Craftsman EZ3 917.376960 User manual

MODEL NUMBER 917.376960 OWNER'S MANUAL
®
®Assembny
° Operation
° Customer
Responsibilities
• Service
- Adjustments
• Repair Parts
Caution:
Read and Follow
all Safety Rules
and Instructions
Before Operating
This Equipment
153596 Rev., 1 4.17,96 ksFFR Printed in U,.S.A
r t .....................I"'1

SAFETY RULES
Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEE'[" AND THROWING OBJECTS
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY iNSTRUCTiONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS iNJURY OR DEATH,
SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MiNiMiZE THE RISK OF iNJURY, YOUR UNIT tS
EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROLS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCESo
TRAINING:
- Read thisoperator's manual carefully. Become familiar with
the controls and know how to operate your mower propedy,.
Leam 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 de-
scribed 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_
• Donotuseaccessory attachments thatare notrecommended
by the manufacturer, Use of such attachments may be
hazardous_
• The blade turns when the engine isrunning
PREPARATION:
•Always thoroughlycheckthe area tobe mowed and clear it of
al! 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 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 fillingthe
gas tank° Clean off any spilled gasoline before stading the
engine.
-Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your
mower.. Never attempt to do this while the engine isrunning.
=Mow only in daylight or good artificial light_
OPERATION:
- Keep your eyes and mind on your mower and the area being
cuL Do not let other interests distract you_
•Do notmow wet or slippery grass° Never run while operating
your mower. Aiways besure ofyour footing -keep afirm hold
on the handles and walk.
.Do not puthands or feet near or under rotating parts, Keep
clear of the discharge opening at afl times.,
° Always stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using
your mower, orbefore crossing driveways, walks, roads, and
any gravel-covered areas..
• Never direct discharge of mateda[ toward bystanders nor
allow anyone near the mower while you are operating it.
° Before cleaning, inspecting,or repairing 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 plug to prevent accidental
starting_
° Do not continue to runyour mower' if you hit a foreign object.
Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any dam-
age before restarting and operating you mower.
• Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the
engine. Engine damage or personal injury may result.
• Do not operate your mower ifit vibrates abnormally.. Exces-
sive 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 danger-
OUS_
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 whenoperating the mower on uneven terrain or when
changing directions -maintain good footing.
•Never operate your mower without proper guards,_lates,
grass catcher or other safety devices in pJace_ '_
t
Check the blade and the engine mounting bolts ofte_ to be
sure theyare tightened properly
,, Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for
proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe working condi-
tion.
•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 deterioration and wear and
replace worn bags, Use only repEacement bags that are
recommended by and comply with specifications of the
manufacturer' ofyour 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 ignitionsource
such as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc.
Look for this symbol to point out im-
portant safety precautions. It means
CAUTIONI[! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it can-
not contact spark plug in order to pre-
vent accidental starting when setting
up, transporting, adjusting or making
repairs.
L//I II,J,_HI,/II _ /
WARNING A
The engine exhaust from this product con-
tains chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other
reproductive harm.
2

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Lawn
Mower. tt has been designed, engineered and manufac-
tured to give you the best possible dependability and
performance.
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized
Service Center!Department. We have competent, well-
trained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair
this lawn mower,.
Please read and retain this manual. The instructions wil!
enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower
property,. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES"°
MODEL
NUMBER
SERIAL
NUMBER
9t7.376960
DATEOF PURCHASE
THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE FOUND
ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE
LAWN MOWER HOUSING
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND
DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE_
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
HORSEPOWER: 6_5
DISPLACEMENT: 12_56CUoIN.
GASOLINECAPACITY 1,.5QUARTS
ANDTYPE: UNLEADED REGULARONLY
OILTYPE(API-SF/SG): SAE 30 (ABOVE 32°F)
SAE 5W-30(below 32°F)
OILCAPACITY: 27 OZS.
SPARKPLUG: CHAMPIONRJ19LM
(GAP: .030")
VALVECLEARANCE: INTAKE: _008"
EXHAUST: ,,008='
SOLIDSTATEIGNITION
AIR GAP: o0t25 IN,,
BLADEBOLTTORQUE: 35-40 FToLBSo
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
ASears Maintenance Agreement is available on thisproduct. Contact your nearest Sears store for details°
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
= Read and observe the safety rules°
= Follow aregular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower.
• Follow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections of this owner's manual.
............ i ii iiiwlllllll i iii iiiiiii i wl i,iLillll/l/iJlwlJill
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 tothe operating and maintenance instructionsin the owner's manual, Sears willrepair free of charge any
defect in material or workmanship..
Ifthis Craftsman Lawn Mower isused for commercialor rental purposes,this warranty appliesfor only90 days from
the date of purchase..
This Warranty does not cover:
° Expendable itemswhich become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts,
air cleaners and spark plug.
°Repairs necessary becauseofoperatorabuse ornegligence,includingbentcrankshaftsandthefailure tomaintain
the equipment according to the instructions contained inthe owner's manual.
WARRANTY SERVICE ISAVAILABLE 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 whichvary from state to state°
SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO, D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

