Craftsman 917.387205 User Manual
Owner's Manual
CRAFTSMAN+
3.5 HORSEPOWER
20" SIDE DISCHARGE
ROTARY LAWN MOWER
Model No.
917.387205
• Safety
• Assembly
• Operatio n
• Maintenance
• Espa_ol
• Repair Parts
CAUTION:
Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instruct_o£sll
before operating this equipment
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman
Warranty 2 Product Specifications 9
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 11
Assembly 4 Storage 12
Operation 5 Troubleshooting 13
Maintenance Schedule 8 Repair Parts 30
Maintenance 8 Parts Ordering BackCover
LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER
For one year 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.
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, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOI S 60179
k
Safety standards require operator pres-
ence 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:
• 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 that
are not recommended by the manufac-
turer. Use of such attachments may be
hazardous.
• The blade tums 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.
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• Dross 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 while the engine is
running.
• Mow oqly 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 whenever you
leave or are not using your mower, or
before crossing driveways, walks, roads,
and any gravel--coverod 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 procedure
outlined above, then repair any damage
before restarting and operating you
mower.
• Do not change the govemor settings or
overspeed the engine. Engine damage or
personal injury may result.
• Do not operate your mower if itvibrates
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. Usa 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 mount-
ing 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.
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.
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
These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are also
available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers. Most Sears stores can also order
rel:;air pads for you, 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
FOR
REAR DISCHARGE
GRASS CATCHERS
LAWN MOWERS
LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE
MUFFLERS
BELTS BLADES
BLADE ADAPTERS
Read these instructionsand this manual inits
enSrety 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 leftunassernbled
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 pads included with mower.
• Cut down two end comers of carton end lay
end panel down flaL
• Remove all packrng materials except
padding between upper and lower handle
end padding holding operator presence
controlbar to upper handle,
MULCHER KITS
SIDE DISCHARGE
GRASS CATCHERS
LAWN MOWERS
AIR FILTERS
FOR
WHEELS
STABILIZER
GAS CANS
SPARK PLUGS
ENGINE OIL
• Rolllawnmoweroutofcartonandcheck
cartonthorouglyforadditionallooseparts.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefullyso as
not to pinch or damage contrel cables.
• Raise handles untillower handle section
locks into-place in mowing _.
• Remove protective padding, raise upper
handle section intoplace on lower handle
end 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 comforL Refer to "Adjust
Handle" in the Service end Adjustment
section of this manual.
4
OF
Upper handle
Lift up
Mowing
position
Lower
handle
KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare the illustrationswithyour lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the
location ofvarious controls andadiustments. Save this manual for future reference.
These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literaturesupplied with the product.
Leam and understand their meaning.
CAUTI(_N ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER.KEEPHANDS
CR WARNING ON OFF AND FEETAWAY
Operator presence control bar
Engine zone control
cable
Handle knob
Gasoline fillercap
Engine oil
filler plug
Air filter
Discharge guard
Wheel adjuster
(on each wheel)
vlEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
;ears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the
\merican National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commis-
;ion. The blade turns when the engine is running.
)perator presence control bar- must be
_elddown to the handle to start the engine.
lelease to stop the engine.
Primer - pumps additional fuel from the
carburetor tothe cylinder for use when starting
a cold engine.
Starter handle - used for starting the engine.
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The operation of any lawn mower can result in
foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can
resultin severe eye damage. Always wear
safety glasses or eye shields while operating
your lawn mower or performing any adjust-
ments or repairs. We recommend a wide
vision safety mask over spectacles or standard
safety glasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was sat at the factory for
optimum performance. Speed is not adjust-
able.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL :
ACAUTION: Federal regulations require an
engine controlto 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 CU'I'rlNG HEIGHT
• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheeis
for high cut.
• Adjust cutting height to suit your require-
ments. Medium pes'_on 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 inthe 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.
Raise wheels for lowcut
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.
• Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade
of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in Mainte-
nance 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 fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. 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 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.
Lower wheels for high cut
Plate tab
Gasoline filler cap
Oil filler plug
6
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.
• 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 priming steps. In
warmer weather over priming 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
tal} 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.
• 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
and puts less load on the engine. To
keep clippings off 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 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.
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