Craftsman 917387255 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

£RI:IFTSI41:IN

4.0 HORSEPOWER
20" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.387255

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• EspaSol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

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

Visitour Craftsmanwebsite: www.sears.condcraftsman

Warranty . . 2 Product Specifications _ 9
Safety Rules ; 2 Service and Adjustments 11

Assembly 4 Storage 13
Operation 5 Troubleshooting 14

Maintenance Schedule 8 Repair Parts 30

Maintena,nce , 8 Parts Ordering Back Cover

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 @0days from the date of pumhase.

This Warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become wom 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

Safety standards require operator pres-
ence controls to minimize the dsk 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
properly. 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 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 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 properly. Do not operate mower

2

whenbarefoot 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 coo! 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 only in daylight or good artificial
tight.

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--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 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 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 15ypulling the mower
towards you. Mow ac_ss 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:

• Check the blade and the engine mount-
ing bolts often to be sure they are

tightened propedy.

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

be sure mower is in safe work'mg
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.

_I,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

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwasproduced.They_am also

available at most Sears retailoutlets and service centers. Most Sears stores can also order
repair parts for you, when you provide the model number ofyour lawn mower, Some of these

accessories may not apply to your lawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

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 excep-

tion of those parts left unassembled for

shipping purposes. All parts such as nuts,

washers, bolts, etc., necessary to com-

plete 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.

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

GRASS CATCHERS

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

MUFFLERS

BELTS

FOR

BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

MULCHERKITS

/ FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

! GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

STAEIUZER

GAS CANS

€

AIR RLTERS

• 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 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.

SPARK PLUGS

I--

ENGINE OIL

4

• Your lawn mower handle can be

Operator presence controlbar

adjusted for your mowing comfort.
Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service

and Adjustment section of this manual.

Upper handle \

Liftup

Mowing
position

Lowerhandle

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare the illustrationswith your lawn mower to familiarize yourselfwith the

locationof 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 I_IGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OiL DANGER, KEEP HAN06

OR WARNING ON OFF ANO FEET AWAy

Enginezone control....

Operator presence controlbar

cable

Starter handle

Grass catcher.

Gasoline filler cap

Airfilter

Primer

Lawn mower housing

Engineoil plug ljduster

(on each wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotarywalk-behind power lawn mowers conform tothe safety standards of the American

National Standards Instituteand the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade
turnswhen the engine isrunning.

operator presence control _ - must De Primer- pumps additionalfuel from the
held down to the handle to startthe engine, carburetor to the cylinder for use when starting
Release tostop the engine, a cold engine.

Starter handle - used for starling the engine.

5

Theoperationofanylawnmowercan

resultinforeignobjectsthrownintothe
eyes,whichcanresultinsevereeye
damage.Alwayswearsafetyglassesor

eye shields while operating your lawn
mower or performing any adjustments or

repairs. We recommend a wide vision
safety mask over spectacles or standard

safety glasses,

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The engine speed was set at the factory

for optimum performance. Speed is not

adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

&CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this

lawn mower in order to minimize the dsk of

blade contact injury. Do not under any

circumstances attempt to defeat the

function of the operator control. The blade

tums 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 CUTTING 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 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.

Lowerwheels for
highcut

Raisewheels for low Pla_etab

cut

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

• Close the flip lid. Flip lid must be closed

while operating lawn mower.

• Lift the rear door on th_ mower housing

and place the grass catcher frame onto
the formed tabs on the rear door hinge

bracket.

• The grass catcher is secured to the lawn

mower housing when the rear door is
lowered onto the grass catcher frame,

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without clipping deflector or approved

grass catcher in place. Never attempt to
operate the lawn mower with the rear door

removed or propped open.

Grass

frame

bracket

Formed

tabs

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• To remove grass catcher, release

operator presence control bar to stop
engine,

• Lift up rear door and remove the grass

catcher by the handle.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when

emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

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 plug 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
plug each time.

• Reinstall engine oil plug and tighten.

• Change the oil after every 25 hours of

operation or each season. You may

need tochange the oil more often under
dusty, dirty conditions.

GAS

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87

octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will
increase carbon and lead oxide deposits

and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil

with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quanti-

ties 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 gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the 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 the fuel

tank or permanent damage may occur.

Gasoline filler
cap

Engineoil

TO START ENGINE

• To starta cold engine, push primer five(5)
times before tryingto start. Use a firm push.

This step is not usuallyneeessan/when
startingan engine which has already runfor
a few minutes.

• Hold operator presence controlbar down to

the handle and pull starter handle quickly.

Do not allow starter ropeto snap back.

• To stop engine, release operator presence

control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather itmay be necessary
to repeat primingsteps. In warmer weather
over priming may cause flooding and engine

willnot start. Ifyou do floodengine, wait a few

minutesbefore attern_ng to start and do not
repeat primingsteps.

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. 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.

• When using a rear discharge lawn

mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of
cut grass may not enter the grass
catcher. Reduce ground speed (push-

ing speed) and/or run the lawn mower
over the area a second time.

• If a trail of clippings is left on the right

side of a rear discharge mower, mow in
a clockwise direction with a small

overlap to collect the clippings on the
next pass.

• 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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