Craftsman 917.376534 Lawn Mower User Manual
Contents
1. LUBRICATION Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG SL Select the oil s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature SAE VISCOSITY GRADES F 20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100 C 30 20 10 0 10 20 30 40 TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE NOTE Although multi viscosity oils 5W30 10W30 etc improve starting in cold weather these multi viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32 F Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil Change the oil after every 25 hours of op eration orat least once a year if the mower is not used for 25 hours in one year Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five 5 hours of continuous use Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL NOTE Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil empty fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty 1 Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug 2 Remove engine oil cap lay aside on a clean surface 3 Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container Rock lawn mower back and forth to re move any oil trapped inside of engine Container 4 Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine 5 Slowly pour2. Rear mulcher plug removed 2 Grass catcher installed 3 Mulcher door closed FOR SIDE DISCHARGING 1 Rear mulcher plug installed 2 Discharge deflector installed ACAUTION Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plug or approved grass catcher in place Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER 1 Lift up on grass catcher using the frame handle 2 Remove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn mower handle 3 Empty clippings from bag NOTE Do not drag the bag when empty ing it will cause unnecessary wear BEFORE STARTING ENGINE ADD OIL Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in the engine For type and grade of oil to use see ENGINE in the Maintenance section of this manual A CAUTION DO NOT overfill engine with oil or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup 1 Be sure lawnmower is level 2 Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout 3 You receive a container of oil with the unit Slowly pour the entire container down the oil fill spout into the engine NOTE Initial oil fill requires only 18 oz due to residual oil in engine from the manufacturers 100 quality testing When changing oil you may need 20 oz 4 Insert and tighten dipstick IMPORTANT e Check oil level before each use Add oil if needed Fill to full line on dipstick e Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season
3. down to the handle to start the discharging or bagging operation engine Release to stop the engine Drive control lever used to engage Starter handle used for starting engine power propelled forward motion of mower 7 WEAR YOUR The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign 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 recom mend a standard safety glasses or wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER ENGINE SPEED The engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance Speed is not adjustable FORESIGHT IS BETTER THAN NO SIGHT 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 e 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 DRIVE CONTROL e Self propelling is controlled by hold ing the operator presence control bar down to the handle and pulling the drive control lever rearward to the handle The farther toward the handle the lever is pulled
4. oil down the oil fill spout stopping every few ounces to check the oil level with the dipstick 6 Stop adding oil when you reach the FULL mark on the dipstick Wait a minute to allow oil to settle 1 7 Continue adding small amounts of oil rechecking the dipstick until oil level settles at FULL DO NOT overfill or engine will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup 8 Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick before starting engine 9 Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter Replace the air filter cartridge every 100 hours of operation or every season whichever occurs first Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions TO CLEAN AIR FILTER 1 Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove 2 Carefully remove cartridge 3 Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur face If very dirty replace cartridge ACAUTION Petroleum solvents such as kerosene are not to be used to clean cartridge They may cause deterioration of the cartridge Do not oil cartridge Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge 4 Install cartridge then replace cover making sure the tabs are aligned with the slots in the back plate Fasten screw securely Slots Lip MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire hazard and or damage SPARK PLUG Replace spark plug at the beginning of each mowin
5. the faster the unit will travel e Forward motion will stop when either the operator presence control bar or drive control lever are released To stop forward motion without stopping engine release the drive control lever only Hold operator presence control bar down against handle to continue mowing without self propelling NOTE If after releasing the drive control the mower will not roll backwards push the mower forward slightly to disengage drive wheels e To keep drive control engaged when turning corners push down on the handle to lift the front wheels off the ground while turning lawn mower Operator presence control bar TO control Adjustment ENGAGE DRIVE turnbuckle DRIVE CONTROL on underside CONTROL DISENGAGED DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT Over time the drive control system may become loose resulting in decreased speed There is a turnbuckle on the underside of the drive control housing to increase tension on the drive cable Pro ceed as follows 1 Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug 2 Turn nut on underside of drive control to increase drive speed 3 Operate mower to test drive speed Readjust as required 4 If condition fails to improve after the above steps forward speed remains the same your drive belt is worn and should be replaced TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut adjust cutting height to suit yo
