Craftsman 917388221 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

£RRFTSNI:IN

4.5 HORSEPOWER
22" SIDE DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.388221

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espa_ol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

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

Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman

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.

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.

• 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 specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

vary from state to 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. 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 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 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

• Dross properly. 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.
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.

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--coverod areas.

• Never direct discharge of material
toward bystanders nor allow anyone

near the mower while you are operating
it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repair-

ing 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 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 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 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
excessively 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

mounting 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 deterio-
ration 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

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

space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

ALook for this symbol to point out
important safety precautions. It means

CAUTION!t! BECOMEALERT!H YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

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.

3

TheseaccessorieswereavaHablawhenthislawnmowerwas produced.They are not
shipped with your mower.TheyarealsoavailableatmostSearsretailo_ets andservice
centers.MostSearsstorescanalsoorderrepair.partsfor you,whenyou providethemodel

numberofyourlawnmower. Some ofthese accessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS

STABILIZER

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REARDISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

Read these instructions and this manual in
its entirety before you attempt to assemble

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

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe

engine.

Your new lawn mower has been as-
sembled at the factory with the exception of
those parts left unassembled for shipping

purposes. To ensure safe and proper
operation of your lawn mower, all parts and
hardware you assemble must be tightened

securely. Use the correct tools as neces-

sary to ensure proper tightness. All parts

such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., neces-

sary to complete the assembly have been
placed in the parts bag.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with
mower.

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

GAS CANS

AIR FILTSRS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

• Cut down two end 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.

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and
check carton thoroughly for additional

loose parts.

HOW TO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

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.

4

• Remove handle padding holding
operator presence control bar to upper

Operator presence control
bar "_.

handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be
adjusted for your mowing comfort.

Refer to =Adjust Handle" in the Service
and Adjustment section of this manual.

Upper handle _ Y/U_/

Liftup _ _ ! /_ Mowing

KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER

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 adiustrnents. 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 ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

control bar

Engine zone control cable

• Starter handle

Handle knob

Engine oil cap with dipstick

Gasoline filler cap

Primer

Housing

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is
shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE

in the engine.

Wheel adjuster

(on each wheel)

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

American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commis-
sion. The blade turns when the engine is running.

Operator presence control bar - must be Pdmer - pumps add'dionalfuel from the

held down to the handle to start the engine, carburetor to the cylinderfor use when
Release to stop the engine, startinga cold engine.

Starter handle - used for startingthe engine.

I

5

rm +rmremmo+.=y ,rower

can resull in f ..or_._. of:)jects If_wn

_?..U_eeyes,wh_hcanresu__

sevmeyeUamage.A_js wearr._sty

glasses or eye shields while opera_ your
lawn mower or performing any adjusbnanls

or repaim. We recommend a wide vision
safety mask over spectacles or standard

safstyg_sses,

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWNMOWER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

_CAUTION: 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.

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an
operator presence control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned

behind the lawn mower handle to start and

operate the lawn mower.

TO ADJUST cUTrlNG HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels

forhkjhcuL

• Adjust cuttingheight to suit your require-
merits. Medium positionis best for most

lawns.

• To change cuttingheight, squeeze adjuster

lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or
down to suit your requirements. Be sure all

wheels are in the same setting.

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.

Lower wheels for Plate tab

highcut

Raise wheels for low

cut

NOTE: Your lawn mower has been
shipped ready for mulching operation. To

convert to discharging operation, you
mu_t installthe discharge deflector "

attachment includedwith your mower.

Lever

TO CONVERT TO DISCHARGING
MOWER

Your mower is shipped ready to be used
as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or

discharging:

• Lift discharge guard and remove

mulcher plate.

• Mower can now be used for side

discharge or optional grass catcher can
be attached.

• To retum to mulching operat on, simply

reinstall mulcher plate as shown.

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn
mower without discharge guard,

approved grass catcher or mulcher plate
in place.

-Hooks

opening

Mulch plate

Hinge

rod

BEFORESTARTING ENGINE
OL

Your lawn mower is shipped withoutoilin the
engine.

• Be sure mower is leveland area around oH

fillis clean.

• I::lemoveengine oilcap and fillto U'_ full

lineon the dipstick

NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into

engine for accurate dipstick reading.

• Engine holds 20ozs. oi oil. Fortypeand
grade of oHto use, see "ENGINE" in

Maintenancesectionoithismanual.

• Pour oilslowly. Donot over filL

• Che_ oil level before each use. Addoilif

needecL FOto lug rm on (f_sSck

• To reed proper level, lighien engine oilcap
each time.

• Reim_an_neoacopand,ghi_

• Chango.Wm oi after every 25 houm of
operation or each seasoR You may need

_ change _ oi rnomo_en underde_,

6

ADD GASOUNE

• 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.

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

using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and •

formation of acids 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 use engine
or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank
or permanent damage may occur.

ACAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank

filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any •

spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE

• 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.

Engineoil cap Gasolinefiller

cap

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 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.

7

MULCHING MOWINGTIPS

Im=ORTANT:Forbestpe_onnance,keep

mowerhousingfreeof bul-q) grassand

See"Cleanbg"inMAINTENANCE

seclionofttis manu_

• Thespec_nUch_ b_dewUrec_._e

grass€_aingsrnanyl_n_ andreduce

_am insizesoIhatas 8wy fallontothe
lawntheywil cispe_ intothegrassand

notbe nolice_ Nso. lhe muUled grass

wab_rade q_dytopro_den_ents

for_he_ Ahva_.nubh_hyour

t_ghesten_e (t_b) s_d as._swi

prov_ mebestrecut_gac_n or_he

blades.

• Avoidct,lS_yourlawnwhenitiswet Wet
grasstendstoformdurn_ andinterferes

W_llhe _ acaorLThebest_11eIo

mowyourbwn isEle eadyaltemo_ At

8"4slime b'legrasshas dded andthe newty
cutareawi notbe exposedtothe(ted

SUn.

• Forbest results,a(_ust the lawn mower

c_t_ heightsoeet_ lawnmowercuts

_ _/the topone._d o_U_egross

blades. # gw lawntsovergrownitwil be

necessarytoraisetheheighto_cutto

reducepushinge_o,tandtokeepfrom

_ ,_eenginear__g

c_umpso_nUchedgra_ For_

heavyniulchi_ reduceyourwidlhofcut

by_ pre,.,iou__ pathand

rnew slowly

• CedabhC_sd grassandgrasscon(_

lionsmay req_re thatan area be mulched

a second_to oompta(elyhideIhe

W_ _ asec_o£ mow

ac_s or peq:e_k:_ _ _ _st cut pa_

• c_e_rct_r_ _ _ week_o

week. Mow r_ to sot_ oneweek e_en
c_nge to east towest e_e next week: This

8