Craftsman 917388730 Owner’s Manual
Owner's Manual
ICRAFTSMAN'I
6.0 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT
ROTARY LAWN MOWER
Model No.
917.388730
• Safety
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• EspaSol
• Repair Parts
CAUTION:
Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman
Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 13
Assembly 5 Storage 14
Operation 6 Troubleshooting 15
Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 32
Maintenance 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.
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
IMPORTANT: This cuttingmachine is capable ofamputatinghandsand feet and
throwingobjects.Failure.toobservethe following safetyinstructionscouldresultin
serious injury or death.
I,GENERAL OPERATION
• Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machine and in the
manual(s) before starting. 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.
• Do not operate the mower when
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 manu!acturer's instructions for
proper operation and installation of
accessories. Only use accessories
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.
2
• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait
until the blade comes to complete stop
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.
I1.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 rocks, 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 balance.
• Do not trim excessively steep slopes.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced
footing could cause slipping.
IlLCHILDREN
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 blln¢
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 witl
the engine (motor) running. Disconnecl
the spark plug wire, and keep the wire
away from the plug to prevent acciden-
tal 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 regulady.
• 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 wheal height
adjustments while the engine (motor) i.'
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 parts,
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 overspaed the engine.
3
AILook for thissymboltopointout
importantsafetyprecautions.Itmoans
CAUTIONlll BECOME ALERTI!!YOUR
SAFETYIS INVOLVED.
WARNING: In ordertoprevent
accidentalstartingwhen settingup,
transporting,adjustingor makingrepairs,
alwaysdisconnectsparkplugwireand
place wirewhere itcannotcontactspark
plug.
A,WARNING: Engineexhaust,someof its
constituents,and certainvehiclecompo-
nentscontainoremit chemicalsknownto
the State ofCaliforniato causecancer
and birthdefectsorother reproductive
harm.
_IWARNING: Batteryposts,terminalsand
relatedaccessoriescontainleadand
lead compounds,chemicalsknownto the
State of Californiatocausecancerand
bidh defectsorotherreproductiveharm.
Wash hands after handling.
Thoseaccessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwasproduced.Theyare not
shippedwithyourmower.Theyare alsoavailableat mostSearsretailoutletsandservice
centers.MostSearsstorescanalsoorderrepairpartsfor you,when_0uprovidethemodel
numberofyourlawnmower.Someoftheseaccessoriesmaynut applytoyourlawnmower.
LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE
CLIPPING DEFLECTOR
FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS
MULCHER KITS
STABILIZER
FOR
REARDISGHARGE
GRASS CATCHERS
LAWN MOWERS
FOR
SIDE DIscHARGE
GRASSCATCHERS
LAWNMOWERS
LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE
MUFFLERS AIR FILTERS SPANK PL.UGS
BELTE BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS ENGINE OIL
GAS CANS
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. All parts such as nuts,
washers, bolts, etc., necessary to com-
plete the assembly have been placed in
the parts bag. 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 necessary to ensure proper tightness.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON
1. Remove loose parts included with
mower.
2. Cut down two end corners of carton
and lay end panel down flat.
3. Remove all packing materials except
padding between upper and lower
handle and padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.
4. Roll lawn mower out of carton and
check carton thorougly for additional
loose parts.
HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables.
1. 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.
2. Remove protective padding, raise
upper handle section into place on
lower handle and tighten both handle
knobs.
3. 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
Mowing position
Lowerhandle
Handle
3-position
aslt
bracket
pin
TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS
Yourlawn mowerwas shippedreadyto
be usedasa mulcher.To convertto
baggingordischarging,see "Toconvert
mower" intheOPERATION sectionofthis
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 mayappear on your lawn mower orIn literature suppliedwith the
product. Learn and understand their meaning.
CAUTK)N ENGINE ENGINE FAST 8LOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS
OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY
bar
Grass catcher
presence control
zone controlcable
Engineoilcap
/ withdipstick
Gasolinefillercap
Mulcherdoor Lawnmower housing
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe
en_line. (on each wheel)
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the
Amedcan 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 be Pdmer - pumps additionalfuel from the
helddown tothe handle to startthe engine, carburetorto the cylinderfor use when
Release to stopthe engine, startinga cold engine.
Starter Handle - usedfor startingthe engine.
6
The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects thrown
into 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 e wide vision
safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses.
HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimum performance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_kCAUTION: 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 CUTTING 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
adjuster 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
Lever
Raise Wheels for LowCut
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to
be used as a mulcher. To convert to
bagging or discharging:
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.
Pivot pins
SIDE DISCHARGING
• Rear door must be closed.
• Open mulcher door and install 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 BAGGING -
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 prepped
open.
7
Open
Mulcher
Discharge
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
ADD OIL
Yourlawnmoweris shippedwithoutoilin
theengine.Engineholds 20 oz. of oil.
Fortypeand gradeof oilto use,see
=ENGINE"in Maintenancesectionofthis
manual.
1. Be sure lawnmoweris leveland area
aroundoil fillis clean.
2. Removeengine oilcap end fillto the
fullline onthe dipstick.Pouroilslowly.
Do notoverfill.
NOTE: Allowoilto settledownintoengine
for accuratereading.Toread properlevel,
tightenengineoil cap,thenremoveit to
read thedipstick.
3. Reinstallengineoil cap and tighten.
• Check oillevel beforeeach use. Add
oilifneeded. Filltofulllineon dipstick.
• Changethe oil after every25 hoursof
operationor each season. You may
need tochangethe oilmoreoften
underdusty,dirtyconditions.
ADD GASOLINE
NOTE: Beforefilling fuel tank,remove
and discardthe debrisplugthat isinside
the tank.
• Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleadedgasolinewitha minimumof
87 octane. Do not mixoilwithgaso-
line. Purchasefuel in quantitiesthat
can be usedwithin30 daysto assure
fuel freshness.
_WARNING: Expedenceindicatesthat
alcoholblendedfuels(calledgasoholor
usingethanolormethanol)can attract
moisturewhichleads to separation and
formation ofacidsduringstorage. Acidic
gascan damagethefuel systemofan
enginewhilein storage. To avoidengine
problems,thefuel systemshouldbe
emptiedbefore storageof30 days or
longer. Drainthegastank,startthe
engineandlet it rununtilthe fuellines
and carburetorareempty. Use freshfuel
nextseason. See StorageInstructionsfor
additionalinformation.Never useengine
or carburetorcleanerproductsinthe fuel
tank orpermanentdamagemay occur.
A CAUTION: Filltobottomofgastank
filler neck. Do notoverfill.Wipe offany
spilledoilorfuel. Do notstore,spillor
usegasolinenear an openflame.
Gasolinefiller
cap cap
(Discard
debds plug
inside)
TO START ENGINE
NOTE: Dueto protectivecoatingsonthe
engine,a smallamountof smokemay be
presentdudngthe initialuse ofthe
productand shouldbe considered
normal.
1. To starta coldengine,push primer
three (3)timesbeforetryingtostart.
Usea firm push.Thisstep isnot
usuallynecessarywhen starting an
enginewhichhas alreadyrunfor a
few minutes.
2. Hold operatorpresencecontrolbar
downto the handleand pullstarter
handlequickly.Do notallowstarter
ropetosnap back.
TO STOP ENGINE
• To stopengine, releaseoperator
presencecontrolbar.
NOTE: Incoolerweatheritmaybe
necessaryto repeatpdmingsteps.In
warmerweatheroverprimingmaycause
flooding andenginewillnot start.Ifyou
do flood engine,waita few minutes
beforeattemptingtostartand donot
repeatprimingsteps.
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