6. NOTE We do not recommend sharpening the blade but if you do be sure the blade is balanced Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to mower or engine e The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower e To check blade balance drive a nail into a beam or wall Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail If blade is balanced it should remain in a horizontal position If either end of the blade moves downward sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced GRASS CATCHER e The grass catcher may be hosed with water but must be dry when used e Check your grass catcher often for dam age or deterioration Through normal use it will wear If catcher needs replac ing replace only with approved replace ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual Give the lawn mower model number when ordering GEAR CASE e To keep your drive system working properly the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free of trash build up Clean under the drive cover twice a season e The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory The only time the lubricant needs attention is if service has been performed on the gear case e If lubricant is required use only Elf Mul tis EP00 Do not substitute ENGINE
7. Owner s Manual CRAFTSMAN ROTARY LAWN MOWER 6 75 Horsepower Power Propelled 22 Multi Cut Model No 917 37658 CAUTION Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment Sears Roebuck and Co Hoffman Estates IL 60179 U S A Visit our Craftsman website www sears com craftsman TABLE OF CONTENTS Warranty oie aie PhO daar tees 2 Safety Rules ieii eini 2 4 Product Specifications scciccstcenscientaseantercaent 4 Assembly Pre Operation 00008 6 OP CIAO esere temntevinevnrianrete 7 11 Maintenance Schedule ee 12 Maintenance saritebcsetcadveiust nate kiana 12 15 Service and Adjustments 0 15 16 Stora J eeose 16 17 Troubleshooting assiasensensensecnensinecenrence 17 18 Sears Service eseese Back Cover WARRANTY 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 workmanship 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 e Expendable items which become worn during normal use such as rotary mower blades blade adapters belts air cleaners and spark plug e Repairs
8. You may need to change the oil more often under dusty dirty conditions See TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL in the Mainte nance section of this manual ATTACH FUEL CAP CARTRIDGE Your mower is equipped with a special FRESH START fuel cap and continuous fuel preserver cartridge See the infor mation and instructions packed with the FRESH START cartridge 1 Snap cartridge into bottom of fuel cap NOTE Do not remove the silver foil seal on the side of cartridge that snaps into fuel cap 2 Grasp the white peel tab and pull to remove the entire seal 3 Screw fuel cap onto fuel tank after fill ing tank with gasoline Replace cartridge when empty about once a season Check preserver level visually amp DANGER Cartridge fluid is HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED Avoid contact to eyes skin or clothing Do not take internally Do not inhale fluid vapor Keep out of reach of children If swallowed call a physician immediately ADD GASOLINE e Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck Do not overfill Use fresh clean regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane Do not mix oil with gasoline Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh ness A CAUTION Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel Do not store spill or use gasoline near an open flame 4 CAUTION Alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using ethanol or metha nol can attract moisture which leads to separation and forma
9. ase for years to come Purchase your Repair Protection Agreement today Some limitations and exclusions apply For prices and additional information call 1 800 827 6655 Sears Installation Service For Sears professional installation of home appliances garage door openers water heaters and other major home items in the U S A call 1 800 4 MY HOME ACCESSORIES These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced They are not shipped with your mower They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE CLIPPING S DEFLECTORS IS S REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS GRASS CATCHERS FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE BLADE ADAPTERS BLADES STABILIZER GAS CANS GRASS CATCHERS FOR SIDE DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS SSS AIR FILTERS SPARK PLUGS ENGINE OIL WHEELS ASSEMBLY PRE OPERATION 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 assembled 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
10. c liner Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling Remove gas powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground If this is not possible then refuel such equipment with a portable container rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete Do not use a nozzle lock open device If fuel is spilled on clothing change clothing immediately Never overfill fuel tank Replace gas cap and tighten securely V GENERAL SERVICE Never run a machine inside a closed area Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine motor running Disconnect the spark plug wire and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental starting Keep nuts and bolts especially blade attachment bolts tight and keep equip ment in good condition Never tamper with safety devices Check their proper operation regularly Keep machine free of grass leaves or other debris build up Clean oil or fuel spillage Allow machine to cool before storing Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object Repair if necessary before restarting Never attempt to make wheel height adjustments while the engine is running Grass catcher components are subject to wear damage and deterioration which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown Frequently check componen
