Craftsman 917388380 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

(RAFTSMRN

6.0 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.388380

• 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
Visitour Craftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman

Warranty
Safety Rules
Assembly

Operation
Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance .

2 Product Specifications 11

2 Service and Adjustments 13
4 Storage 14
6 Troubleshooting 15

10 Repair Parts 34
10 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 workman-
ship. :

Ifthis 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, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

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. 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

2

sandals. Wear only solid shoos 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 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 hita 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 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.

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

BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS

INVOLVED.

p_ugCAUTION: Always disconnect spark

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 California to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

3

These accessorieswereavailablewhenthislawn mower was produced.They are not
shipped with your mower. They are alsoavailableat mostSearsretailoutletsend service

centers. MostSears stores can alsoorderrepairpartsfor you, whenyou providethe model
numberof yourlawn mower. Some of these accessoriesmay notapplyto yourlawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

rt

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS

Read these instructionsand this manual in
itsentirety 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 exceptionof

those parts leftunassembled 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 toolsas neces-
sary to ensure propertightness. All parts
such as nuts,washers, bolts, etc., neces-
sary to complete the assembly have been

placed inthe parts bag.

tr

MULCHER KITS

/ FOR

-_! GRASS CATCHERS

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

AIR RLTERS

WHEELS

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON

• Remove loose parts includedwith
mower.

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

• Remove all packing materials except
padding between upper end .lower
handle end padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check
carton thoroughlyfor additional loose

parts.

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

,F--

ENGINE OIL

4

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN

Operator presence
control bar

TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables.

• Raise handles until lower handle Liftup
section locks into place in mowing

position.

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

Lower handle

handle 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

TO INSTALL A'r'I'ACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulcher. To convert to
bagging or discharging, see 'q'o convert

mower" inthe OPERATION section of this

Adjustments section of this manual, manual.

Lift up

I position

5

I_IOWYOURLAWNMOWB:I

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAl_AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare the illuslra_ns with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the

_ ofvarkx_ conlmle and edit. 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, I_EEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

control

bar

zone control cable

Handle knob

Grass

Engine oil cap

with dipstick

,Primer

Mulcher door

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUTOILOR GASOLINE inthe adjuster
enQine. (on each wheel)

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

National Standards Institute end the U,S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade

turns when the engine is running,

Operator Presence Control Bar- must be

held down to the handle to start the engine.
Release to stop the engine.

Primer - pumpsadditionalfuelfrom the
carburetorto the cylinderforuse when

starlinga coldengine.

Lawn mower housing

Starter Handle - usedforstartingthe engine.

6

Theoperation of any lawnmower
can resultin foreignobjectsthrown

intothe eyes, whichcan resultin

severe eye damage Alwayswear safety
glassesor eye shieldswhile operatingyour

lawnmower or performingany adjustments
or repaim We recommenda wide vision
safetymask over spectadas or standard

safetyg assas

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

The enginespeed was setat the factory for
optimumperformance Speed is notadjust-

able

ENGINEZONE CONTROl_

_CAUTION: Federal regulations
requtre 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 isequippedwithan

operatorpresencecontrolbar which

requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start and

operatethe lawn mower

TO ADJUST CU'I-rlNG HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for lowcut and lowerwheels

for high cut.

• Adjustcuttingheightto suityourrequire-
ments Medium positionis bestfor most

lawns.

• To change cuttingheight,squeeze adjuster
levertoward wheel Move wheel upor

downto suityourrequirements Be sureell

wheels are inthe same setting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properlypositionedwhen
plate tab insertsintoholein lever Also,9-
positionadjustem(ifso equipped) allowlever

to be positionedbetweenthe plate tabs.
LowerWheelsforHigh Cut

PlateTab

REAR BAGGING

• Li_trear door of 'd'te lawn mowar and placo
the grass catcher frame hooks onto the

deer pivot pins.

• To convert to mulching or discharging

operalion, remove grass catcher and clos_

rear door

Pivot pins

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Rear doormustbe dosed.

• Open mulcherdoorand installdischarge
deflectorunderguardas shown.

• Mower is now readyfordischarging
operation

• To convertto mulchingorbagging
opera,on, discharge detlector must be

removedand mulcherdoor must be
closed

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER

WHEN CONVERTING YOUR L&WN

MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

• Rear door dosed

• Mulcher door closed

FOR REAR BAGGING -

• Grass catcher installed

• Muloher door dosed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

• Rear door dosed.

• Side discharge deflector installed.

