Craftsman 917.388270 User Manual

Owner's Manual;

CRAFTSMAN

5.5 HORSEPOWER
21" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.388270

• 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 Product Specifications 10
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 12

Assembly 4 Storage 13
Operation 6 Troubleshooting 15

Maintenance Schedule 9 Repair Parts 32

Maintenance 9 Parts Ordering Back Cover

LIMITED I'WO 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.

• 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., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

Safety standards require operator pres-

ence control to minimize the risk of injury.

Your unit is equipped with cuch 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 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.

• Dress 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-covered areas.

• Never direct discharge of material

toward bystanders nor allow anyone

near the mower while you are operating
it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repaidng
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 acciden-
tal starting.

• Do not continue to run your mower if you
hit a foreign object. Follow the proce-

dure outlined above, then repair any
damage before restarting and operating
your 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 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

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 detedora-

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 stodng 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, clothes dryer, etc.

ALook for this symbol to point out

important safety precautions. It means
CAUTION!tt BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR

SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

_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

Theseacce_;sodeswereavailablewhenthis

lawnmowerwasproduced.They are also

available at most Sears retail outlets and
service centers. Most Sears stores can also to your lawn mower.

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

FOR HEAH DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR FOR

REAR DISCHARGE SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS _ GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS LAWN MOWERS

MUFFLERS

AIR RLTERS

©

BELTS BLADES

Read these instructions and this manual in
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 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
correct tools as necessary to ensure proper
tightness.

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with

mower.

• Cut down two end corners of carton and
lay end panel down fiat.

• 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.

STABILIZSR

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

4

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
locks into place in mowing position.

• Remove protective padding, raise upper

handle section into place on lower
handles and tighten both handle knobs.

• Remove handle padding holding
operator presence control bar to upper

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.

Operator presence
controlbar

Liftup

Mowing

Lower
handle

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher.

position