Craftsman 917387382 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

[RI;FTSMI:IN

6.0 HORSEPOWER
20" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No,

917.387382

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• EspaSol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and followall
Safety Rulesand Instructions
before operatingthis 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 POWERMOWER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained,
lubricated, and tuned up according to the operatingand maintenance instructionsinthe

owner's manual, Sears willrepairfree 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 pumhase.
This Warranty does notcover:

• Expendable itemswhich become worn during normaluse, suchas 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 tomaintain the equipment accordingto the instructionscon-

tained in the owner's manual.

Warranty sewice isavailable by returningthe Craftsman power mower to the nearest

Sears Service Center/Department in the United States. This warranty appliesonly while

this productis in use inthe United States.

ThisWarranty gives you specific legal dghts,and you may also have other rightswhich
varyfrom state to state.
SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

Safety standards require operator
presence controlsto minimize the

risk of injury.Yourunit is equipped
with suchcontrols, Do not attempt to
defeat the function of the operator

presence controlsunder any
circumstances,

TRAINING:

• Read this operator'smanual carefully.

Become famUiarwiththe contre_sand
knowhowto operate your mower

properly.Learnhow to quickly stop
mower.

• Do not allowchildrento use'your mower.
Never allowadultsto usemower without

properinstructions.

• Keep the area ofoperationdeer of all
persons, especiallysmallchildren and

pets.

• Use mower onlyas the manufacturer
intended and as describedin this manual.

• Do not operate mower if ithas been

droppedor damaged in any manner,
Alwayshave damage repaired before

usingyour mower.

• Do not use accessory attachmentsthat

are notrecommendedbythe manufac-
turer.Use of suchattachmentsmay be
hazardous.

• The bladeturns when the engineis
running.

PREPARATION:

• Alwaysthoroughlycheck the area to be
mowed and clear it of all stones,sticks,
wires,bones, and otherforeign objects.
These objectswill be threwa by the blade
and can cause severe injury.

• Alwayswear safety glassesoreye
shieldswhen startingand while using
your mower.

2

• Drossproperly.Do not operate mower
whenbarefootor weadng open sandals.

Wear onlysolidshoeswithgood traction
whenmowing.

• Checkfuel tankbefore startingengine.

Do not titt gastank indoors,when the
engine isrunningorwhen the engine is

hot.Allowthe engine to coolfor several
minutes beforetillingthe gas tank. Clean

off any spilledgasolinebeforestartingthe
engine.

• Always make wheel heightadjustments

beforestartingyourmower. Never

attempt to dothiswhile the engine is
running.

• Mow only indaylightor good artificial
light.

OPERATION:

• Keep your eyesand mind on your mower
and the area being cut. Do not letother

interestsdistractyou.

• Do not mowwet orslipperygrass.Never
runwhile operatingyour mower. Always

be sure of yourfooting-- keep afirm
holdonthe handlesand walk.

• Do not puthands orfeet near or under
rotatingparts.Keep clear ofthe discharge

openingatall times.

• Alwaysstopthe enginewhenever you
leave orare not using your mower, or

beforecrossingdriveways,walks, reads,
and anygravel--coverad areas.

• Never direct dischargeof matedal toward

bystandersnorallow anyonenear the
mowerwhile youare operatingit.

• Before cleaning,inspecting,or repaidng

yourmower, stop the engine and make
absolutelysurethe blade and all moving
partshave stopped.Then disconnectthe

spark plugwireand keep it away from the
spark plugto prevent accidental starting.

• Do not continueto runyourmower it you

hit a foreignobject.Followthe procedure
outlinedabove,then repair any damage
before restartingand operatingyou

mower.

• Do notchange the govemor settingsor
overspeedthe engine. Engine damageor
personalinjurymay result.

• Do not operateyourmower it it vibrates
abnormally.Excessivevibrationisan

indicationof damage; stop the engine,
safelycheck forthe cause of vibration

and repairas required.

• Do not runthe engine indoors.Exhaust

fumesare dangerous.

