Craftsman 917389382 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

[RRFTSMRN°

6.1 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No

917.389382

• 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 4 Storage 14
Operation : 6 Troubleshooting 15

Maintenance" Schedule 10 Repair Parts 34
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, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

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
propedy. Leam 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 tums 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

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

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

CAUTIONll! BECOMEALERTII! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

_kCAUTION: 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.

_I=WARNING: The engine exhaust from
this product contains chemicals known to

the State of Califomia to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

3

These accessorieswere availablewhenthislawnmowerwas produced.They are not
shipped with your mower.They are alsoavailableatmostSearsretailoutletsandservice

centers. MostSearsstorescanalsoorderrepairpadsfor you,whenyouprovidethe model

numberofyourlawnmower. Some of theseaccessoriesmaynotapplytoyourlawnmower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

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

I_r!

STABILITFR

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 in the
engine.
Your new lawn mower has been as-
sembled at the factory with the exception of

those parts left unessembled 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 matedais 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

pads.

4

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables.

• 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 control bar to upper
handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be

adjusted for your mowing comfort. Refer
to "Adjust Handle" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual.

Operator presence
control bar

Upper handle

Lift up

Mowing position

Lower handle

TOINSTALLATTACHMENTS

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

bagging or discharging, see =1"oconvert
mower" in the OPERATION section of this

manual.

5

KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER
READTHISOWNER'SMANUAl_ANDSAFETYRULESBEFOREOPERATINGYOURLAWN

MOWER.Comparethe illustrationswithyourlawnmowertofamiliarizeyourselfwiththe
locationofvariouscontrolsandadjustments.Savethis manualfor futurereference.

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

Starter

Handle knob

Grass catcher

bar

presence control

Engine zone control cable

Engine oil cap

with dipstick

Mulcher door

Lawn mower housing

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe adjuster

en_line. (on each wheel)
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American

National Standards Instituteand 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.

Pdmer - pumps additionalfuel fromthe
carburetor to the cylinder for use when
starlinga cold engine.
Starter Handle - used for startingthe engine,

6

can result in foreign objects thrown
The operation of any lawn mower

intothe 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 USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

The engine speed was set at the factoryfor

opiJmumperformance. Speed is not adjust-
able.

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
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 highcut.

• Adjustcuffingheight to suit your require-
ments. Medium positionis best for most

lawns.

• To change cuffing 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 insertsinto hole in lever. Also, 9-
position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever

to be positionedbetween the plate tabs.

Lower Wheels for High Cut

Plate Tab

REAR BAGGING

• Liftrear 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 discharge

deflector under guard as shown.

• Mower is now ready for discharging

operation.

• To convert to mulchingor bagging

operation, discharge deflector must be
removed and mulcher door must be
closed.

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER

WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN

MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

• Rear door dosed.

• Muicher door closed.
FOR REAR BAGGING-

• Grass catcher installed.

• Mulches" door dosed.

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

• Rear door closed.

• Side discharge deflector installed.

_ILCAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without rear doorclosed or approved grass
catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the
lawn mower with the rear door removed or

propped open.

Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

TOCONVERTMOWER

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

discharging:

Mulchsr

door

7

Open

Mulcher Door

\ --

Discharge
deflector

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OL

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.

* Be sure mower is level and area around oil

fillis clean.

• Remove engine oilcap and fillto the full

line on the dipstick.

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.

• Pouroil slowly. Do not over fill.

• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if

needed. Fillto full line on dipstick.

• To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap

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 GASOUNE

NOTE: Before filling fuel tank, remove
and discard the debris plug that is inside

the tank.

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

octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantitiesthat 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 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

,_permanent damage may occur.

CAUTION: 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.

Gasolinefiller Engineoil
cap cap

(Discard

debris plug

inside)

TO START ENGINE

• To start a cold engine, push primerthree
(3) times before tryingto start. Use a firm
push. This step is not usually necessary

when starting an engine which has already

runfora 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 cooler weather it may be necessary
to repeat primingsteps. In warmer weather

over priming may cause flooding and engine
willnot start. If you doflood engine, wait a few
minutes before attempting to start and do not

repeal priming steps.

8

MOW_G_PS

• Under certain conditions,such as very tall
grass, it may be necessary to raise the

height of cut to reduce pushing effortand to
keep from overloading the engine and
leaving dumps of grass clippings. It may
also be necessary to reduce ground speed

and/or run the lawn mower over the area a
second time.

• Forextremely 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.

• 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 "lIPS
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep

mower housing free of buiit-up grass end
trash. Clean UNDERSIDE OF MOWER

HOUSING after each use. See "Cleaning" in

MAINTENANCE section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the
grass clippings many times and reduce

them insizeso that as they fall onto the
lawn they will disperse intothe grass and

not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass wilt
biodegrade quickly to provide nutrientsfor

the lawn. Always mulch with your highest

engine (blade) speed as this will provide

the best recuttingaction 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 early afternoon. At
this time the grass has dried and the newly

cut area will not be exposed to the direct

sun.

• For best results,adjust the lawn mower
cuttingheightso that the lawn mower cuts
off only the top one-thirdof the grass
blades. If the lawn is overgrown itwill be

necessary to raise the height ofcut to
reduce pushing effort and to keep from
overloading 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 perpendicular to the first cut 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.

_,_,_l_('J_='_'i_._7_:--_Max 1/3

9