Craftsman 917.387321 User manual

Owner's Manual
£RIIFTSMAMo
6.0HORSEPOWER
20" REAR DISCHARGE
ROTARY LAWN MOWER
Model No.
917.387321
•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

Warranty 2 Product Spec'_calions 11
Safety Rules 2 Service and Adjustments 13
Assembly 4 Storage 14
Operation 6 Troubleshooting 15
Maintenance Schedule 10 Repair Parts 32
Maintenance 10 Parts Ordering Back Cover
L]MITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER
For two years from date of purchase, whenthis 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.
Ifthis 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 duflng normal use, such as rotarymower
blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark pJug.
•Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank-
shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructionscon-
tained 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 whi[e
this product is in use in the United States.
This Warranty gives you specific legal rights,and you may also have other dghts which
vary from state to state.
SEARS, ROEBUCKAND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179
TRAINING:
•Read this operator'smanual carefully.
Become familiarwiththe controlsand
know howto operate your mower
properly.Learn howto 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 dear of all
persons, especially small ehi[dren 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.
A{ways have damage repaired before
using your mower.
• Do not use accessoryattachments that
are not recommended bythe manufac-
lurer. Use of suchattachments may be
hazardous.
• The btade tums whenthe engine is
running.
PREPARATION:
• Always thoroughly check the area to be
mowed and clear itof 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 sandals.
Wear only solid shoes withgood traction
whenmowing.
•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 coolfor several
minutes before filling the gas tank. Clean
off any spilledgasoline before starting the
engine.
• Always make wheel height adjustments
before starting your mower. Never
attempt todo thiswhile the engine is
running.
•Mow onlyin daylightor good artificial
_ght.
OPERATION:
•Keep your eyes and mindon your mower
and the area being cut. Do not let other
interestsdistractyou.
• Do notmow wet or slipperygrass.Never
runwhile operatingyour mower. Always
be sure of yourfooting -- keep afirm
holdon the handles and walk.
• Do not put hands orfeet near orunder
rotating parts. Keep clear of the discharge
openingat alltimes.
•Alwaysstopthe engine whenever you
leave or are not using your mower, or
beforecrossingdriveways,walks, roads,
and anygravel--covered areas.
•Never direct discharge of materia_toward
bystandersnorallow anyone nearthe
mower whileyou are operating it.
•Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing
your mower, stopthe engine and make
absolutely sure the blade and all moving
partshave stopped. Then disconnectthe
spark plugwire and keep itaway from the
spark plugto prevent accidental starting.
• Do not continueto run your mowerifyou
hita foreign object. Follow the procedure
outlinedabove, then repair any damage
beforerestartingand operating you
mower.
•Do not change the governor settingsor
overspeed the engine. Engine damage or
personal injurymay result.
•Do not operate your mower if itvibrates
abnormally. Excessive vibration is an
indication of damage; stop the engine,
safely check for the cause ofvibration
and repair as required.
•Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust
fumes are dangerous.
° Never cut grass by pullingthe mower
towards you. Mow aorosethe faoe of
slopes, never up and downoryou might
loseyour footing.Do not mow exces-
sively steep slopes.Use cautionwhen
operatingthe mower onuneven terrain
or .whenchangingdirections-- maintain
goodfooting.
•Never operateyour mowerwithout
proper guards,plates,grass catcheror
othersafety devices in place.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE;
•Check the blade and the engine mount-
ingboltsoftento be sure they are
tightenedproperly.
•Check allbolts,nutsand screwsat
frequent intervalsfor propertightnessto
be sure mowerisin safe working
condition.
•Keep all safetydevices in place and
working.
•To reducefire hazard, keep the engine
free ofgrass,leaves or excessivegrease
and oil.
• Check grass catcher often for deteriora-
tion and wear and replace wornbags.
Use only replacement bags that are
recommended by and complywith
specifications ofthe manufacturer of your
mower.
• Always keep asharp blade on your
mower+
• Allow enginetocoolbefore storing inany
enclosure.
•Never store mowerwithfuel inthe tank
insidea buildingwhere fumes may reach
an open flame or an ignition source such
as a hot water heater, space heater,
clothes dryer, etc.
CAUTION: Always disconnect spark piug
wire and place wire where it cannot
contact spark plug in order to prevent
accidental starting when se_ng up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.
WARNING
The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State of
CaJJfomiato cause cancer, birth defects,
or ether reproductive harm.

