Craftsman 917.388360 User Manual

Owner's Manual

[RRFTSMRN

6.25 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.388360

• Safety

• -Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Eepafiol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

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

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

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

Assembly .............................................. 4

Operation .............................. ;............... 6

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

Maintenance ......................................... 10

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 instructionsin
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 commereial 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/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 state to state.
SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

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

Service and Adjustments...................... 13

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

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

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

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

Safety standards require 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 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.

• Dress properly. Do not operate mower
when barefoot or wearing open

2

sandals. Wear only solid shoes with
good traction when mowing.

• Check fuel tank before starling 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

rotatingparts. 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,
reads, 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 end 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 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 tightnessto

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, clothes dryer, etc.

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

CAUTIONII! BECOMEALERTf!! 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.

_I,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

These accessorieswere availablewhen thislawn mower was produced. They are not
shipped with your mower.They are also availableat mostSears retailoutletsand service

centers. Most Sears storescan alsoorderrepairpartsfor you,when youprovidethe model
numberofyour lawnmower. Some oftheseaccessoriesmay notapplytoyourlawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS

Read these instructionsand this manual in

its entiretybefore 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
operationof your lawn mower, all parts and
hardware you assemble must be tightened

securely. Use the correct tools as neces-
saryto ensure propertightness. All parts

suchas nuts, washers, bolts, etc., neces-
sary to complete the assembly have been

placed in the parts bag.

MULCHER KITS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

GAS CANS

AIR FILTERS

WHEELS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with
mower.

• Cut downtwo 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 controlbar to upper handle.

• Roll lawn mower out of carton;and check

carton thoroughlyfor additional loose
parts.

4

HOWTO SETUPYOUR LAWN
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 throe 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

handle

Liftup

Mowing
Lower
handle

Handle
pin

/bracket

posi_on

adjustment

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

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

moweP in the OPERATION section of thi,,
manual.

5

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READTHIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN

MOWER. Compare the illustrationswith yourlawnmowertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththe
iocation ofvariousconb'oleand adiustmants. Save thismanualforfuturereference.

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

presence control

bar

controlcable

Handle

Primer

with dipstick

Mulcher door Lawn mower housing

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the Wheel adjuster

en_line. (on each wheel)
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the
National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade

turns when _ engine is running.

Operator Presence Control Bar- must be
helddown tothe handleto startthe engine.

Release to stopthe engine.

Pflmer - pumps additional fuel from the

carburetor to the cylinder for use when
staring a cold engine.

Starter Handle - used forstarting the engine,

6

The opem..U.orlof any lawn mower

can resulttnforeign objectsthrown

intotheeyes, whichcan resultin

asvere eye damage. Always wear safety
glassesor eye shieldswhile operatingyour

lawnmoweror performingany adjustments
or repairs. We recommenda widevision

s_ety maskover spectaclesor standmd
safetyglasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The engine speedwas set at the factoryfor

optimumperformance. Speed isnotadjust-
able.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

•,CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this

lawn mower in order to minimize the dsk

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 cu'rlrlNG HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels

for high cut

• Adjust cutting height to suit your require-

mentsoMedium position is best for most
lawns.

• To change cutting height, 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 properly 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.

Plate Tab

Lower Wheels for High Cut

REAR BAGGING

• Liftreardoor ofthe lawn mower and plao

the grass catcher frame hooks onto the

doorpivotl ns.

• To convert to mushing or discharging
' operation, remove grass catcher and

rear door.

Pivotpins

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Rear door must be closed.

• Open mulcher door and installdischarge
deflectorunder guardas shown.

• Mower is nowready for discharging

operation.

• To convert to mulchingor bagging

operation,dischargedeflectormustbe
removedand mulcherdoormustbe

closed,

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER

WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN

MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

• Rear door cloesd.

• Mulcher door closed.
FOR REAR BAGGING-

• Grass catcher installed.

• Muicher door dosed.

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

• Rear door closed.

• Side discharge deflector installed.

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mow(

without rear door closed or approved
grass catcher in place. Never attempt to

operate the lawn mower with the rear
door removed or propped open.

Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

TO CONVERT MOWER
Yourlawn mower was shippedreadyto be

usedasa mulcher.Toconverttobaggingor

discharging:

door

7

Open
Mulcher Door

Discharge

deflector

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL
Yourlawn mower isshippedwithoutoilin the
engine.

• Be sure mower is leveland area aroundoil

fillis clean.

• Remove engineoil cap and fillto the full

lineonthe dipstick.

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

• Engineholds 20 ozs.of oil. Fortype and
gradeofoilto use, see =ENGINE" in

Maintenancesectionof this manual.

• Pouroilslowly. Donotover fill

• Check oil level before each use. Addoilif

needed. Fillto fulllineon dipstick,

• To read properlevel,tighteneng'vneoilcap

each time.

• Reinstall engine oilcap and tighten.

• Change the oil afterevery 25 hours of

operationor each season. You may need
to changethe oil moreoften underdusty,

dirtyconcrdions.

ADD GASOMNE

• Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean,regular

unleadedgasolinewitha minimumof 87
octane. Do notmix oilwithgesoi'me.
Purchasefuel in quantitiesthatcan be
usedwithin30 daysto assurefuel

freshness.

_WARNING: Expedence 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 gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the 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 the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.

_I_CAUTION: 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 three
(3) 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 stader handle

quictdy. Do not allow starter rope to snap

beck.

• To stop engine, release operator presence

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 aiid do not repeat
priming steps, Gasoline filler

cap

Engine oil
cap

8