Craftsman 917388300 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

£RnFTSMnN"

6.0 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.388300

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espahol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment

Seam, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
VisitourCraftsmanwebsite: www.sears.com/craffsman

' warenty

Sat .=tyI_ules

_.As._embly

_tenance Schedule

i_M_ ntenance

:LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

iFor two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsmen 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 workmar

ship.
If this Craftsmari 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 wom during normal use, such as rotary mower

blades, blade adapters, baits, 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 retuming 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 whicI

vary from state to state.
SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFM_STATES, ILLINOIS 60179

2 Product Specifications 1
2 Service and Adjustments 1;

4 Storage 1,
6 Troubleshooting 1

10 Repair Parts 3,
10 Parts Ordering Back Cove

Safety standards _:equire operator
presence 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 cimumstancas.

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 smell children and
pets.

• Use mower only as the manufacturer

intended and as descdbed 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:

• Aiwaysthoroughly check the area to b

mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks
wires, bones, and other foreign object=
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 propedy. Do not operate mowe

when barefoot or weadng open

2

sandals.Wearonlysolidshoeswith
goodtractionwhenmowing.

• 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 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 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
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 deteriora-
tion and wear and replace wom 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, clothas dryer, etc.

Look for this symbol to point out important
safety precautions• It means CAUTION!!!

BECOMEALERTI!! YOUR SAFETY IS
iNVOLVED.

_CAUTION: Always disconnect spark

_l_g wire and place wire where it cannot

contact spark plug in order to prevent
accidental starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

_IsWARNING: The engine exhaust from

product contains chemicals known to

the State of Califomia to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

3

Thsse_ wereavalleblawhanthislawn mowerwasproduced.They m,enot

shippedw#h your mownr.11_'-yarealse avallablaatmqstSearsret_loutletsandSsrvice
cantem,MostSearsstores.canalsoorderrepairpartsforyou,whenyouprovidethemodel
numberofyourlawn rnower.Someofthaseaccassoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower,

LAWN MOWE R PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

i

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 in the
engine.

Your new lawn mower has been as-
sembled at the factory with the exception of

those pads 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 pads bag.

MULCHERKITS

FOR

_I GRASS CATCHERS

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

AIR RLTERS

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON

• Remove loose pads included with
mower.

• Cut down two end comers of carton and

lay end panel down flat.

• Remove all pecking 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.

4

HOWTOSETUPYOURLAWN

MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables.

• Raise lower handle section to operating
position and squeeze the bottom ends

of lower handle towards each other
until the pin in handle can be inserted

into one of the three height adjustment
holes.

• Remove protective padding, raise
upper handle section into place on

lower handle and tighten both handle
knobs,

• Remove any packing material from

around control bar.

• Your handles may be adjusted for your
mowing comfort. Refer to Service and

Adjustments section of this manual.

Operator
presence

controlbar

h_e

Uft up

Mowing

Lower
handle

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulcher. To convert to
bagging or discharging, see "To convert

mower" in the OPERATION section of this
manual.,

position

5

KNOWYOUR LAWNMOWIBR

READ THiS OWNER'S MANUAl_AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare the Bustr'_dons with your lawn mower tofamiliarizeyourselfwiththe

,Ioca_ ofvadous conbob and adjustments. Save thismanual forfuture 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 ANG FEET AWAY

Operator presence contro{
bar

Handle

Grass catche_._

fillercap

Engineoilcap

with dipstick

Mulcher door Lawn mower housing

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the Wheel adjuster
engine. (on each wheel),

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotarywalk-behind power lawn mowers confoml tothe safety standardsof the American

Nalional StandardsInsl#uteandthe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade

turnswbentheen_e isrunning.

OperatorPretmceControl Bar- mustbe
betddowntoU_ehandletostartUheengine.

Releasetostoptbeengine.

Pflmer - pumps add'dionalfuel from the
carburetorto Ihe cylinderfor use when

stara_acoldengine.

I

Starter Handle - used for startingthe engine.

6

The_ ofanylawnmowercan result

mfore_ abjectsthrowni_tothe eyes,which
canrasultinsevereeyedamage. Always
wearasfety giassas or eye shialdswhile

operatingyourlawnmoweror performingany
adjusb'nentsor repairs.We recommanda

widevisionsafetymaskoverspectaclesor
standardsafetyglasses.