These accessorieswere availablewhen this
lawn mower was produced.They are also
available at mostSears retailoutlets and
servicecenters. MostSears storescan also
LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE
order repairpartsforyou, whenyou provide
the modelnumber ofyour lawn mower.
Some ofthese accessories may notapply
toyour lawn mower.
CUPPING DEFLECTOR
FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS,
GRASS CATCHERS
FOR
REAR DISCHARGE
LAWN MOWERS
MULCHER,KFrS
GRASS CATCHERS
FOR
SIDE DISCHARGE
LAWN MOWERS
STABIL,IZER
GAS CANS
LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE
MUFFLERS
BELTS BLADES
AIR FILTIERS
BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS
SPAI_,,,K PLUGS,
ENGINE OIL
IMPORTANT: This cuttingmachine is
capable ofamputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Failure to observethe
following safety instructionscould resultin
seriousinjury or death.
Safety standards requireoperator pres-
ence controlsto minimize the risk ofinjury.
Your unitis equipped withsuch controls.
Do not attempt to defeat the functionofthe
operator presence controlsunder any
circumstances.
Read these instructionsandthismanualin its
enl_retybeforeyou attemptto assemble or
operate your new lawnmower.Your new lawn
mower hasbeen assembled atthe factory
withthe exceptionof thoseparts left
unassembledfor shipping purposes AI[parts
such asnuts, washers, bolts,etc., necessary
tocompletethe assemblyhavebeen placedin
theparts bag.Toensuresafe andproper
operationofyourlawnmower,allpartsand
hardwareyouassemblemust betightened
securely. Usethe correcttoolsasnecessaryto
ensureproper tightness.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON
•Remove loose partsincludedwith mower.
•Cutdown twoend comers of carton and lay
endpanel downflat.
•Remove allpacking materialsexcept
paddingbetween upper and lower handle
andpadding holdingoperator presence
control bartoupperhandIe
•Roll lawnmower out of cartonand check
cartonthoroughIyfor addrtionalloose parts.
4

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables.
- Raise handles untillower handle section
locks into place in mowing pos_on.
° Remove protective padding, raise upper
handle section intoplace on lower
handles 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
Adjustment section of this manual.
control bar
Lift up
Lower
handJe
Mowing
position
TO INSTALL AI-I'ACHMENTS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. Toconvert to begging
or discharging:
• Open rear doorand remove mulcher
plug. Store mulcher plug in asafe place.
•You can now installcatcher or opt_onat
clippingdeflector.
° To return to mulching operation,install
mulcher plug into discharge opening of
mower.
Mulcherplug
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plug in place or approved
clipping deflector or grass catcher in
place. Never attempt to operate the lawn
mower with the_'rear door removed or
propped open,

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULESBEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare theillustrationswith your lawnmower tofamiliarize yourseffwiththe
locationof various controls and a_ustments. Save thismanuaJfor future refer.
These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supptied with the
product. Learn and understand their meaning.
CAL'q'tON ENGINE ENGINF- FAST 8;LOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS
OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY
Operator presence control bar
Engine zone controJcab]e
Handle
Grass catcher
Air filter
MuJcher plug
Engine oil cap
with dipstick
Lawnmowerhousing
Wheeladjuster
(oneach wheel)
iii
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotarywalk-behind power lawnmowers conform tothe safetystandards of theAmerican
NationalStandards Inst_uteandthe U.S.Consumer ProductSafety Commission, The blade
turnswhentheenqine is runnin,_. ,,,
Operator Presence Control Bar- must be
helddown tothe handle tostarttheengine.
Releasetostop theengine.
Primer - pumps addilJonalfuelfrom the
carburetorto the cylinderfor usewhen staring
acoldengine.
i i
Starter Handle- used for starting the engine.
Mulcher Plug - locatedatthe discharge
openingmust be removedwhenconvertingto
baggingordischargingoperation.