11. equipped 9 Replace control bar 10 Turn fuel valve lever to the ON position 11 Charge battery 12 Connect battery to engine 17 TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate section in manual unless directed to a Sears Parts amp Repair Center PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Loss of power Poor cut uneven Rear of mower housing or blade dragging in grass Cutting too much grass Dirty air filter Buildup of grass leaves and trash under mower Too much oil in engine Walking speed too fast Worn bent or loose blade Wheel heights uneven Buildup of grass leaves and trash under mower 1 s Dn APON Raise cutting height Raise cutting height Clean replace air filter Clean underside of mower housing Check oil level Cut at slower walking speed Replace blade Tighten blade bolt Set all wheels at same height Clean underside of mower housing Excessive 1 Worn bent or loose blade 1 Replace blade Tighten vibration blade bolt 2 Bent engine crankshaft 2 Contact a Sears or other qualified service center Starter rope 1 Engine flywheel brake ison 1 Depress control bar to hard to pull when control bar is released upper handle before pulling the starter rope 2 Bent engine crankshaft 2 Contact a Sears or other qualified service center 3 Blade adapter broken 3 Replace blade adapter 4 Blade dragging in grass 4 Move lawn mow
12. er to cut grass or to hard surface Grass catcher 1 Cutting height too low 1 Raise cutting height not filling 2 Lift on blade worn off 2 Replace blade If so equipped 3 Catcher not venting air 3 Clean grass catcher Hard to push 1 Grass is too high or wheel 1 Raise cutting height height is too low 2 Rear of mower housing or 2 Raise rear of mower housing blade dragging in grass one 1 setting higher 3 Grass catcher too full 3 Empty grass catcher 4 Handle height position not 4 Adjust handle height to suit right for you Loss of drive 1 Belt wear 1 Check replace drive belt or slowing of 2 Belt off of pulley 2 Check reinstall drive belt drive speed 3 Drive cable worn or broken 3 Replace drive cable 4 Loose drive control system 4 Adjust drive control 18 NOTES Get it fixed at your home or ours Your Home For repair in your home of all major brand appliances lawn and garden equipment or heating and cooling systems no matter who made it no matter who sold it For the replacement parts accessories and owner s manuals that you need to do it yourself For Sears professional installation of home appliances and items like garage door openers and water heaters 1 800 4 MY HOME Anytime day or night 1 800 469 4663 U S A and Canada www sears com www sears ca Our Home For repair of carry in products like vacuums lawn equipment and electronics call or go on
13. f California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm Wash hands after handling amp CAUTION Muffler and other engine parts become extremely hot during operation and remain hot after engine has stopped To avoid severe burns on contact stay away from these areas GENERAL OPERATION Read understand and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual s before starting Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper use of the machine before starting Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts Keep clear of the dis charge opening at all times Only allow responsible individuals who are familiar with the instructions to oper ate the machine Clear the area of objects such as rocks toys wire bones sticks etc which could be picked up and thrown by blade Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing Stop machine if anyone enters the area Do not operate the mower when bare foot or wearing open sandals Always wear substantial foot wear Do not pull mower backwards unless absolutely necessary Always look down and behind before and while moving backwards Never direct discharged material toward anyone Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction Material may richochet back toward the opera tor Stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces Do not operate the mower without proper guards plates grass catcher or other safety protective device
14. g LAWN MOWER TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT See TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT in the Operation section of this manual REAR DEFLECTOR The rear deflector attached between the rear wheels of your mower is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will be thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position If the deflector becomes damaged it should be replaced TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT 1 Remove drive cover and belt keeper 2 Remove belt from gearcase pulley by pushing down on pulley and rolling belt off it 3 Turn lawn mower on its side with air filter and carburetor down 4 Remove blade and debris shield 5 Remove belt from engine pulley on crankshaft TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT 1 Install new belt on engine pulley 2 Reinstall debris shield and blade 3 Return mower to upright position 4 Install new belt on gearcase pulley 5 Reinstall belt keeper and drive cover NOTE Always use factory approved belt to assure fit and long life n 15 LOW POSITION TO ADJUST HANDLE The handle can be mounted in a high or low position The mounting holes in the bottom of lower handle are off center for raising or lowering the handle 1 Remove upper handle and wire tie s securing cable s to lower handle 2 Remove hairpin cotters from lower handle bracket mounting pin 3 Squeeze lower handle in to remove it from mounting pins 4 Turn lower handle over to raise or lower handle 5 Sq