• Never cutgrassby pullingthe mower
towardsyou. Mow acrossthe face of

slopes, never up and downor you might
lose yourfooting.Do not mow exces-
sively steep slopes. Use cautionwhen

operatingthe mower on uneventerrain

orwhen changing directions-- maintain
goodtooting.

• Never operate yourmower without
properguards, plates, grasscatcher or

othersafety devices in place.

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the engine mount-
ingboltsoftento be surethey are -

tightenedpropedy.

• Check allbolts, nutsand screws at
frequentintervalsforproper tightnessto

be sure mowerisin safe working
condition.

• Keep all safetydevices in place and

working.

• To reducefire hazard, keep the engine
free of grass, leaves or excessive grease

and oil.

• Check grasscatcher often for deteriora-

tionand wear and replace wornbags.
Use only replacement bags that are

recommendedby and complywith
specificationsofthe manufacturerofyour
mower.

• Alwayskeep a sharp blade on your

mower.

• Allow engine to coolbefore stodng inany

enclosure.

• Never store mowerwith fuel inthe tank

insidea buildingwhere fumesmay reach
an open flame or an ignitionsourcesuch

as a hotwaterheater, space heater,
clothesdryer,etc.

ACAUTION: Always disconnect spark

plug wire and place wire where it cannot
contact spark plug in orderto prevent

accidental startingwhen settingup,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product

containschemicals known to the State of
Califomia tocause cancer, birthdefects,

or other reproductiveharm.

Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwas produced.They arealso

availaUeat mostSearsretailoutletsendservicecenters.MostSearsstorescanalso order
repairpartsfor you,whenyouprovidethemodelnumberofyourlawn mower. Some ofthese

accessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

MULCHER KITS

STABILIZER

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MU_UERS AIRRLTENS SPANK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS ENGINE OIL

Readthesein_ andthismanualinits

en_retybeforeyouattempt to assemble or
operate yournow lawn mower. Your new lawn
mower bes been assemblad at the factory with

the exceptionof thosepartsleftunassembled
forshippingparposes. Allparissochas nuts,

washers,bolts,etc.,necesealylo co_ptete the
assemblyhavebeenplasedinthepartsbag.

Toensuresereand properoperationof your
lawnmc_er, allpa_tsend berdware you

assemblemustbe _ght_ned seourely.Usethe
correcttoolsasnecessai_toensureproper
tightness.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON

• Removeloosepartsincludedwithmower.

• Cut downtwoe_I comersof cartoRendlay

endpar_downnat

• RolHawnmoweroutofcartonandcheck

cartonthoroughlyforadditionallooseparts. "

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfoldhandlescarefullysoas

notto pinchordamagecontrol cabiss.

• Raisehandlesuntillower berne section

locksintoplace inmowingposition.

• Removeprotective padding, raiseupper
handlesectionintoplaceORlowerhandle

and_ghtenbothhandleI_t_.

• Removehandle pad_ng holdingoperator
preseseecoRtrolberto upperhendle.

* Yourlawnmowerhandlecan be adjusted

foryourmowingcernforL Referto "Adjust
Handle"inthe ServiceandAdjustment
seotionofthismanual.

• Remove aUj0addngrnatedalaexcept

pad_ng bet_weenupperend lowerhande
and padding holdingoperatorpresence

controlbet toupparhendle.

GAS CANS

OPemt0rPresencecontm_b.ar

Lowerhandle/

ng

position

TO INSTALL AITACHMENTS

Your_.wnrr_w_ w_ _ readytobe

usedasa mulcher.Toconverttobaggingor
discharging:

• Open reardoorand removemulcherplug,
Storemulcherplugina safe place.

• Youcannowinstallcatcheror optional
dippingdeflector.

• To returntomulchingope_, install
mulcherplugintodischargeopeningof

mower. Be sure alltabsare seated

proper_.

Mulcher

ACAUTION: Do notrun your lawn mower
withoutmulcher plugin place or approved

clippingdeflector or gross catcher in place,
Never attempt to operate the lawn mower
with the mar door removed or propped
open.

