Sears 917386121 User Manual

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MODEL NUMBER 917.386121 OWNER'SMANUAL

• Assembly
° Operation

• Customer

Responsibilities

• Service
° Adjustments

o Repair Parts

Caution;

Read and Follow
all Safety Rules

and Instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

153943 01,22,96 JJ

IIIIIIIIIIIII1!111'1

Printed in U.S,A

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SAFETY RULES

4_lb Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers

IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE iS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS,
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT tN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH,

SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK 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 ihis operator's manual carafully Become familiarwtth
theoonlrolsand know how to operateyour mswer properly.

Learnhow to quickly stopmower

, Do notatlow chltdrento use your mower Never allowadMitS

to usemower without proper fnslruclisns

,, Keep the area o! opera!ion clear of el! persons, especially

smallchildrenand pets

• Use mower only as the manulacturer intended and as de.

scribed in this manuel

,, Do not operate mower if it has been droppedor damaged in

any manner Always have damage repaired before using

your mower

• Donotuseaccessoryettachmenlsthalarenotracommended

by the manuiacturar Use of such attachments may be
hazardous

• The blade lures when the angina ts running
PREPARATION:

. Always thorsughly checkthe areato bemowed andoleaMtof

all stsnes, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects,
These ob}ecls wi!l be thrown by Ihe blade and can cause

severe injury
Always wear safety glasses or eyeshields when starting and

whileusing your mower.
Dress properly, Do not operate mower when barelool or

wearing open sandals Wear only solid shoes wlth good
tracllon when mowing

ChecI<fuel lank before starting engtne. Do not fill gas tank

Indoors,whentheengine is runningorwhentheengineIshot.
Altow the engine tocool forseveral minutes before ltllingthe
gas tank. Clean oil any spilled gasoline before stadlng the

engine.

,, A_waysmake wheel heightadjuelments before etad_ngyour

mower Never attempt to do th}swhiletheengine Is running

• Mow only tn daylight or good adfficfaElight
OPERATION:

• Keep youreyes and mindon yourmower end Ihe area being

cut. Do not let otherInterests distract you
Do notmow wetorsUpper'/grass, Never runwhtteoperating

yourmower. Always besura of yourfooting- keep afirm hold
on the handles end watk

Do not put hands or feet near or underrotating pads Keep
ciearof the dischargeopening at alf times,

• Aiways stopthe engine wheneveryou leave or are not using
yourmower, orbefore crossingdriveways,weika,made, and

any graveI..coveradareas

• Never direcl discharge of materiel toward byslandets nor
allow anyone near the mower whileyou are operatingtL

• Beforecleaning, Inspecting, orrepairingyour mower,stop the
engine and make absolutely sure the blade and all moving

padshave stopped.Then disconnectthe sparkplug wire and
keep It away from the spark plug to prevent accidental

starling

• Do notconllnuetorunyour mowerifyou hita foreignobject
Followtheprocedure outfinadabove, then repair any dam-

age befora rostad_ngand operatingyou mower_

• Do nol change the governor setUngs or overspend the
engine Enginedamage or personalfn}ury may result

• Do not operate your mowerif itvibrates abnormally Exses-
sivevibration isan indicationof damage; stopIhe engine,

safefycheckfor thecause ofvibrationand repairas required

• Do not tun the engtne indoors Exhaust fumes are dangeP

ous

• Never cut grass by pulIingthe mower towards you Mow
acrossthe faceof slopes, never up and down or you might

ioseyourfaettng. Donolmowexcessivalysteepslopss Uae
cautionwhenoperatingthemower onuneven terrainorwhen
changingdirections-maintain goodfooting

• Never operate your mower withoutproper guards, plates,
grass catcher or other safetydevices In place

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the enginemounling bolts oltan to be
sure theyaretightenedproperly.

• Check all bofts, nuis and screws at frequent intervals Ior
propertightnesstobe sure mower Is in safeworkingcondt_

lion

• Keepelf safetydevices In place and working

• To reduce fire hazard,keep the enginefree sf grass, leaves

or excessive grease end oil

• Check grass catcher often for deterioration end wear and

replace worn bags Usa onty replacement bags that are
recommended by and comply wiih speolncaltons of the

manufacturer of your mower

• AIwayskeepa sharpMade on your mower

• Allow engine to cootbefore etodngIn any enclosure,
,, Never stere mower with fuel In the tank Inside a building

wheretumes mayreach anopen flameoran ignitionsource
such as ehot waterheater,space hearNr, clothesdryer, elc

portant safety precautions. It means
Look for this symbol to point out im-

CAUT!ONII1 BECOMEALERTltl YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

plug wire and place wire where it can-
notcontact spark plug tn order to pre_

_ CAUTION: Always disconnect spark

vent accidental starting when setting
up, transporting, adjusting or making

repairs.