OF CONTENTS
llll,m............................................................
SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 2
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 3
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ..................... 3, 12-14
WARRANTY .................................................................. 3
ASSEMBLY ................................................................... 6
OPERATION .................................................................. 8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ..................................... 12
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ................................ 15
STORAGE ................................................................... 16
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................. 17
REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER ........................ 18-23
REPAIR PARTS -ENGINE .................................... 25-27
PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ................................... 28
iNDEX A
Accessories ....................................... 5
Adjustments:
Carburetor .....................................15
Ddve Belt ............................... 15
Engine Speed ............................15
Handle Height .............................15
Height of Cut ...............................9
Air' Filter:
Replacement ........................................t4
Service ........................................14
Assembly .............................................6
B
Blade:
Sharpening ..................................13
Replacement ........................... 13
C
Controls:
Drive Control ........................................8
Engine Zone Control ....................8
Engine Speed Control .......................8
Operator Presence
Control Bar ...................................8
Customer Responsibilities ....3, 12-14
Air Filter ................................. 14
Blade Care/Replacement ....... 13
Drive Wheels ........................... 13
Engine ..................................... 14
Lubrication ....................................14
Spark Plug ..................................14
Cutting Levels ......................................9
E
Engine:
Air Filter ......................................14
Oil Change .........................................t4
Oil Level .........................................................14
Oil Type .........................................14
Starting .................................. 10
Stopping ......................................10
Storage ................................... 16
F
Fuel:
Capacity ..................................... 3
Storage ...................................................16
Type ..............................................10
H
Handle Adjustment:
Assembly ......................................6
Cutting Height ...........................15
L
Lubrication:
Engine ....................................14
Lawn Mower ..............................12
M
Maintenance Agreement ................. 3
Maintenance Schedule ................. 12
Mowing Tips.................................10
Oih O
Engine .......................................12
Storage ...............................................16
Operation:
Drive Control ............................. 9
Engine Control ............................9
Grass Catcher ...............................9
Mower .............................................9
Operator Presence
Control Bar ................................................9
Options:
Accessories .......................................5
R
Repair' Parts:
Engine .................................25-27
Lawn Mower ....................... 18-23
Responsibilities, Customer.. 3, 12-14
S
Safety Rules ..................................................2
Service and Adjustrnents ...................t5
Carburetor ...........................................15
Drive Belt ...................................t5
Engine Speed ................................15
Handle ...............................................I5
Spark Plug ............................................14
Specifications ......................................3
Speed Control:
Engine ......................................... 8
Staffing the Engine ..................................10
Stopping the Engine ................................10
Storage ....................................................................16
T
Trouble Shooting Chart ...................17
W
Warranty ............................................ 3
4

LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES
These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced, They are also available at most Sears retail outlets
and service centers,, Most Sears stores can also order repair parts foryou, when you provide the model number of your lawn
mower° Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower°
LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE
CLIPPING DEFLECTOR
FOR REAR DISCHARGE LAWN MOWERS MULCHER KITS
GRASS CATCHERS
FOR
REAR DISCHARGE
LAWN MOWERS
SGRASS CATCHERS
FOR
SIDE DISCHARGE
LAWN MOWERS
LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE
BELTS
AIR FILTERS
BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS
STABILIZER
GAS CANS
SPARK PLUGS
ENGINE OIL
5

