Craftsman 917.388410 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

CRRFTSMRN^

6.75 HORSEPOWER 21" MULTI-CUT

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No. 917.388410

Safety

Assembly

Operation

Maintenance

Español

Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL6017^

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Warranty....................................... ............	2	Product Specifications........	....................11
Safety Rules...............................................	2	Service and Adjustments...	....................13
Assembly....................................................	4	Storage..................................
Operation..................................... .............	6	Troubleshooting...................	....................15
Maintenance Schedule.............................	10	Repair Parts..........................	....................34
Maintenance................................ .............	10	Parts Ordering......................

WARRANTY

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

SAFETY RULES

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 ail 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 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 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 CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

i^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.

ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not shipped writh your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide the model number of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

MUFFLERS

AIR FILTERS

SPARK PLUGS

A

BELTS

BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS

WHEELS

ENGINE OIL

ASSEMBLY

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 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.

•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 UP YOUR 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 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 control bar Upper handle

Lift up

Lower handle

Mowing positton

3-Position handle

adjustment bracket

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.

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself v\^h the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this memual 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

Operator presence control bar

Starter hand!

Handle knob

Grass catche

Engine oil cap with dipstick

Mulcher door

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

Engine zone control cable

Gasoline filler cap

Primer

Air fiiter

Lawn mower housing

Wheel adjuster (on each wheel)

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

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

turns when the engine is running.	__________________
Operator Presence Control Barmust be	Primer - pumps additional fuel from the
held down to the handle to start the engine. carburetor to the cylinder for use when
Release to stop the engine.	starting a cold engine.
	Starter Handle - used for starting the engine.

J The operation of any tawn mower foreign objects thrown

mmHI nto the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses.

HOWTO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

REAR BAGGING

•Lift rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins.

•To convert to mulching or discharging operation, remove grass catcher and close rear door.

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

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

	ENGINE ZONE CONTROL		SIDE DISCHARGING
			• Rear door must be closed.
	^CAUTION: Federal regulations require
			•	Open mulcher door and install discharge
	an engine control to be installed on this
				deflector under guard as shown.
	lawn mower in order to minimize the risk
			• Mower is now ready for discharging
	of blade contact injury. Do not under any
				operation.
	circumstances attempt to defeat the
			•	To convert to mulching or bagging
	function of the operator control. The blade			operation, discharge deflector must be
	turns when the engine is running.
				removed and mulcher door must be
	• Your lawn mower is equipped with an			closed.
		operator presence control bar which
		requires the operator to be positioned		SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER
		behind the lawn mower handle to start and
				WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN
		operate the lawn mower.
				MOWER
	TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
	•	Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels FOR MULCHING -
		for high cut.	•	Rear door closed.
	•	Adjust cutting height to suit your require­ •		Mulcher door closed.
		ments. Medium position is best for most	FOR REAR BAGGING-

lawns.

•Grass catcher installed.

•To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster• Mulcher door closed. lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or

down to suit your requirements. Be sure allFOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

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.

Lower Wheels for High Cut

TO CONVERT MOWER

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

•Rear door closed.

•Side discharge deflector installed.

^CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower 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.

Mulcher

door

problems, the fuel system should be open 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.

^CAUTION: Rll 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.

Gasoline filler

Engine oil

cap

cap

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

on.

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the

engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil TO START ENGINE

	fill is clean.	• To start a cold engine, push primer three
	• Remove engine oil cap and fill to the full	(3) times before trying to start. Use a firm
	tine on the dipstick.	push. This step is not usually necessary
	NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into	when starting an engine which has already
	engine for accurate dipstick reading.	run for a few minutes.
	• Engine holds 20 ozs. of oil. For type and	• Hold operator presence control bar down
		to the handle and pull starter handle
	grade of oil to use, see “ENGINE" in
		quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap
	Maintenance section of this manual.
		tock.
	• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.
	• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if	• To stop engine, release operator presence
	needed. Rll to full line on dipstidc	control bar.
	• To read proper level, tighten engine oil capNOTE: In cooler weather it may be
	each time.	necessary to repeat priming steps. In
		warmer weather over priming may cause
	• Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
		flooding and engine will not start. If you do
	• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
		flood engine, wait a few minutes before
	operation or each season. You may need
		attempting to start and do not repeat
	to change the oil more often under dusty,

dirty conditions.	priming steps.

ADDGASOUNE

•Rll 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.

^WARNING: 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

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