_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

out rear door closed or app[oved grass

catcher in place Never attempt to operate th_
lawn mower with the rear door removed or

propped open

Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher To convert to bagging or

discharging:

Mulcher

door

7

Open
Mulcher Door

Discharge.
deflector

GAS

NOTE: Before filling fuel tank, remove and
discard the debris plugthat is inside the tank.

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, dean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87

octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Purchase fuel in qusntJtJasthat can be

used within 30 days to assure fuel

freshness.

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil

fill is dean.

• Remove engine oil cap and fillto the full
line on the dipstick.

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

• Engine holds 20 ozs. of oil. For type and
grade of oilto use, see "ENGINE" in

Maintenance section of this manual.

• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.

• Check oil level before each use. Addoilif
needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

• To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap
each time.

• Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
eperation or each season. You may nsed

to change the oil more often under dusty,

dirty conditions.

_dAR_ Experienceindicatesthat

fuels (calledgasoholor

usingethanolor methanol)can attract
moisturewhichleadsto separationand

formstJonofacidsduringstorage. Acidicgas
candamage the fuel systemof an engine
while instorage. Toavoidengineproblems,
the fuelsystemshouldbe emptiedbefore
storage of 30 daysor longer. Drainthe fuel
tank,startthe engineand letitrununtilfuel

lines and carburetorare empty. Use freshfuel
nexi season. See StorageInstructionsfor
additionalinfon_ation. Never use engineor
carburetorcleaner productsinfuel tank or

permanentdamage may occur.

Gasoline filler _ Engine oil
cap _ cap

(Discard _'._--_-----_l
debris plug "_r-_._T1]'

TO START ENGINE

• To starta coldengine,pushprimerthree
(3)Umesbeforetryingtostart.Use afirm

push.This step is not usually necessary

when starlingan engine which has already
runfor a few minutas.

• Hold operator presencecontrolbar down

to the handleand pullstarterhandle
quickly.Do not allowstarterropeto snap

back.

• To stop engine, release operatorpresence

controlbar.

NOTE: In coolerweatherit maybe necessary

to repeat primingsteps. In warmer weather
ever primingmay causefloodingand engine

willnotstart, ffyoudo flood engine,waita few
minutesbeforeattemptingtostartanddo not

repeat priming steps.

8

MOWlNGTIPS

• Under cartein condi_ons,suches verytall

grass, itmay be necessoryto raisethe
height of cut toreduce pushingeffortand to
keep from overloading the engine and

leavingdumps of grassclippings. It may
also be necessaryto reducegroundspeed

and/orrunthe lawn moweroverthe area a
secondtime.

• Forextremelyheavy cutting,reducethe
widthof cut by overlappingpreviouslyGut

pathand mow slowly.

• For bettergrass baggingand mostcutting

conditions,the enginespeed shouldbe set

inthe fastposition.

• Pores inclothgrasscatcherscan become

filledwithdirtand dustwithuse and

catcherswillcollectlessgrass. To prevent

this, regularlyhose catcheroffwithwater
and letdry beforeusing.

• Keep top of enginearound starterclear
and clean of grassclippingsand chaff.

This will help engine airflowand extend

engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance,keep

mower housingfree of buiit-upgrassand

trash,CleanUNDERSIDE OF MOWER

HOUSING aftereach use. See "Cleaning" in
MAINTENANCE eec_Jonofthis manual.

• The specialmulchingbladewill recut the
grass clippings manytimes and reduce
them in sizesothat asthey fall ontothe

lawnthey will disperseintothe grassand

not be noticed.Also, the mulchedgrasswil
biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for

the lawn. Always mulch with your highest

engine(blade) speed as this will provide
the best reoutting action of the blades.

• Avoid cuttingyour lawn when itis wet. Wet
grass tends to form clumps and interferes

the mulching action. The best time to

mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At

this timethe grass has driedand the newly

cut areawill notbe exposedto the direct

sun.

• For best results,adjustthe lawnmower
cuttingheightsothatthe lawnmowercuts

offonlythe top one-thirdofthegrass
blades. If the lawn is overgrown itwillbe
necessaryto raisethe heightof cutto
reducepushingeffortand to keep from

overloading the engine and leaving
dumps ofmulchedgrass. For extremely
heavy mulching, reduce your widthofcut,

mow slowlyand raise the re_r of thelawn

mower one wheel adjuster setlJnghigher
than thefront.

• Certaintypesof grassand grasscondi'dons

may requirethat an area be mulcheda
secondtime to comrYetelyhidethe

clippings.When doinga second cut,mow
acrossor perpendicularto thefirstcut path.

• Change yourouttingpsttemfromweek to
week. Mow northto south oneweek then

change to eastto weet the nextweek.This
will helpprevent mattingand grainingof

the lawn.

Max 1/3

9