10
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.
• For best results, adjust the 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.
• 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.
TO STOP ENGINE
• 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 product
and should be considered normal.
NOTE: Your engine is equipped with an
automatic choke system. No priming or
choking is required before starting.
• 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
CAUTION: Do not use de-thatcher
blade attachments on your mower. Such
attachments are hazardous, will damage
your mower and could void your warranty.
• 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 clippings.
It may also be necessary to reduce
ground speed and/or run 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
become 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.
MAX 1/3
35
CRAFTSMAN ROTARY LAWN MOWER - - MODEL NUMBER 917.9997A
KEY PART
NO. NO. DESCRIPTION KEY PART
NO. NO. DESCRIPTION
1 194176X428 Control Bar
2 194180X479 Upper Handle
3 432254X479 Lower Handle
4 194788 Rope Guide
5 132004 Nut, Hex
6 191574 Handle Bolt
7 66426 Wire Tie
9 154132 Hinge Bracket
10 165754 Mulcher Door
11 162778 Engine Zone Control Cable
12 178848 Hex Washer Head Screw
13 429930X004 Up-Stop Bracket
14 189713X428 Handle Knob
15 51793 Hairpin Cotter
18 17600406 Screw 1/4-20 x 3/8
19 401174X004 Axle Arm Assembly, Front, LH
20 401175X004 Axle Arm Assembly, Front, RH
21 418655 Kit, Rear Skirt
22 401621X004 Selector Spring, Front
23 401814X428 Rear Door Assembly
25 446510X479 Handle Bracket Assembly, LH
26 446512X479 Handle Bracket Assembly, RH
28 407499X005 Wheel Adjusting Bracket, LH
29 407500X005 Wheel Adjusting Bracket, RH
30 401629 Spacer
31 165760 Discharge Deflector
32 401623X004 Selector Spring, Rear
33 87877 Selector Knob
34 401173X004 Axle Arm Assembly, Rear, LH
35 426589 Locknut, Hex
36 401638 Shoulder Bolt
37 194345X460 Wheel & Tire Assembly, Front
40 446774 Frame, Grassbag
41 194186 Hinge Screw
42 405421 Spring, Rear Door, LH
43 405423 Spring, Rear Door, RH
44 184193 Bolt, Rear Door
45 150406 Screw, Hex Head, Threaded,
Rolled 3/8-16 x 1
46 404763 Danger Decal
47 73930500 Locknut, Hex 5/16-18
49 194348X460 Wheel & Tire Assembly, Rear
50 408955 Grassbag
51 147286 Hinge Rod
52 446773 Kit, Lawn Mower Housing
(Includes Key Number 46)
53 851084 Screw, Hex Head, Grade 8
3/8-24 x 1-3/8
54 850263 Helical Lockwasher
55 851074 Hardened Washer
NOTE: All component dimensions given in U.S. inches. 1 inch = 25.4 mm
IMPORTANT: Use only Original Equipment Manufacturer (O.E.M.) replacement parts. Failure to do so could be hazardous, damage your lawn mower and void your warranty.
56 406712 21" Blade
57 418373 Blade Adapter
58 152124 Hinge Spring
59 - - - Engine, Briggs & Stratton,
Model No. 126M02-0198-F1
(See Breakdown)
61 409148 Locknut, Hex, Flanged
62 73800400 Locknut, Hex 1/4-20
67 197991 Clip, Cable
73 401630 Washer, Curved, Cylindrical
74 851201X004 Washer, Special, Engine
75 413693 Kit, Rear Baffle
(Includes 3 Screws)
76 410589 Baffle, Rear
77 17411312 Screw, Rear Baffle
83 428501 Baffle, Front
84 17000510 Screw, Front Baffle
- - 404764 Warning Decal (not shown)
- - 446771 Owner’s Manual
Available accessories not included with mower:
- - 71 33623 Gas Can
(2.5 Gallon Container)
- - 71 33500 Fuel Stabilizer
- - 71 33000 SAE 30W Oil
(20 Ounce Bottle)
KEY PART
NO. NO. DESCRIPTION
