Craftsman 917388220 Owner’s Manual
Owner's Manual
CRAFTSMAN+
4.5 HORSEPOWER
22" SIDE DISCHARGE
ROTARY LAWN MOWE R
Model No.
917.388220
• Safety
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Espahol
• 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 9
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 12
Assembly 4 Storage 13
Operation 5 Troubleshooting 14
Maintenance Schedule 8 Repair Parts 30
Maintenance 8 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 daysfrom 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, ROEBUCK AND CO., Di817 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. Leam 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 inthis 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 accessory attachments that
are not recommended by the manufac-
turer. Use of such attachments may be
hazardous.
• 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.
• Always wear safety glasses or eye
shields when starting and while using
your mower.
2
• Dress preperly. 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. C;ean
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 itaway from the
spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
• Do not continue to run 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 itvibrates
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 worn 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 reach
an open flame or an ignition source such
as a hot water heater, space heater,
Aclothes dryer, etc.
CAUTION: 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.
WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects,
or other reproductive harm.
3
Theseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwasproduced.Theyarealso
availableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservicecenters.MostSearsstorescanalso
orderrepairpartsforyou,whenyouprovidethemodelnumberofyourlawnmower.
Someoftheseaccessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.
LAWNMOWERPERFORMANCE
CUPPING DEFLECTOR
FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS
GRASS CATCHERS
FOR
REAR DISCHARGE
LAWN MOWERS
MULCHER lOTS
SIDEDISCHARGE
GRASSCATCHERS
LAWNMOWERS
STABlUZER
FOR
GAS CANS
LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE
MUFFLERS
BELTS BLADES
BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS
AIR RLTERS
SPARK PLUGS
ENGINE OIL
Read these instructions and this manual in • Remove all packing materials except
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
padding between upper and lower
handle and padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.
• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check
carton thoroughly for additional loose
pads.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
assembly have been placed in the parts
bag. To ensure safe and proper operation MOWER
of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware TO UNFOLD HANDLE
you assemble 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 corners of carton and
lay end panel down flat.
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle 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
handle and tighten both handle knobs.
• Remove handle padding holding
operator presence control bar to upper
handle.
4
• Your lawn mower handle can be
adjusted for your mowing comfort.
Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service
and Adjustment section of this manual.
Operator presence controlbar
Upper handle U_Nng
.5
"/ position
Lower
handle
KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare the illustrationswithyour lawn mower tofamiliarize yourselfwith the
locationof various controlsand adiustments. 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 ENOJNE FAST SLOW CHOKE FU_. CtL OANGER, KEEPHANOS
C_ WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY
Operator presence controlbar
Starter handle
Handleknob
.Gasolinefillercap
Engine oil cap withdipstick
Mulcherdoor
Primer
(on each wheel)
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the
Amedcan National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commis-
sion. The blade turns when the engine is running.
Operator presence control bar - mustbe
held down tothe handle to startthe engine.
Release to stop the engine.
Starter handle - used for starting the engine.
Mulcher- allows conversion to dischargeor
bagging operation.
Primer - pumps add'fdonalfuel from the
carburetor to the cylinderfor use when starting
a cold engine.
5
Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultin
foreignobjectsthrownintotheeyes,whichcan
resultinsevereeyedamage.Alwayswear
safetyglassesoreyeshieldswhile operating
yourlawn mower or performingany 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 regulationsrequire an
engine controlto be installedon this lawn
mower in order to minimizethe riskof blade
contact injury.Do not under any drcumstances
attempt to defeat the function of the operator
control.The blade fums when the engine is
running.
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator presence controlbar which
requiresthe operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start and
operate the lawn mower.
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
• Raise wheels for low cutand lower wheeis
for highcut.
• Adjust cuttingheightto suit your require-
ments. Medium positionis bestfor most
lawns.
• To change curdngheight, squeeze adjuster
lever toward wheel. Move wheal up or
down to suityour requirements. Be sure all
wheels are in the same satting.
NOTE:Adjusterisproperlyposltkxedwhen
plate tab inserts into hoiein lever. Also, g-
positionadjusters (if so equipped) allow lever
tobepos_nedbetweanthep_tetabs.
Lowerwheels for
high cut
Plate tab
_er
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE OIL
Yourlawn mower isshipped withoutoil inthe
engine.
• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fillis dean.
• Remove engine oil cap and fillto the fullline
onthe dipstick.
• Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grada of oil
to use, see "ENGINE" in Maintenance
sectionof this manual.
• Pour oilsiowly. Do not over fill.
• Check oil leval beforeeach use. Addoilif
needed. Fillto full line on di_
• To read properlevel,tighten engine oilcap
each time.
• Reinstall engine oilcap and tighten.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may need
tochange the oilmore often under dusty,
dirtyconditions.
GAS
• Fill 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 indicatesthat alcohol
blended fuels (called gasuhoior using ethanol
or methanol) can attractmoisturewhich leads
to separalion and formation of acids during
storage. Acidicgas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while instorage. To avoid
engine problems,the fuel system shouldbe
emp0ed before storage of 30 days or longer.
Drain the fuel tank,startthe engine and letit
rununltlfuel linesand carburetor are empty.
Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage
Instruc_onsfor addltJonalinformation. Never
use engine orcarburetor cleaner productsin
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
Engineoilcap
Gasoline filler
cap
Raise wheels forlow
cut
6
TO STARTENGINE
• To start a cold engine, push primer five
(5) times before trying to 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
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.
• To stop engine, release operator
presence control bar.
NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary 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.
• For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting
in a counter-clockwise direction, starting
at the outside of the area to be cut,
spreads grass clippings more evenly
and puts less load on the engine. To
keep clippings off of walkways, flower
beds, etc., make the first cuts in a
clockwise direction.
• 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 usirig.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and extend
engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: Forbest performance, keep
mower housingfree of built-upgrass and
trash. See "Cleaning" in MAINTENANCE
sectionofthis manual.
• The special mulchingblade willrecutthe
grass clippingsmany times and reduce
them in size so that asthey fall onto the
lawn they willdLsperse intothe grass and
not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will
biodegrade quickly to providenutrientsfor
the lawn. Always mulch with your highest
engine (blade) speed as this v_l providethe
best recutting action of the blades.
• Avoidcutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet
grass tends to form dumps and interferes
with the mulching action. The best time to
mow your lawn is the early aftemoon. At
thistime the grass has dried and the newly
cut area will not be exposed to the direct
sun.
• For best results, adjustthe lawn mower
cuttingheight so that the lawn mower cuts
offonlythe top one-third of the grass blades.
If the lawn is overgrown it willbe necessary
to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing
effortand to keep from overloadingthe"
engine and leaving clumps of mulched
grass. For extremely heavy mulching,
reduce your width ofcut by overlapping
previouslycut path and mow slowly.
• Certain types of grass and grass conditions
may require that an area be mulcheda
second time to completely hidethe
clippings. When doing a second cut, mow
across or perpendicular to the flint cut path.
• Change yourcutting patternfrom weekto
week. Mow north to southone week then
change to east to west the next week. This
willhelpprevent matting and grainingofthe
lawn.
t 'i Max. 1/3
f •
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