Craftsman 917380250 Owner’s Manual

/ Ra

oAssembly
®Operation

Customer
Responsibilities

®Service

IVIBER917,380250

OWNER'S MANUAL

L .....

Mulch/Discha.-x:je

• Adjustments
=Repair Parts

Caution:

Read and Follow

all Safety Rules
and Instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

SAFETY RULES

PLUGTO PREVENTACCIDENTALSTARTINGWHENSETllNG UP,TRANSPORTING,ADJUSTINGOR MAKING
CAUTION:ALWAYSDISCONNECTSPARKPLUGWIREANDPLACEWIRE_t_I"tEREITCANNOTCONTACTSPARK

REPAIRS. IMPORTANT

SAFETYSTANDARDSREQUIRE OPERATORPRESENCECONTROLSTOMINIMITI=THERISKOF INJURY. YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPEDWITH
SUCH CONTROLS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEATTHE FUNCTIONOF THE OPERATORPRESENCECONTROLSUNDER ANY CIRCUM-

STANCES.

TRAINING:
° Readthisoperator'smanualcarefulfy.Becomefamiliarwith

thecontrolsandknow howto operateyourmowerproperly°

Learnhowtoquicklystopmower_

• Donotallowchtldrentouseyourmower.Neverallowadults
to usemowerwithoutproperinstructions.

• Keepthe areaof operationclearofall persons,especially

smallchildrenandpets.

• Use moweronlyas the manufacturerintendedandas de-

scribedinthismanual.

• Do not operate mower if it has been dropped or damaged in

any manner: Aiways have damage repaired before using
your mower'.

• Do notuse accessory attachmentsthat are notrecommended

by the manufacturer. Use of such attachments may be

hazardous°

• Be aware that the mower blade turns when the engine is

running.

PREPARATION:

Alwaysthoroughlychecktheareatobemowedandclearitof
all stones,sticks,wires,bones,andotherforeign objects°

These objectswillbe thrownby the blade andcan cause
severeinjury,

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesoreyeshieldswhenstartingand

whileusingyourmower°

• Dressproperly. Do not operatemowerwhenbarefootor

wearingopensandals. Wear only solid shoeswithgood
tractionwhenmowing.

• Checkfueltankbeforestartingengine. Donot fill gastank

indoors,whentheengineisrunningorwhentheengineishot.
Allowthe engineto coolfor severalm_nutesbeforefillingthe

gastank. Clean offanyspilledgasoltnebeforestartingthe
engine.

• Always makewheelheightadjustmentsbeforestartingyour

mower.Neverattemptto dothiswhiletheengineisrunning.

• Mow0nlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

OPERATION:

* Keep youreyesandmindonyourmowerandthe areabeing

cut, Donotletotherinterestsdistractyou,

* Donotmowwetorslipperygrass, NeverrunwhileOperating

yourmower.Alwaysbesureofyourfooting- keepafirm hold
onthe handlesandwalk,

Do not put hands or feet near or under rotatingparts. Keep

clear of the discharge opening at all times.

• Always stop the engine whenever you leave orare notusing
yourmower, orbefore crossingdriveways, walks, roads, and

any graveFcovered areas°

° Never direct discharge of material toward bystanders nor

allow anyone near the mower while you are operating ito

° 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 procedure outlined above, then repair any dam-
age before restarting and operating you mower.

• Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the

engine. Engine damage or personal injury may result.

° Do not operate your' mower ifitvibratesabnormally. Exces-

sive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine,
safely check forths cause ofvibrationand repair as required.

I

Do not runthe engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are danger-
ous.

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

lose your footing. Do not mow excesshtely 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.

MAIN'rENANCE AND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the engine mounting bolts oftento be

sure they aretightened properly.

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for

proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe working condi-
tion_

° Keep all safety devices in place and working.
° To reduce fire hazard,keep the engine free of grass, [eaves

or excessive grease and Oilo

° Check grass catcher often for deterioration 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.
° Nlow 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
suchas a hotwater heater, space heater, clothes dryer, otc,

LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

, i i ii ill ii i i i i 'HIIJ/llllllllHIIHIIHIllllllllllllllll"

IT MEANS - ATTENTION!t! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

.................... II II II I J I LI I I IIJ JIL IIIIIIIIJL JLIIIIIIJLIIIILIJ[IIIIIII[ILII[I[ II

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears
Craftsman Lawn Mower. Ithas been designed, engineered

and manufactured to give you the best possible de-
pendability and performance.

Should you experience any problems you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Service Cen-

tedDepartment. Sears has competent, well trained tech-
nicians and the proper tools to service or repair this uniL

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will

enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower
properly° Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

HORSEPOWER:

DISPLACEMENT:

GASOLINE CAPACITY:

OIL (20 oz_Capacity):

3.5

9.06 cu. in.

