Owner's Manual CRAFTSMAN - Lawn & Garden Repair Parts

Owner's ManualCRAFTSMAN 4.5 HORSEPOWER22" SIDE DISCHARGEROTARY LAWN MOWERModel No.917.388222 SafetyAssemblyOperationMaintenanceEspaSolRepair PartsCAUTION:Read and follow allSafety Rules and Instructionsbefore operating this equipmentSears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179Visit our Craftsmanwebsite: www.sears.com/craftsman

Warranty .Safety Rules .Assembly .Operation .MaintenanceSchedule .Maintenance .224599Product Specifications . 1CService and Adjustments . 1Storag e .14Troubleshooting.15Repair Parts .34Parts Ordering . Back CoverLIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWERFor two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained,lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions inthe owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship.If this Craftsman Lawn Mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warrantyapplies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.This Warranty does not cover: Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mowerblades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug. Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bentcrankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructionscontained in the owner's manual.Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearestSears Service Center/Departmentin the United States. This warranty applies onlywhile 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, ROEBUCKANDCO., D/617 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179Safety standards require operatorpresence controls to minimize the risk ofinjury. Your unit is equipped with suchcontrols. Do not attempt to defeat thefunction of the operator presence controlsunder any circumstances. Do not operate mower if it has beendropped or damaged in any manner.Always have damage repaired beforeusing your mower. Do not use accessory attachments thatare not recommended by the manufacturer. Use of such attachments may behazardous. The blade turns when the engine isrunning.TRAINING: Read this operator's manual carefully.Become familiar with the controls andknow how to operate your mowerproperly. Learn how to quickly stopmower. Do not allow children to use yourmower. Never allow adults to usemower without proper instructions. Keep the area of operation clear of allpersons, especially small children andpets. Use mower only as the manufacturerintended and as described in thismanual.PREPARATION: Always thoroughly check the area to bemowed and clear it of all stones, sticks,wires, bones, and other foreign objects.These objects will be thrown by theblade and can cause severe injury. Always wear safety glasses or eyeshields when starting and while usingyour mower.2

Dress properly. Do not operate mowerwhen barefoot or wearing opensandals. Wear only solid shoes withgood traction when mowing. Check fuel tank before starting engine.Do not fill gas tank indoors, when theengine is running or when the engine ishot. Allow the engine to cool for severalminutes before filling the gas tank.Clean off any spilled gasoline beforestarting the engine. Always make wheel height adjustmentsbefore starting your mower. Neverattempt to do this while the engine isrunning. Mow only in daylight or good artificiallight. Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaustfumes are dangerous. Never cut grass by pulling the mowertowards you. Mow across the face ofslopes, never up and down or youmight lose your footing. Do not mowexcessively steep slopes. Use cautionwhen operating the mower on uneventerrain or when changing directions -maintain good footing. Never operate your mower withoutproper guards, plates, grass catcher orother safety devices in place.MAINTENANCEAND STORAGE: Check the blade and the enginemounting bolts often to be sure theyare tightened properly. Check all bolts, nuts and screws atfrequent intervals for proper tightnessto be sure mower is in safe workingcondition. Keep all safety devices in place andworking. To reduce fire hazard, keep the enginefree of grass, leaves or excessivegrease and oil. Check grass catcher often for deterioration and wear and replace wornbags. Use only replacement bags thatare recommended by and comply withspecifications of the manufacturer ofyour mower. Always keep a sharp blade on yourmower. Allow engine to cool before storing inany enclosure. Never store mower with fuel in the tankinside a building where fumes mayreach an open flame or an ignitionsource such as a hot water heater,space heater, clothes dryer, etc.ALook for this symbol to point outimportant safety precautions. It meansCAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!!YOURSAFETY IS INVOLVED.OPERATION: Keep your eyes and mind on yourmower and the area being cut. Do notlet other interests distract you. Do not mow wet or slippery grass.Never run while operating your mower.Always be sure of your footing -- keepa firm hold on the handles and walk. Do not put hands or feet near or underrotating parts. Keep clear of thedischarge opening at all times. Always stop the engine whenever youleave or are not using your mower, orbefore crossing driveways, walks,roads, and any gravel--coveredareas.* Never direct discharge of materialtoward bystanders nor allow anyonenear the mower while you are operatingit. Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing your mower, stop the engine andmake absolutely sure the blade and allmoving parts have stopped. Thendisconnect the spark plug wire andkeep it away from the spark plug toprevent accidental starting. Do not continue to run your mower ifyou hit a foreign object. Follow theprocedure outlined above, then repairany damage before restarting andoperating you mower. Do not change the governor settings oroverspeed the engine. Engine damageor personal injury may result. Do not operate your mower if it vibratesabnormally. Excessive vibration is anindication of damage; stop the engine,safely check for the cause of vibrationand repair as required.CAUTION:Always disconnect sparkplug wire and place wire where it cannotcontact spark plug in order to preventaccidental starting when setting up,transporting, adjusting or making repairs.AWARNINGThe engine exhaust from this productcontains chemicals known to the State ofCalifornia to cause cancer, birth defects,or other reproductive harm.3

