Craftsman 917388720 Owner’s Manual
Owner's Manual
JCRIIFTSMRN"I
6.0 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT
ROTARY LAWN MOWER
Model No.
917.388720
• 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
visitourCraftsmanwebsite:www.sears.com/craftsman
Warranty ............................................... 2
Safety Rules ......................................... 2
Assembly .............................................. 5
Operation .............................................. 6
Maintenance Schedule ...................... 10
Maintenance ....................................... 10
Product Specifications ........................ 11
Service and Adjustments .................... 13
Storage ............................................... 14
Troubleshooting ................................. 16
Repair Parts ........................................ 34
Parts Ordedng ..................... Back Cover
LIMITEDTWO YEARWARRANTY ON CRAFTSMANPOWERMOWER
Fortwo yearsfrom date ofpurchase,when thisCraftsmanLawnMowerismaintained,
lubdcatad,and tunedupaccordingto the operatingand maintenanceinstructionsin
the owner'smanual,Sears willrepair free of chargeany defectinmaterialorworkman-
ship.
IfthisCraftsman LawnMowerisusedfor commercialor rentalpurposes,thiswarranty
appliesfor only90days from the date of purchase.
ThisWarrantydoes notcover:
• Expendableitems whichbecomeworndudognormaluse,suchas rotarymower
blades,bladeadapters,belts, aircleanersand sparkplug.
• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse or negligence,includingbent
crankshaftsand thefailure to maintaintheequipmentaccordingto the instructions
containedinthe owner'smanual.
Warrantyserviceis availableby returningthe Craftsmanpowermowerto thenearest
Sears ServiceCenter/Departmentin the UnitedStates.This warrantyappliesonly
whilethisproductisin useinthe UnitedStates.
ThisWarrantygivesyou specificlegal dghts, andyou may alsohaveother rightswhich
varyfrom statetostate.
SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES,ILLINOIS 60179
IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in
serious injury or death. • Do not operate the mower when
I.GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before starling. Be thor-
oughly familiar with the controls and the
proper use of'the machine before
starting.
• Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating pads. Keep clear of the
discharge opening at all times.
• Only allow responsible individuals, who
are familiar with the instructions, to
operate the machine.
• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,
toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which
could be picked up and thrown by the
blade.
• Be sure the area is clear of other
people before mowing. Stop machine if
anyone enters the area.
barefoot or wearing open sandals.
Always wear substantial foot wear.
• Do not pull mower backwards unless
absolutely necessary. Always look
down and behind before and while
moving backwards.
• Do not operate the mower without
proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
other safety protective devices in
place.
• See manufacturer's instructions for
proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use eccessories
approved by the manufacturer.
• Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel
drives, walks, or roads.
• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you
leave the equipment, before cleaning
the mower or unclogging the chute.
• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait
until the blade comes to complete stop
2 before removing grass catcher.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light.
• Do not operate the machine while
under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
• Never operate machine in wet grass.
Always be sure of your footing: keep a
firm hold on the handle and walk; never
run.
• Disengage the self-propelled mecha-
nism or drive clutch on mowers so
equipped before starting the engine
(motor).
• If the equipment should start to vibrate
abnormally, stop the engine (motor)
and check immediately for the cause.
Vibration is generally a warning of
trouble.
• Always wear safety goggles or safety
glasses with side shields when
operating mower.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip
.and fall accidents which can result in
severe injury. All slopes require extra
caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do
not mow it.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes: never
up and down. Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
• Remove obstacles such as rooks, tree
limbs, etc.
• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall
grass can hide obstacles.
DO NOT:
• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or
embankments. The operator could lose
footing or batance.
• Do nottrim excessively steep slopes.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced
footing could cause slipping.
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator
is not alert to the presence of children.
Children are often attracted to the
machine and the mowing activity. Never
assume that children will remain where
you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the trimming area
and under the watchful care of another
responsible adult.
• Be alert and turn machine off if children
enter the area.
• Before and while walking backwards,
look behind and down for small
children.
• Never allow children to operate the
machine.
• Use extra care when approaching blind
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects
that may obscure vision.
IV. SERVICE
• Use extra care in handling gasoline
and other fuels. They are flammable
and vapors are explosive.
- Use only an approved container.
- Never remove gas cap or add fuel
with the engine running. Allow
engine to cool before refueling. Do
not smoke.
-Never refuel the machine indoors.
- Never store the machine or fuel
container inside where there is an
open flame, such as a water heater.
• Never run a machine inside a closed
area.
• Never make adjustments or repairs
with the engine (motor) running,
Disconnect the spark plug wire, and
keep the wire away from the plug to
prevent accidental starting.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachment bolts, tight and keep
equipment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices.
Check their proper operation regularly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel
spillage. Allow machine to cool before
storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if necessary,
before restarting.
• Never attempt to make wheel height
adjustments while the engine (motor) is
running.
