Craftsman 917389391 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

[RI:IFTSMI:IN

6.0 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

Model No.

917.389391

• Safety

• Assembly

• Operation

• Maintenance

• Espafiol

• Repair Parts

CAUTION:

Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
VisitourCraftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman

Warranty 2 Product Specifications 11
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 13
Assembly 4 Storage 14
Operation' 6 Troubleshooting 16

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

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 properly. Do not operate mower

when barefoot or weadng 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 fee_ near or under
rotating pads. 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 bolls 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 wom 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.

A, Look for this symbol to point out
important safety precautions. It means

CAUTtON!tt BECOMEALERT!tt YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

&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 Califomia to cause cancer,

birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

3

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not

shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retailoutletsand service

centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair pads for you, when you providethe model

number of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not applyto your lawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

MULCHER KITS

STABILIZER

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADES

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

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
puqceses. 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 pads

such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., neces-
sary to complete the assembly have been

placed in the parts bag.

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

GAS CANS

2

AIR FILTERS

TO REMOVE LAWNMOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with
mower.

• Cut down two end comers of carton and
lay end panel down flat.

• Remove all packing materials 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.

SPARK PLUGS

w

ENGINE OIL

4

HOW TO SET UPYOUR LAWN
MOWER

Operator presence
control bar

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

Upper handle

as not to pinch or damage control cables,

• Raise lower handle section to operating Liftup
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.

• Remove protective padding, raise upper
handle section into place on lower

handle and tighten both handle knobs.

Lower handle

• Remove any packing material from
around control bar, 3-position

• Your handles may be adjusted for your Handle
mowing comfort. Refer to Service and asj

Adjustments section of this manual, bracket

Mowing position

Handle
pin

J

TO INSTALL AI-rACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to
be used as a mutcher, To convert to

bagging or discharging, see =To convert
mower" in the OPERATION section of this

manual.

5

KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN

MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the

locationofvariouscontrolsand adjustments.Save th;ismanual forfuturereference.

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

Engine zone control cable

Handk

Grass catcher

Engine oil cap

t with dipstick

Gasoline filler cap

Mulcher door

Lawn mower housing

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the Wheel adjuster

engine. (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
tums when the engine is running.

Operator Presence Control Bar- must be

helddownto thehandletostartthe engine.
Releaseto stopthe engine.

Palmer - pumps additional fuel from the
carburetor to the cylinderfor use when
starting a cold engine.

Starter Handle - used forstartingthe engine.

6

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

intothe eyes, which can resultin

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 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

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.

• Adjustcutting height to suityour require-

ments. Medium positionis best for most
lawns.

• To change cuttingheight, 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 properlypositioned when
plate tab inserts intohole in lever. Also, 9-
position adjusters (it so equipped) allow lever

to be positioned between the plate tabs.

Lower Wheels for High Cut

Plate Tab

REAR BAGGING

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

door pivotpins.

• To convert to mulching or discharging
operation, remove grass catcher and close

rear door.

Pivot pins

SIDE DISCHARGING

• Rear door must be dosed.

• Open mulcher door and installdischarge

deflector under guard as shown.

• Mower is now ready for d=scharging

operation.

• To convertto mulching or hagging
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 closed.

• Mulcher door closed.

FOR REAR BAGGING -

• Grass catcher installed.

• Mulcher door dosed.

FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

• Rear door closed.

• Side discharge deflector installed.

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without rear door dosed or approved grass
catcher in place. Never attempt to operatethe

lawn mower with the rear door removed or

prepped 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:

Mulcher
door

7

Open -_ -_.

Mulcher \

Discharge
deflector

BEFORE STARTINGENGINE

OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the

engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil

fiHis clean.

• Remove engine oil cap 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. Fortype and

grade of oilto 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 lineon dipstick.

• To read proper level, _ghten engine oHcap

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 oilmore often under dusty,

dirtyconditions.

ADDGASOUNE
NOTE: Before filling fuel tank, remove

and discard the debds plug that is inside
the tank.

• Figfuel tank. Use fresh, dean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. DonotmixoHw_hgasdbe.

Purchase fuel in quantities that can be
used within 30 days to assure fuel

freshness.

AWARNING: Experience incScatesthat

alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or

usingethanol or methanol) can attract
meisture which leads to separation and

formationof acids duringstorage. Acidic gas
can damage the fuel system of an engine
while instorage. 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 untilfuel
lines and carburetorare empty. Use freshfuel

next season. See Storage Instructionsfor
add'_ionalinformation. Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner productsin 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.

Gasoline filler
cap _ cap

(Discard

debris plug

inside)

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 puLLstarter handle

quickly.Do not allow starter ropeto snap
back.

• To stop engine, release operator presence

control bar.

NOTE: incooler weather it may be necessary
to repeat priming steps. In warmer weather

over priming may cause flooding and engine

willnotstart, tfyou do flood engine, wait a,few
minutes before attemptingto start and do not

repeat priming steps.

8

MOWINGTIPS

• Under certain conditions, such as very tall

grass, it may be necessary to raisethe

heightof cut to reduce pushing effortand to
keep from overloading the engine and
leavingclumps of grass clippings. Itmay

also be necessary to reduce ground speed
and/or nJnthe 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.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become

filled with dirt and dust with use and

catchers willcollect less grass. To prevent
this, regularlyhose catcher offwith water

and let dry before using.

• Keep top of engine around starter clear

and clean of grass clippingsand 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 recut the

grass clippings many times and reduce
them insize so that as they fall ontothe

lawn they will disperse intothe grass and
not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will
biodegrade quicklyto provide nutrientsfor
the lawn. Always mulch with your highest

engine (blade) speed as this will provide

the best recuttingaction of the blades.

• Avoidcuttingyour lawn when it is wet. Wet
grass tends to form clumps and interferes
with the mulching action. The best time to
mow your lawn isthe eerly afternoon. At
this time the grass has dried and the newly
cut area will not be exposed to the direct

sun.

• For best results,adjustthe lawn mower

cuttingheight so that the lawn mower cuts
off only the top one-third ofthe grass

blades. If the lawn is overgrown it will be
necessary to raise the height of cut to

reduce pushing effortand to keep from

overloading the engine and leaving
clumps of mulched grass. For extremely

heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut,
mow slowly and raisethe rear of the lawn

mower one wheel adjuster setting higher
than the front.

• Certain types of grass and grass conddions

may requirethat an area be mulched a

second time to completely hide the
clippings. When doing a second cut, mow

across or perpendicular to the firstcut path.

• Change your cutting pattem from week to

week. Mow northto south one week then
change to eest to west the next week. This

will help prevent matting and graining of
tbe lawn.

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