The operationofanylawnmowercan resuttin
foreignobjectsthrownintothe eyes,whichcan
res_ insevereeye damage. Alwayswear
safetyglassesoreye shieldswhiteoperating
yourlawn moweror performinganyadjust-
meritsor repairs,We recommendawide
visionsate_ mask overthesr_ctactesor
standardsafetyglasses.
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The engine speed was set at the factory
for optimumperformance. Speed is not
adjustable.
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
CAUTION: Federal reguIations require
an enginecontroltobeinstalledonthis
lawn mower in order to minimize the risk
of blade contact injury. Do not under any
circums'_tnces attempt to defeat the
function of the operator control. The blade
turns when the engine isrunning.
•Your lawn mower is equippedwithan
operator presence controlbarwhich
requiresthe operatortobe posHoned
behindthe lawnmowerhandletostartand
operatethe lawnmower.
TO ADJUST cLrn3NG HEIGHT
•Raisewheelsfor low cutand lower wheels
for highcut.
• Adjust cutting heighttosuit your require-
merits. Medium position isbest for most
lawns.
• To change cuffing hek3ht,squeeze adjuster
levertoward wheel Movewheel up or down
tosuityour requirements, Besure allwheels
are inthe same set,rig.
NOTE: Adjuster is propertypositionedwhen
platetab insertsinto hole in lever.ALso,9-
posifion adjusters(ifso equipped)_ow lever
to be pos'_ionedbetween the plate tabs.
Lower Wheels for High Cut
_Lever
Raise Wheels for Low Cut
TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER
•Closetheflip lid. Eliplid mustbe dosed
whgeoperatinglawn mower
•Liftthe reardoor onthe mowerhousingand
placethegrasscatcherframe ontothe
formedtabsonthe reardoorhingebracket.
• The grasscaltlcherisse_re dtothelawn
mowerhousingwhenthe mardoor _s
lowered ontothe grasscatcherframe.
CAUTION: Do not runyour Iawnmower
withoutdippingdeflector orapproved grass
catcherinplace.Never attempttooperatethe
lawn mowerwiththe reardoorremovedor
proppedopen.
Hinge
bracket Grass catcher
Formed
tabs
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER
• To removegrasscatcher, releaseoperator
presencecontrol barto stopengine.
•Liftup reardoor and remove the grass
catcher bythe handle.
NOTE: Do not drag the bag when emptying;
itwilIcauseunnecessarywear.
7

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Yourlawnmower issh_ed withoutoil inthe
engine.
•Besuremowerisleveland areaaroundoil
fillisclean.
•Removeengineoilcapw/dipstickandfilIto
thefullI_neon the d'_ostick.
•Use20 ozs.of oil.Fortypeand gradeofoil
to use,see "ENGINE" in Maintenance
sectionofthismanual.
• Pour oilslewty.Do not overfill
• Checkoil level beforeeachuse. Add oiIif
needed. RI[to fulllineon d_s_ck.
• To read proper level,tighten engineoil cap
each time.
•Reinstallengineoilcapandtighten.
°Changethe oilaftereve]y25 hoursof
operationoreach season. Youmayneed
tochangetheoilmore oftenunderdusty,
dirtyconcr_ons.
GAS
•Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with aminimum of 87
octane. (Use of leaded gasoline wig
increasecarbon and lead oxidedeposits
and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil
with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quanti-
ties that can be used within30 days to
assure fuel freshness.
IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN
TEMPERATURES BELOW 32°F(0°C), use
fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help
insure good coldweather starting.
WARNING: Experience indicates that
alcohol blended fuels (caited gasohol or
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leadsto separation and
formation of acids dudngstorage. Acidic
gas can damage the fuel system of an
engine while in storage. To avoid engine
problems, the fuel system should be
emptied beforestorage of 30 days or
longer. Drain the gas tank, start the
engine and let it run until the fuel lines and
carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next
season. See Storage Instructions for
additional information. Never use engine
or carburetor cleaner productsin the fuel
tank or permanent damage may occur.
CAUTION: Fillto bottom of gas tank filler
neck. Do notoverfill. Wipe off any spilled
oil or fuel. Do not store,spill or use
gasoline near an open flame.
TO START ENGINE
• Tostartacoldengine,pushprimerfive(5)
times beforetnjingtostart.Usea firmpush.
ThisstepiSnotusuallynecessarywhen
starthgan enginewhichhasalready runfor
afew minutes.
•Holdoperator presencecontrol bardownto
the handleandpullstarterhandlequickly.
Do not allow starter ropeto snap back.
•To stopengine,releaseoperatorpresence
control bar.
NOTE: Incoolerweatheritmaybe necessary
torepeatpdmingsteps.Inwarmerweather
over priming may cause floodingand engine
willnot start. Ifyou dofloodengine,wait a few
minutesbeforeattemptingtostartand do not
repeat primingstep_
MOWING TIPS
•Under certaincond'_ons,suchasvery tall
grass,it maybe necessarytoraisethe
heightofcuttoreducepush_geffortandto
keepfromoverloadingtheengineand
leavingdumpsof grassclippings.
• For extremelyheavycutting,reducethe
width ofcut and raisethe rear ofthe lawn
mower housingone (1)wheel adjuster
sett_g higherthan the frcntforbetter
discharge ofgrass.
•When using a reardischarge lawn mower in
moist,heavy grass,clumpsofcutgrass
may not enterthegrass catcher.Reduce
groundspeed (pushingspeed)ancVorrun
the lawn mowerover thearea asecond
time.
• Ifatrailofgrassclippingsisleftonthe right
side ofa rearc_schargeIawnmower, mow
in aclockwisedirectionwithasmalloverlap
tocollecttheclippingsonthe nextpass.
• Keeptopofenginearoundstarterclearand
eleanofgrassclippingsandchaff.Thiswill
helpengineairflowandextendenginelife.
°Pores in clothgrasscatcherscanbecome
filledwithdirtanddust withuseand
catcherswillcollectless grass.To prevent
this,regularlyhosecatchersoffwithwater
and letdrybefore using.

