917.375950 Owner’s Manual 196578 Rev. 1 01.27.05 BY Printed in U.S.A.
SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Look for this symbol to point out impor tant safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
• • • • • • • Never refuel the machine indoors. Never store the machine or fuel container where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances. 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.
ASSEMBLY 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 purposes. All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag.
ASSEMBLY TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER (See Figs. 3 and 4) Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert mower to bagging or discharging, see “TO CONVERT MOWER” in the Operation section of this manual. 1. Slide grass catcher bag over the frame. Make sure the rear handle is on top (the same side as the front handle) and the strap is on the bottom. 2. Slip vinyl bindings over frame. NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold them in warm water for a few minutes.
OPERATION KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER 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. These symbols may appear on your mower or in literature supplied with it. Learn and understand their meaning.
OPERATION 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 standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask over spectacles. HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER 2. Turn nut on underside of drive control to increase drive speed. 3. Operate mower to test drive speed. Readjust as required. 4.
OPERATION • Secure rear of discharge chute to lawn mower housing with knob. • Place rear handle of grass catcher on the crossbar of the lawn mower's lower handle as shown. • Lift the round door of the discharge chute and place the grass catcher into place on the discharge chute. NOTE: Be sure round door of discharge chute rests on grass catcher as shown. • Mower is now ready for rear bagging operation. • To convert to mulching operation, remove grass catcher and discharge chute.
OPERATION TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Figs. 11 –12) BEFORE STARTING ENGINE 1. Open round door of discharge chute to move starter rope out and away from grass catcher. ADD OIL (See Fig. 13) Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in the engine. For type and grade of oil to use, see “ENGINE” in the Maintenance section of this manual. FRONT HANDLE OPEN CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup. ROUND DOOR 1. Be sure lawnmower is level. 2.
OPERATION • ADD GASOLINE (See Fig. 13) • Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not overfill. 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. • CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.
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
MAINTENANCE LAWN MOWER BLADE Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. BLADE ADAPTER TRAILING EDGE 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. HARDENED WASHER DRIVE WHEELS Check rear drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely. The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc.
MAINTENANCE Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least once a year if the 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. CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to clean cartridge.They may cause deterioration of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS CAUTION: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: 1. Release control bar and stop engine. 2. Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped. 3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. 4. Pivot idler arm assembly to slacken drive belt, then remove drive belt from drive pulley, belt keepers and idler arm. 5. Turn lawn mower on its side.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 2. Route the other end of the new drive belt through hole in housing. 3. Reattach debris shield to housing with screw previously removed. Be sure tab of debris shield is in gap of housing. 4. Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter. 5. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine as shown (See Fig. 20). 6.
STORAGE HANDLE (See Figs. 23 and 24) ENGINE You can fold your lawn mower handle for storage. 1. Loosen the two (2) handle knobs on sides of the upper handle and allow handle to fold down to the rear. 2. Remove the two (2) handle knobs and carriage bolts on sides of the lower handle and pivot entire handle assembly forward and allow it to rest on mower. 3. Reinstall knobs and carriage bolts to lower handle or handle brackets for safe keeping.
TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS PROBLEM Does not start CAUSE 1. Dirty air filter. 2. Out of fuel. 3. Stale fuel. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Loss of power CORRECTION 1. Clean/replace air filter. 2. Fill fuel tank. 3. Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh, clean gasoline. Water in fuel. 4. Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh, clean gasoline. Spark plug wire is disconnected. 5. Connect wire to plug. Bad spark plug. 6. Replace spark plug. Loose blade or broken blade adapter. 7.
ROTARY LAWN MOWER - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
ROTARY LAWN MOWER - - MODEL NUMBER 917.375950 19 KEY NO. PART NO.
ROTARY LAWN MOWER - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
ROTARY LAWN MOWER - - MODEL NUMBER 917.375950 21 KEY NO. PART NO. 1 197012 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 195761 187353 190037 195762 181698 187097 186297 197011 196956 184571 12000012 183450 187120 188294 194124 196822 163409 194128 132004 193791 188152 145212 73930500 196542 166043 160829 DESCRIPTION KEY NO. PART NO.
ROTARY LAWN MOWER - - MODEL NUMBER 917.375950 GEAR CASE ASSEMBLY - - PART NUMBER 188294 KEY NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 -- PART NO. 187530 191245 187532 191246 183505 183506 183508 183509 183511 191247 183513 183514 750369 DESCRIPTION Case, Lower Case, Upper Gear, 24 Teeth Shaft, Worm Wireform Bearing, Ball Seal, Output Shaft Washer Bushing Shaft, Output Screw Seal, Worm Shaft Grease, Texaco Starplex Premium 1 (Do not substitute) (1.4 ounce capacity) NOTE: All component dimensions given in U.S.
SERVICE NOTES 23
LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON POWER MOWER For two years from date of purchase, when this Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner’s manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship. If this Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.