15. g season or after every 100 hours of operation whichever occurs first Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in the PRODUCT SPECIFIC ATIONS section of this manual CLEANING IMPORTANT For best performance keep mower housing free of built grass and trash Clean the underside of your giro after each use ACAUTION Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug e Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scraping to remove build up of grass and trash e Clean engine often to keep trash from accumulating A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life e Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline oil etc e We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean lawn mower unless the electrical system muffler air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out Water in engine can result in short ened engine life CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under drive cover at least twice a sea son Scrape underside of cover with putty knife or similar tool to remove any build up of trash or grass on underside of drive cover SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS A WARNING To avoid serious injury before performing any service and adjustments 1 Release control bar and stop engine 2 Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped 3 Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plu
16. he lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one third of the grass blades If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass For extremely heavy grass reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly Ha INNIN MAX 1 3 We IN Np i l iy init it ih NANN i i i l e 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 sec ond cut mow across 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 MAINTENANCE BEFORE EACH USE enone Bea EDULE Check for Loose Fasteners EVERY EVERY EVERY 10 25 HOURS 100 HOURS OR SEASON HOURS BEFORE STORAGE Clean Inspect Grass Catcher Check Tires Check Drive Wheels Clean Lawn Mower Clean under Drive Cover Check Drive Belt Pulleys Check Sharpen Replace Blade Lubrication Clean and Recharge Battery Check Engine Oil level Change Engine Oil Clean Air Filter Inspect Muffler Replace Spark Plug Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer x if So equipped xx Electric Start m
17. ide obstacles DO NOT e Do not trim near drop offs ditches or embankments The operator could lose footing or balance e Do not trim excessively steep slopes e Do not mow on wet grass Reduced foot ing could cause slipping lll CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them e Keep children out of the trimming area and under the watchful care of another responsible adult Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area Before and while walking backwards look behind and down for small children Never allow children to operate the ma chine Use extra care when approaching blind corners shrubs trees or other objects that may obscure vision IV SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE Use extreme care in handling gasoline Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive e Extinguish all cigarettes cigars pipes and other sources of ignition Use only an approved container Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running Allow engine to cool before refueling Never refuel the machine indoors Never store the machine or fuel contain er where there is an open flame spark or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances Never fill containers inside a vehicle on a truck or trailer bed with a plasti
18. line for the nearest Sears Parts and Repair Center 1 800 488 1222 Anytime day or night U S A only www sears com To purchase a protection agreement U S A or maintenance agreement Canada on a product serviced by Sears 1 800 827 6655 USA 1 800 361 6665 Canada Para pedir servicio de reparaci n Au Canada pour service en fran ais a domicilio y para ordenar piezas 4 800 LE FOYER 1 888 SU HOGAR 1 800 533 6937 1 888 784 6427 Www sears ca 02410 Sears ed Registered Trademark Trademark Service Mark of Sears Roebuck and Co Marca Registrada Marca de Fabrica Marca de Servicio de Sears Roebuck and Co MC Marque de commerce MP Marque d pos e de Sears Roebuck and Co Sears Roebuck and Co 198336 03 17 05 BY Printed in U S A
19. necessary because of operator abuse or negligence including bent crank shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con tained in the owner s manual Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest Sears Parts amp Repair Center in the United States This warranty applies only while this product is used 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 Roebuck And Co D 817 WA Hoffman Estates IL 60179 SAFETY RULES IMPORTANT This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw ing objects Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death ALook for this symbol to point out important safety precautions It means CAUTION BECOME ALERT YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED A WARNING In order to prevent ac cidental starting when setting up trans porting adjusting or making repairs always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot come in con tact with plug AWARNING Engine exhaust some of its constituents and certain vehicle compo nents contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm AWARNING Battery posts terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds chemicals known to the State o