llllJlljl iii
IIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILII II L II L L L I
Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety
before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn
mower° Your new lawn mower has been assembled atthe
factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled
for' shipping purposes. All parts such as nuts, washers,
bolts, etc., necessary to complete the assembly have been
placed in the parts bag. To ensure safe and proper
operation of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you
assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct
tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness_
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON
• Remove loose parts included with mower:
o Cutdown two end corners of carton and lay end panel
down flato
°Remove all packing materials except padding between
upper and lowerhandle and padding holding operator
presence control bar'to upper handle.
°Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thor-
oughly for'additional loose parts.
HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig, 1A)
IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLE CAREFULLY SO AS
NOT TO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES.
•Raise lower handle section to operating position and
squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle towards
each other until the pin in handle cart be inserted into
one of the three height adjustment holes.
° Raise upper handle section to operating position, re-
move protective padding and tighten handle knobs
securely.
°Remove any packing material from around control bar'.
°Your handles may be adjusted for your mowing corn-
forty Refer to Service and Adjustments section of this
manual.
TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS
(See Fig. 1B)
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a
mulcher: To convertto bagging or discharging:
o Open rear door' and remove mulcher plugo Store
mulcher plug ina safe place,.
°You can now install catcheror optionalclippingdeflec-
tor,_
• To return to mulching operation, install mulcher plug
into discharge opening of mower.
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plug in place or ap-
proved clipping deflector or grass
catcher in place. Never attempt to op-
erate the lawn mower with the rear door
removed or propped open.
TO PREPARE BATTERY (See Fig. 2)
NOTE: Your battery must be charged before you can start
your lawn mower.
•Disconnect engine battery (male) from battery connec-
tor (female)
LY
OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR
UPPER HANDLE
LIFT UP
MOWING POSITION
LOWER HANDLE
MULCHER PLUG
FIG. 1A
3-POSITION
HANDLE
ADJUSTMENT
BRACKET
FIG. 1B
•Connect battery charger connector (male) to battery
connector(female),,
°Plugbattery charger into110 volt AI.C. outlet,
°Leave battery charger connected for' 24 hours before
starting your engine for the first time,,
° After charging, connect engine connector (male) to
battery connector(female).
Your engine hasan integralalternatorfor partial charging.
Connect your battery charger to charge battery' as re-
quired_
IMPORTANT: THE ENGINE ALTERNATOR WILL NOT
CHARGE ADISCHARGED BATTERY_
At the end of the mowing season the battery should be
charged for 48 hours to protect the battery during winter
storage.
CAUTION: Always disconnect the en-
gine connector (male) from the battery
connector (female) to prevent acciden-
tal starting when transporting or stor-
ing your lawn mower after the season.
6

ENGINE
CONNECTOR
(MALE)
BATTERY CONNECTOR
(FEMALE)
BATTERY
CHARGER
BATTERY
CHARGER
CONNECTOR
(MALE)
FIG. 2
TO ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH GRASS
CATCHER (See Figs. 3A thru 4)
• Insert leg of tubular frame through front openi_ng of
grass catcher and thread frame into sewn hem Ib_ofag.
NOTE: Keep bag hem gathered on the straight leg of the
tubular frame°
• When frame comes out the other end of sewn hem,
immediately work the end offrame down inside the bag
as shown in inset,,
° Slide sewn hem evenly around the tubular frame until
both ends of frame are exposed out of the front open-
ing,,
° Assemble lower frame to tubular frame as shown° Be
sure handle is outside of bag and frames are fully
seated as shown in inset°
•Slip vinyl bindings over frame_
NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them in warm
water for a few minutes_ If bag gets wet, let it dry before
using.
• Close the flip lid,. Flip lidmust be closed while operating
lawn mower,,
• Lift the rear door on the mower housing and placethe
grass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on the rear
door hinge bracket.
° The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower
housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass
catcher frame.
,HmHUlI, ............................
_ CAUTION: Do not runyourlawn mower
without clipping deflector or approved
grass catcher in place. Never attempt
tooperatethe lawn mower with the rear
door removed or propped open.
wul,
TUBULAR FRAME SEWN
SEWN HEM
FIG, 3A
FLtP LID
LOWER
"_ _.o- /FRAME
_* _,j" _ // It (Frames must
i// ![ befu.Vseated)
FIG. 3B
LOWER FRAME HANDLE
\
\
FIG. 3C
REARDOOR
BRACKET GRASS
CATCHER
FRAME
FORMED
TABS
7FIG. 4