1o0quart
(Unleaded)

SAE 30 (Above 32°F)
5W30 (Below 32°F)

MODEL
NUMBER 9t7_380250

SERIAL
NUMBER

DATE OF
PURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE
FOUND ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO THE REAR

OF THE LAWN MOWER HOUSING.
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOI"H SERIAL NUMBER

AND DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A
SAFE PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE_

SPARK PLUG (GAP .030 in.):

(0.76 mm)

VALVE CLEARANCE: Intake:

Exhaust:

SOLID STATE IGNITION

AIR GAP: .0125 in.

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40ft.-Ibs.

Champion

RJ19LM or

Sears 7133312

or STD 361458
or STD 360950

.008 in.
o00Bin.

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on thisproducL Contactyour nearest Sears store for details.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rules.
, Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caringfor and using your lawn mower.

= Follow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections of this Owner's Manual.

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For two years from date of purchase, whenthis Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained,lubricated, and tuned up

according tothe operatingand maintenance instructions inthe owner's manual, Sears will repairfree of charge any
defect in material or workmanship.

If this Craftsman Lawn Mower isused for commemiator rental purposes,this warrantyapplies 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 inthe owner's manual.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER 'lO THE NEAREST

SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT INTHE 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 whichvary from state to state.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO. D/731CR-W SEARS TOWER, CHICAGO, IL 60684

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ....................................... 3

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ..................... 3, 10-12

WARRANTY ................................................................... 3

LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES .................................. 5

ASSEMBLY .................................................................... 5

OPERATION .................................................................. 6

INDEX

A

Accessories ............................................ 5

Adjustments:

Carburetor .................................. 13

Handle Height ............................ 13

Height of Cut ................................ 7

Air Filter:

Service ........................................ 12

Assembly:

Handle .......................................... 5

B

Blade:

Sharpening ................................. 11

Replacement .............................. 11

C

Controls:

Operator Presence Control Bar .6

Drive Control ................................ 6

Customer Responsibilities .....3, 10-12

Air Filter ...................................... 12

Blade Care/Replacement .......... 11

Engine ........................................ 12

Lubrication ................................. 10

Spark Plug ................................. 12

E

Engine:

Oil Change ................................. 12

Oil Level ..................................... !2

Oil Type ........................................ 8

Starting ......................................... 9

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

Fuel:

Type .............................................. 8

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

Handle:

Adjustment ................................. 13

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

Lubrication:

Engine ........................................ 10

Wheel Adjuster .......................... 10

Maintenance Agreement .................... 3

Mowing Tips ........................................ 9

Olh

Engine ........................................ 10

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

Operation:

Operating lawn Mower ............... 6

Control Bar .................................. 6

Drive Control ............................... 6

Operator Presence Control Bar ......... 8

Options:

Attachments ................................. 5

Repair Parts

Lawn Mower .......................... 16-17

Engine ................................... 18-21

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ................................. 13

STORAGE .................................................................... 14

TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................. 15

REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER ........................ 16-17

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE ................................... 18-21

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ................ BACK COVER

F

Responsibilities, Customer ....3, 10-12

R

S

H

L

M

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

Service and Adjustments:

Carburetor .................................. 13

Engine Speed ............................. 13

Handle ........................................ 13

Spark Plug ......................................... 12

Specifications ..................................... 3

Starting the Engine ............................. 9

Stopping the Engine .......................... .9

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

T

Trouble Shooting Chart ................... 15

0

Warranty .............................................. 3

Wheels:

Wheel Adjusters .......................... 7

P

W

4

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. Theyarealso available at most Sears retail outlets,
catalog 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,

ENGINE

SPARK PLUG

MUFFLER

' ,,i

AIR FILTER

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

BELT BLADE

ii ii i,i,illl,,, ir,i i N,ii_[i,i ll,ll,l,ll,lllll

, ,,L,,

GAS CAN

BLADE

E air, hE0iL

...... i,,,,, ,i,i

WHEELS LAWN MOWER

ADAPTER

i, i,jl =i Jii ii _IL' ' lll'_llllll_'lll

STABILIZER

COVER

....................... i I II I/I I Il!llfflll!!H I I! II IIIIII1'11

Your lawn mower has been assembled at the factory.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with mower°
o Cut down two end corners of carton and layend panel

down flat.

° Remove a!tpacking 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 thor-

oughly for additional loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig. 1)

° Raise handles until lower handle section locks into

place in mowing position.

° Raise upper handle section into place on lower handle,

remove protective padding and tighten both handle
knobs°

OPERATORPRESENCE

CONTROL BAR

UPPERHANDLE

UFTUP

LOWER HANDLE

°

Remove handle padding holding operator presence
control bar to upper handle.

o

Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your

mowing comfort° Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the
Service and Adjustments section of thismanual.