• Grass catcher components are subject
to wear, damage, and deterioration,
which could expose moving parts or
allow objects to be thrown. Frequently
check components and replace with
manufacturer's recommended pads,
when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and
use extra caution when servicing them.
• Do not change the engine governor
setting or overspeed the engine.
3
A,Lookforthissymbolto pointout
importantsafetyprecautions,Itmeans
CAUTION!It BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
A, CAUTION: In ordertoprevent
accidentalstartingwhen settingup,
transporting,adjustingor makingrepairs,
alwaysdisconnectsparkplugwire and
placewire whereitcannotcontactspark
plug.
_WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its
constituents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
AIWARNING: Battery posts, terminals and
related eccessories contain lead and
lead compounds, chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not
shipped with 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 accessodes may not
apply to your lawn mower,
LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE
FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS STABILIZER
FOR FOR
REAR DIscHARGE SIDE DISCHARGE
GRASS CATCHERS _ GRASS CATCHERS
LAWN MOWERS LAWN MOWERS
LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE
MUFFLERS
BELTS BLADES
AIR FILTERS
BLADEADAPTERS WHEELS
4
GASCANS
SPARK pLUGS
ENGINE OIL
Readtheseinstructionsandthismanual
initsentiretybeforeyouattemptto
assembleoroperateyournewlawn
mower.
IMPORTANT:Thislawnmowerisshipped
WITHOUTOiL OR GASOLINE inthe
engine.
Yournew lawnmowerhas beenas-
eembled at the factorywiththe exception
ofthosepads leftunassembledfor
shippingpurposes.Allpartssuch as nuts,
washers,bolts,etc.,necessaryto com-
plete the assemblyhavebeen placedin
thepartsbag. Toensuresafeand proper
operationofyour lawnmower,all parts
and hardwareyouassemblemustbe
tightenedsecurely.Use thecorrecttools
as necessarytoensurepropertightness.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON
1, Remove loosepartsincludedwith
mower.
2. Cutdowntwo endcomersof carton
and layend paneldown flat.
3. Remove allpackingmaterialsexcept
paddingbetweenupper and lower
handle and paddingholdingoperator
presencecontrolbar to upperhandle.
4. Rolllawnmowerout ofcartonand
checkcartonthorouglyfor additional
loosepads.
HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Untold handle carefull
as not to pinch or damage control ca
1. Raise handles until lower handle
section locks into place in mowin
position.
2. Remove protective padding, ralsl
upper handle section into place ¢
lower handle and tighten both ha
knobs.
3. Remove handle padding holding
operator presence control bar to
handle.
Your lawn mower handle can be aclj=
for your mowing comfort. Refer to "A<
Handle" in the Service and Adjustm_
section of this manual.
Operator presence
oorttrol bar
UpperhandleJ/z_
_ MowingIx
Lowerhandle
TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready
be used as a mulchsr. To convert to
bagging or discharging, see "To corn
mower" in the OPERATION section o
manual.
5
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
with the location of various controls and adjustments. 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 ELOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS
OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY
Operatorpresence control
bar
ice zone control cable
Handle knob
Grass catcher
Engineoilcap
withdipstick
Lawn mower housing
Wheel adjuster
wheel)
Gasolinefille/'rcap
Mulcherdoor
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe Airtilter
engine.
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the
American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commis-
sion. The blade turns when the engine is running.
Operator Presence Control Bar- must Primer - pumps additional fuel from the
be held down to the handle to start the carburetor to the cylinder for use when
engine. Release to stop the engine, starting a cold engine.
Starter Handle - used for starting the
engine.
The operationof any lawn
mowercan resultin
foreign objectsthrowninto
theeyes, whichcan result
in severeeye damage.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesor eye
shieldswhileoperatingyour lawnmower
or performingany adjustmentsor repairs.
We recommenda widevisionsafety
maskover spectaclesor standardsafety
glasses.
HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
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 control bar which
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start
and operate the lawn mower.
TO ADJUST CUTrlNG HEIGHT
Raise wheels for low cut and lower
wheels for high cut, adjust cutting height
to suit your requirements. Medium
position is best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze
adiuster lever toward wheel. Move
wheel up or down to suit your require-
ments. 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.
LowerWheelsfor HighCut
REAR SAGGING
• 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.
SIDE DISCHARGING
• Rear door must be closed.
• Open mulcher door and instatl dis-
charge deflector under guard as
shown.
• Mower is now ready for discharging
operation.
• To convert to mulching or bagging
operation, discharge deflector must be
removed and mulcher door must be
closed.
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN
CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER
FOR MULCHING-
1. Rear door closed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR REAR SAGGING -
1. Grass catcher installed.
2. Mulcher door closed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
1. Rear door closed.
2. 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.
