Craftsman 917388010 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

6.0 HORSEPOWER

21" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.388010

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa6ol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
visitourCraftsmanwebsite: www.sears.com/craftsman

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

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

Assembly .............................................. 5

Operation .............................................. 6

Maintenance Schedule ........................ 10

Maintenance ......................................... t 0

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 dudng normal use, such as rotary mower
blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and sparkplug.

• 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 returningthe Craftsman power mower to the nearest
Sears Service Center/Depadment 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 stateto state.
SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

Product Specifications.......................... 11

Sewice and Adjustments...................... 13

Storage ................................................. 15

Troubleshooting ................................... 16

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

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

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputatinghands and feet and
throwingobjects. Failure to observethe following safety instructionscould resultin

seriousinjury or death.

I.GENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machineand in the

manual(s) before starting. Be thor-
oughly familiar with the controlsand the

proper use of the machine before
starting.

• Do not puthands or feet near orunder

rotatingparts. Keep clear of the

discharge opening at all times.

• Only allow responsible individuals,who
are familiar with the instructions,to

operate the machine.

• Clear the area ofobjects suchas rocks,

toys,wire, bones,sticks,etc., which
could be picked up and thrown by the

blade.

• Be sure the area isclear of other

people before mowing. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.

• Do not operatethe mower when

barefoot or wearing open sandals.

Always wear substantialfoot wear.

• Do not pull mower backwards unless

absolutelynecessary. Always look
down and behind before and wh le

moving backwards.

• Do not operate the mowerwith proper

guards,plates, grass catcher or other

safety protectivedevices in place.

• See manufacturer'sinstructionsfor

proper operationand installationof
accessories.Only use accessories
approved by the manufacturer.

• Stop the blade{s) when crossinggravel

drives,walks, or roads.

• Stop the engine {motor) whenever you
leave the equipment, before cleaning

the mower or uncloggingthe chute.

• Shut the engine (motor)off and wait
untilthe blade comes to complete stop

before removinggrass catcher.

• Mow only in daylightor good artificial
light.

• Do notoperate the machine while

underthe influenceof alcohol or drugs.

• Never operate machine in wet grass.
Alwaysbe sure of your footing: keep a

firm holdon the handle and walk; never

run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mecha-
nism or driveclutchon mowers so

equipped before starting the engine
(motor).

• Ifthe equipmentshould startto vibrate

abnormally, stop the engine (motor)
and check immediatelyfor the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields when operat-

ing mower.

II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a majorfactor related toslip

and fall accidentswhich can result in
severe injury.All slopes require extra
caution. Ifyou feel uneasy on a slope, do

notmow it.
DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes:never

up and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing directionon slopes.

• Remove obstaclessuch as rocks,tree

limbs,etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts,or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles,

DO NOT:

• Do nottrim near drop-otis, ditchesor

embankments. The operatorcould lose
footingor balance.

• Do nottrim excessivelysteep slopes.

• Do not mow onwet grass. Reduced

footing could cause slipping.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidentscan occur if the operator

isnot aled to the presence of children.
Childrenare often attractedto the
machineand the mowing activity.Never
assume that childrenwill remain where

you lastsaw them.

• Keep children outof the trimmingarea

and underthe watchfulcare of another

responsible adult.

• Be alert and turn machine off ifchildren

enter the area.

• Before and while walking backwards,
lookbehind and down for small

children.

• Never allow children to operate the
machine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners,shrubs, trees, or otherobjects

that may obscure vision.

IV. SERVICE

• Use extra care in handlinggasoline
and otherfuels. They are flammable

and vaporsare explosive.

- Use only an approvedcontainer.

- Never remove gas cap or add fuel

with the engine running.Allow
engine to cool before refueling. Do

_not smoke.

- Never refuel the machine indoors.

- Never store the machine or fue_

container inside where there is an

open flame, such as a water heater.

• Never run a machine insidea closed
area.

• Never make adjustments or repairs with

the engine (motor) running.Disconnect
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire

away from the plug to prevent acciden-
tal starting.

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachement bolts,tight and keep

equipment in good condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices.

Check their proper operation regulady.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or

other debris build-up, Clean oil or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
storing.

