Craftsman 917387302 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

£RAFTSMAN°

6.0 HORSEPOWER
22" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.387302

• Safety

•" Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa_ol

• Repair Parts-

CAUTION:

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 15
Operation 6 Troubleshooting 16

Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 34
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, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

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
properly. Learn how to quickly stop

mower.

• Do not allow children to use yot_r 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 it 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.

2

• 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 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 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 pmceduro
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 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 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 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 wom 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 roach
an open flame or an ignition source such
as a hotwater 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.

AWARNING: The engine exhaust from
this product contains chemicals known to

the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

3

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthis
lawnmowerwasproduced.Theyarealso

availableatmostSearsretailoutletsand
servicecenters.MostSearsstorescanalso

LAWNMOWERPERFORMANCE

orderrepairpartsfor you, when you provide

the model number of your lawn mower.
Some of these accessories may not apply

to your lawn mower.

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS AIR FILTERS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS

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 as-
semble 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 comers of carton

and lay end panel down flat.

• Remove all packing materials except

padding between upper and lower

iv

MULCHER KITS

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

FOR

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

b ,

WHEELS ENGINE OIL

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
handles 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" inthe Service and Adjustment

section of this manual.

4

Operator presence
controlbal

Lift up

Lower
handle

Mowing

position

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

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

• Open rear door and remove mulcher
plug. Store mulcher plug in a safe place.

• You can now install catcher or optional
clipping deflector.

• To return to mulching operation, install

mulcher plug into discharge opening of

mower.

Mulcher plug _

,_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plug in place or approved

clipping deflector or grass catcher in place.

Never attempt to operate the lawn mower

with the rear door removed or prepped

open.

5

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 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 HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence control bar

control cable

Starter handle

Handle

Grass catcher_

Air filter

Mulcher plug

Engine oilcap

with dipstick

Lawn mower housing

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 Commission. The blade
turns when the an_ine is runni_.

OperatorPresence Control Bar- must be

held down to the handle to start the engine.

Release to stop the engine.
Pdmer - pumps additional fuel from the

Starter Handle - used for starting the engine.
Mulcher Plug - 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.

6

The operation of any lawn mower can result in
foreign objects thrown intothe eyes, which can

result in severe eye damage. Always wear
safety glasses or eye shields while operating

your lawn mower or performing any adjust-

merits 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

ACAUTION: Federal regulations require
an engine control to 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 CUTTING HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels
for high cut.

• Adjust cutting heightto suit your require-

ments. Medium positionis best for most
lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster
lever toward wheel. M6ve wheel up or down

to suit your requirements. Be sure all wheels
are in thesame setting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when
plate tab inserts intohole in laver. Also, 9-

position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever

to be positioned between the plate tabs.

LowerWheels for High Cut

Plate Tab

Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut
TO A'n'ACH GRASS CATCHER

• Close the fliplid. Rip lidmust be dosed
while operating lawn mower.

• Liftthe rear door on the 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.

Hinge
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 willcause wear.

Grass catcher

7

BEFORESTARTINGENGINE
OIL

Yourlawnmowerisshippedwithoutoilinthe

engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fillis clean.

• Remove engine oil cap and fillto the full line
on the dipstick.

• Use20ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil
to use, see =ENGINE" in Maintenance

section of this manual.

• Pour oilslowly. Do not overfill.

• Check oil level before each use. Add ell if

needed. Fillto full line on d'_ostick.

• To read proper level, tighten engine oilcap

each time.

• Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

• Change the oilafter every 25 hoursof

operation or each season. You may need

to change the oil more often under dusty,
dirty conditions.

GAS

• Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mLxoil 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 ofan 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, stad the engine

and let it run untilfuel 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

filler cap

Engine oil

cap

TO START ENGINE

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

This step isnot 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 stader rope to snap back.

• To stop engine,release operator presence

control bar.

NOTE: In coolerweatherif maybe neces-
san/to repeatprimingsteps. Inwarmer

weatheroverprimingmaycausefloodingand

enginewillnot start Ifyoudo flood engine,
waita few minutesbeforeattemptingto start

and donotrepeatprimingsteps.
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
ovedap 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, regulady hose catcher off
with water and let dry before using.

• Keep top of engine around stader clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and extend

engine life.

8