Craftsman 917387070 Owner’s Manual

__-_ Owner's Manual

CRAFTS[MAN+

5.5 HORSEPOWER
20" CAST CONVERTIBLE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No,

917.387070

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espahol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

For answersto your

questionsabout thisproduct:

Call 7 am--7 pm, Mon--Sat;
Sun, 10 am--7 pm

1-800-235-5878

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

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 1

Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 1

Assembly 4 , Storage 1

Operation 6 Troubleshooting 1
Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 3

Maintenance 10 Parts Ordering Back Cow

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 th_

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 cleanem and spark plug.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank-
shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con-
tained in the owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the craftsman power mower to the nearest
sears service center/department 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 which

vary from state to state.

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

TRAINING:

• Read this operator's manual carefully.

Become familiar with the controls and
know how to operate your mower

propedy. 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 thal

are not recommended by the manufac-
turer. Use of such attachments may b_
hazardous.

• The blade tums when the engine is
running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to b_
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 propedy. Do not operate mowel

when barefoot or wearing open sandal
Wear only solid shoes with good tractic

when mowing.

2

, Checkfueltankbeforestartingengine.

Donotfillgastankindoors,whenthe
engineisrunningorwhentheengineis
hot. Allowtheengineto coolfor 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 while 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

discharge opening at all times.

• Always stop the engine wheneveryou

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 acciden-

tal 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
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. 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

excessively 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 insafe 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.

CAUTION" 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.

WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product

contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects, or

other reproductive harm.

3

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhen
thislawnmowerwasproduced.Theyare

also available at most Sears retail outlets
and service centers. Most Sears stores

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

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.

MULCHER KffS

STABILIZER

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

/ FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

1 GRASS CATCHERS

LAWNMOWERS

AIR RLTERS

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE O_L

4

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 bden 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 control bar to upper handle.

, Roll lawn mower out of carton and check

carton thoroughly for additional loose

parts.

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle 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 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 Handte" in the Service

and Adjustments section of this manual.

Operator Presence
Control Bar

Upper Handle

Up

LiftUp

LowerHandle

MowingPosition

KNOWYOUR 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

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 HAND_

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator Presence
ControlBar

EngineZone

UpperHandle

Starter Handle

HandleKnob

GasolineFillCap

EngineOil Cap

With

AirFilter

EngineSpeed
Control

Mulcher Door

Wheel Adjuster

(On Each Wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the

American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety 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.
MULCHER DOOR - allows conversion to discharge or bagging operation.

PRIMER - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor to the cylinder for use when startil
a cold engine.

STARTER HANDLE - used for starting the engine.
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER - located on the side of the engine which allows

you to select either fast or slow engine speed.

_IOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

lhe engine speed is controlled by a lever

ocated on the side of the engine. Fast

_osition is for starting engine, normal
:utting and better grass bagging. Slow

_osition is for light cutting, trimming and
_ueleconomy.

LowerWheels
For HighCut

__ Raise Wheels

ForLowCut

Engine Speed
Control Lever

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

CAUTION: Federal regulations require an

,=ngine control to be installed on this lawn
"nower in order to minimize the risk of

3lade contact injury. Do not under any
:ircumstances attempt to defeat the

!unction 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 cu'n'ING 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 prepedy 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.

PlateTab

Lever

CAUTION: Do not operate your lawn
mower without mulcher door in locked

position, discharge deflector in place, or
approved grass catcher in place.

NOTE: Your lawn mower has been
shipped ready for mulching operation. TO

convert to discharging operation, you must

install the discharge deflector attachment
included with your mower.

TO INSTALL DISCHARGING DEFLECTOR

• Unlock mulching door by lifting door i

latch as shown.

• Lift door upward on it's hinge until the

deflector frame can be hooked over the
door mounting bracket as shown.

• Release the door to rest against

deflector frame.

• To return to mulching operation, reverse

the above steps and be sure door is in
locked position.

Deflector

7

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 w/dipstick and fill
to the full line on the dipstick.

• Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade
of oil to use, see =ENGINE" in Customer
Responsibilities 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.

GAS

• Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean,

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

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 fuel tank, start the

engine and let it run until 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 fuel tank
or permanent damage may occur.

Gasoline
FillerCap

Engine Oil
Capw/
Dipstick

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primer five

(5) times before trying to start. Use a
firm push. This step is not usually

necessary when starting an engine
which has already run for a few minutes.

• Push engine speed control lever to fast

position.

• Hold operator presence control bar down

to the handle and pull starter handle

quickly. DO NOT allow starter rope to
snap back.

• To STOP engine, release operator

presence control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat pdming steps. In

warmer weather over pdming may cause
flooding and engine will not start. If you do

flood engine wait a few minutes before

attempting to start and DO NOT repeat
priming steps.

MOWING TIPS

• Under certain conditions, such as very
tall grass, it may be necessary to raise
the height of cut to reduce pushing effort

and to keep from overloading the engine
and leaving clumps of grass clippings.

• 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.

• For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting

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

spreads grass clippings more evenly anc
puts less load on the engine. To keep

clippings oft of walkways, flower beds,
etc., make the first cuts in a clockwise
direction.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can
become filled with dirt and dust with use

and catchers will collect tess 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.