OPERATION
KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the
illustrationswith your tawn mower to familiarize yoursetf 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.
CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS
OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEE"]' AWAY
ELECTRIC START OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR
AUXILIARY STARTER HANDLE
DRWECONTROLLEVER
ZONE CONTROLCABLE
HANDLEKNOB
GRASS CATCHER
CABLE CLIPS
ENGINE OIL CAP WIDIPSTICK
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
MULCHER PLUG DRIVE COVER
WHEEL ADJUSTER
(ON EACH WHEEL)
GASOLINE CAP
HOUSING
............... ,L,,,,,l,,l,l,,l,,,u,,,,,,,,l,,l,l,,l,,,,,, i , ,11,i, ,i /i ,, i i i Hi i i
MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards ofthe American National Standards institute
and the U_S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns when the engine is running
OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL - must be held
down to the handle to start the engine.. Release to stop the
engine.
PRIMER - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor to the
cylinder for use when starting a cold engine.
STARTER HANDLE - used for starting the engine.
8
ELECTRIC START KEY _used for starting the engine°
DRIVE CONTROL LEVER - used to engage power-pro-
pelled forward motion of lawn mower.
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL -located on the side of the
engine which allows you to seiect either fast (_) or slow
(,_m,)engine speed.
MULCHER PLUG -must be removed to convert tobagging
or discharging operation..

OPERATi
The operation of any lawn mower can result inforeign 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 recommend a wide vision safety
mask over the spectacles or standard safety glasses,,
HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER
CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower
without mulcher plate inplace and door
closed orwithout anapproved clipping
deflector or grasscatcher in place.
Never attempt to operate the lawn
mower with the rear door removed or
propped open.
ENGINE SPEED (See Fig. 5)
The engine speed is controlled by a tever located on the
side of the engine. Fast ('_) position isfor starting engine,
normal cutting and better grass bagging. Slow (,_ll.)
position is for light cutting, trimming and fuel economy.,
ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
CAUTION: Federairegulations require
an engine control to beinstalled 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 con-
trol, The blade turns when the engine is
running,
• Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator pres-
ence control bar which requires the operator to be
positionedbehind the lawn mower handle to start and
operate the lawn mower,,
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 6)
°Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cuL
° Wheels are set in low cut for shipping, Adjust cutting
height to suit your requirements. Medium position is
best for most lawns.
° To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to-
ward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your
requirements,, Be sure all wheels are in the same
setting.
TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 7)
°To remove grass catcher, release operator presence
control bar to stop engine.,
•Lift up rear door and remove the grass catcher by the
handle°
°Do not drag the bag when emptying; it will cause
unnecessary wear,
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER PRIMER
FIG. 5
LOWER WHEELS RAISE WHEELS
FOR HIGH CUT FOR LOW CUT
FIG. 6
9

OPERAT N
DRIVE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)
• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator
presence control bar' down to the handle and pushing
the drive control lever forward until it clicks; then
release the lever.
• Forward motion will stop when the operator presence
control bar isreleased. To stop forward motion without
stopping engine, release the operator presence control
bar slightly until the drive control disengages. Hold
operator presence control bar down to handle to con-
tinue mowing without self-propelling
°To keep drive control engaged when turning corners,
push down on handle and lift front wheels off ground
while turning lawn mower_
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL (See Fig, 9)
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine..
• Be sure mower is level and area around oiffill isclean.
, Remove engine oil cap w/dipstick and fill to the full line
on the dipstick..
•Use27ozs of oil. Fortypeand grade of oii touse, see
"ENGINE" in Customer Responsibilities section of this
manual
° Pour oil slowly,, Do not over fitl,.
• Check oit leve! before each use, Add oil ifneeded. Flit
to full lineon dipstick°
• To read proper level, tighten engine oil cap each time,.
• Reinstall engine oil cap and tighten,
• After the first two (2) hours of mowing, change the oil,
and every 25 hours thereafter_ You may need to
change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions,.
GAS (See Fig. 9)
• Fili fuel tank.. Use flesh, 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 freshness..
WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended
fuels (called gasohol or' using ethanol or methanol) can
attract moistu re which leads to separation and formation of
acids during storage.. Acidic gas can damage the fuel
system of an engine while in storage,. To avoid engine
problems, the fuef system should be emptied before stor-
age of 30 days or longer. Drain the fuel tank, start the
engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are
empty. Use fresh fuel next season, See Storage Instruc-
tions for additional information,, Never use engine or
carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent
OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR
FIG. 8
CAP
ENGINE OIL CAP
W!DIPSTICK
FIG. 9
TO START ENGINE
• To start a cold engine, push primer five (5) times before
trying to start. Use a firm push. This step is not usually
necessary when starting an engine which has already
run for a few minutes.
° Move engine speed control lever to fast (,_) position,,
• Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle,
° Turn electric start key clockwise to crank engine,
IMPORTANT: DO NOT CRANK ENGINE MORE THAN
FIVE CONTINUOUS SECONDS BETWEEN EACH TIME
YOUTRYTO START, WAtT5TO 10 SECONDS BETWEEN
EACH ATTEMPT,
°To start engine using the auxiliary starter' handle, follow
the steps above, Exchange the use of the start key for
starter handle, Pull starter handle quickly.. Do notallow
starter rope to snap back.
°To stop engine, release operator presence control bar,
NOTE: in cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat
priming steps., in warmer weather over priming may cause
flooding and engine will not start. Ifyou do flood engine wait
a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat
priming steps..
10