5

KNOWYOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN

MOWER. Compare the illustrationswith your lawn mower tofamiliarize yourselfwiththe
locationofvarious controlsandadjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

_ =ymbolsrnayappeero. yourla_mn'_werorInEm'a_re=ulpplledwtlhtm product.Learnand_

h'weme=_.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUCJ,. OIL DANGER, KIEF.PHANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone control cable

OperatoT presence control bar

Srarter handle

Handle knob

Mulcher plug cap w/

Gasoline cap

Primer

Engine oil

Housing

Wheeladjuster

(oneachwheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Searsrotarywalk-behindpowerlawnmowersconformtoti',,esafetystandardsoftheAmerican

NationalStandardsInstilu_ and theU.S. ConsumerProductSafetyCommission,The blade

turnswhentheengineisrunning;
Operator preserve conb'ofbar - must be

helddown to the handletostartthe engine.

Relaasetostopthe engine.

Starter handle- used forstar_ngtheengine.
Mulcher plug - most be removedto convertto
baggingordscbarging operation,

Pdmer - pumpsadd_ fuel fromthe

to_ cylinderforusewhen starting

a coldeogine,

Theoperationofanylawnmowercan
resultinforeign objects thrown intothe

eyes, which can resultin severe eye
damage. Always wear safety glasses or

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

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
oimumstances attempt to defeat the

functionof the operator control.The blade
turns when the engine is running.

• Yourlawnmowerisequippedwithan
operatorpresencecontrolbar which

requirestheoperatorto be ix_itioned
behindthe lawn rn_ver handleto startand

operatethe lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CU'[TING HEIGHT

• RKtsewheelsfor lowcutandlowerwheels
forhighout.

• Adjustcuttingheighttosuityourrequire-
ments. Mediumpositionisbestfor most

lawns.

• To changecuttingheight,squeezea_uster
levertowardwheel. Movewheel up or

downtosuityourrequirements.Besureall
wheelaare inthesamesetting.

NOTE: Adjuster is propedy 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.

PlatsTab

LowerWheelsforHighCutr-.'__'L_.w

TO AI"I'ACH GRASS CATCHER

• Closethefliplid. Riplidmustbe dosed
while operatinglawnmower,

• Littthe reardoor onthe mower housingand

placethegrasscatcherframeontothe
formedtabs onthe reardoorhingebracket.

• The grasscatcherisssouredtothe lawn

mowerhousingwhenthe reardoor is
loweredontothegrasscatcherframe.

ACAUTION: Do notrunyour lawn mower
withoutclipping deflector or approved

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

removed or propped open.
Hinge

bracke_ Reardoor .

Grass catcher

Formed

tabs

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• Toremovegresscatcher,releaseoperator
presencecontrolbarto stop engine.

• Liftupreardoorandremovethegrass

catcherbythe handle.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when

emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

RaiseWheelsforLowCut

er

7

BEFORESTARllNGENGINE
OIL

Yourlawnmowerisshippedwithoutoilinthe

er_ne,

• Be suremowerisleveland areaaroundoil
fillisdean.

• Removeengineoilcap andFdlto thefullline

cotbedips_k.

• Use20 ozs. of oil, Fortypeandgradeof oil

touse,see 'ENGINE" InMaintenance
sec_onof thismoneaL

• Po_o, slov_. DonofoverM.

• Cbeckoil levelbeforeeechuse. Addoilif
needed. RIItofulllinean(_ostU_

• TOreadprogerlevel,_ghtenengineoil cap
each time.

• Reinstallengineoilcap and_g_'lten.

• Change theoilaftorevery25 hoursof
opemt_n _ esch seasco. You may ceed
tOchangetheoHmoreoftanunderdusty,

dirtycandi_ns.

GAS

• Fillfueltank. Use fresh,clean,regutar

unleadedgasolinewi_ a minimumof87
octane. Donotmix oilwithgasctine.

Purchasefuelinquan51k_that cen be used
within30 daysto assurefuelfreshness.

WARNING: Experienceindicatesthatalcohol
blendedfuels (calledgasohoior usingethanol
or_oi) canattractmoisturewhichleads
toseparal_n and formationof acidsduring

storage.Acidcgascandamagethefuel
systemofanenginewhile instorage. Toavoid

engiceproblems,_e fuelsystemshouldbe
emptiedbeforestorage of30 days orlonger.

