Owner's Manual CRAFTSMAN° 4.5 HORSEPOWER 22" SIDE DISCHARGE ROTARY LAWN MOWER Model No. 917.388222 • • • • • • Safety Assembly Operation Maintenance EspaSol Repair Parts CAUTION: Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears.
Warranty ............................................... Safety Rules ......................................... Assembly .............................................. Operation .............................................. Maintenance Schedule ........................ Maintenance ......................................... 2 2 4 5 9 9 Product Specifications .......................... 1C Service and Adjustments ...................... 1 Storag e .................................................
• 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 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.
These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers. Most Sears stores can also 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.
• 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 Adjustment section of this manual. Operator presence control bar Upper handle ._//'//Lift up#/// _ ,,2" Lift up f - _k ,t", _-_..7_._ _ I // ,,// _ _ . "lvlowlng pos,t,on LaWc_ re KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER.
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 wide vision safety mask over spectacles or standard safety glasses. HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER TO CONVERT MOWER ENGINE SPEED CONTROL • To return to mulching operation, simply reinstall mulcher plate as shown.
ADD GASOLINE MOWING TIPS • Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, 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. A, WARNING: 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.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS 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 mulching, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE Check for Loose Fasteners Clean/Inspect Grass Catcher (If Equipped) M Clean Lawn Mower O Power-Propelled Clean Under DriveMowers) Cover E Power-PropeUed Mowers) Check drive belt/pulleys Check/Sharpen/Replace Blade Lubrication E a G ;ERVICE DATES Vq "_€4 _ v' Chart Clean Battery/Recharge IElectdc Start Mowers / Check Engine Oil Level v' v'4 !€4 _1,2 Change Engine Oil Clean Air Filter Inspect Muffler 2 a Clean or Replace
PRODUCT SERIAL SPECIFICATIONS NUMBER DATE OF PURCHASE GASOLINE OILTYPE CAPACITY/TYPE: (API-SF/SG/SH): OIL CAPACITY: 1.5 QUARTS UNLEADED REGULAR SAE 30 (ABOVE 32°F) SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F) 20 OZS. SPARK PLUG(GAP: .030") CHAMPION RJ19LM OR J19LM VALVECLEARANCE: INTAKE: EXHAUST: SOLID STATE IGNITION AIR GAP: .004 - .008 .004 - .008 .0125 IN. ILADE BOLT TORQUE: 35-40 FT. LBS. The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal attached to the rear of the lawn mower housing.
TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced. Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will 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 mower. • To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed. Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail.
AIR FILTER MUFFLER 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. Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage. SPARK PLUG TO CHANGE AIR FILTER • Remove the air filter by turning counterclockwise to the stop and pull away from collar. • Remove filter from inside of cover.
_1, CAUTION: Before performing any service and adjustments: • Release control bar and stop engine. • 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.
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 lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area. • Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the Maintenance section of this manual). • Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance section of this manual. • Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened.
OTHER • Do not store gasoline from one season to another. • Replace your gasoline can if your can startsto rust. Rust and/or dirtin your gasoline will cause problems. • If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give protectionfrom dust and dirt. • 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.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART PROBLEM CAUSE Excessive vibration Starter rope hard to pull CORRECTION 1. Wom, bent or loose blade. 2. Bent engine crankshaft. . . 3, 4. I1. 2. Engine flywheel brake is on 1. when control bar is released. Bent engine crankshaft. 2, Blade adapter broken. Blade dragging in grass. 3. 4. Replace blade. 13ghten blade bolt. Contact an authorized service center. Depress control bar to upper handle before pulling starter rope. Contact an authonzed service center.
SERVICE NOTES 33
ROTARY LAWN MOWER - MODEL NO. 917.
ROTARY LAWN MOWER - MODEL NO. 917.388222 KEY NO.
CRAFTSMAN 4-CYCLE ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 143.004502 _--370K 390_. 298 /301 9O0 370 400 135 130 126 101 120 11g 125 275.
CRAFTSMAN 4-CYCLE ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 143.004502 I KEY PART NO. NO.
CRAFTSMAN 4-CYCLE ENGINE MODEL KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 640262 1 2 4 5 6 7 16 17 631615 631767 631184 631183 640070 650506 631807 651025 18 20 20A 25 27 28 29 30 630766 640018 640200 631867 631024 632019 631028 631021 31 35 36 36A 37 40 44 47 48 60 631022 640259 640080 632766 632547 640175 27110A 630748 631027 632760B NUMBER * * * * * * * Carburetor (Incl.
CRAFTSMAN 4-CYCLE ENGINE MODEL KEY PART NO. NO. ----590694 1 590599A 2 590600 3 590696 4 590601 5 590697 6 590698 7 590699 8 590700 11 590695 12 590535 13 590701 NUMBER 143.004502 DESCRIPTION Recoil Starter Spring Pin (Incl. 4) Washer Retainer Washer Brake Spring Starter Dog Dog Spring Pulley & Rewind Spring Ass'y. Starter Housing Ass'y. (40 degree grommet) Starter Rope ( 98" X 9/64" alia.) Starter Handle B--5 O--2 V_14 KEY PART NO. NO.
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