OPERATION
MOWING TIPS
.Under certain conditions, such as very tallgrass, itmay
be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce
pushing effort and to keep from overloading theengine
and leaving clumps of grass clipping&
•For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut by
overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly_
•For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions,
theengine speed should be set inthe fast ('_) position.
•When using arear discharge lawn mower in moist,
heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the
grass catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing speed)
and!or run the lawn mower over thearea asecond time.
,if a trail of clippings is left on the right side of a rear
discharge mower, mow in a clockwise direction with a
small overlap to collect the clippings on the next pass.
.Pores incloth 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 1etdry 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 t/3
FIG, 10
MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP
MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BU1LT-UP GRASS AND
TRASH. SEE "CLEANING" IN CUSTOMER
RESPONSIBILITIES SECTION OF THtS MANUAL.
.The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip-
pings many times and reduce them in size so that as
they fall onto the lawn they will disperse intothe 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 recutting action of the
blades.
°Avoid cutting your lawn when itis wet° Wet grass tends
to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action.
The best time to mow your lawn isthe early afternoon,
At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area
will not be exposed to the direct sun°
•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 (See Fig,. io). If the lawn is
overgrown itwilt 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 mulching, reduce your width of cut by
overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly..
°Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re-
quire that an area be mulched a second time to
completely hide the clippings. When doing a second
cut, mow across or 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.
11

CUSTOMER RESPO LITIES
FILL IN DATES /__7 5
REGULAR SERVICE ._"__/5/_,-_._'_ j_" SERVICE DATES
Check for LooseFasteners 61' l_ ..........
R
Clean Battery/Recharge
(Electric Start Mowers)
E€,heck Engine Oil Level t_
N Change Engine oi!
GClean Air Filter
iInspect Muffler
N clean or Replace Spark Plug
E, Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge - ':
1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or Inhigh ambient temperatures.
2 _ Service more ellen when operating In dirty or dusty conditions,
3* Replace blades more often when mowing tn sandy soiJ
4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.
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
mower as instructed in this manual
Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to
properly maintain your unit..
All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of
this manual shoutd be checked at least once each season..
° Once a year, replace the spark plug, replace air filter
element and check blade for wear,. A new spark plug
and clean/new air filter element assures proper air,fuet
mixture and helps your engine run better and last
longer,,
= Followthemaintenancescheduleinthismanual.
BEFORE EACH USE
• Check engine oil level..
• Checkfor loose fasteners.
LUBRICATION
Keep unit welllubricated (See "LUBRICATION CHART").
LUBRICATION CHART
WHEEL
ADJUSTER
) ENGINE OIL
REAR DOOR
HINGE
(_ HANDLE BRACKET
MOUNTING PIN
(3) SPRAY LUBRICANT
(_ REFER TO CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES "ENGINE" SEC-
TION.
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 ONLYA DRY, POWDERED
GRAPHITE TYPE LUBRICANT SPARINGLY,
12

