frequently checkcomponentsandreplacewith

manufacturer'srecommendedparts, whennecessary.

Mowerbladesare sharpandcancut. Wraptheblade(s)or wear gloves,and

useextracautionwhenservicingthem.

Do notchangetheenginegovernorset- ting or overspeedthe engine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstruc- tion labels,as necessary.

SerialNumber: Dateof Purchase:

GasolineCapacity/ Type: 1.0 Quarts (Unleaded Regular)

Oil Capacity: 18.5 Ounces Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F) or SAE 10W-30 Spark Plug (Gap: .030") NGK BPR6ES

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

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.

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 yourseff 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 not 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 1o800o827=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 l oS00=4=MYoHOiVIE®.

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

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

FOR

,_ GRASS CATCHERS

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. mMPORTANT: 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 excep-

tion of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. 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.

All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc.,

necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag.

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 thoroughly for additional loose parts.

NOW TO SET UP YOUR MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

mMPORTANT: 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

UFT

Mowing position

Lower handle

TO mNSTALL ATTACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulcher. To convert to discharg- ing, 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

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence controU bar

,Drive controUbver

Handb knob

Gasoline filler cap

Starter handb

Fuel valve lever

Engine oil cap

with di

Air filter

Drive cover

Mulcher door

"Housing

Muffler

Wheel adjuster (on each wheel)

mMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine. MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUmREMENTS

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 Muicher door - allows conversion to

be held down to the handle to start the discharging or bagging operation.

engine. Release to stop the engine. Drive control lever - used to engage

Starter handle - used for starting engine, power-propelled forward motion of mower.

Theoperationof any lawn

SA_ETYGLASSESmowercan resultinforeign

objectsthrownintothe eyes,whichcan resultin severeeyedamage.Always

wearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldswhile

operatingyour lawnmoweror performing anyadjustmentsorrepairs.Werecom- mendastandardsafetyglassesor wide

visionsafetymaskworn overspectacles.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGmNESPEED

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

adjustable. ENGmNE ZONE CONTROL

AI::I,CAUTmON: 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 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.

TO ADJUST CUTTmNG HEmGHT

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 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 BACKVVARD TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever

TO CONVERT MOWER Your mower was shipped ready to be used

as a mulcher. To convert to discharging:

Open mulcher door and install dis-

charge deflector under door as shown.

Mower is now ready for discharging

operation. To convert to mulching operation, dis- charge deflector must be removed and

mulcher door must be closed.

Plate tab

,Open mubher door

Operator _resence control bar Drive

control

TO ENGAGE DRIVE

DRIVE CONTROL

CONTROL DISENGAGED 8

Discharge

Discharge deflector

BEFORE STARTmNG 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. A CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

1. Be sure lawnmower 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. Fiil 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 OIE' in the Mainte-

nance section of this manual.

Oil fili cap /

dips

Gasoline

filler cap

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

ness.

_1_CAUTmON: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline

near an open flame.

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

TO STOP ENGmNE ,, 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.

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 (N) position.

3. Hold operator presence control bar

down to the handle and pull starter

handle quickly. 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.

OFF lever

Upper Lowel mark mark

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.

Fuel valve lever

MOWING TIPS

A CAUTmON: Do not use de-thatcher

blade attachments on your mower. Such attachments are hazardous, will damage

your mower and could void your warranty. ,_ 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. For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting

in a counter-clockwise direction, start- ing at the outside of the area to be cut,

spreads grass clippings more evenly and puts less load on the engine. To keep clippings off of walkways, flower beds, etc., make the first cuts in a clock-

wise direction. 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.

MULCHmNG MOWmNG TIPS mMPORTANT: 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 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, 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 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 sec-

ond 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

graining of the lawn.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Check for Loose Fasteners

_ Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher *

Check Tires

_ Check Drive Wheels

Clean Lawn Mower ....