WARNING

t'l'heengine exhaust from this product con-

ns chemicals Known to the State of Cslhor-

nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of aSears Lawn
Mower, it has been designed, engineered and manufac-

tureci.tQ.gtve you the best possible dependability and

performance,

Should'y0uexperlence any problem you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized

Servic e CentedDepartment We have competent, well-
trained technicians and the p roper tools to service or repair

this lawn mower

please read.arid retain this manual The instructions wttl
enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower

properly, Always observe the "SAFETY RULES",

MODEL
NUMBER 91_7,386t21

SERIAL
NUMBER

DATEOFPURCHASE
THE MODEL AND SERIALNUMBERSWILLBE FOUND

ON A DECAL ATTACHED "TO THE REAR OF THE
LAWN MOWI_R HOUSING

YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND
DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP tN A SAFE PLACE

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

I-!ORSEPOWER: 4.0
DISPLACEMENT; 1"1,5CU_IN

GASOLINE CAPACITY 1.5 QUARTS
AND TYPE:. UNLEADED REGULAR

O!L TYPE (API-SoF_'_G): SAE 30 {ABOVE 32=F}

s.a_5w.3o(BELOW32°F)

OiL CAPAciTY: 20 OZS
SPARK PLUG:

(GAP: _030=)

VALVE CLF__RANCE:

SOLID STATE IGNITION

AIR GAP." ,0125 lN.

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 35,40 FT,LBS

CHAMPION J19LM, RJ19LM
STD36t458

INTAKE; .OOB

EXHAUST._o00B

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this pmducL contact your nearest sears store for details,

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rifles.

,, Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower.

• Foliow the instructions under "Cuslomer Responsibilities" and "Storage" Sectlor_s of this owner's manual

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower Is maintained, lubricated, and iuned up

according to the operating and maietenance instructions in the owner's manual, Sears wilt repair free Of charge any

defect tn material pr workmanshfp

If thisCraftsman Lawn Mower is used for cammercial or rental purposes, this warranty appfte_ for on!y 90 days from

the date of purchase
This Warranty does not cover,

• Exl'_endabte items which becomewom during normal use such &s rotary mower blades, blade adapters, bells,
air cleaners and spark plug..

• Repatrs necessary because ofoperaterabuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain
the equipment according to the lnstructlqns c_ntained tn' the owner's manual ,

WARRANTY SERVICE ISAVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER TO THE NEAREST
SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT tN THE UNITED STATES,, THIS WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE

THiS PRODUCT IS iN USE IN THE UNITED STATES
This Warran_ gives you specific legal rights0 and you may also have other rights whtch very from state to state.

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

TABLE..... OF CONTENTS::

SAFETY RULES.. :.................................. ;............. ;....;...2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ............. .-"-:..:;o._;:;;"_. 3

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES o_...._.,..:..._. 3, 11-13

WARRANTY ..._,_o.....:_._,: ..................... L:;......;.............. :3

ASSEMBLY ..;......:......... ;......... _............ ._.............. :........ 6

OPERATION ..................................................... ;......;...... 8

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE .....; ....... ;;;...;o;_;........... tl

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ....;..; ........................ 14

STORAGE .......................... _._;.'.,_L,,._.,,_.............. _...... 15

TRO UBLESHOOTIN G .,.,,;._.':..;.;:L..o.o._....................... 21

REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER ...... :.,...:: ......... 16-17

REPAIR PARTS- ENG!NE o.,i..,'._=; ............ ;o_........ tB-20

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ._;.._7.;_".::.............. ""r""* 24

INDEX

A

Accessories ...........r............................. 5

Adjustments:

Carburetor ................. ;.............. 14

Engine Speed ........................... 14

Handle Height .......;.,,o: ............. 14

Helght of Cut .............................. 9

Air Filter:

Replacement ........................... 13

Ser.,ice ..................................... t 3

Assembly ............................................. 6

B

Blade:

Sharpening ..................................... t2

Engine:

Air Filter ..,,_....................................13

. Oi) Change .................. ;........... 13

OIt Level ...........................,....;....... 13

Oil Type ........................................13

• Starting ............................................ 10

Stopplng ...............................................10

- Storage, .....................................:, 15

Fuel:

Capacity .............................................;.. 3

Storage ,,.._ ................_........._...... 15

Type ......:.......................................... 9

Replacement......;,_.: ........,,........t2

C

Controls:

Engine Zone Coqtrol ................. 9

Engine Speed Control .............. 8

Operate[ Presence

Control Bar ........................ .o,o_...B

Customer Responsibilities ,.. 3, 1t -t3

Air Ftffer .........................:.LoJ..... t_3

Blade CaxotReplaceh_ent.:..,.o !2

Engtr_e............... _.......... ,.......... :. I3 _, Maintenance Agreement ..,,,:.................3

Lubrication. ................... ;o t3

Spark Plug ...... :,.........::..,..:.:.:, t3 : Maintenance Schedule.,,,,; ....................1_

Cutting Levels ................................. 9 Mowing Tips ......... ..............................10

Handle Adjustment:

Assembly..........................._........6

CuttingHeight........................ 14

,_ Lubdeatfoh:

Engine .................... _..................13

Lawn Mower .--._......................11

011:

Engine..............,.,,,o._..................................13

Sloraga ..............................................15

E

F

H

L

M

O

Operallon:

Englne Control............:..............9

Grass Catcher _......_........ _.......... 9

Mower .........._..........., ............_......... g

Operator Presence

Centre Bar ........>. .....• • 9

Options:;

Accessodes .;, ,°. ............ 5

a

Repair Pads: :

Engine ................ :,,1...; ............ 18"20

Lawn Mower ;.,;..,...;............. 16-17

Respei'isibllities, Customer., 3, 1!-13

S

Safety Rules., ....................._.o:................ 2

Serviqe:and Adjustments _:._;,,,,.:..... !4

Ca_uretor o,o,(.;'o....................... t4

,Eng!ne Speei:l o,°. .........................14

Hart'die ;,:........ :,o,,:,J...................t4

Spark Plug.:;.....- ............._..,.;...............t3

Spaclflcat!0na _;;........:..........................:.,,.3

SpeedCaStrOh :,

Engii_e ..,._;.:;;,o;,,.o.;.......................:f4

Siaillhg tile Er_glne ...... -...........;:,..,:. 10

Sio.ppln_ ihe Engtne r.°:,,,..,,:...........r" io

T

TroubleShoollflg Chart o-..,...........21

W

....... LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES

These accessories were ava abe when ths awn mower was produeed_ Theyare _i_6_v_liable at,most Sears tetal!outlets

and service centers, Most Sears stores can a so order repa rpads foryou whe n YOUpray de the model number of yourlawn
mower, SOme oi these accessories may not apply to y0ur lawn mower, '

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

LAWN MOWER. MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

BELTS BLADE ADAPTERS

BLADES

MULCHER KITS

FOR

_t GRASS' CATCHERS

SiDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWER S

AIR FILTERS

111111,1111,111 i 1,,1

WHEELS

STABILIZER

i

GAS CANS

SPARK pLUGS

•ENGNEolk ........

H • ii i HHHIHHIIIII I N I I

ASSEMBLY

Read these Inst_ct_ons ant! thts manual tn its entirety

before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn

mower. Your new lawn mower has been assen_bled at the
factory with the exception of those pads left unassembfed
for shipping purposes. All parts such as nuts. washers,

boils, etc, necessary to complete the assembly have been

placed {n the parts bag To ensure sate end proper

operation of your tawd mower, all parts and hardware you

assemble must be {ightened securely ;Use tbe correct
tools as necessary to ensure proper t gh!ness

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Re_0ve loose parts included with mower

• Cui down two end corners of cartOn and lay end pane

down flat_

• Removeaflpackingmelerialsexceptpaddin_jbetweeh

upper and lower handle and padding holding operator

presence control bar to upper handle

. Ro_ fawn mower out of Cartohand ch_ck Carton thor.

oughly for additional loose patter

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (see Fig,f1)'

IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLES CAREFULLY SO _.S
NOT TO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES

" Raise handles until lower handle section locks into

pfa_e in moWing pesition

• Raise upper handle secUon into place on lower handle,
remove protective padd ng and t ghtbn both hand e

knobs

• Remove handle paddtng hoiding 01_erator presence

con{Pot bar to Upper handle

• Your lawn mower handle can be adlusted for your

m0wtng comfort Refei tc_ =Adjust Randie _ in the
Service and Ad.tustmenl ,sectionof this manual

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS,
(See Fig. 2)

'(our lawn mower was shipped ready 'to be i]sed as a

mulcher To convert to bagging or discilarg[ng:

• Open rear door and remove mulcher pEug, Store
mulcher plug In a safe place

• _You can now Lnstafl catcher or optional ciiPp_:ngdeflec-
tore

• To return to mulching operation, install mulcher plug
into discharge ol_ening of mower Be sure aft tabs are
seated propedy

OPERATORPRESENCE

COHTROLBAR

UPPER HANDLE

LI_ UP

LOWERHANDLE,

MULCHERPLUG

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
proved ,clipping deflector,or grass.

catcher In place. Ne_/er attempt to op-

wfthout mulcher plug in plaoe or ap-

erate the learn mowerwffh the Pear door

removed or propped Open.

:

FIG_I

FtG_2

ASSEMBLY

i rill iiiii ,,ll,ll lllll i

TO ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH GRASS

CATCHER (See Figs, 3A thru 4)

• insert leg of tubular frame through trent Opening of
glass catcher and thread frame Into sewn hem of bag..

NOTE:. Keep bag hem gathered on he straight leg of the

tubular frame.

• When frame comes out the other end of sewn hem,

immediately work the end of frame down Instde the bag
as Shown in InseL

• Stile sewn hem evenly around the tubular frame until

both ends of frame are exposed out of the front open-
tng,,

• Assemble Iower frame to tubular frame as shown. Be
sure handle is outside of bag and frames are fully

seated as shown in Inset.

• Slip viny_ bindings over frame.

NOTE: tf vinyl bindings are too st}if, hold them in warm
water for a few minutes, if bag gets wet, let It dry before "-_.

using,,

• Closet_efllpiid FlipIidmustbeclosedwhfteoperating

lawn mower

• Lift the rear door on the mower housing and place the

grass catcher lrame onto the formed tabs oh the rear
door hinge bracket,

• The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower

housing when the rear door {s lowered onto the grass

catcher Irame.

cAuTION: Donot runyourlawn mower
without clipping deflector or approved

grass catcher in placer Never attempt
tooperate thelawn mower with the rear

door removed or propped open.

LOWERFRAMEHANDLE

BRACKET

TUBULAR ! '

FiG, 3B

. : FIG. 3C

LowER

(Frams_must

GRASS

CATCHER

FRAME

SEWN HE_ FLIP LID

FIG. 3A

FORMED
TABS

FIG. 4

7

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THiS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR f_NN MOWER; Compare the

illustrations with yoLJt lawnmower to familiarize yourseif with the Ioeatton of various controls and_adjOstments, Save this

manual !or future reference,, , .......

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supped wlth the pr0dudL Lba_rnand understand

their meaning. .... " ' ' ' '

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE ' FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL O_tr ,DANGER;KEENHANDS

ORWARNING., ON OFF ! • . _. AND FEET AWAY

GASOLINE FJLLER dAB

MULCHERPLUG

ENG|NE OIL CAP

"WRU D_PST!CK

LAWN:MOWERHOUSING

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

Sears rotary walk-behind power fawn mowers conform tothe safety standards of lhe American'National Standards Institute

and the U,S. Consumer Product Safety Cdmmfssian° .........

i , , " ' ' ,J ,,, i ,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,, ,,,,, ,,, i, ,11 ' '

OPERATOR PREsENcE CONTROL BAR - must be held
down t0 the hahdfe to start the englne, Reiease to stopthe

englne•

PRIMER - pumps addillonal fuel from the carburetor to the
cylinder tor use when starting a cold engine

STARTER HANDLE - used for stad}ng the engine.

The blade turns when the engine ts.i_nn}ng_

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL - locatedon the stde of the

engine which allows you to select e!lher re.st (_) or Blow
(.,_h) enginespeed,

MULCHER PLUG - located at tlie discharge,opeding must
be removed when converting to bagging ordtscharglng
operation,