.......................IM _ ...................
CUSTOMER R
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance..
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi-
cals which can harm rubber.
•Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and
other hazards that may cause tire damage.,
BLADE CARE
For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp.. Re-
place bent or damaged blades°
TO REMOVE BLADE (See Figo11)
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place
wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug.
° Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and
carburetor are up.
° Use a wood block between blade and mower housing
to prevent blade from turning when removing blade
boll
• Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with
heavy cloth.
• Remove blade bolt byturning counter-clockwiseo Use
a9/16" box or open-end wrench
• Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock
washer and hardened washer)°
NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key
inside hub of blade adapter. The key must be in good
condition to work properly. Replace adapter if damaged.
TO REPLACE BLADE (See Fig. 11)
•Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft_
Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are
aligned.
.Position blade on the blade adapter aligningthe two (2)
holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter..
° Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp
edge) is up toward the engine.
. Installthe blade boitwith the lockwasherand hardened
washer into blade adapter and crankshaft..
,, Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower
housing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise°
° The recommended tightening torque is 35-40 ft.. Ibs.
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED,
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- butifyou
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
unbalanced blade wit! cause eventual damage to lawn
mower or engine.
.The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding
wheel, Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mowen
° To check blade balance, drive a nail into abeam orwallo
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 13
BLADE
BLADE
ADAPTER
KEY
,CRANK-
SHAFT
KEYWAY
HARDENED
WASHER TRAILING
LOCK WASHER EDGE
CRANK-
SHAFT
BLADE ADAPTER
FIG. 11
GEAR CASE
° 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°
-The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level
at the factor:/. The only time the lubricant needs
attention is ifservice has been performed on the gear
case.
.tf lubricantisrequired, use only Texaco Starplex Pre-
mium Grease, part no. 750355. Do not substitute_
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 whee! area and must be cleaned to free
drive wheels..
If necessary to clean the drive wheels, check both front
wheats,.
•Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and washers.
•Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
°Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the
dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth.
°Put wheels back in place,.
• Ifafter cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely,
contact your nearest service center,
GRASS CATCHER
o
The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must
be dry when used.
Check your grass catcher often for damage or deterio-
ration. Through normal use it will wear.. If catcher
needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer
approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower
model number when ordering.

CUSTOMER RI
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with AP! service
classification SFor SG_ Select theoil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your' expected operating temperature.
SAE V]SCOSt'TY GRADES
...... I
4llillill I;_;_13llllBIJ t
_ I 2111 l
.2o" o" 30° 32" 4o• _o" 80° _oo_
[% .3'oo,=b" .to o o" _o" 2o"_.....................................3o- ,_o"
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, t0W30 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 runninglow on oil.,
Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and
every 25 hours thereafter orat least once a year ifthe lawn
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 (See Fig_ 12)
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, drain fuel
tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty_
•Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place
wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug
• Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface_
• Tip lawn mower on its side and drain oil into a suitable
container Rock lawn mower back and forth to remove
any oil trapped inside of engine..
•Wipe off any spilled oil on lawn mower and on side of
engine.
° Fill engine with oit. Fitl only to the "FULL" line on the
dipstick. DO NOT OVER FILL.
.Replace engine oil cap,,
• Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.
Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by
using a dirty air' filter,,
Replace the air filter- every year, more often if you mow in
very dusty, dirty conditions,. Do not wash air filter,
TO CHANGE AIR FILTER (See Fig,. 13)
•Loosen cover screw.
• Swing cover down and remove from hinge,,
° Pull paper filter out of air cleaner body.
° Clean air cleaner cover and body,
•Install a new paper filter..
• Reinstall cover to air cleaner body,, Be sure hinge is
assembled properly,
° Swing cover up and tighten cover screw, (Do not
over-tighten),,
SIBILITIES
/ i
//
i
CONTAINER
FIG. 12
AIR FILTER COVER
HINGE
14
PAPER FILTER
COVER SCREW
FIG. 13
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a
fire hazard and/or damage..
SPARK PLUG
Change your spark plug each year' to make your engine
start easier and run better Set spark plug gap at _030inch
CLEANING
IMPORTANT': FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP
MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND
TRASH CLEAN UNDERSIDE OF MOWER HOUSING
AFTER EACH USE,
CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with the spark
plug,
• Turn fawnmower on its side.. Make sure air filter and
carburetor are up_ Clean the underside of your lawn
mower by scraping to remove build-up of grass and
trash.,
•Clean engine often to keep trash from accumulating. A
clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life,
•Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,
oil, etc.
°We DQ NOT recommend using a garden hose toclean
lawn mower unless the electrical system, muffler, air
filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out.
Water in engine can result in shortened engine life.
CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER
Clean under drive cover at least twice a season.. 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 A USTMENTS
CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS:
oRelease controlbar.
° Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.
=Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place where it cannot come in contact with plug.
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 lawn mower, is provided to minimize the possibility
that objects wit! be thrown out the rear of the lawn mower
intothe operator's mowing positlon_ If the rear deflector
becomes damaged, itshould be replaced_
TO REMOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT
(See Fig, 14)
.Remove drive cover. Remove belt bypushing down on
gear case pulley..
• Turn lawn mower on its side with carburetor and fuel
cap upo
= Remove blade.
• Remove debris shield_
•Remove belt from engine pulley on crankshaft_
•Install new belt by reversing above steps.,
• Always usefactory approved belt to assure fit and long
life.
TO ADJUST HANDLE (See Fig, 15)
The handle on your lawn mower has three (3) height
positions - adjust to height that suits you°
° Squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle towards
each other until the pin in handle can be inserted into
one of the three height adjustment holes.
ENGINE
ENGINE SPEED
Your engine speed has been factory set, Do not attempt
to increaseengine speed or itmay result inpersonal injury.
Ifyou believe that the engine is running too fast or too slow,
take your lawn mower to an authorized service center/
department for repair and adjustment°
CARBURETOR
Your carburetor has a non-adjustable fixed main jet for
mixture control, if your engine does not operate properly
due to suspected carburetor problems, take your lawn
mower to an authorized service center!department for
repair and adjustment..
m
DRIVE
COVER
BELT
MP
PUSH DOWN
FIG. 14
LOW
HANDLE
PIN HANDLE
ADJUSTMENT
BRACKET
FIG. 15
15

