Owner’s Manual 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Warranty ...................................................2 Safety Rules ..........................................2-4 Product Specifications ..............................4 Assembly / Pre-Operation ........................6 Operation.............................................7-11 Maintenance Schedule ...........................12 Maintenance ......................................12-15 Ser vice and Adjustments...................15-16 Storage ...........................................
• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating mower. I. 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 discharge opening at all times. • Only allow responsible individuals, who are familiar with the instructions, to operate the machine.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle, on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic 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.
Repair Protection Agreements Congratulations on making a smart purchase. Your new Craftsman® product is designed and manufactured for years of dependable operation. But like all products, it may require repair from time to time. That’s when having a Repair Protection Agreement can save you money and aggravation. • Fast help by phone – phone support from a Sears technician on products requiring in-home repair, plus convenient repair scheduling.
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 pur poses. To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely.
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.
Operator presence control bar 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 recommend a standard safety glasses or wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
Discharge deflector TO CONVERT MOWER Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging: REAR BAGGING • Open rear door and remove mulcher plug. Store mulcher plug in a safe place. • You can now install the grass catcher or optional clipping deflector. • To convert to mulching or discharging operation, install mulcher plug into rear discharge opening of mower. Mulcher plug SIDE DISCHARGING • Mulcher plug must be installed into rear discharge opening of mower.
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 emptying; it will cause unnecessary wear. 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 filling tank with gasoline.
TO STOP ENGINE MULCHING MOWING TIPS • To stop engine, release operator presence control bar. 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.
MAINTENANCE BEFORE EACH USE AFTER EACH USE EVERY 10 HOURS EVERY 25 HOURS OR SEASON EVERY 100 HOURS BEFORE STORAGE Check for Loose Fasteners 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 syste
LAWN MOWER Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. TIRES • Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber. • 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 in the drive wheel area and must be cleaned to free drive wheels.
ENGINE 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 SAE 30 5W-30 -20 F C -30 0 -20 30 -10 32 40 0 60 10 100 80 20 30 40 TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.
CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. • 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.
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 suspected 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.
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 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.
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed to a Sears Parts & Repair Center. PROBLEM Loss of power Poor cut – uneven CAUSE CORRECTION 1. Rear of mower housing or blade dragging in grass. 2. Cutting too much grass. 3. Dirty air filter. 4. Buildup of grass, leaves, and trash under mower. 5. Too much oil in engine. 6. Walking speed too fast. 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 2. Wheel heights uneven. 3. Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under mower. Excessive vibration 1.
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