Craftsman 917387221 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

®

4.5 HORSEPOWER
20" SmDE DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.387221

,, Safety
o AssembBy

,, Operation
o Maintenance

o Espafiol
o Repair Parts

CAUTRON:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

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

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 13
Assembly 4 Storage 14
Operation 6 Troubleshooting 15

Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 32
Maintenance 10 Parts Ordering Back Cover

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 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, 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

properly. Leam 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.

o 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.

o Do not use accessory attachments that

are not recommended by the manufac-

turer. Use of such attachments may be
hazardous.

o The blade turns when the engine is

running,

PREPARATION:

o 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,

o 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.Allowtheenginetocoolforseveral
minutesbeforefillingthegastank,Clean

offanyspilledgasolinebeforestartingthe
engine.

° Alwaysmakewheelheightadjustments

beforestartingyourmower.Never
attempttodothiswhiletheengineis
running_

• Mowon_y in daylight or good artificial

lighL

OPERATION:

o Keep your eyes and mind on your mower

and the area being cut. Do not let other

interests distract you.

o 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.

o De not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts_ Keep clear of the discharge
opening at all times.

o 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 materia! toward

bystanders nor allow anyone near the
mower while you are operating iL

o 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 governor settings or
overspeed the engine. Engine damage or

personal injury may resulL

• 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 require&

° Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust

fumes are dangerous.

o 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:

o Check the blade and the engine mount-

ing bolts often to be sure they are

tightened properly°

o 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 oilo

• 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.

o 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, etco

CAUTION: Always disconnect spad_ 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.

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwasproduced.Theyarealso
availableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservicecenters.MostSearsstorescanalso

orderrepairpartsforyou,whenyouprovidethemodelnumberofyourlawnmower.

Someoftheseaccessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR _ _

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS STABIUZER

FOR t FOR

REAR DISCHARGE SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCNERS GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS LAWN MOWERS

GAS CANS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

UFFLERS AIR FILTERS SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS ENGINE OIL

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, etco, 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 hard-
ware you assemble must be tightened
securely. Use the correct tools as neces-
sary to ensure proper tightness.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

o 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.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE
iMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefully so

as not to pinch or damage contol cables.
o 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 fawn mower handle can be

adjusted for your mowing comfort.

Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service

and Adjustments section of this manual

Operator presence control bar

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 illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the

location of vadous controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

............... ,,,,,,iH ,i,,,,,i _ .... ii ................ ........

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 H._,.NDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone control :_erator presence

cable control bar

Upstop bracket

Starter handle

knob

CabLe clip

cap

Engine oil cap with
dipstick Primer

Housing

Mulcher

Wheel adjuster

(on each wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAF_ 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 Commission, 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.
Primer- pumps additional fuel from the

,Starter handle- used for starting the engine,
Mulcher plate - Located at the discharge

opening must be removed when converting to
bagging or discharging operation,

carburetor to the cylinder for use when starting

a cold engine,

5