• Stop and inspectthe equipment if you

strike an object. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.

• Never attempt to make wheel height

adjustr_entswhile the engine (motor) is
running.

• Grass catcher components are subject

to wear, damage, and deterioration,
which could expose moving parts or
allow objects to be thrown.Frequently
check components and repl,aoe with

manufacturer's recommended parts,

when necessary.

• Mower bladesare sharp and can cut.
Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and

use extra caution when servicingthem.

• Do not change the engine governor
setting or overspeed the engine.

3

_Look for thissymbol to pointout
importantsafety precautions.It means

CAUTIONF!! BECOMEALERTI!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

A CAUTION: In order to prevent
accidental startingwhen setting up,

transpoding, adjusting or making repairs,
always disconnectspark plug wire and

place wire where it cannot contact spark

• plug.

_,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its

constituents,and certain vehicle

componentscontain or emitchemicals

knownto the Stateof Californiatocause
cancer and birthdefects or other
reproductiveharm.

AWARNING: Battery posts, terminalsand
related accessoriescontain lead and

lead compounds,chemicals knownto the
State of California to cause cancer and

birth defectsor other reprodustiveharm.
Wash hands after handling,

These accessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmower wasproduced.They are not

shippedwith your mower.TheyarealsoavailableatmostSearsretsiloutletsandservice
centers.Most Searsstorescan also orderrepairpartsfor you,when youprovidethe model

numberofyour lawn mower.Someof theseaccessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR )

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS STABILIZER

FOR FOR

REAR DISCHARGE SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS _ GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS LAWN MOWERS

GAS CANS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS AIR FILTERS SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE AOA PTER_J WHEELS ENGINE OIL

4

Read these instructionsand this manualin
itsentiretybeforeyou attemptto assemble
or operateyour newlawn mower.

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower isshipped
WITHOUT OILOR GASOLINE inthe

engine.

Yournew lawnmower has been as--
sembledat the factory withthe exceptionof
those partsleft unaseembledfor shipping

purposes. Toensure safe and proper
operationof your lawn mower,all partsand

hardwareyou assemble must be tightened
securely. Use the correcttoolsas neces-

saryto ensurepropertightness. Allparts
suchas nuts,washers, bolts, etc., neces-

saryto completethe assemblyhave been
placed in the partsbeg.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose pads includedwith
mower.

• Cut downtwoend comers of carton and
lay end panel downflat.

• Remove all packingmaterials except
paddingbetween upper and lower

handle and padding holdingoperator
presence controlbarto upperhandle.

• Rolllawnmower outof cartonandcheck
carton thoroughlyfor additionalloose

parts.

HOWTO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfoldhandle carefully so

as net to pinch or damage control cables.

• Raise handles until lower handle

section locksinto 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 controlbar to upper

handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be

adjustedfor your mowingcomfort.
Refer to "AdjustHandle" in the Service

and Adjustmentssection of thismanual.

presence-- //7/

--,el

Operator_

Liftup _ /_

LOnWd(_re_ position

TO INSTALL ATACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcbar. To convert to bagging,
see "To convert mowe¢' in the OPERATION
section of this manual.

! .

K]_OWYOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THISOWNER'S MANUALANDSAFETY RULESBEFOREOPERATINGYOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare the illustrationswith yourlawn mowerto familianzsyourselfwiththe

locationof various controlsand a_uetments. Savethis manuelfor future reference.

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied withthe
product. Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUTION ENGtNE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEp HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

bar

Grass catche_._

control

zone control cable

rfilter

Engineoilcap

withdipsUck

Lawn mower housing

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

Wn'HOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe Whealadjuster

engine. (oneachwheel)
MEETSCPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Searsrotarywalk-behindpowerlawn mowersconformto thesafetystandardsoftheAmerican
NationalStandardsInstituteandthe U.S.ConsumerproductSafetyCommission.The blade

turnswhen the engine is running.

