Craftsman 917386153 Owner’s Manual

®

ODEL

oAssembly
oOperation

Customer

ResponsibRgnties

oService

917,386153 OWNER'S MANUAL

oAdjustments
o Repair Parts

Caution:
Read and Follow

all Safety Rules
and Instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

155902 5.29.96 VBL

Printed in U,,S,A.

& SAFETY RULES

IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECT&
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTtONS COULD RESULT tN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH,

SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE 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:

o 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 atlow adults
to use mower without proper instructions

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

o Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as de-

scribed 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 manufacturer Use of such attachments may be

hazardous

o 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 wilt 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 stading engine_ Do not lilt gas tank

indoors, when the engine isrunning or when the engine is hot
Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before filting the

gas tank. Clean off any sp]lted gasoline before starting the
engine

o Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your

mower Never attempt to do this while the engine is running.

o Mow only in daylight or good artificiaT light

OPERATION:

- Keep your eyes and mind on your mower arrd 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 afirm hold
on the handles and walk

° Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts° Keep

clear of the discharge opening at alt times

° Always stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using

your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and

any gravel-covered area&

o Never direct discharge of material toward bystanders nor

allow anyone near the mower while you are operating it.

o Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing your mower, stop the

engine and make absolutely sure the btade and all moving
parts have stopped. Then disconnect the spark plug wire and

keep it away from the spark ptug to prevent accidental
starting

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers

• Do not continue to run your mower ifyou 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 if it vibrates abnormally.. Exces-

sive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine,

safely check for the cause of vibration and repair as required.

o Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are danger-

ous

o Never cut grass by pulling the mower towards you. Mow

across the face of slopes, never up and down or you [night
lose your footing. Do not mow excessively steep slopes. Use

caution when operating the moweron uneven terrain orwhen
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 boits, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for
proper tightness to be sure mower isin safe working condi-

tion

• 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 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..

• Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

o 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

portant safety precautions, tt means

I ,_ Look for this symbol to point out im-

CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY tS INVOLVED.

........... nu ii ,u i,,llll,llllll

CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it can-
not contact spark plug in order to pre-

vent accidental starting when setting

up, transporting, adjusting or making

rep airs. ,.....

A WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product con-
tains cnemicals known to the State of Califor-

nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other

u nl

reproductive harm.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Lawn
Mower It has been designed, engineered and manufac-
tured to give you the best possible dependability and

performance.
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily

_emedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized
Service Center/Department We have competent, wetl-

hained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair
this Iawn mower

Please read and _etain this manual The instructions will
enable you to assembie and maintain your lawn mower

propedy Always obse:ve the ;SAFETY RULES"

MODEL
NUMBER 917386153

SERIAL
NUMBER

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

HORSEPOWER: 5 0

DISPLACEMENT: t 1 5 CU IN
GASOLINE CAPACITY ! 5 QUARTS

AND TYPE: UNLEADED REGULAR

OILTYPE (API-SFiSG): SAE 30 (ABOVE 32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F)

OIL CAPACITY: 20 OZS
SPARK PLUG: CHAMPION J19LM RJ19LM

(GAP: 030") STD361458
VALVE CLEARANCE: INTAKE: 008

EXHAUST: 008

SOLID STATE IGNITION
AIR GAP: 0125 IN

DATE OFPURCHASE

THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WtLL BE FOUND

ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE
LAWN MOWER HOUSING

YOUSHOULDRECORDBOTHSERtALNUMBERAND
DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEPIN A SAFE PLACE
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 FT LBS

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Seals Maintenance Agreement is availabfe on this product Conlact your nearest Sears store for deta_ts

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBIL T ES

° Read and observe the safety rules

, Follow a regular sc!_edule in maintaining, caring for 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, 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 workmansiqip
If this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used tor commercial or rentat purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from

the date of purchase

This Warranly does not cover:

o Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts,

air' cleaners and spark plug

o Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the faiIure 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

i i i,nn i,i

H ,,u, ,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,, uu,,,,,,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES ....,..; ...................................................... 2

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES .......... .o.....°.3, 11-13

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

ASSEMBLY ................................................................... 6

OPERATION .................................................................. 8

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ...................................... 11

iNDEX

A

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

Adjustments:

Carburetor ....................................14

Engine Speed ........................... 14

Handle Height .............................14

Height of Cut .......................... 9

Air Filter:

Replacement ............................ 13

Service ........................................ 13

Assembly ............................................. 6

B

Blade:

Sharpening .................................12

Replacement ........................... 12

C

Controls:

Engine Zone Control ....................9

Engine Speed Control .................8

Operator Presence

Control Bar ..................................8

Customer Resporisibilities.o. 3, 11-13

Air Filter o.................................... 13

Blade Care/Repfacement ........I2

Engine ................................................13

Lubrication ................................ 13

Spark Plug ................................ 13

Gutting LeveLs .................................... 9

Engine:

Air Filter ................................... 13

Oil Change ............................. 13

Oit Level ................................... 13

Oil Type .........................................13

Starting ................................... 10

Stopping .......................................10

Storage .......................................15

Fuel:

Capacity .........................................3

Storage .................................. 15

Type ...............................................9

Handle Adjustment:

Assembly ................................... 6

Cutting Height ........................ 14

Lubrication:

Engine .............................................13

Lawn Mower ...............................11

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

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

Mowing Tips ........................................10

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ................................. 14

STORAGE ................................................................... 15

TROUBLESHOOTING .................................................. 21

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

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE .................................... 18-20

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE .................................... 22

E

Oil:

Engine ...............................................13

Storage ................................................15

Operation:

Engine Control ...............................9

Grass Catcher ............................ 9

Mower .............................................9

Operator Presence

F

H

Control Bar. ............................ g

Options:

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

Repail Parts:

Engine ...................................18-20

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

Responsibilities, Customer_ 3, 11-13

O

R

" S

L

IVi

Safety Rutes ..............................................2

Service and Adjustments .............. 14

Carburetor ......................................14

Engine Speed ............................14

Handle ...............................................14

Spark Plug ........................................ 13

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

Speed Control:

Engine .........................................14

Starting the Engine ......................... I0

Stopping the Engine .........................10

Stolage ...................................................15

T

Trouble Shooting Chart ................. 21

W

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

LAWN MOWER ACCIESSORUES

These accessories were available when lIiis laWnmower was produced, They are also available at most Sears retail outlets

and service centers Most Sears stoles can also order repair paris foryou, 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 DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

m

\

_._ \"\ GRASS CATCHERS

\ FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MULCHER KITS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

t GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

BELTS

• # %

BLADES

t ,tt ;*_- IL

AIR FILTERS

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

ASSEM LY

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

mower° Your new lawn mower has been assembled 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 assembly 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

Remove loose parts included with mower.
Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel

down flat.
Remove all packing materials except padding between

upper and lower handle and padding holding operator'
presence cont[ol bar to upper handle

Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thor-
oughlj for additional loose parts

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig. 1)

IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLES CAREFULLY SO AS
NOT TO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES

o Raise handles until lower handle section locks into

place in mowing position.

o Raise upper handte section into place on lower handle,

remove protective padding and tighten both handle
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.

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

(See Fig. 2)

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a
mulcher_ To convert to bagging or discharging:

o Open rea_ door and remove mutcher plug Store

mutcher plug ]n a safe place.

° You can now install catcher or optional clipping deflec-

tor.

o To return to mulching operation, install mulcher plug

into discharge opening of mower.

OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROLBAR

UPPER HANDLE

LIFT UP

LOWER HANDLE

MULCHERPLUG

CAUTION: Do not run your' lawn mower
proved clipping deflector or grass

catcher in place. Never attempt to op-

without mulcher plug in place or ap-
eratethe lawn mower with the rear' door

removed or propped open_

MOWING POSITION

FIG. 1

FIG, 2

6

ASSEMBLY

TO ASSEMBLE AHD AT'TAC[4 GRASS

CATCHER (See Figs. 3A thru 4)

o Insert leg of tubular hame through lront operQng of

grass catcher and thlead frame into sewn hem of bag

NOTE: Keep bag hem gatheied on !he straight teg of the

tubular frame

o When frame comes out the othe_ end of sewn hem,

immediately work the end offrame down inside the bag

as shown in inset

,' Slide sewn hem evenly around the tubular frame until

both ends of frame are exposed ou! of the front open-
ing,

,, Assemble lower frame to bJbular frame as shown Be

sure handle is oulside of bag and frames are fully
seated as shown in insel

" Slip vinyl bindings over frame
NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them In warm

waler for a few minutes II bag gets wet let it dry before
using

', Close the flip lid Flip lid must be closed while operating

lawn mower

o Lift the reat door on the mower housing and place the

grass catcher fram,e onto timeformed labs on the rear

door binge bracket

. The grass catcher is secured to d+_elawn mower

housing when tlmerear door is Ioweled on!o the grass

catcher frame

_o tCu ny""_u r law nmowe"_"'_"""_ _
! _:/_ without clipping deflectoror approved
! _tcherT!_ place., Never attempt

t_to operate the lawn mower with the rear

L._ door removed or propped open__

LOWER
FRAME

(Frames must
be fully seated)

TUBULAR
FRAME

FIG. 3B

LOWER FRAME HANDLE , t

\

FIG. 3C

. REARDoor

HNGE' _--CL<7_+

GRASS
CATCHER

FRAME

TUBULAR FRAt'_E SEWN

HEM

SEWN HEM

FIG. 3A

FORMED
TABS

FIG, 4