Craftsman 917.379480 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

CRRFTSMRN*

5.5 HORSEPOWER 22" REAR DISCHARGE

POWER PROPELLED ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917,379480

Safety Assembly Operation Maintenance Español Repair Parts

CAUTION:

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

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

Visit our Craftsman websiteiwww.sears.oom/craftsman

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Warranty Safety Rules

Assembly Operation Maintenance Schedule .. Maintenance

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......................10 Repair Parts.........................

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2 2 4

6 Troubleshooting..................

Product Specifications Service and Adjustments...

Storage ...............................

Parts Ordering

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.. Back Cover

11 14 16 17 37

WARRANTY

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 workman ship.

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

This Warranty does not cover:

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

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

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner’s manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest Sears Service Center/Department in the United States. This warranty applies only while this product is in use in the United States. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

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

SAFETY RULES

Safety standard’s require operator presence controls to mimimize the risk of

injury. Your unit is equipped with such controls. Do not attempt to defeat the function of the operator presence controls

under any circumstances.

TRAINING:

• Read this operator’s manual carefully. Become familiar with the controls and know how to operate your mower

■properly. Learn how to quickly stop

mower.

• Do not allow children to use your mower. Never allow adults to use mower without proper instructions.

• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially small children and

pets.

• Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as described in this manual.

• Do not operate mower if it has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Always have damage repaired before

using your mower.

• Do not use accessory attachments that

are not recommended by the manufac turer. Use of such attachments may be

hazardous.

• The blade turns when the engine is

running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects. These objects will be thrown by the

blade and can cause severe injury.

• Always wear safety glasses or eye

shields when starting and while using your mower.

• Dress properly. Do not operate mower when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes with good traction when mowing.

• Check fuel tank before starting engine.

Do not fill gas tank indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is hot. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before filling the gas tank. Clean off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine.

• Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your mower. Never attempt to do this white the engine is

running.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

OPERATION:

• Keep your eyes and mind on your

mower and the area being cut. Do not let other interests distract you.

• Do not mow wet or slippery grass. Never run while operating your mower. Always

be sure of your footing - keep a firm hold

on the handles and walk.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis charge opening at ail times.

• Always stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and any gravel-covered areas.

• Never direct discharge of material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the mower while you are operating

it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing your mower, stop the engine and make

absolutely sure the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Then disconnect the spark plug wire and keep it away from the spark plug to prevent

accidental starting.

• Do not continue to run your mower if you

hit a foreign object. Follow the proce dure outlined above, then repair any damage before restarting and operating your mower.

• Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the engine. Engine damage

or personal injury may result.

• Do not operate your mower if it vibrates abnormally. Excessive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine, safely check for the cause of vibration and repair as required.

• Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust

fumes are dangerous.

• Never cut grass by pulling the mower towards you. Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down or you might

lose your footing. Do not mow exces

sively steep slopes. Use caution when

operating the mower on uneven terrain

or when changing directions - maintain

good footing.

• Never operate your mower without proper guards, plates, grass catcher or

other safety devices in place.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the engine mounting bolts often to be sure they are

tightened properly.

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe working condition.

• Keep all safety devices in place and

working.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves or excessive grease and oil.

• Check grass catcher often for deteriora

tion and wear and replace worn bags.

Use only replacement bags that are recommended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your mower.

• Always keep a sharp blade on your

mower.

• Allow engine to cool before storing in

any enclosure,

• Never store mower with fuel in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or an ignition source such as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

ALook for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. Itjneans CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED. ACAUTION: Always disconnect spark

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.

AWARNING; The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer,

birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when this lawn mowerweeproduce^Tlie^!^!^

shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide the model

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

ASSEMBLY

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower.

IMPORTANT: This lawn imower is shipped

without oil or gasoline in the engine.

Your new lawn mower has been as sembled at the factory with the exception of

those parts left unassembled for shipping

purposes. To ensure safe and proper o|5eration of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as neces sary to ensure proper tightness. All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., neces sary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with mower.

• Cut down two erxl comers of carton and

lay end panel down flat

• Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thoroughly for additional loose parts.

HOWTO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables

• Raise handles until lower handle section

locks into place in mowing position.

• Remove protective padding, raise upper handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both haixlle knobs.

• Remove handle padding holding operator

presence control bar to upper handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service and Adjustment section of this manual.

Operator presence control

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

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

discharging:

• Open rear door and remove mulcher plug.

Store mulcher plug in a safe [i^ace.

• You can now install catcher or optional

clipping deflector.

• To return to mulching operation, install mulcher plug into discharge opening of mower.

^CAUTION: Do not run your lawn

mower without mulcher plug in place or approved clipping deflector or grass catcher in place. Never attempt to

operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open.

OPERATION

________________________ _______

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself

with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the

product. Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE

OH WARNING ON OFF

Engine zone control cable

Throttle control

Starter handle

Grass catche

, Mulcher plug

FAST SLOW

CHOKE FUEL

Operator presence control bar

Drive control lever

OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

AND FEET AWAY

Handle knob

Gasoline filler cap

Housing

Engine oil cap w/dipstick

Drive cover

IMPORTANT; This lawn mower is shipped without oil or gasoline in the engine.