HOWTO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The angino speed was set at the factory for

optimum performance. Speed isnot adjust-
able.

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 conlrol bar which
requires Ule operalor to be posi'doned

behind the lawn mower handle to startand
operate the lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

• Raise wlneeisfor low cut and lower wheels

for high cut.

• Adjust cutling heightto suit your mquire-

mants, Medium positionisbast for most

lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster

lever toward wheel Move wheal up or
down to suityour roquirements. Be suro all

wheals are in the same astlJng.

NOTE:Adjusterispropedypod_nedwhen

plate tab insertsintoholein lever.Also, 9-
polo, adjusters ('#so eq,_ped) a,ow k_er

to be pe_ax_ betwean =hepUe tabs.

Low6rWheels for High Cut

PlateTab

Lever

REAR BAGGING

• Lift rear door of the lawn mower and place

the grass catcher frame hooks onto the

door vot

• To convert to mulching or discharging
operalion, remove grass catcher and close

rear door.

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Rear door must be dosed,

• Open mulcher door and installdischarge

deflector iJnderouard as shown.

• Mower is now ready for alL-charging

operation.

• To convert to mulching or bagging

operation, _scharge deflectormust be
removed and mulcher door must be

dosed.

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER

WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN

MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

• Rear door dosed.

• Mulcher door desed.
FOR REAR BAGGING -

• Grass catcher installed,

• Mulcher door dosed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

• Rear door dosed.

• Side dischan_ deflectorinstalled.

_UTION: Do not run your lawn mower

rear door dosed or approved grass

c_chor in placo. Never attempt to operate the

lawn mower with the rear door removed or
propped open.

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

TOCONVERTMOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convertto baggingor
discharging:

Mulcher

door

7

Open
Mulcher Door

Discharge
deflector

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OL
Your lawn mower is shipped wi_out oil in the

engine.

• Be sure rnower is level and area around oil

fll isclean.

• Remove engine oilcap and fillto the full

a_eonthecr_sl_.

NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into
engine for accurate dipstick reading.

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

Maintenance section of this manual.

• Pour oilslowly. Do not over fill.

• Check oil level before each use. Addoilif

needed.FZtofullineon_ck.

• Toreadprior k_, _htenen_ne6Zcap

each _ne.

• Re_s_ en_neoacapand_

• ChangetheoZa_terevery25houmof

_ or each seaso_ You may need

tochangeg_eollmoredtenunderdusty,

drty

GAS

• RI furltm_ Usefresh,dean,regular

urdeadedgasc_w _ a mk_ d 87

_e fuelsystemshouldbeempaedbofore
_ of30c_ orlonger.Drainthefuel

_K _ut _ _gine _cl _ itmnun__

linesand cad_uretorare empty. Use fresh fuel

nextseason.SeeStorageInstmctionsfor
a_ inforn,atio_Neveruseengineor

carburetorcleaner products in fuel tank or
permanent damage may occur.

e filler

Engineoll cap
cap

TO START ENGINE

• Tostarta_d engine,pushpdmerfive(5)

t_mesboforet_ng to start. Use a firmpush,

T_ step_ notusua_ynecess=ywhen

starlingan engine which has already run

for a few minutes.

• Hold operator presence controlbar down

tothehandleandpulstartorhandle

quk_Idy.Do not a, ow starter rope to snap
back.

• Tostopeng.e,rek_se_ presence

controlbar.

NOTE: In ccoler westher itmay be necessary
to repest pdmingsteps. In warmer weather

overpruningmaycausegccm_gandengine

w#lnotstart. Ifyou do flood engine, wait a few
mir_.es before sttempting to startand do not

repestp_m_gstep_

_:_se _ inq_es _ c_ be

-sed_ 30a_/stoass_e_

freshness.

_AFNN@: _q_ce _atos _

Uendedfueb(c_ed geso_ or

udnge_ol or _ cansttract
mo_.ure.v_h k_adsto _==ion =_d

f_ ofaddsdudngstorage.Ack_cgas

candamagethefuelsystemof anengine

w_e instorage.Toav=dencneproUem_

8