MULCHINGMOWINGTIPS
IMPORTANT:Forbestperformance,•
keep mower housing free of built-up grass
and trash. Clean UNDERSIDE OF
MOWER HOUSING after each use. See
"Cleaning" in MAINTENANCE sec'don of
this manual.
•The special mulchingbladewillrecutthe
grassclippingsmanytimes andreduce
them in size so thatas theyfagontothe
lawnthey witldisperse intothe grass and
notbe noticed. Also,the mulched grasswill
biedegrade quicklyto provide nutrientsfor
the lawn, A_waysmulch withyourhighest
engine (blade)speed as this w=llprovide the
best recut_ng action of1heblades.
• Avoid curlingyour lawn whenitiswet.Wet
grasstendsto formdumps andinterferes
withthe mulching amen. The besttime to
mow your lawn Lsthe earlyaJtemoon.Atthis
time the grasshasdriedandthenewlycut
areaw111notbe exposed tothedirectsun.
• For bestresults,adjustthe _awnmower
cullingheightso that thelawn mowercuts
offonlythetopone-thirdofthe grassblades.
Ifthelawn isovergrown it willbe necessary
to raisethe heightof cutto reduce pushing
effoffand tokeep from overloading_ -
engineandleaving clumpsof mulched
grass.Forextremelyheavy mulching,
reduceyour wid_ of cut, mow slowiyand
raisethe rearof the lawnmower one wheel
adjustersettinghigherthanthe front.
•Certaintypesofgrassandgrassconditions
may requirethatan area be mutcheda
secondtimetocompletelyhidethe
clippings.Whendoinga secondcut,mow
acrossorperpendiculartothe firstcutpath.
•Changeyourcuttbgpatternfromweekto
week.Mow northtosouthone weekthen
changetoeasttowestthenextweek.This
will helppreventmattingand grainingofthe
lawn.
1/3
9

FELL FN DATES /___#"_._ _._ _,_ _,_-,I,
AS YOU COMPLETE /_/_f-SER--___V
REGULAR SERV}CE ICE DATES
Oheck for Loose Fa.,.steners _I/
CJean/]nspect Grass Catcher
(If Equipped) V t I_
MClean La_-i Mower I,/ I_
O Clean Under Drive Cover
{Power-Prope|ted Mowers} ik/
Check drive be_fle_
E {Power:P'ropelled Mowers) II/
g CheckJSharpen/RepTace BJade IV/'=
iLubr_catio_ Chart tf
CIea.n Battery/Rechmge
'I_e_ st_ M_e_ 1v' v'4 ......
E c_ E._e o, Leve| !y" i
NChan@eEr_neOil _,_'_
][nsl_ct Muffler
NClean orRepla_ Spark Plug !/"
E Replace Air P_iter Paper C_tddge V'2
I - Ch_lge rnor_ _en when _p_mtmg un_r =h_ load or _high R._b[ent templra_ums.
2 -_mote o_en when o_:_em1_g in d_y or du_ _or_s.
4 -Charge 48 houm _t end of l_son.
GENERAL RECOMMEND/_glONS
The warrantyon thislawn mowerdoesnot
coveritemsthathavebeensubjectedto
operatorabuseor neg[igence.Toreceivefull
valuefromthe warranty,operatormust
maintain mower asinstructedin this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made
periodicallytoproperly maintain yourun_
Alladjustmentsinthe Service andAdjustments
section ofthis manual should be checked at
]east once each season.
• Oncea year,replace thesparkplug,replace
airfilterelement andcheckbladefor wear.A
newsparkplugand ciearv'newair filter
elementassures proper air-fuelmixture and
helpsyourengine runbetterand lastlonger.
•FoIIowthe maintenanceschedule in this
manual
BEFORE EACH USE
•Check engine oil level.
•Checkfor loose fasteners.
LUBRICATION
Keep un'_weI[lubricated (See"LUBRICATION
CHAFrr).
LUBRICAT]ON CHART
Wheel
adjusters
(_ Brake spring
bracket
,gine oil
C) Rear (3_)Handle bracket
door
hinge mounting pin
(_) SPRAY LUBRICANT
_) SAE30 MOTOROL REFERTO
ENGINE - MAINTENANCE SECTION.
IMPORTANT: Donot oilor greaseplastic
whee!bearings.Viscouslubricantswill
attractdust and dirtthat w_lshortenthe
lifeofthe self lubricatingbeatings.Ifyou
feelthey must be lubricated,use onlya
dry,powderedgraphitetype lubricant
sparingly.
10