20. owers xxx Power Propelled mowers xxx Use a scraper to clean under deck akhON GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence To receive full value from the warranty operator must maintain unit as instructed in this manual Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit At least once a season check to see if you should make any of the adjustments described in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual e At least once a year replace the spark plug clean or replace air filter element and check blade for wear A new spark plug and clean new air filter element assure proper air fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer e Follow the maintenance schedule in this manual BEFORE EACH USE e Check engine oil level e Check for loose fasteners LUBRICATION Keep unit well lubricated See LUBRICATION CHART Change more often if operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil Charge 48 hours at end of season And after each 5 hours of use LUBRICATION CHART Wheel adjuster on each wheel Engine oil Mulcher door hinge pin Rear door hinge Handle bracket mounting pins Spray lubrican
21. s could damage your mower and void your warranty TO REMOVE BLADE 1 Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug 2 Turn lawn mower on its side Make sure air filter and carburetor are up 3 Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt NOTE Protect your hands with gloves and or wrap blade with heavy cloth 4 Remove blade bolt by turning counter clockwise 5 Remove blade amp attaching hardware bolt lock washer amp hardened washer TO REPLACE BLADE 1 Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two 2 holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter 2 Be sure the trailing edge of blade oppo site sharp edge is up toward the engine 3 Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft 13 4 Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolt turning clockwise e The recommended tightening torque is 35 40 ft Ibs IMPORTANT Blade bolt is heat treated If bolt needs replacing replace only with approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual Blade adapter Crankshaft Lockwasher Blade bolt Hardened 3 7 washer Trailing Sage Crankshaft TO SHARPEN BLADE
22. s in place See manufacturer s instructions for proper operation and installation of accessories Only use accessories ap proved by the manufacturer Stop the blade s when crossing gravel drives walks or roads Stop the engine motor whenever you leave the equipment before cleaning the mower or unclogging the chute Shut the engine motor off and wait until the blade comes to complete stop before removing grass catcher Mow only in daylight or good artificial light Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Never operate machine in wet grass Always be sure of your footing keep a firm hold on the handle walk never run Disengage the self propelled mech anism or drive clutch on mowers so equipped before starting the engine If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally stop the engine motor and check immediately for the cause Vibra tion is generally a warning of trouble 3 e Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating mower ll SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip amp fall accidents which can result in severe in jury All slopes require extra caution If you feel uneasy on a slope do not mow it DO e Mow across the face of slopes never up and down Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes e Remove obstacles such as rocks tree limbs etc e Watch for holes ruts or bumps Tall grass can h
23. stiff hold them in warm water for a few minutes If bag gets wet let it dry before using TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher To convert mower to bagging or discharging see TO CON VERT MOWER in the Operation section of this manual OPERATION KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER READ THIS OWNER S MANUAL AND ALL SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments Save this manual for future reference These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the product Learn and understand their meaning AG OGmi i Ze O CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER KEEP HANDS OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY Drive control lever Operator presence control bar Handle knob Starter Engine oil cap with dipstick handle Grass Muffler Air filter Mulcher door Drive cover Wheel adjuster on each wheel IMPORTANT This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Sears rotary walk behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and the U S Consumer Product Safety Com mission The blade turns when the engine is running Operator presence control bar must Mulcher door allows conversion to be held
24. t See ENGINE in Maintenance section IMPORTANT Do not oil or grease plastic wheel bearings Viscous lubricants will attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the self lubricating bearings If you feel they must be lubricated use only a dry powdered gue type lubricant sparingly LAWN MOWER Always observe safety rules when per forming any maintenance TIRES e Keep tires free of gasoline oil or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber e Avoid stumps stones deep ruts sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage DRIVE WHEELS Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely The wheels not turning freely means trash grass cuttings etc are inthe drive wheel area and must be cleaned to free drive wheels If necessary to clean the drive wheels be sure to clean both front wheels 1 Remove hubcaps locknuts amp washers 2 Remove wheels from wheel adjusters 3 Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the dust cover pinion and or drive wheel gear teeth 4 Put wheels back in place NOTE If after cleaning the drive wheels do not turn freely contact a Sears or other qualified service center BLADE CARE For best results blade must be kept sharp Replace a bent or damaged blade ACAUTION Use only areplacement blade approved by the manufacturer of your mower Using a blade not approved by the manu facturer of your mower is hazardou