5

MOWINGPOSITION

FIG. 1

OPERATION

:z:::z:..... . ........ ...................................

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THiS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the
iUustrationswith your lawn mower to familiarizeyourselfwiththe location of variouscontrolsand adjustments, Save this

manual for future reference,

OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR

UPSTOP BRACKET

ENGINEZONE

CONTROLCABLE

STARTER

HANDLE

CABLE CLIP

ENGINESPEED CONTROL I._VER

PRIMER

DISCHARGEGUARD

AIR RLTER

WHEEL ADJUSTER

HANDLE KNOB

ENGINEOIL CAP
WITHDIPSTICK

GASOUNEFILL CAP

LAWNMOWERHOUSING

(ONEACHWHEEL)

FIG. 2

................. _ IlUl ill I I111 !J I['111['lllllJllllll II'll I

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotarywalk-behind power lawn mowersconformtothe safety standardsofthe AmericanNational Standards Institute
and the U,S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns whenthe engine is running.

WIHI[ II .... illlll I Ill Illll II i i_ I I! ........... i_i_ .................................

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR -must be held

down tothe handleto start the engine. Releasetostopthe

engine.
PRIMER - pumpsadditional fuel fromthe carburetortothe

cylinderfor use when startinga coldengine,

STARTER HANDLE - usedfor startingthe engine,
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER - locatedon the side

of the engine which allowsyou to select either "HIGH" or

"LOW" engine speed,

6

O

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 3)

, Raise wheels for low cutand lowerwheelsfor highcut°
o Wheels are set inlow cut for shipping. Adjustcutting

heightto suit your requirements. Medium positionis

best for mostlawns°

o To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster leverto-

ward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your

requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same

setting.

CAUTION: Donot run your lawn mower

without discharge guard, approved

i ................I

NOTE: Your lawn mower has been shipped ready for
mulchingoperation. To convertto discharging orbagging
operation:

TO CONVERT TO DISCHARGING MOWER

(See Fig. 4)

o Liftdischarge guard and remove mulcher plate°

o Mower can now be used for side discharging or grass

catcher can now be attached° See "To install Grass
Catcher".

• To returnto mulching operation, reinstall mulcherplate
as shown.

grass catcher or mulcher plate in place.

LOWERWHEELS RAISEWHEELS
FORHIGHCUTL____ _ _ FORLOW CUT

FIG, 3

DISCHARGE GUARD

FIG, 4

7

UlH_// ................ ii,ul iu Ill IlllllJ_/II Ill ...... : :..................: Illlllll I LI

OPERATION

I,HII_III : L.................... llllllLI ill l lJ

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL (See Fig. 5)

The engine speed is cordroUedby a lever (red knob)

located on the side ofthe engine° 'HIGH' positionis for

starting engine, normal cut*Jngand better grass bagging.

"LOW" position is for light cutting, trimming and fuel
economy.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

CAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to be installed onthis

risk of blade contact injury, Do not un-

lawn mower in order to minlmlze the
der any circumstances attempt to de-

feat the function ofthe operatorcontrol.
The blade turns when the engine is
running.

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an operatorpres-

ence control bar which requires the operator to be
positionedbehindthe lawn mower handle to start and

operate the lawn mower.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL (See Fig. 6)

A 20 oz, bottle of Pennzoil SAE 30 oilis includedwithyour

new lawn mower,

• Remove engineoil cap and fill to the FULL line on the
dipstick,

° Use 2Oozs. of oiL Fortype and grade of oitto use, see

"ENGINE" inthe Customer Responsibilities section of

this manual.

• POUR OIL SLOWLY, DO NOT OVER FILLo

• Check oil level before each use. Add oilifneeded. Fill
to FULL line on dipstick.

• To read properlevel, tighten engine oilcap eachtime.

= Reinstall engineoil cap and tighten.
° After the firsttwo (2)hoursof mowing,change the oil,

and every 25 hours thereafter. You may need to

change the oilmore oftenunderdusty, dirty conditions.

GAS (See Fig. 6)

• Fill gasoline tank withfresh,clean unleaded gasoline.

DO NOT USE PREMIUM GASOLINE, BE CAREFUL
NOT TO OVER FILL TANK.

ENGINESPEED
CONTROLLEVER

PRIMER

FIG. 5

GASOLINERLLER CAP

ENGINEOIL CAPW/DIPSTICK

FIG, 6

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can

attractmoisture whichleads toseparationandformation of
acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel

system of an enginewhile instorage.
To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be

emptiedbefore storagefor 30daysor longer. Drainthe gas
tank, star_the engine and let it run untiltile fuel lines and

carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See
Storage instructionsfor additionalinformation.
Never useengineorcarburetor cleaner productsinthe fuel

tank or permanent damage may occur.

8