Wheel adjuster (on every wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behtnd power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safely Commis sion. 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.

Drive control lever - used to engage

power-propelled fonward motion of lawn

mower.

____________________

Mulcher plug - must be removed to

convert to bagging or discharging

operation.

Throttle control - Used for starling the

engine and allows you to select either fast or slow engine speed.

I The operation of any lawn

mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes,

which can result in severe eye damage.

Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses.

ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed is controlled by a throttle control located on the side of the

upper handle. Choke position is for

starting a cold engine and fast position

is for normal cutting, trimming, and better

grass bagging. Slow position is for light cutting, trimming and fuel economy.

FAST‘S -SLOW

Lower Wheels for High Cut Plate Tab

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

• Lift the rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins.

• The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

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

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL iOkCAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this

lawn mower in order to minimize the risk of blade contact injury. Do not under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of the operator control. The blade turns when the engine is running.

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an

operator presence control bar which requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start and operate the lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower

wheels for high cut.

• Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Medium position is best

for most lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your require

ments. Be sure all wheels are in the same setting.

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

allow lever to be positioned between the

plate tabs.

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• Lift up on grass catcher using the frame

handle.

• Remove grass catcher with clippings

from under lawn mower handle.

• Empty clippings from bag using both

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

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator presence control bar down to the

handle and pushing the drive control lever fonvard until it clicks; then release the drive

control lever.

• Fonward motion will stop when the operator presence control bar is released. To stop forward motion w^out stopping engine,

release the operator presence control bar

slightly until tiie drive control disengages.

Hold operator presence control bar down to handle to continue mowing without self propelling.

• To keep drive control engaged when turning comers, push down on handle and

lift front wheels off ground while turning lawn mov^r.

perator presence

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area

around oil fill is clean.

• Remove engine oil cap and fill to the

full line on the dipstick.

NOTE; Allow oil to settle down into engine

for accurate dipstick reading.

• Engine holds 18.5 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see “ENGINE" in Maintenance section of this manual.

• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.

• Check oil level before each use. Add

oil if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

• To read proper level, tighten engine oil

cap each time.

• Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

• Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season. You may need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane(Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

^WARNING; Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or

using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and

formation of acids during storage. Acidic

gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be

emptied before storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

i&CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or

use gasoline near an open flame.

Gasoline filler cap

OH filler cap

Oil filler cap/dipstick

Upper limit

TO START ENGINE

• Turn fuel valve to ON position,

• To start a cold engine, move handle mounted throttle/choke control lever to

choke position.

• Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter

rope to snap back.

• Slowly move throttle control lever to

fast position after engine starts.

• To start a warm engine, move throttle

control lever to fast or slow position

Q then follow steps above.

To stop engine, release operator

presence 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.

Fuel Valve lever

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 lawn mower over the area a second

time.

For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

For better grass bagging and most

cutting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast position. When using a rear discharge lawn

mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing speed) and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time.

If a trail of clippings is left on the right side of a rear discharge mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a smalt overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.

Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass.

To prevent this, regularly hose catcher

off with water and let dry before using.

> Keep top of engine around starter clear

and clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air flow and

extend engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See “Cleaning” in MAINTENANCE section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the

lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades.

• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to mow your lawn is the eariy afternoon. At this time tiie grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct

sun.

• For best results, adjust the lawn mower

cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass

blades. If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overioading the engine and leaving clomps of mulched grass. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut patii and

mow slowly.

• Certain types of grass and grass condi

tions may require that an area be mulched

a second time to completely hide frie

clippings. When doing a second cut, mow

across or perpendicutar 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 he^3 prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

Max. 1/3

MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

FILL IN DATES

AS YOU COMPLETE

REGULAR SERVICE

Check for Loose Fasteners

Clean/lnspect Grass Catcher

(If Equipped)

Clean Lawn Mower

Clean Under Drive Cover

(Power-Propelled Mowers)

Check drive belt/pulteys

(Power-Propelled Mowers)

Check/Sharpen/Replace Blade

Lubrication Chart

Clean Battery/Recharge (Electric Start Mowers <

Check Engine Oil Level

Change Engine Oil

Clean Air Filter

Inspect Muffler

Clean or Replace Spark Plug

Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

1 - Change more often when operating uncJer a heavy load or In high ambient temperatures

2 - Service more often when operating In dirty or dusty conditions.

3 - Replace blades more often when mowing In sandy soil. 4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.

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

Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season.

• Once a year, replace the spark plug, ‘replace air filter element and check

blade for wear. A new spark plug and clean/new air filter element assures proper air-fuel mixture and helps 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.

LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICA TION CHART").

✓

___

t<3_

✓ ✓

....

_✓ 2

✓

✓ 2

LUBRICATION CHART

0 Spay lubricant

CD Refer to MAINTENANCE "ENGINE“

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 graphite type lubricant sparingly.

SERVICE DATES

✓

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