Craftsman 917.387402 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

CMFTSMRN^

6.0 HORSEPOWER

22" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.387402

Safety Assembly Operation

Maintenance Espahoi 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 Safety Rules Assembly 4 Storage Operation 6 Troubleshooting Maintenance Schedule 10 Maintenance

Product Specifications

Service and Adjustments

Repair Parts

10 Parts Ordering

13 15 16 34

Back Cover

WARRANTY

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.

• Repaim 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 RULES

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.

• Do not operate mower if it has been

• Do not use accessory attachments that

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.

• The blade turns when the engine is

dropped or damaged in any manner. Always have damage repaired before using your mower.

are not recommended by the manufac turer. Use of such attachments may be hazardous.

running.

PREPARATION;

• Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks,

wires, bones, and other foreign dbjects. These objects wit! be thrown by the blade

and can cause severe injury.

• Always wear safety glasses or eye shield when starting and while using your mower.

• Dress property. 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 fili gas tank indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is hot. Aliow the engine to coot 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.

• Never cut grass by pulling the mower

• Never operate your mower without

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the engine mount

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at

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 mn 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 mn the engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are dangerous.

• Keep all safety devices in place and

• To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine

• Check grass catcher often for deteriora

• Always keep a sharp blade on your

• Allow engine to cool before storing in any

• Never store mower with fuel in the tank

towards you. Mow across №e 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.

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or other safety devices in place.

ing bolts often to be sure they are tightened properly.

frequent inten/als for proper tightness to

be sure mower is in safe working

condition. working.

free of grass, leaves or excessive grease and oil.

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. mower.

enclosure.

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.

AWARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer,

birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when this

lawn mower was produced. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and sen/ice centers. Most Sears stores can also

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

order repair parts for you, when you provide

the model number of your lawn mower.

Some of these accessories may not apply

to your lawn mower.

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS

ASSEMBLY

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower. Your new

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check

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

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

correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness.

• Remove protective padding, raise upper

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

• Remove handle padding holding operator

• Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted

AIR FILTERS

WHEELS ENGINE

SPARK PLUGS

OIL

handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

carton thoroughly for additional loose parts.

locks into place in mowing position. handle section into place on lower

handles and tighten both handle knobs. presence control bar to upper handle.

for your mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust

Handle" in the Service and Adjustment section of this manual.

Operator presence control bar

Upper handle

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

▲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 propped open.

OPERATION

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 tiiis 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 DAI

CAUTION ENGINE

OR WARNING ON

Starter handle

Handle knob

Grass catcher

CM=F

OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence control bar

Engine zone control cable

Engine oil cap

with dipstick

Primer

Mulcher plug

Gasoline filler cap

Lawn mower housing

Wheel adjuster (on each wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Sears rotary w^k-b^ind power lawn mowers conform to tiie safety standards of the American

National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns when the engine is

Operator Presence Control Bar- must be held down to frie handle to steirt the engine.

Release to stop the engine.

Primer - pumps additional fuel from the

l^rjjHTnjngjj^

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.

The operation of any iawn mower can result in

Lower Wheels for High Cut

foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can

result in 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 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.

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

• Close the flip lid. Rip lid must be closed

while operating lawn mower.

• Ut the rear door on the mower housing and place the grass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on tiie rear door hinge bracket

• The grass catcher is secured to ^ 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.

• Your lawn mower is equipped witti an operator presence control bar which requires the curator to be positioned behind the lawn mower haridle to start and

Hinge bracket

operate the lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

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

Formed

tabs

• Adjust cutting height to suit your require ments. Medium position is best for most lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your requiremer^. Be sure all wheels are in the same setting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when

plate tab inserts into hole in lever. Also, 9-

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• To remove grass cateher, release operator

presence control bar to stop engine.

• Lift up rear door and remove the grass

cateher by the handle.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying;

position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs.

Rear door

Grass cateher

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 Maintenance section of this manual.

• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.

• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if

needed. Fill to full tine 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

• Rll 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 adds 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 engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent damage

may occur. _

Engine oil

cap

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primer three (3) times before trying to start Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when start‘ng an engine which has already run for a few minutes.

• Hold operator presence control bar down to the hai^le and pull starter handle quicidy.

Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

• To stop engine.release operator presence control bar.

NOTE; In cooler weather it may be neces

sary 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 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.

Gasoline filler cap

MULCHING MOWING UPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep

mower housing free of built-up grass and trash, Qean UNDERSIDE OF MOWER HOUSING after each use. See "Cleaning" in MAINTENANCE section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce

them in size so that as they fall onto the

lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. AJso, the mulched grass will

biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the

best recutting action of the blades.

• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet

grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to

mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At this

time the grass has dried and the newly cut

area will not be exposed to the direct sun.

For best results, ac^ust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading ttie engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut, mow slowly and raise the rear of the lawn mower one wheel adjuster setting higher than the front Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicular to tiie first cut path. Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

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