STORAGE
iILl L I I
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 tawnmower isto be stored for a period of time, clean
itthoroughly,remove at1dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in
a clean, dry area.
= Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the
Customer Responsibilities section of this manuat).,
° Lubricate as shown in the Customer Responsibilities
section of this manual
° Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are
securely fastened.= Inspect moving partsfor damage,
breakage and wear. Replace if necessary_
° Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand
lightly before painting.
HANDLE (See Fig.16)
°You can fold your' lawn mower handle for'storage.
° Loosen the two (2) handle knobs on sides of the upper
handle and allow handle to fold down to the rear
° Squeeze the bottom ends of lower handle toward each
other until pins in handle clear the brackets and pivot
entire handle assembly forward and allow itto rest on
mower,
° When setting up your handle from the storage position,
the lower handle will require manually locking intothe
mowing position.,
IMPORTANT: WHEN FOLDING THE HANDLE FOR
STORAGE OR TRANSPORTATION, BE SURE TO FOLD
THE HANDLE AS SHOWN OR YOU MAY DAMAGE THE
CONTROL CABLES
OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR
UPPER HANDLE
FOLD FORWARD
FOR STORAGE
FOLD BACKWARD
MOWING
POSITION
LOWER HANDLE
jJ
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. ALSO,
EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL BLENDED
FUELS (CALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOL 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..
• Drain the fuel tank,
° Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and
carburetor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetorcleaner products in the
fuel tank or permanent damage may occur°
•Use fresh fuel next season_
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in
minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during stor-
age. Add stabilizer to gasotine in fuel tank or storage
container° Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer
container. Run engine at least t0 minutes after' adding
stabilizer to atiow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do
not drain the gas tank and carburetor ifusing fuel stabilizer'.,
ENGINE OIL
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean engine
oil (See "ENGINE" in the Customer Responsibilities
section of this manuat)_
CYLINDER
• Remove spark plug,
°Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark plug hole
into cylinder.
• Pull starter handle slowly a few times to distribute oil.
° Replace with new spark plug.
BATTERY
Disconnect the battery from the engine connector' and
charge battery 48 hours.
OTHER
o Do not store gasoline from one season to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rusL
Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems.
° If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give
protection from dust and dirL
° Cover your unit with a suitable protective 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.
ICAUTION: Never store the lawn mower
I_with gasoline in the tank inside a build-
I,_,_, ing where fumes may reach an open
| _ flame or spark. Allowthe engineto cool
before storing in any enclosure.
I................. iliHlli,, ....
FIG. 16 16