Pla_
Raise Wheels for LowCut
TOCONVERT MOWER
Yourlawnmowerwas shippedreadyto
be usedas a mulcher.Toconvertto
bagging or discharging:
Mulcher
door
Open
MulcherDoor
Discharge
deflector
(
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in
the engine. Engine holds 20 oz. of oil.
For type and grade of oil to use, see
ENGINE in Maintenance section of this
manual.
1. Be sure lawnmower is level and area
around oil fill is clean.
2. Remove engine oil cap and fill to the
full line on the dipstick. Pour oil slowly.
Do not over fill.
NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine
for accurate reading. To read proper level,
tighten engine oil cap, then remove itto
read the dipstick.
• 3. Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
• Check oil level before each use. Add
oil if needed. Fillto full line on dipstick.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may
need to change the oil more often
under dusty, dirty conditions.
ADD GASOLINE
NOTE: Before filling fuel tank, remove
and discard the debris plug that is inside
the tank.
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of
87 octane, Do not mix oil with gaso-
line. Purchase fuel in quantities that
can be used within 30 days to assure
fuel freshness.
_WARNING: Experienceindicatesthat
alcoholblended fuels (called gasoholor
usingethanolor methanol)canattract
moisturewhich leadsto separationand
formation ofacidsduringstorage. Acidic
gascan damagethe fuel systemof an
enginewhilein storage. Toavoidengine
problems,the fuel systemshouldbe
emptiedbeforestorageof 30 days or
longer. Drainthegastank,startthe
engineand letit rununtilthe fuel lines
andcarburetorare empty. Use freshfuel
nextseason. See StorageInstructionsfor
additionalinformation. Neveruse engine
or carburetorcleanerproductsin thefuel
tankorpermanentdamagemay occur.
=_,CAUTION: Filltobottomofgas tank
filler neck. Donotoverfill. Wipeoffany
spilledoilorfuel. Donotstore,spillor
use gasolinenearan open flame.
Gasoline filler _ Engine oil
cap _ _ cap
(Disca rd_ _,_1
debdsplug_._'_._
ins,de) _'_
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Dueto protectivecoatingson the
engine,a smallamountof smokemay be
presentduringthe initialuseofthe
productandshould be considered
normal.
1. To starta coldengine,pushprimer
three(3) timesbeforetryingto start.
Use a firmpush.Thisstep isnot
usuallynecessarywhen starlingan
engine whichhasalreadyrunfora
few minutes.
2. Holdoperatorpresencecontrolbar
downto thehandleand pullstarter
handlequickly.Do notallowstarter
ropeto snapback.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stopengine,release operator
presencecontrolbar.
NOTE: Incoolerweatheritmay be
necessaryto repeatprimingsteps. In
warmerweather overprimingmaycause
flooding and enginewillnotstart.If you
doflood engine,waita few minutes
beforeattemptingto startanddonot
repeatprimingsteps.
MOWINGTiPS
• Under certain conditions, such as very
tall grass, it may be necessary to raise
the height of cut to reduce pushing
effort and to keep from ovedoading the
engine and leaving clumps of grass
clippings. It may also be necessary to
reduce ground speed and/or run the
lawn mower over the area a second
time.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
width of cut by ovedapping previously
cut path and mow slowly.
• For better grass bagging and most
cutting conditions, the engine speed
should be set in the fast position.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can
become filled with dirt and dust with use
and catchers will collect less grass. To
prevent this. regularly hose catcher off
with water and let dry before using.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear
and clean of grass clippings and chaff.
This will help engine air flow and
extend engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-up
grass and trash. Clean UNDERSIDE OF
MOWER HOUSING after each use. See
"Cleaning" in MAINTENANCE section of
this manual.
• The special mulching blade will recur
the grass clippings many times and
reduce them in size so that as they fall
onto the lawn they will disperse into the
grass and not be noticed. Also, the
mulched grass will biodegrede quickly
to provide nutrients for the lawn.
Always mulch with your highest engine
(blade) speed as this will provide the
best recutting action of the blades.
• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.
Wet grass tends to form clumps and
interferes with the mulching action. The
best time to mow your lawn is the eady
afternoon. At this time the grass has
dded and the newly cut area will not be
exposed to the direct sun.
• For best results, adjust the lawn mower
cutting height so that the lawn mower
cuts off only the top one-third of the
grass blades. If the lawn is overgrown it
will be necessary to raise the height of
cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep
from ovedoading the engine and
leaving clumps of mulched grass. For
extremely heavy mulching, reduce your
width of cut, mow slowly and raise
the rear of the lawn mower one wheel
adjuster setting higher than the front.
• Certain types of grass and grass
conditions may require that an area be
mulched a second time to completely
hide the clippings. When doing a
second cut, mow across or perpendicu-
lar to the firstcut path.
• Change your cutting pattern from week
to week. Mow north to south one week
then change to east to west the next
week. This will help prevent matting
and graining of the lawn.
Max 1/3
9
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