Draintheges tank, starttheengiceandletit
rununblthefuellinesandcarburetorare

empty. Uce'_sh fealnextseason. See
StorageInstruc_onsfo_adddJonalinformatice.

Never use engineorcarburetordeanor
productsinthefuel tankor permanentdarnage

mayoccur.

Gasoline filler cap

Engine oil cap

TO START ENGINE

• Tostarta coldengine,pJshpdmorffiree (3)

timesbeforetnJingtostart. Usea firmpush.

Thisstepisnotusuallynecessa_ wben

staring an enginewhichhas already runfor
a few minutes.

• Holdoperatorpresancecontrolbardownto
thehandleand pullstarterhandlequickly.

Donotallowstartorrepetosnapback.

• To stepengine,releaseoperetorpresence

controlba_

NOTE: In coolerweather itmay be
necessary to repeat pdmingsteps. In
warmer weather over primingmay cause

floodingand engine will not start. If youdo
floodengine, wait a few minutes before

attemptingto start and do not repeat
priming steps.

MOWING TIPS

• Under certain conditions, such as very
tallgrass, it may be necessary to raise

the height of cut to reduce pushing effort
and tokeep from ovedoading the engine

and leaving clumps ofgrass clippings. It
may also be necessary to reduce
groundspeed and/or run the lawn

mower over the area.a.second time.

• For extremely heavy cuffing, reduce the

widthof cut by overlappingpreviously
cut path and mow slowly.

• For better grass bagging and most

cuttingconditions,the engine speed
should be set in the fast position.

• When using a rear discharge lawn

mowerin moist,heavy grass, clumps of

cut grass may not enter the grass
catcher. Reduce ground speed (push-

ingspeed) and/or runthe lawn mower
over the area a secondtime.

• If a trail of clippingsis left on the right
side of a rear discharge mower, mow in

a clockwise directionwith a small
ovedap tocollect the clippingson the

next pass.

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

and catchers will collect less grass. To
prevent this, regularly hose catcher off
withwater and let dry before using.

• Keep top of engine around starter clear

and clean of grass clippingsand chaff.

This will help engine airflow and extend
engine life.

8

MULCHINGMOWINGTIPS......

IMPORTANT: ForbestperfomBnce,keep
mowerhousingfree ofbuilt-upgrossand

trash.See "Cleaning" inMaintenanceseclion

ofthismanual.

• The specialmulchingbladewillrecutthe
grassclippingsmanytimesand reduce
them insize sothatastheyfailentothe

lawntheywillo_perse intothegrassand
notbe noticed.Also,the mulched grasswill
biodegradequickly to providenut,antsfor

thelawn. Alwaysmulchwithyourhighest
engine (blade)speed asthis will providethe
bestrecuttingaclionofthe blades.

• Avoidcuttingyourlawnwhenitiswet. Wet

grasstendstoformclumpsand interferes
withthemulchingaction,The besttime to

mow yourlawnisthe earlyaftemcon.At
thistimethe grasshasdriedandthe newly

cutarea witl not be exposedtothedirect

sun.

• For best results,adjustthe lawn mower
cut_ngheightsothatthelawn mowercuts

offonlythetop one-thirdof the grassblades.
Ifthelawnisovergrownitwill benecessary

toraisethehe'Kjhtofcuttoreducepushing
effortandto keep fromoverloadingthe
engineend leavingclumpsof mulched

grass.Forextremelyheavymulching,

redeceyourWidthofcutby ovetlappi_

previou_cutpathandmow slowly.

• Certaintypesof grassandgrassconditions
may requirethat an area be mulcheda

secondtime tocompletelyhidethe
clippings.Whan deing a sscend cut,mow
acrossorperpendicularto the firstcutpath,

• Change yourcuringpatternfromweek to
weak. Mownorthtosouthoneweek6"len

change toeasttowestthe nextweek. This
will helppreventmatting andgrainingofthe

lawn.