Craftsman 917389260 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

£RI FTSM IN"

4.0 HORSEPOWER
20" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.389260

• 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

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

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

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

Assembly ......... ;.................................... 4

Operation .._........................................... 6

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

:Maintenance ......................................... 10

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For one year 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 workmar

ship.

!f 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 dudng 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 retuming 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 rightswhict
vary from state to state.

SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

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

Service and Adjustments ...................... 1L

Storage ................................................. 1(

Troubleshooting ................................... 1;

Repair Pads .......................................... 3(

Parts Ordedng ...................... Back Cover

Safety standards require operator
presence controls to minimize the
dsk of injury. Your unit is equipped
with such 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 controlsand
know how to operate your mower

property.Leam how to quicklystop
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 attachmentsthat

are not recommended by the manufac-

turer. Use of suchattachments may be

hazardous.

• The blade tums when the engine is

running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughlycheck the area to be
mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks,

wires, bones, and other foreign objects.
These objects willbe 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 solidshoes with goodtraction

2

when mowing.

• Check fuel tank before starting engine.
Do not flUgas 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 dis-

charge 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 repairing

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 you

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.

• Chock 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 art ignition
source such as a hot water heater,

space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

ALook for this symbol to point out

importantsafety precautions. It means

CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!I 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.

3

These accessorieswere availablewhen thislawnmowerwas produced.They are not

shipped with your mower. They are alsoavailableat mostSears retailoutletsand service

centers. MostSears storescan alsoorder repairpartsfor you,whenyou providethe model

numberofyourlawnmower. Some of these accessoriesmay notapplyto yourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

FOR REARDISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

Readthese instmclJonsand this manualin its

entiretybeforeyou attempttoassen_le or
operateyournew lawn mower.

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OILOR GASOLINE intheengine.

Your new _.wn mower has been assembled
at the factorywiththe exceptionof those parts

leftunassembledforshippingpuq0eaes.All

paris such as nuts.washers,bolts,etc.,
necessaryto completethe assemblyhave
beenplacedinthapartsI:_.To ensuresafe

and properoperationof yourlawn mower,all

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

GRASS CATCHERS

REAR DISCHARGE

MUFFLERS

BELTS

FOR

' SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

BLADES " BLADE ADAPTERS

GRASS CATCHERS

AIR RLTERS

TO REMOVE LAWNMOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove leose partsincludedwithmower.

• Cut downtwoendcomers of cadon and

lay end panel downflat.

• Remove all _ng materialsexcept

padding between upper and lower handle
and _helding operatorpresence

controlbar to upperhandle.

• Rolllawn moweroutof cartonand check

carlenthoroughly foradd'_ionailoose

parts.

parts and hardware you assemblemustbe
tightenedsecurely. Use thecorrecttoolsas

necessaryto ensure propertightness.

FOR

LAWN MOWERS

WHEELS

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

4

HOWTOSET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfoldhandlescarefullyso as
notto pinchordamage controlcables.

• Raise handles untillower handle section
locksintoplace in mowingposition.

• Remove protectivepadding,raiseupper

handlesectionintoplace on lowerhandle

and_htenbothhan_ knobs.

• Remove handle paddingholdingoperator

presencecontrolbar to upper handle.

• Your lawn mowerhandlecan be adjusted

foryourmowingcomforL Referto "Adjust

Handle"in the Servicearid Adjustment
sectionof this manual.

Operator presence contro_

Upperhandle

Liftup

bar

position

I Mowing

Lower handle

5

I_IOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ'I'HIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN

MOWER. Compare the illustrationswith your lawn mower to familiarize yourself withthe

_:x;atigq _f various controls and adiustments. Save this manual for future reference.
"ll_eee_/mbols may_er an yourImm mow_ or In limmtum_pl_l w_h Ihe pmducLI._mm_
u_md _hm meting.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence control bar

Engine zone control cable

Starter handle

Handle knob

Grass

Gasoline cap

Primer

Housing

Engine oil

cap w/

dipstick

IMPORTANT: Thislawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe engine.

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

National Standards Institute and 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 - pumps additionalfuelfrom the
carburetortothe cylinderfor use when

starlinga cold engine.

Wheel adjuster

(on each wheel)

Starter handle - used forstartingtheengine.

6

mower can result in foreign

The operation of any lawn
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 a wide visionsafety mask
over spectacles or standard safety
glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

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

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
ACAUTION: 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 CUTFING HEIGHT

• Raise wheels for low cut and .tower wheels

for high cut.

• Adjust cutting height to suit your require-

ments. Medium 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.

PlateTab

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

• Cloee the lifttop lid. Uft top lid must be

closed while operating lawn mower.

• Lift the rear door on the mower housing

and place the grass catcher frame onto the
formed tabs on the rear door hinge

bracket.

• The grass catcher issecured to the lawn
mower housing when the rear door is

lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn
mower without clipping deflector or
approved grass catcher in place. Never
attempt to operate the lawn mower with
the rear door removed or propped open.

Hinge

Rear door

Grass catcher
frame

We

tabs

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• To remove grass catcher, release operator

presence control bar to stop engine.

• Lift up rear door and remove the grass

catcher by the handle.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when

emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

Lower Wheels for High Cutr..aL __,__.._

ovor

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

7

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL
Your lawn mower is shippedwithoutoilin

theengine.

• Be sum moweris leveland area aroundoU

fillis ofean.

• Remove engine oil plug and fill to the

top of slot in filler hole.

NOTE: Allow oil to settle down into engine

for accurate reading.

• Enginehoids 20ozs. of oil. Fortypeand

grade ofoilto use,see "ENGINE" in

Maintenancesectionof this manual.

• Pouroil slowly. Do notoverfill.

• Check oillevelbeforeeach use. Addoil if

needed.

• Change theoil afterevery 25 hoursof

operationor each season. You may need
tochange the oilmore oftenunderdusty,

dirtyconditions.

ADD GASOMNE

• RII fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
urdeadedgasolinewitha minimumof 87
octane. Do not mix oilwithgasoline.
Purchasefuel in quantitiesthat can be
usedwithin30 daysto assurefuel

freshness.

AWARNING: 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

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.

_CAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank
fillerneck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any

spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or
use gasoline near an open flame.

Gasoline filler cap

Engine oil cap

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primer

three (3) times before tryingto 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 starter
handle quickly. Do not allow starter
rope to snap back.

• To stop engine, release Operator

presence control bar.

NOTE: In coolerweather it may be
necessary to repeat priming 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 and do not

repeat priming steps.

8

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 overloading 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 overlapping previously

cut path and mow slowly.

• For better grass bagging and most
cutting conditions, the engine speed

should be set in the fast position.

• When using a rear discharge lawn

mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps of
cut grass may not enter the grass
catcher. Reduce ground speed

(pushing speed) and/or run the lawn

mower over the area a second time.

• If a trail of clippings is left on the right

side of a rear discharge mower, mow i=

a clockwise direotion with a small
overlap to collect the clippings on the

next pass.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can
become filled with dirt and dust with

use and catchers will collect less gras_
To prevent this, regularly hose catcher
off with water and let dry before using.

• Keep top of engine around starter clea

and clean of grass clippings and chaff.

This will help engine air flow and

extend engine life.

9