Operator Presence Control Bar- must be Pdmer- pumpsadddiona/fuelfromthe
helddownto _ handleto stadthe engine, cad_retorto thecylinderforusewhen

Release to stop the engins, startinga cold engine,

StarterHandle- usedforstartingthe engine.

heoperationofanylawn mower

re.surfin foreignobjects

rown into the eyes,which can

Alwayswearsafety glaesesor eye shields
while operatingysur lawn moweror perform-
ingany adjustmentsor repairs. We recom-

mends wide visionsafety maskover
spectaclesor standardsafety glasses

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWI_IMOWER.
ENGINESPEEDCONTROL

The enginespeedwas setatthe factory for
optimumperformance. Speedisnot adjust-

able.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_,CAUTION: Federal regulationsrequire

an engine controlto be installedon this
lawn mower in order to minimize the risk

of blade contact injury.Do not under any
circumstancesattempt to defeat the
functionof the operatorcontrol,The blade

turnswhen the engine is running,

• Your lawnmower isequippedw_ an
operatorpresencecontrolbarwhich

requirestheoperatortobe positioned

behind the lawnmower handletostartand
operatethe lawnmower.

TO ADJUST CUTI'ING HEIGHT

• Raisewheelsforlowcut and lowerwheels

for highcut

• Adjustcuttingheighttosuityourrequire-

merits.Mediumpositionisbestformost
lawns

• To change cuttingheight,squeezeadjuster
levertowardwheel. Movewheel up or

dawn tosuityour requirements.Be sureall
wheelsare inthe same setting

NOTE: Adjuster is property positioned
when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.

Also,9-position adjusters (if so equipped)
allow lever to be positionedbetween the
plate tabs.

ultinsevere eyedamage.

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mowerwas shipped reedyto be
used as a mulchor. Toconvertto bagging:

REAR BAGGING

• Lift reardoor of the lawnmower and place
the grasscatcherframehooksontothe
deer pivot pins.

• To convertto mulchingoperation, remove

grass ca_her and close reardoor.

Pivot pins

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• Lift up on grass catcher using the frame

handle,

• Remove grass catcher with clippings
from under lawn mower handle.

• Empty clippingsfrombag usingboth
frame handle and bag handle.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when

emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear,

/

catcher
frame

handle

handle

..erWhaolsfo,.l,hCut

RaiseWheelsforLowCut

r

BEFORESTARTING ENGINE

OIL

Yourlawnmower isshippedwithoutoilinthe

engine.

• Be suremoweris leveland areaaroundoil

fill isdean.

• Remove engine oilcap and fillto the full

lineonthe dipetick.

NOTE: Allow oil tosettle down into

• engine for accurate dipstick reading..

• Engineholds 20ozs. of oil. Fortypeand

gradeofoilto use,see "ENGINE"in
Maintenancesectionof this manual.

• Pour oilslowly.Do netoverfill.

• Checkoillevelbefore eachuse. Addoilif
needed. Filltofull lineon dips_ck.

• To read properlevel,tightenengineoilcap

each time.

• Reinstallengineoilcap and tighten.

• Change the oil_ter every25 hoursof

operationor each season. You mayneed
tochangethe oilmore oftenunderdusty,

dirtyconditions.

ADD GASOUNE

• Fillfueltank. Usefresh,clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87

octane. Do not mix oil withgasoline.

Purchasefuel inquantities thatcan he
usedwithin 30 days to assurefuel
freshness.

AWARNING: Expedenoe indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or

using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and
formation of acidsduring 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, startthe

engine and let it run until the fuel lines

and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel

nextseason• See Storage Instructions for

additional information. Never use engine

or carburetorcleaner products in the fuel

tank or permanent damage may eccur.

A.CAUTION: Fillto bottomof gas tank

filler neck. Do notoverfill. Wipe off any

spilledoil or fuel. Do not store, spillor use
gasoline near an open flame.

TO STARTENGINE
NOTE: Due to protectivecoatingson the

engine, a small amount of smoke may be
present dudng the initial use of the

product and shouldbe considered

normal.

• TOstarta coldengine,pushprimer three
(3)times hefomtryingtostart.Useafirm
push.This step is not usuallynecessary

whenstadingan engine which has already
runfora few minutes.

• Holdoperatorpresencecontrolbar down
tothe handleandpullstarterhandle

quicldy.Do notallowstarterropetosnap

back.

• To stopengine,release operatorpresence

control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be

necessary to repeat pdming 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.

Gasolinetiller

Engineoil

cap

'i

8