M Clean under Drive Cover ***

O Check Drive Belt / Putleys ***

W Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade

_ ubrication

Clean and Recharge Battery ** Check Engine Oil level

E Change Engine Oil N Clean Air Filter

_ Inspect Muffler

N Replace Spark Plug E Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

* (if so equipped)

** Electric-Start mowers

*** Power-Propelled mowers

**** Use a scraper

to clean under deck

1 - Change more often if operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures. 2 - Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions, 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil, 4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.

5 - And after each 5 hours of use.

BEFORE AFTER EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE

EACH EACH 10 25HOURS 100

USE USE HOURS OR SEASON HOURS STORAGE

_,2

GENERAL RECOMMENDATmONS

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.

LUBRmCATmON Keep unit well lubricated

(See "LUBRICATION CHART").

LUBRmCATmON CHART

adjuster (on

each wheel)

{1} Mulcher

door hinge

{1} Handle bracket mounting pins

Spray lubricant

See '"ENGINE'" in l_'lairlterlance 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

1 1graphite type lubricant sparingly.

Wheel

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per- forming any maintenance.

TmRES ,, 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.

DRmVE WHEELS

Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely. The wheels not turning freely means

trash, grass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel area and must be cleaned to free

drive wheels.

If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be sure to clean both front wheels.

1. Remove hubcaps, 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.

BLADE CARE For best results, mower blade must be

kept sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade.

TO REMOVE BLADE

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact wkh 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 heaw 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 in good condition to work

properly. Replace adapter if damaged.

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position the blade adapter on the en-

gine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

2. Poskion 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 (oppo- site sharp edge) is up toward 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.

mMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

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

BUadeadapter.

Crankshaft

Key .

Lockwasher

BUade .'

Blade

bolt Harden_

washer

Trailing edge

Blade adapter

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but ifyou do, be sure blade is balanced.

Care should be taken to keep the blade bal- anced.An unbalanced blade will cause even-

tual 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, 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 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.

GRASS CATCHER

(if purchased as an accessory)

,_ 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.

keyway

Crank

shaft

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 Mul-

tis EP00. Do not substitute.

Rock lawn mower back and forth to re- move any oil trapped inside of engine.

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems, which are being done at the customers ex-

pense, 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.

LUBRmCATmON

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.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

"F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 °C "30 -20 -10 ; 17 20

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

lOO

30 40

NOTE: Multi-viscosity oils (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 op- eration or at least once a year if the 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.

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

5. Fill engine with oil. The engine oil

capacity is 18.5 oz. If oil is not com-

pletely 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 dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube. DO NOT thread 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 spark plug.

Oil fill cap /

dipstick

Upper _

mark Lower/" '_j

mark

AmR FmLTER

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 oc-

curs first. Service air cleaner more often

under dusty conditions.

TOCLEANAIR FILTER

1. Removecover.

2. Carefullyremovecartridge.

3. Cleanbygentlytappingon afiatsur- face.Ifvery dirty,replacecartridge.

AOAUTmON:Petroleumsolvents,such as

kerosene,arenotto be usedto clean car- tridge.They maycausedeteriorationof the cartridge.Donot oilcartridge.Do not use

pressurizedairto clean or dry cartridge.

4. Installcartridge, then replacecover.

FHter FHter

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 in the "PRODUCT SPECIFIC-

ATIONS" section of this manual.

mMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-grass and

trash. Clean the underside of your mower after each use.

_kCAUTmON: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact 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 DRmVE 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.

AWARNmNG: To avoid serious injury,

before performing any service and

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 DUTTmNG HEmGHT

See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in

the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector, attached between the rear wheels ofyour mower, is provided to minimize

the possibility that objects will be thrown out

of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position. If the deflector becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

DISCHARGE GUARD

The discharge guard, attached to the discharge opening of your lawn mower, is

provided to prevent the possibility of injury resulting from objects being thrown out of

the discharge opening into the operator

mowing position. If the discharge guard becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

TO REMOVE DRmVE BELT

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

putley 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.

REPLACE DRmVE BELT

Install new belt on engine pulley. Reinstall debris shield and blade.

Return mower to upright position.

144 •

Install new belt on gearcase pulley.

+ 30 hidden pages

Craftsman 917379120 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual