® MODEL NUMBER917o38023 ®Assembly ®Operation oMaintenance oService _Adjustments _Repair Parts Caution..
SAFETY RULES CAUTION: ALWAYS DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE AND PLACE WIRE WHERE IT CANNOT CONTACT SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STARTING WHEN SETTING-UP, TRANSPORTING, ADJUSTING OR MAKING REPAIRS TO YOUR LAWN MOWER. IMPORTANT FEDERAL REGULATIONS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE BLADE STOP CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RiSK OF BLADE CONTACT INJURY. YOUR LAWN MOWER IS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
CONGI_TUL_TIONS on your purchase of a Sears Crafts. man Lawn Mower° It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance. Should you experience any problem you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Ser_ vice Center/Department. We have competent, welttrained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit. Please read and retain this manual.
TABLEOF CONTENTS SAFETY RULES ...................... PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ............. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES WARRANTY .......................... LAWN MOWER ACCESSORIES ASSEMBLY ................... OPERATION .......................... MAINTENANCE .................. 2 3 3 3 ....... 5 5 6,7,8 9,10 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENT ........ STORAGE ..................... SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS ........ TROUBLE SHOOTING .................. REPAI R PARTS-LAWN MOWER ....... REPAIR PARTS-ENGINE .......
These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets, catalog and service centers+ Most Sears stores can order repair parts for you, when you provide the model number of your lawn mower+ Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower, ENGINE SPARKPLUG AIR FILTER MUFFLER ENGINEOIL GASCAN STABILIZER LAWNMOWERMAINTENANCE BLADEADAPTER BLADE BELT MOWER COVER WHEELS @ ' ,;;;;+;,,+,++++r+,,,_r :: :: _:::::.::::.:= ....
................... II I ................. OPERATION KNOWYOURLAWNMOWER READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND 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.
The engine speed is controlled by a lever (red knob) locatedon the right side of the engine. "HIGH" position is for starting engine, normal cutting and better grass bagging. "LOW" position _sfor light cutting, trimming and fuel economy (See Fig. 3). ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LE"V'_ TO ADJUSTCUTTING HEIGHT o Raise Wheels for low cut and lower Wheels for high cut. Wheels are set in low cut for shipping Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Medium position is best for most lawns.
............................................................................. iiil,lllllllll IIIIIIIIIIIIIIlll'l'lll'll OPERATION II II II I1'111'1111II'lll IIIIIIII GAS (CONT'D) WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can at!.ract moisture which leads to separation and formahon of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage.
GI:NERAL RECOMMENDATION ........................................................................................ BLADE ADAPTER DETAIL CRANKSHAFT & o Once a year you should replace the Spark Plug, Air Filter and check Blade for wear_ A new Spark Plug and Air Filter assures proper air-fuel mixture and helps your engine run better and last Ionger._ o You should check all fasteners and be sure they are tight.
['j,ii'[,,j,iii MAINTENANCE i ii i i ............................ GRASSCATCHER (If Purchased As An Accessory) _, The Grass Catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used, • Check your Grass Catcher often for damage or deterioration° Through normal use it will wear. If Catcher needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer approved replacement Catcher from Sears_ Give the lawn mower model number when ardering_ CONTAINER ENGINE FIG. 7 TO CHANGEOIL (WARM OIL DRAINSBETTER) ..............
T T 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 Sears Service Center for repair and adjustment. if the Discharge Guard becomes damaged, be replaced. .-: ....ll,_ll,,,i,lU i _ll,ll .......
I Ill'ill'i'll I"1 ,i I I ........................ I III I 'III'I'"H' I I IIII "11 I IIII':LUI'IIIIL i ........................................... SERVICE ANDADJUSTMENT IIIII1_ L'III ii ""_"1 II TO ADJUSTHANDLE Your Lawn Mower Handle can be raised or lowered SHiPPiNG for your mowing comfort. Figs. 9A, 9B, IOA, and lOB show the four (4) positions that are available: High, Medium High, Medium Low and Low. Handles are shipped mounted in the Medium Low position (See Fig.
Your lawn mower and engine should be prepared for off-season storage as follows: " OPERATOR CONTROL LAWNMOWEr PRESENCE UPPER • Clean underside of Lawn Mower Housing. (See "Cleaning" in maintenance section of manual_) o Inspect and replace/sharpen Blade, if required (See "BladelBlade Adapter Care" in maintenance section of manual)° • Hose Grass Catcher off with water and let dry before storing (if purchased as an accessory).
il'q" 'l"ii'"I'il,l,J, SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................... I'll i_i "_ "i i................ Fill in dates as you complete regular service First 2 Hours Every 10 Hours i SERVICE DATES SCHEDULE SERVICE RECORD JI ' ii Every 2,5 Every Use Hours Blade Checked , ,,,,,, Blade Replaced (Sharpened) ,=EngineOil Change v" .......................... Engine Oil Check I Air Cleaner Spark P!ug,Replaced ............
U PROBLEM mT$ CAUSE CORRECTION i1,111 .... ul Doesnot 1. Dirty air filter_ Stazt ., Out gasoline. Staleofgasoline. 4. Spark plug wire is disconnected from the spark plug 5. Bad spark plu_. 6. Water in gasoline. 7. Loose blade or broken blade adapter.. B, Operator presence control bar in released position,. 9. Operator presence control bar defective. Lossof Power 1. Rear of lawn mower housingtblade dragging in heavy grass. 2, Cutting too much grass 4'•.
CRAFTSMAN 20" ROTARY LAWN MOWER MODEL NUMBER REPAIR PARTS 917.380231 25 I7 24 2O 25 \ 33 22 \ l 33
CRAFTSMAN Ref, No. REPAIR PARTS 20" ROTARY LAWN MOWER MODEL NUMBER 917.
CRAFTSMAN 4-CYCLE ENGINE MODEL II '1'111'1'_!!!_!!_ _! iHm' I'llGqlllllll NUMBER: '1 II 'NIIIII 143.
C FTS N I Ref. I No. i 1 2 6 7 8 9 1ZA 12B 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 30 4O 40 4O 41 41 41 42 42 42 43 45 46 48 5O 52 69 70 72 73 75 80 8! 82 83 84 86 89 9O 92 93 100 101 103 1IO I19 120 125 125 t26 126 130 135 Part No. 4=CYCLE ENGINE MODEL Refo No. Part Name 34975 26727 33734 34214A CylinderAssy. (IncloNee. 2. 8, 9 8. 20) Pin, Dowel Element, Breather BreatherAssy. (IncL Nose6, 8, 9, 12A 8. t2B) "33735 Gasket, Breather 30200 Screw, Hex washerhd.
CARBURETOR NO, _N6A Part N_e 1 2 4 5 6 7 16 25 _.
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[RRFTSMRN® OWNER'S MANUAL 3.5 HORSE POWER 20'" SIDEDISCHARGE ROTARYLAWNMOWER MODELNO. 917.380231 Each Lawn Mower has its own model number. Each engine has its own model number'. The model number for'your lawn mower will be found on a decal attached to the rear of the lawn mower housing,, The model number for the engine will be found on the B|ower Housing of the engine adjacent to 9he spark plug.. Al! parts listed herein may be ordered through Sears, Roebuck and Co. Service Center'sand mostRetail Stores.
