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Craftsman 917.388380 User manual

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STERWINS ELM2-36P-3W.4 Assemby - Use - Maintenance Manual

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Owner's Manual
(RAFTSMRN
6.0 HORSEPOWER
21" MULTI-CUT
ROTARY LAWN MOWER
Model No.
917.388380
• Safety
• Assembly
•Operation
•Maintenance
•Espa_ol
•Repair Parts
CAUTION:
Read and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions
before operating this equipment
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
Visitour Craftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman
Warranty
Safety Rules
Assembly
Operation
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance .
2 Product Specifications 11
2 Service and Adjustments 13
4 Storage 14
6 Troubleshooting 15
10 Repair Parts 34
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. :
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 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, ROEBUCK AND 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 wearing open
2
sandals. Wear only solid shoos with
good traction when mowing.
°Check fuel tank before starting engine.
Do not fill gas tank indoors, when the
engine is running or when the engine is
hot. Allow the engine to cool for several
minutes before filling the gas tank.
Clean off any spilled gasoline before
starting the engine.
•Always make wheel height adjustments
before starting your mower. Never
attempt to do this while the engine is
running.
•Mow only in daylight or good artificial
light.
OPERATION:
•Keep your eyes and mind on your
mower and the area being cut. Do not
let other interests distract you.
• Do not mow wet or slippery grass.
Never run while operating your mower.
Always be sure of your footing - keep a
firm hold on the handles and walk.
•Do not put hands or feet near or under
rotating parts. Keep clear of the
discharge opening at all times.
•Always stop the engine whenever you
leave or are not using your mower, or
before crossing driveways, walks,
roads, and any gravel-covered areas.
•Never direct discharge of material
toward bystanders nor allow anyone
near the mower while you are operating
it.
•Before cleaning, inspecting, or repair-
ing your mower, stop the engine and
make absolutely sure the blade and all
moving parts have stopped. Then
disconnect the spark plug wire and
keep it away from the spark plugto
prevent accidental starting.
•Do not continue to run your mower if
you hit a foreign object. Follow the
procedure outlined above, then repair
any damage before restarting and
operating your mower.
•Do not change the governor settings or
overspeed the engine. Engine damage
or personal injury may result.
•Do not operate your mower if it vibrates
abnormally. Excessive vibration is an
indication of damage; stop the engine,
safely check for the cause of vibration
and repair as required.
•Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust
fumes are dangerous. '
•Never cut grass by pulling the mower
towards you. Mow across the face of
slopes, never up and down or you
might lose your footing. Do not mow
excessively steep slopes. Use caution
when operating the mower on uneven
terrain or when changing directions -
maintain good footing.
•Never operate your mower without
proper guards, plates, grass catcher or
other safety devices in place.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:
•Check the blade and the engine
mounting bolts often to be sure they are
tightened properly.
•Check all bolts, nuts and screws at
frequent intervals for proper tightness to
be sure mower is in safe working
condition.
•Keep all safety devices in place and
working.
•To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine
free of grass, leaves or excessive
grease and oil.
•Check grass catcher often for deteriora-
tion and wear and replace worn bags.
Use only replacement bags that are
recommended by and comply with
specifications of the manufacturer of
your mower.
•Always keep a sharp blade on your
mower.
•Allow engine to cool before storing in
any enclosure.
• Never store mower with fuel in the tank
inside a building where fumes may
reach an open flame or an ignition
source such as a hot water heater,
space heater, clothes dryer, etc.
Look for this symbol to point out important
safety precautions. It means CAUTIONtH
BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS
INVOLVED.
p_ugCAUTION: Always disconnect spark
wire and place wire where it cannot
contact spark plug in order to prevent
accidental starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.
_IsWARNING: The engine exhaust from
product contains chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer,
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
3
These accessorieswereavailablewhenthislawnmowerwas produced.They are not
shipped with your mower. They are alsoavailableat mostSearsretailoutletsend service
centers. MostSears stores can alsoorderrepairpartsfor you,whenyou providethe model
numberofyourlawnmower. Some ofthese accessoriesmay notapplytoyourlawn mower.
LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE
CLIPPING DEFLECTOR
FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS
GRASS CATCHERS
FOR
REAR DISCHARGE
LAWN MOWERS -_! GRASS CATCHERS
/FOR
SIDE DISCHARGE
LAWN MOWERS
LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE
MUFFLERS
BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS
AIR RLTERS
WHEELS
rt
tr
STABILIZER
GAS CANS
SPARK PLUGS
,F--
ENGINE OIL
Read these instructionsand this manual in
itsentirety before you attempt to assemble
or operate your new lawn mower.
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE inthe
engine.
Your new lawn mower has been as-
sembled 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 toolsas neces-
sary to ensure propertightness. All parts
such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., neces-
sary to complete the assembly have been
placed in the parts bag.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON
• Remove loose parts included with
mower.
• Cut down two end corners of cartonand
lay end panel down fiat.
•Remove all packing materials except
padding between upper end .lower
handle end padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.
•Roll lawn mower out of carton and check
carton thoroughlyfor additionalloose
parts.
4
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables.
• Raise handles until lower handle Liftup
section locks into place in mowing
position.
• Remove protective padding, raise upper
handle section into place on lower
handle and tighten both handle knobs.
•Remove handle padding holding
operator presence control bar to upper
handle.
•Your lawn mower handle can be
adjusted for your mowing comfort. Refer
to "Adjust Handle" in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual, manual.
Operator presence
control bar
Lift up
I position
Lower handle
TO INSTALL A'r'I'ACHMENTS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to
be used as a mulcher. To convert to
bagging or discharging, see 'q'o convert
mower" in the OPERATION section of this
5
I_IOWYOURLAWNMOWB:I
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAl_AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN
MOWER. Compare the illuslra_ns with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the
_ofvarkx_ conlmle and edit. 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.
CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, I_EEP HANDS
OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY
control
bar
zone control cable
Handle knob
Grass Engine oil cap
with dipstick
,Primer
Mulcher door Lawn mower housing
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUTOILOR GASOLINE inthe adjuster
enQine. (on each wheel)
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn rnowers conform to the safety standards of the American
National Standards Institute end the U,S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade
turns when the engine is running,
Operator Presence Control Bar- must be
held down to the handle to start the engine.
Release to stop the engine.
Primer - pumpsadditionalfuelfromthe
carburetorto the cylinderforuse when
starlinga coldengine.
Starter Handle -usedforstartingthe engine.
6
Theoperation of any lawn mower
can resultin foreignobjectsthrown
intothe eyes,whichcan resultin
severe eye damage Alwayswear safety
glassesor eye shieldswhile operatingyour
lawnmower or performingany adjustments
or repaim We recommenda wide vision
safetymask over spectadas or standard
safetyg assas
HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
The enginespeed was setat the factory for
optimumperformance Speed is notadjust-
able
ENGINEZONE CONTROl_
_CAUTION: Federal regulations
requtre 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 mowerisequippedwithan
operatorpresencecontrolbar which
requires the operator to be positioned
behind the lawn mower handle to start and
operatethe lawn mower
TO ADJUST CU'I-rlNG HEIGHT
•Raise wheelsfor lowcut and lowerwheels
for high cut.
•Adjustcuttingheightto suityourrequire-
ments Medium positionis bestfor most
lawns.
•To change cuttingheight,squeeze adjuster
levertoward wheel Move wheel upor
downto suityourrequirementsBe sureell
wheels are inthe same setting.
NOTE: Adjuster is properlypositionedwhen
plate tab insertsintoholein lever Also,9-
positionadjustem(ifso equipped) allowlever
to be positionedbetween the platetabs.