irnl....
TRO LESHOOTING POINTS
PROBI.EM
Does not start
Loss of power
Poor cut- uneven
Excessive vibration
Starter rope hard to pull
Loss of drive
Grass catcher not filling
(if so equipped)
Hard to push
CAUSE
1. Dirty air filter,
2 Out of fuel.
3 Stale fuel.,
4Water in fuel
5, Spark plug wire isdisconnected
6 Bad spark plug
7Loose blade or broken bfade adapter
8. Control bar tn released position
9 Control bar defective
t0 Weak battery,
11, Disconnected battery connector.
CORRECTION
1, Cteardreplace air filter
2, Fill fuel tank
3 Drain tank and refill with fresh clean fuel
4, Drain fuel tank and carburetorand refi]l tank with fresh
gasoline,
5. Connect wire to plug
6. Replace spark plug,,
7 Tighten blade bolt or replace blade adapter,
8 Depress control bar tohandle
9 Replace control bar,
I0. Charge battery,
11. Connect battery to engine
1Rear of lawn mower housingtblade dragging
in heavy grass.
2Cutting too much grass,
3 Dirty air filter
4Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under mower,
5. Too much oilin engine,
6 Walking speed too fast,
1Worn, bentor !oose blade
2 Wheet heights uneven
3 Low eng{ne speed
4., Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower,
1 Worn, bent or Ioose blade
2 Bent engine crankshaft,
I. Engine flywheel brake ison when control bar is
released.
2. Bent engine crankshaft
3 Blade adapter broken.
4. Blade dragging in grass.
1 Ddve wheels not turning with dr_ve centre! engaged
2 Belt not driving,
1. Cutting height tootow
2. Lifton blade worn off.
3 Catcher not venting air.
4 Low engine speed
!, Grass is too high or wheel height istoo low,
2 Rear of lawn mower housing/blade dragging
in grass
3 Grass catcher too full,
4 Handte height position not right for you.,
illl iill i iillll uu
1. Set fn "Higher Cut" position,,
2, Set in "Higher Cut" positlon_
3. Clean!rep{ace air filter
4 Clean underside of mower housing,
5, Check eli level
6 Cut at slower walking speed
ijll i u,i,i,,, Hill, i ii L
1 Replace blade Tighten blade bolt.
2. Set all wheels at same height
3, Set engine speed control in fast position
4, Clean underside of mower housing
=,,=,,i,,1,Ni =,l= ILl I
1. Replace blade Tighten blade bolt
2 Contact authorized service center/department,
1 Depress control bar to upper handle before
puflingstarter rope,
2 Contact authorized service center/depadment
3 Replace blade adapter.
4. Move lawn mower to cut grass or to hard surface
to start engine
1 Adjust or replace drive control cable, if broken
2 Put belt on pulleys or reptace belts if broken
t, Raise cutting height
2 Replace biade
3Clean grass catcher,,
4 Set engine speed control in fast posiiton,
I Raise cutting height
2 Raise rear of lawn mower housing one (1)
setting higher
3, Empty grass catcher
4., Adjust handle height to suit.
17

REPAIR PARTS
ROTARY LAWN MOWER MODEL NUMBER 917.376960
GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY PART NUMBER 702511
_J
J
15
7
t7
KEY
NO.
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
1!
PART
NO.
17490416
137055X004
137053
57072
48373
77881
137051
137074
57079
131484
DESCRIPTION
Tapping Screw 1/4-20 x 1-t/4
Engagement Bracket
Shifter
Seal
Gear Case Halves Kit (Includes Key
No& 4, 5, and 7)
Bearing
Worm Shaft
Drive Shaft
Hardened Washer
Clutch Yoke
KEY PART
NO. NO. DESCRIPTION
12 700343 Bushing
13 86447 Plug
14 137050 Helical Gear
15 750436X Clutch Jaw
t6 750369 Grease
17 12000003 E-Ring
18 850848 Hi-Pre Key
19 81585X004 Spring Bracket
NOTE: All component dimensions given in U_Soinche&
1inch= 2&4 mm
18

REPAIR PARTS
ROTARY LAWN MOWER MODEL NUMBER 917.376960
4
2
f
7
3
5\
8
6
KEY
NO.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
PART
NO.
86334X479
86337X479
750909
750097
86353
1t1549X
86649
134861
DESCRIPTION
Battery Bracket
Battery Cover
Battery
Hex Washer Head Screw
# 10-24 xl/2
Connector Mounting Clip
Battery Charger
Battery Pad
Battery Wrap
19

REPAIR PARTS ROTARY LAWN MOWER MODEL NUMBER 917.376960
27
25
13
26
1
\
29
28
8
4\
<31
3O
72
|
!
is J
4O
55
31
35
26
\
28
29
47