Craftsman 917389270 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

£RAFTSMAN"

5.5 HORSEPOWER
21" REAR DISCHARGE

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.389270

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espahol

• 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 .............................................. 4

Operation .............................................. 6

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

Maintenance ......................................... 10

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

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

Service and Adjustments...................... 13

Storage ................................................. 15

Troubleshooting ................................... 16

Repair Parts.......................................... 34

Parts Ordering ...................... Back Cover

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 prepedy. Do not operate mower

when barefoot or wearing open

2

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

towardsyou. Mow acrossthe face of
slopes, never up and down or you

mightlose 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 c0ol 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!f! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
ACAUTION: 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 availablewhenthislawn mowerwas produced.They are not

shippedwith your mower.They are alsoavailableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservice

centers. MostSearsstorescanalsoorderrepairpartsforyou,whenyouprovidethe model

numberofyourlawnmower. Some ofthese accessoriesmay notapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

P

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

I

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS

BLADES

MULCHER KITS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

AIR FILTERS

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

STABILIZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

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 inthe

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 pacldng materials except

padding between upper and lower

handle and padding holding operator

presence control barto upper handle.

• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check

carton thoroughly for additional loose
pads.

4

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not to pinch or damage controlcables.

• Raise handles until lower handle

section locks into place in mowing
position.

• Remove protective padding, raise

upper handle section into place on

lower handle and tighten both handle
knobs.

• Remove handle padding holding
operator presence controlbar to upper

handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be
adjusted for your mowing comfort.

Refer to "AdjustHandle" in the Service

and Adjustmentssection of this manual.

Operator

presence

control bar

handle

Lift up

Lower

handle

TO INSTALL ATACHMENTS

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

bagging, see =Toconvert mower _ in the
OPERATION section of this manual.

up

Mowing
position

5

KNOWYOUR LAWN MOWER
READTHIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFOREOPERATINGYOUR LAWN

MOWER. Comparethe iflustrationswithyourlawnmowertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththe
locationof variouscontrolsand adjustments.Save this manualforfuturereference.

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 handle zone control cable

Handle

Grass

fillercap

with dipstick

Lawn mower housing

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the Wheel adjuster

en_]ine. (on each wheel)
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotarywalk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards ofthe American

National Standards Ins'dtuteand the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade
tums 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 additionel fuel from the

carburetor to the cylinderfor use when

starlinga cold engine.
Starter Handle - used for starting the engine.

6

The operation of any la.wn mower

resultin foreign objects thrown

intothe eyes, which can resultin

severneye damage.Alwayswearsafety

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

safetyg ses.

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

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

able.
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
tums 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 cuttingheight to suit your require-

ments. Medium pos_on 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 inthe 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

Lower Wheels for High Cut

TOCONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. Toconvert to bagging :

REAR BAGGING

• Liftrear door of the lawn mower and place
the grass catcher frame hooks onto the

door pivot pins.

• To convert to mulching operation, remove

grass catcher and close rear door.

Pivot pins

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

• Lift up on grass catcher using the frame

handle.

• Remove grass catcher with clippings

from under lawn mower handle.

• Empty clippings from bag using both

frame handle and bag handle.

NOTE: Do not drag the bag when
emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear.

/

Grass
catcher

frame

handle

handle

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

Lever

7

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped withoutoil in the

engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
flUis dean.

• Remove engine oilcap and fillto the full

lineon the d_

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

• Engine holds 20 ozs. of oil. For type and

grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in

Maintenance section of this manual.

• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.
* Check oil level before each use. Add oil if

needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

• To read proper level, tighten engine oilcap

each time.

• Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.

• 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

• Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87

octane. Do not mix oilwith 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
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.

ACAUTION: Fill 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.

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primer three
(3) times before tryingto start.Use a firm

push Thisstopis nctusuailyneceasary

when starling an engine which has already

runfora few minutes.

• Hold operatorpresence control bar down
to the handle and pull starter handle

quickly.Do not allow starter rope to snap

beck.

• To stop engine, release operator presence

control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be
necessary to repeat priming steps. In
warmer weather over priming may cause
flooding and engine wil! not start. If you do
flood engine, wait a few minutes before

attempting to start and do not repeat
priming steps.

Gasoline filler
cap

Engine oil
cap

8