LowerWheelsforHigh Cut
PlateTab
Raise Wheels for Low Cut
Lever
TO CONVERT MOWER
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher To convert to bagging or
discharging:
REAR BAGGING
• Li_trear door of 'd'te lawn mowar and placo
the grass catcher frame hooks onto the
deer pivot pins.
•To convert to mulching or discharging
operalion, remove grass catcher and clos_
rear door
Pivot pins
SIDE DISCHARGING
•Rear doormustbe dosed.
•Open mulcherdoorand installdischarge
deflectorunderguardas shown.
•Mower is now readyfordischarging
operation
•To convertto mulchingor bagging
opera,on, discharge detlector must be
removedand mulcherdoormust be
closed
SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER
WHEN CONVERTING YOUR L&WN
MOWER
FOR MULCHING -
•Rear door dosed
• Mulcher door closed
FOR REAR BAGGING -
•Grass catcher installed
•Muloher door dosed.
FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -
•Rear door dosed.
•Side discharge deflector installed.
_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
out rear door closed or app[oved grass
catcher in place Never attempt to operate th_
lawn mower with the rear door removed or
propped open
Mulcher
door
7
Open
Mulcher Door
Discharge.
deflector
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the
engine.
• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fill is dean.
• 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. For type 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. Addoilif
needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.
•To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap
each time.
•Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of
eperation or each season. You may nsed
to change the oil more often under dusty,
dirty conditions.
GAS
NOTE: Before filling fuel tank, remove and
discard the debris plugthat is inside the tank.
• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, dean, regular
unleaded gasoline with aminimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.
Purchase fuel in qusntJtJasthat can be
used within 30 days to assure fuel
freshness.
_dAR_ Experienceindicatesthat
fuels (calledgasoholor
usingethanolor methanol)can attract
moisturewhichleadsto separationand
formstJonofacidsduringstorage. Acidicgas
candamage the fuel systemof an engine
while in storage. To avoidengineproblems,
the fuelsystemshouldbe emptiedbefore
storage of 30 daysor longer. Drainthe fuel
tank,startthe engineand letitrun untilfuel
lines and carburetorare empty. Use freshfuel
nexi season. See StorageInstructionsfor
additionalinfon_ation. Never use engineor
carburetorcleanerproductsinfuel tank or
permanentdamage may occur.
Gasoline filler _ Engine oil
cap _cap
(Discard _'._--_-----_l
debris plug "_r-_._T1]'
TO START ENGINE
•To starta coldengine,pushprimerthree
(3)Umesbeforetryingtostart.Use afirm
push.This step is not usually necessary
when starlingan enginewhichhas already
runfor a few minutas.
•Holdoperatorpresencecontrolbar down
to the handleand pullstarterhandle
quickly.Do notallowstarterropeto snap
back.
•To stop engine, release operatorpresence
controlbar.
NOTE: In coolerweatherit may be necessary
to repeat primingsteps. In warmerweather
ever primingmay causefloodingand engine
willnotstart,ffyoudoflood engine,waita few
minutesbeforeattemptingtostartanddo not
repeat priming steps.
8
MOWlNGTIPS
• Under cartein condi_ons,suches verytall
grass, itmay be necessoryto raisethe
height ofcut toreduce pushingeffortand to
keep from overloading the engine and
leavingdumps of grassclippings. It may
also be necessaryto reducegroundspeed
and/orrunthe lawnmoweroverthe area a
secondtime.
•Forextremelyheavycutting,reducethe
widthof cut by overlappingpreviouslyGut
pathand mow slowly.
• Forbettergrass baggingand mostcutting
conditions,the enginespeed shouldbe set
inthe fastposition.
• Pores inclothgrasscatcherscanbecome
filledwith dirtand dustwithuseand
catcherswillcollectlessgrass. To prevent
this, regularlyhose catcheroffwithwater
and letdrybeforeusing.
•Keep top of enginearound starterclear
and clean of grassclippingsand chaff.
This will help engineairflowand extend
engine life.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: Forbest performance,keep
mower housingfree of buiit-upgrassand
trash,CleanUNDERSIDE OF MOWER
HOUSING aftereach use. See "Cleaning" in
MAINTENANCE eec_Jonofthis manual.