25. thanol 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 e Empty the fuel tank by starting the en gine and letting it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty e Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur e Use fresh fuel next season NOTE Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable al ternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor Do not empty the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer NOTE FRESH START fuel cap and cartridge system automatically drips con centrated fuel preserver into your fuel tank and is an acceptable alternative to adding fuel stabilizer ENGINE OIL Drain oil with engine warm and replace with clean engine oil See ENGINE in the Maintenance section of this manual CYLINDER 1 Remove spark plug 2 Pour one ounce 29 ml of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder 3 Pull starter handle slowly a few times to distribute oil 4 Replace with new spark plug OTHER e Do not store gasoline from one season to another e Replace your gasoline can if yo
26. this manual 2 Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance section of this manual 3 Be sure that all nuts bolts screws and pins are securely fastened Inspect moving parts for damage breakage and wear Replace if necessary 4 Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces sand lightly before painting HANDLE You can fold your mower handle for storage 1 Squeeze the bottom ends of the lower handle toward each other until the lower handle clears the handle bracket then move handle forward 2 Loosen upper handle mounting bolts enough to allow upper handle to be folded back IMPORTANT When folding the handle for storage or transportation be sure to fold the handle as shown or you may damage the control cables e When setting up your handle from the storage position the lower handle will automatically lock into mowing position SQUEEZE 3 TO FOLD Lower handle SSS SS S 2S 2S A S SSI 020200 LS LSS RS 2s lt gt SS SS ss o Se Ses se SLS eS CESS CCS Is oS oS IS 3S oS S25 TOLOA IX 2S OS oo lt gt 4000 DODDA MOWING OSITION Operator presence control bar y Upper handle Handle knob Lower handle ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor fuel filter fuel hose or tank during storage Alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using e
27. tion 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 Empty 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 Gasoline filler cap 10 TO STOP ENGINE e To stop engine release operator pres ence control bar TO START ENGINE NOTE Due to protective coatings on the engine a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the prod uct and should be considered normal NOTE Your engine is equipped with an automatic choke system No priming or choking is required before starting e To start engine hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly Do not allow starter rope to snap back MOWING TIPS amp CAUTION Do not use de thatcher blade attachments on your mower Such attachments are hazardous will damage your mower and could void your warranty e 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 clip pings It may also be necessary to re duce ground speed and or r
28. tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness All parts such as nuts washers bolts etc necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag TO REMOVE MOWER FROM CARTON 1 Remove loose parts included with mower 2 Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat 3 Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle 4 Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thoroughly for additional loose parts HOW TO SET UP YOUR MOWER TO UNFOLD HANDLE IMPORTANT Unfold handle carefully so as not to pinch or damage control cables 1 Raise handles until lower handle sec tion locks into place in mowing position 2 Remove protective padding raise up per handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both handle knobs 3 Remove handle padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort Refer to AD JUST HANDLE in the Service and Adjust ments section of this manual Operator MOWING presence Aas POSITION control bar Job S88 ys i Upper hI handle we t Handle knob Lower handle TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER 1 Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom Make sure the frame handle is outside of the bag top 2 Slip vinyl bindings over frame NOTE If vinyl bindings are too
29. ts and replace with manufacturer s recommended parts when necessary Mower blades are sharp and can cut Wrap the blade s or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them Do not change the engine governor set ting or overspeed the engine Maintain or replace safety and instruc tion labels as necessary AWARNING This lawn mower is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest covered brush covered or grass covered land unless the engine s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws if any If a spark arrester is used it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator In the state of California the above is required by law Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code Other states may have similar laws Federal laws apply on federal lands A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Parts amp Repair Center See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Serial Number Date of Purchase Gasoline Capacity Type Oil Type API SG SL 1 6 Quarts Unleaded Regular SAE 30 above 32 F SAE 5W 30 below 32 F Oil Capacity 20 Ounces Spark Plug Gap 030 Blade Bolt Torque Champion RJ19HX 35 40 ft Ibs e The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower housing Record both serial n