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are notshipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and servicecenters. Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide the modelnumber of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower.LAWN MOWERPERFORMANCEYLCLIPPING DEFLECTORFOR REARDISCHARGELAWNMULCHER KITSMOWERSGRASS CATCHERSFORREAR DISCHARGELAWN MOWERSSTABILIZERFORSIDE DISCHARGEGRASSLAWN CATCHERSMOWERSGAS CANSLAWN MOWERMAINTENANCEMUFFLERSBELTSAIR FILTERSIIBLADESBLADE ADAPTERSWHEELS--ENGINE OIL Cut down two end comers of cartonand lay end panel down flat. Remove all packing materials exceptpadding between upper and lowerhandle and padding holding operatorpresence control bar to upper handle. Roll lawn mower out of carton andcheck carton thoroughly for additionalloose parts.Read these instructions and this manual inits entirety before you attempt to assembleor operate your new lawn mower.IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shippedWITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINEin theengine.Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the exception ofthose parts left unassembled for shippingpurposes. To ensure safe and properoperation of your lawn mower, all parts andhardware you assemble must be tightenedsecurely. Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness. All partssuch as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete the assembly have beenplaced in the parts bag.TO REMOVELAWN MOWER FROMCARTON Removemower.SPARK PLUGSHOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWNMOWERTO UNFOLD HANDLEIMPORTANT:Unfold handle carefully soas not to pinch or damage control cables. Raise handles until lower handlesection locks into place in mowingposition. Remove protective padding, raiseupper handle section into place onlower handle and tighten both handleknobs.loose parts included with4

Remove handle padding holdingoperator presence control bar to upperhandle. Your lawn mower handle can beadjusted for your mowing comfort.Refer to Adjust Handle" in the Serviceand Adjustment section of this manual.Operator presence controlbarUpper handle . //'//Liftup#///,,2"Lift up f- k ,t",- .7 .I //,,//."lvlowlngpos,t,onLaWcreKNOW YOUR LAWN MOWERREAD THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWNMOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with thelocation of various controls and adiustments. Save this manual for future reference.These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with theproduct. Learn and understand their meaning.CAUTIONENGINEOR WARNINGONENGINEOFFFASTSLOWCHOKEFUELOILDANGER, KEEP HANDSAND FEET AWAYpresencecontrol barEngine zone controlStarter handleHandle knobGasoline filler capEngine oil cap with dipstickHousingIMPORTANT" This lawn mower isshipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINEin the engine,Wheel adjuster(on each wheel)MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTSSears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of theAmerican National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns when the engine is running.IIIIIIOperator presence control bar - must beheld down to the handle to start the engine,Release to stop the engine,Pdmer - pumps additional fuel from thecarburetor to the cylinder for use whenstarting a cold engine.Starter handle - used for starting the engine.5