• The specialmulchingbladewill recutthe
grass clippings manytimes and reduce
them in sizesothat as they fall ontothe
lawnthey will disperseintothe grassand
not be noticed.Also, the mulchedgrasswil
biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for
the lawn. Always mulch with your highest
engine(blade) speed as this willprovide
the best reouttingaction of the blades.
• Avoid cuttingyour lawn when itis wet. Wet
grass tends to form clumps and interferes
the mulching action. The best time to
mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At
this timethe grass has driedand the newly
cut areawill notbe exposedtothe direct
sun.
•Forbestresults,adjustthe lawnmower
cuttingheightsothatthe lawnmowercuts
offonlythe topone-thirdofthe grass
blades. Ifthe lawnis overgrown itwillbe
necessaryto raisethe heightof cutto
reducepushingeffortand to keep from
overloading the engineand leaving
dumps ofmulchedgrass.For extremely
heavy mulching, reduce your widthofcut,
mow slowlyand raise the re_r of the lawn
mower one wheel adjuster setlJnghigher
than thefront.
•Certaintypesof grassand grasscondi'dons
may requirethat an area be mulcheda
secondtime to comrYetelyhidethe
clippings.When doinga second cut,mow
acrossor perpendicular to the firstcut path.
•Change youroutting psttemfromweek to
week. Mow northto south oneweek then
change to eastto weet the nextweek.This
will helpprevent mattingand grainingof
the lawn.
Max 1/3
9
FILL
AsYouCOMPLETE /__".__ ._. ___
(_hack for Leaea Fastanem _I_
Clean/InepectGrassCatcher
M CleanLawnMower
O Clean Under Drive Cover(Pow_-_op_I_Mowers) l/
Check drive beWpullays I1_
RE (Power-Propelled Mowers}
CheckJSharpen/ICteplace Blade _
Lubrication Chart
Clean Bat_ry/Reohar_e
ElectricStartMowers/ I/ f//4
E_heck Engine OII Level I_'
NChange Engine Oil 1_1.2
GClean Air Filter I_ 2
IInspect Muffler ipf
NClean or Replace Spark Plug v'
EReplace Air Filter Paper Cartridge ll_=
I -Change more oftenwhen open,clingunder a heavyload orin higharnbiemtemperatures.
2-Semite more often when oper_ding_ndirty ordustycond_o_.
3 - Replace i0_des more often when mo_ng in sandys_.
4-Charge 48 hoursat end of season.
3ENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Ihe warrantyonthislawnmowerdoes not
_overitemsth_ have been subjectadto
)perat_ abuse or negligence.ToreceNefull
raluefromthe _Tanty, operatormust
naintaJnmoweras instructedin thismanual.
adjustmentswillneed to be made
_-iodically to properlymaintainyourunit.
_11adjustmentsinthe Serviceand
_j_nts sectionof thismanual shouldbe
:heckedat isast once each season.
,Once a year,replace the sparkplug,
replaceair filterelement and check blade
for wea'. A new spark plug and dean/new
airfilterelement assuresproperair-fuel
mixtureand helpsyour enginerun better
and lastlonger.
, Followthemaintenancescheduleinthis
manual.
=ZEFOREEACH USE
,Check engine oil level.
,Check for loose fasteners.
,.UBRICATION
(eep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICATION
;HAR'r'3.
LUBRICATION CHART
Wheel
_) Engine eil
Rear
aoor ) Handle br,acket
hinge mountingpin
(_) SPRAY LUBRICANT
SAlE30 MOTOR OIL. REFER TO
(_ ENGINE- MAINTENANCE SECTION.
IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic
whee_ bearings. VL_couslubricants will attract
dust and dirtthat will shorten the life of the self
lubricating bearings. Ifyou feel they must be
lubricated, use only a dry, powdered graphite
typelubricantsparingly.
10