30. ueezelowerhandleinandpositionholes onto mounting pins on handle bracket 6 Reassemble upper handle and all parts removed from lower handle Mowing Mowing position position HIGH POSITION ENGINE ENGINE SPEED Your engine speed has been factory set Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may result in personal injury If you believe that engine is running too fast or too slow take your mower to a Sears or other qualified service center for repair and adjustment CARBURETOR Your carburetor is not adjustable If your engine does not operate properly due to sus pected carburetor problems take your lawn mower to a Sears or other qualified service center for repair and or adjustment IMPORTANT Never tamper with the engine governor which is factory set for proper engine speed Overspeeding the engine above the factory high speed setting can be dangerous If you think the engine governed high speed needs adjusting contact a Sears or other qualified service center which has proper equipment and experience to make any necessary adjustments STORAGE Immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more LAWN MOWER When lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time clean it thoroughly remove all dirt grease leaves etc Store ina clean dry area 1 Clean entire lawn mower See CLEANING in the Maintenance sec tion of
31. umber and date of purchase in space provided above Repair Protection Agreements Congratulations on making a smart pur chase Your new Craftsman product is designed and manufactured for years of dependable operation But like all prod ucts it may require repair from time to time That s when having a Repair Protec tion Agreement can save you money and aggravation Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement now and protect yourself from unexpected hassle and expense Here s what s included in the Agreement e Expert service by our 12 000 profe sional repair specialists e Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor on all covered repairs e Product replacement if your covered product can t be fixed e Discount of 10 from regular price of service and service related parts not covered by the agreement also 10 off regular price of preventive mainte nance check e Fast help by phone phone support from a Sears technician on products requiring in home repair plus conve nient repair scheduling Once you purchase the Agreement a simple phone call is all that it takes for you to schedule service You can call anytime day or night or schedule a service ap pointment online Sears has over 12 000 professional repair specialists who have access to over 4 5 million quality parts and accessories That s the kind of professionalism you can count on to help prolong the life of your new purch
32. un 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 cut ting conditions the engine speed should be set in the FAST position Pores in cloth grass catchers can be come 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 11 MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT For best performance keep mower housing free of built up grass and trash See CLEANING in the Maintenance section of this manual The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed Also the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn Always mulch with your highest engine blade speed as this will provide the best recut ting action 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 yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight e For best results adjust t
33. ur can starts to rust Rust and or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems e f possible store your unit indoors and cover it to protect it from dust and dirt e Cover your unit with a suitable protec tive cover that does not retain moisture Do not use plastic Plastic cannot breathe which allows condensation to form and will cause your unit to rust IMPORTANT Never cover mower while engine and exhaust areas are still warm ACAUTION Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate section in manual unless directed to a Sears Parts amp Repair Center PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Does not start 1 Dirty air filter 1 Clean replace air filter 2 Out of fuel 2 Fill fuel tank 3 Stale fuel 3 Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh clean gasoline 4 Water in fuel 4 Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh clean gasoline 5 Spark plug wire is 5 Connect wire to plug disconnected 6 Bad spark plug 6 Replace spark plug 7 Loose blade or broken 7 Tighten blade bolt or blade adapter replace blade adapter 8 Control bar in released 8 Depress control bar to position handle 9 Control bar defective 10 Fuel valve lever if so equipped in OFF position 11 Weak battery if equipped 12 Disconnected battery connector if
34. ur requirements Medium position is best for most lawns e To change cutting height squeeze ad juster 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 LEVER BACKWARD TO LOWER MOWER Plate tab ae LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER Lever TO CONVERT MOWER Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher To convert to bagging or discharging REAR BAGGING e Open rear door and remove mulcher plug Store mulcher plug in a safe place e You can now install the grass catcher or optional clipping deflector e To convert to mulching or discharging operation install mulcher plug into rear discharge opening of mower X O Mulcher plug SIDE DISCHARGING e Mulcher plug must be installed into rear discharge opening of mower e Open mulcher door and install dis charge deflector under door as shown e Mower is now ready for discharging operation e To convert to mulching or bagging operation discharge deflector must be removed and mulcher door closed Open mulcher door Discharge deflector SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER FOR MULCHING 1 Rear mulcher plug installed 2 Mulcher door closed FOR REAR BAGGING 1
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