Craftsman 917387440 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

ICRRFTSMRN'I

6.25 HORSEPOWER
22" SIDE DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.387440

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa_ol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Readand followall

SafetyRulesand instructions
beforeoperatingthisequipment

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

Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears,condcraftsman

Warranty ............................................... 2

Safety Rules ......................................... 2

Assembly .............................................. 4

Operation .............................................. 5

Maintenance Schedule ........................ 9

Maintenance ......................................... 9

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 workman-

ship.

Ifthis 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

crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions

contained 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 specificlegal dghts, and you may also have other rights which

vary from stateto state.

SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

Product Specifications.......................... 10

Service and Adjustments...................... 13

Storage ................................................. 14

Troubleshooting ................................... 15

Repair Parts.......................................... 34

Parts Ordering ...................... Back Cover

Safety standards require operator
presence 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 your
mower. Never allow adults to use

mower withoutproper 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 accessoryattachments that

are not recommended by the manufac-
turer. Use of such attachments may be
hatardous.

• 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.

• Alwayswear safetyglasses 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

goodtraction when mowing.

• Check fuel tank before stading engine.

Do not fUlgastank indoors, when the
engine is runningor when the engine is

hot.Allow the engine to cool for several
minutesbefore fillingthe gas tank.
Clean off any spilled gasoline before

startingthe engine.

• Always make wheel height adjustments

before startingyour mower.Never
attempt todo 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 interestsdistractyou.

• Do not mowwet 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

rotatingparts. Keep clear of the
dischargeopening at all times.

• Always stop the engine whenever you

leave or are not using your mower, or
before crossingdriveways, walks,

roads, and any gravel--covered areas.

• Never direct discharge of matedal

toward bystandersnor allow anyone

near the mower while you are operating
it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repair-
ingyour mower, stop the engine and

make absolutely sure the blade end all
movingparts have stopped. Then

disconnectthespark plug wire and
keep it away from the spark plug to

prevent accidental starting.

• Do not continueto run your mower if
you hit a foreign object. Follow the
procedure outlined above, then repair

any damage before restarting and
operatingyou mower.

• Do not change the governor settings or

overspeed the engine. Engine damage
or personal injurymay result.

• Do not operate your mower if itvibrates
abnormally. Excessivevibration is an
indicationof 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 pullingthe mower
towards you. Mow across the face of

slopes, never up and down or you
mightlose your footing. Do not mow

excessivelysteep slopes. Use caution
when operating the mower on uneven

terrain or when changingdirections --
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

mountingboltsoften to be sure they
are tightened preperly.

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at

frequent intervalsfor 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 deterio-

ration and wear and replace worn
bags. Use only replacement bags that

ere recommended by and comply with
specificationsof 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 buildingwhere fumes may

reach an open flame or an ignition
source such as a hot water heater,

space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

_,Look for this symbol topointout
importants_fety precautions. It means

CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS iNVOLVED.

"-CAUTION: Always disconnect spark

plug wire and place wire where it cannot
contact spark plug in order to prevent

accidental startingwhen setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

_,WARNING

The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicalsknown to the State of

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

Theseaccessorieswereava_01ewhenthislawn mowerwas produced. They are not
shippedwith your mower.Theyarealso availableat mostSearsretailoutletsandservice

centers.MostSoarsstorescanalsoorderrepairpartsfor you,whenyou providethemodel
numberofyourlawnmower. Some oftheseaccessodesmaynotapplyto yourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

©

BELTS BLADES

Read these instructionsand'this manual in
itsentirety beforeyouattempt to assemble

or operate your new lawn mower.
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OiL OR GASOLINE inthe
engine.

Your new lawnmower has been as-
sembledat the factory withthe exceptionof

those parts left unassembled for shipping
purposes. To ensuresafe and proper

operationof your lawn mower, all partsand

hardwareyou assemblemust be tightened
seourely. Use the correcttoolsas neces-
saryto ensure propertightness.Allparts
suchas nuts,washers, bolts,etc., neces-

saryto completethe assembly have been
placed in the pads bag.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON

• Remove loose parts includedwith
mower.

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

MULCHER KITS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASSCATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

AIR RLTERS

• Cut down twoend comers 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.

• Rolllawn mower out of carton and

check carton thoroughlyfor additional
Io_se pads.

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Untold handle carefullyso
as notto pinch or damage controlsables.

• Raise handles until lower handle

section locks intoplace in mowing
position.

• Remove protective padding, raise
upper handle section into place on
lower handle and tighten both handle
knobs.

STABILIZER

<J

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

4

• Remove handle padding holding
operatorpresence control bar to upper

handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be
adjustedfor your mowing comfort.

Referto "Adjust Handle" in the Sen/ice

and Adjustmentsection of this manual.

Operatorpresencecontrol
bar _. ._..

Upperhandle_yLiftup/ _/_)

//

Liftup_Mowing

t

_ hkP_aoition

Lower

die

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READTHISOWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETYRULES BEFOREOPERATINGYOUR LAWN
MOWER. Comparetheillustrationswithyourlawnmowertofamiliarize yourselfwiththe

locationofvariouscontrolsandadiustments.Savethismanualfor future reference.

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the
product, Learn and understandtheir meaning.

CAUTK_N ENGINE ENGINE FAST nOW CHCKE FUEL OIL DANGER. KEEp HANDS

CR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence control bar-

Starter handle

Handle knob

Engine oil cap with dipstick Gasoline filler cap

Primer

Mulcher door

Housing

IMPORTANT=This lawn mower is
shippedWITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE
in the engine. (oneachwheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conformto the safety standards of the

American National Standards Instituteand the U.S, Consumer Product Safety Commis-
sion. The blade turns when the engine isrunning.

Operatorpresence control bar- mustbe Starter handle- usedforstartingtheengine.
helddownto thehandleto startthe engine. Mulcher Door- a!lowsconversionto

Releasetostoptheengine, dischargeorbaggingoperation.
Primer - pumps additionalfuelfrom tt,,e

carburetortothe cylinderfor use when
startinga coldengine.

The operationofany lewn mower
can resultinforeign objectsthrown

intotheeyes, whichcan resuRin

severeeye damage. Alwayswear safety
g_,ssasor eye shieldswhileoperatingyour

lawnmower or pedormi_j any adjustments
or repairs.We recommenda widevision

safetymaskoverspectaclesorstandard
safetyglasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINESPEED CONTROL

The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed isnot

adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

_,CAUTION: Federal regulationsrequire
an engine controlto 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

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

• Your lawnmoweris equippedwithan

operatorpresencecontrolbar which
requirestheoperatorto be positlaned
behindthe lawn mower handletostartand

operatethe lawnmower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

• Raise wheetsforlow cutand k)werwheels
for highcut.

• Adjust cuffingheightto suityourrsquira-

rconts. Mediumpositionisbestfor most

lawns.

• To changecuttingheight,squeezeadjuster

levertowardwheel. Movewheel upor
downtosuityourrequirements.Besureall

wheels are inthesame 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.

Lower wheels for Plate tab

high cut_ _Lever

Raise wheels for low

cut

NOTE: Yourlawn mower has been
shipped ready for mulchingoperation. To
convertto dischargingoperation, you

must install the discharge deflector
attachment includedwith your mower.

TO INSTALL DISCHARGING

DEFLECTOR

• Lift door upward on it'shinge untilthe

deflectorframe can be hooked over the
door mountingbracket as shown.

• Release the door to rest against

deflectorframe.

• To returnto mulchingoperation,

reversethe above steps and be sure

door is in closed position.

MulcherDoor

Deflector _

ACAUTION: Do not operate your lawn
mower without mulcher door in closed

position,discharge deflector in place, or
approved grass catcher in place.

BEFORE STARTINGENGINE
OIL

Yourlawnmower isshippedwithouto_inthe
engine.

• Be suremowerisleveland area aroundoil
fillis clean.

• Removeengineoilcap and tilltothefull

lineonthe dipstick.

NOTE: Allowoil to settle downinto

engine for accurate dipstick reading.

• Engine holds 20ozs. of oil. Fortypeand

gradeof eittousa,see "ENGINE"in
Maintenancesectionofthis manual.

• Pouroilslowly.Donotoverfill

i,, _ oillevetbeforeeachuse. Addoilif

needed. Flittofull lineondipstick.

• To readproperlevai,tightenengineoilcap

eachtime.

• Reinstallengineoilcap and tighten.

Changethe oilafterevery25 hoursof
operationoreachseason. Youmayneed
tochangetheoilmere oftenunderdusty,

dirtyconditions.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane. Do not mix oil withgasoline.

Purchase fuet in quantitiesthat can be
usedwithin 30 days to assure fuel

6 freshness.

_WARNING: Experience indicates that

alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture whichleads to separation and

formation of acids duringstorage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage. To avoid engine

problems,the fuel system shouldbe
emptiedbefore storage of 30 days or
longer. Drain the fuel tank, startthe .

engine and let it run untilfuel lines and
carburetorare empty. Use fresh fuel next
season. See Storage Instructionsfor

additionalinformation. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner productsin fuel tank
or permanent damage may occur.

_I,CAUTION: Fillto bottomof ges tank
filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any

spilled oilor fuel. Do not store, spillor
use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Due to protectivecoatings onthe

engine, a small amountof smoke may be
present duringthe initial use ofthe

productand should be considered
normal.

• To start a cold engine, pushprimer
three (3) times before tryingto start.
Use a firm push. This step is not

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

handlequickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.

• To stop engine, release operator

presence controlbar.

NOTE: In coolerweather it may be

necessaryto repeat pdmingsteps. In
warmer weather over priming may cause
floodingand engine will not start. If you

do floodengine, wait a few minutes

beforeattemptingto start and do not

repeat priming steps.

Engineoilcap Gasolinefiller

cap

MOWING TIPS

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

the height of cut to reduce pushing
effortand to keep from overloadingthe
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 batter grass bagging and most

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

• For side discharge lawn mowers,
cutting in a counter-clockwisedirection,

startingat the outsideof the area to be
cut, spreads grass clippingsmore

evenly and puts less load on the
engine. To keep clippingsoff of
walkways, flower beds, etc., make the
firstcuts in a clockwisedirection.

• Pores in cloth_]rass catchers can

become filled with dirt and dust with
use and catchers will collect less grass.

To prevent this, regularlyhose catcher
off with water and let dry before using,

• Keep top of engine around starter clear

and clean of grass clippingsand chaff.
This will help engine air flow and
extend engine life.

7

MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: Forbeatperformance,keep

mowerhousingfree ofbuiltupgrassand
trash. See "Cleaning" in MAINTENANCE
sectionof thismanual

• The special mulchingbladewill recutthe
grassclippingsmanytimesandreduce
theminsizesothat astheyfall ontothe
lawn theywilldisperseintothegrassand

notbe noticed Also the mulchedgrass
willbiodegrade quicklyto providenutrients
forthe lawn Alwaysmulchwithyour

highestengine(blade)speedas thiswill
providethe bestrecuttingactionof the

blades

• • Avoid cuttingyour lawnwhenitiswet Wet

grasstendstoformdumps andinterferes
withthe mulching action,The best time to
mow your lawn is the earlyeffemcon. At

thistime the grasshesdried and the newiy

cutarea willnatbe expesedtothe direct

SUFI

• Forbestresultsadjestthelawe mower
cuttingheightso thatthelawn mowercuts

offonlythetop onethirdofthe grass
blades Itthe lawnis overgrownit will be

neceesarytoraise theheightofcutto
reducepushingeffortand to keepfrom
overloadingtheengineand leaving

clumpsofmulchedgrass For extremely
heaW mulchingreduceyourwid_ of cut

byovedepp_gprev_ cutpathand

mow slowly.

• Certaintypeeof grassand g_ condi
tions may requirethatan area be mulched

asecondtimetocompletelyhidethe
clippingsWhandeing a secondcut mow

acrossorperpendiculartothetimtcutpa_

• Changeyour cuttingpattemfrom weekto

week Mownor_ to southoneweekthen
changetoeasttowestthenextweek This
will help preventmattingand grainingof

the lawn.

8