Welcome to the comprehensive guide for your Craftsman lawn mower! This manual provides essential information on safety, assembly, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting․ Follow these instructions carefully to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your Craftsman lawn mower․ Keep this manual handy for future reference․

Craftsman lawn mowers are renowned for their durability and performance, designed to tackle various lawn care needs․ This manual covers self-propelled rotary lawn mowers, offering features like mulching, side discharging, and rear bagging capabilities․ Understanding your specific model is crucial; refer to the model number (CMCMW220P2, 917․388732, etc․) for tailored instructions․

Craftsman offers a range of lawn mower types, including gas-powered, electric start, and riding mowers․ Each type caters to different yard sizes and user preferences․ Familiarize yourself with your mower’s specifications, such as horsepower (HP), cutting width (42 inches, etc․), and transmission type (6-speed transaxle, automatic)․ This knowledge ensures you use your mower effectively․

This manual provides guidance on assembly, operation, maintenance, and repair parts․ Regular maintenance, as outlined in the manual, is essential for prolonging your mower’s lifespan and maintaining its warranty․ By following these instructions, you can ensure your Craftsman lawn mower remains a reliable tool for years to come․

Safety Precautions

Operating a lawn mower requires strict adherence to safety guidelines to prevent serious injury․ Before starting, thoroughly read and understand all safety rules and instructions in this manual․ This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects․ Always wear safety glasses or eye shields to protect against flying debris․

Clear the mowing area of obstacles like rocks, tree limbs, and toys․ Be aware of holes, ruts, and bumps․ Never operate the mower near drop-offs or ditches․ If you hit a foreign object, stop the mower, disconnect the spark plug wire, and inspect for damage before resuming․

When refueling, do so outdoors and away from open flames or sparks․ Allow the engine to cool before refueling․ Never fill the fuel tank indoors or while the engine is running․ Ensure the spark arrester is in good working order, especially in areas prone to wildfires․ Keep children and pets away from the mowing area․

Assembly Instructions

Proper assembly is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of your Craftsman lawn mower․ Begin by carefully removing all components from the carton․ Avoid touching the blade directly; wear gloves for protection․ Ensure all loose parts are accounted for, referring to the parts list in this manual․

To install the handle, insert the handle bolts through the handle and bracket, securing them with knobs․ Repeat for the opposite side․ For rear wheels, some models may require washers; install these on the axle first․ Assemble the grass catcher by fitting the frame into the bag, ensuring the rigid part is at the bottom․

If your model has a spark plug boot, install it onto the spark plug․ For electric start models, ensure the battery is fully charged․ Open the battery box, disconnect the engine connector, and connect the battery charger․ Follow these steps carefully to ensure your Craftsman lawn mower is correctly assembled․

Operating Instructions

Before operating your Craftsman lawn mower, familiarize yourself with all controls and safety features․ Always wear safety glasses or eye shields to protect against thrown objects․ Ensure the area is clear of obstacles such as rocks and tree limbs․

To start, read the engine manual for specific instructions․ Fill the engine with the recommended oil․ If your mower has a primer, push it as instructed in the engine manual, especially for cold starts․ Engage the operator presence control bar and, if equipped, push the drive control lever to start self-propelling․

Adjust the cutting height by pulling up on the adjuster levers and moving the wheels to the desired position․ When mowing, maintain a steady pace and avoid cutting too much grass at once․ For mulching mowers, keep the mower housing free of built-up grass․ Following these instructions will ensure safe and effective operation of your Craftsman lawn mower․

Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your Craftsman lawn mower running smoothly․ Before each use, check for loose fasteners and inspect the grass catcher․ Every 25 hours of use, clean the lawn mower, including the underside of the cover, to remove grass and debris․ Check and clean the spark plug to ensure proper ignition․

At the start of each season, inspect the tires for wear and proper inflation․ Check the drive wheels for smooth operation and lubricate as needed․ Clean or replace the air filter to maintain engine performance․ Change the engine oil according to the engine manual’s recommendations․

Before storing the lawn mower for the season, stabilize the fuel or drain it completely․ This prevents fuel-related issues during storage․ By following this maintenance schedule, you can extend the life of your Craftsman lawn mower and ensure reliable performance․

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Encountering problems with your Craftsman lawn mower? Let’s address some common issues․ If the engine fails to start, first check the fuel level and ensure the fuel valve is open․ Inspect the spark plug for fouling or damage; clean or replace it if necessary․ Verify that the operator presence control bar is engaged properly․

If the engine starts but runs poorly, the air filter may be dirty․ Clean or replace the air filter to improve airflow․ A clogged carburetor can also cause poor performance; consider cleaning it or seeking professional assistance․ Check for any obstructions in the mower deck that could be causing excessive vibration or uneven cutting․

For self-propelled models, if the drive system is not working, inspect the drive belt for wear or breakage․ Adjust the drive control cable if the mower is moving too slowly or not at all․ By systematically troubleshooting these common issues, you can often resolve problems and keep your Craftsman lawn mower running efficiently․

Repair Parts Information

When your Craftsman lawn mower requires repairs, using the correct replacement parts is crucial for maintaining its performance and safety․ This section provides guidance on identifying and sourcing the necessary components․

Refer to the parts list section of this manual for detailed diagrams and part numbers specific to your mower model․ Common replacement parts include blades, belts, spark plugs, air filters, and wheels․ When ordering parts, always use the model number of your lawn mower to ensure compatibility․

Genuine Craftsman parts are recommended for optimal fit and performance․ These can be purchased through authorized Craftsman dealers, online retailers, or directly from the manufacturer’s website․ Aftermarket parts may be available, but their quality and reliability can vary․ When replacing parts, follow the instructions in this manual carefully, and always disconnect the spark plug wire before starting any repairs․ Regular maintenance and timely replacement of worn parts will extend the life of your Craftsman lawn mower․

Warranty Details

Your Craftsman lawn mower is backed by a warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship․ The duration and specific terms of the warranty may vary depending on the model and date of purchase․ Please refer to your original purchase receipt and the warranty card included with your mower for detailed information․

Generally, the warranty covers repairs or replacements of defective parts within a specified period from the date of purchase․ To make a warranty claim, you will typically need to provide proof of purchase, such as a receipt, and a description of the issue․ The warranty may not cover damage caused by misuse, neglect, improper maintenance, or unauthorized repairs․

It is essential to follow the maintenance schedule outlined in this manual to keep your warranty valid․ Keep records of all maintenance performed, including dates and services completed․ If you encounter a problem covered by the warranty, contact an authorized Craftsman service center or the manufacturer’s customer service department for assistance․ They will guide you through the warranty claim process and arrange for necessary repairs or replacements․

Storage Instructions

Proper storage of your Craftsman lawn mower is crucial for maintaining its condition and ensuring it’s ready for use next season․ Before storing your mower, thoroughly clean it to remove any grass clippings, dirt, or debris from the deck, wheels, and engine area․ Use a brush or compressed air to dislodge stubborn particles․

Empty the fuel tank or add a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel degradation during storage․ Disconnect the spark plug wire to prevent accidental starting․ Store the mower in a dry, sheltered location, such as a garage or shed, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures․

If you’re storing the mower indoors, consider placing a protective cover over it to prevent dust accumulation․ If storing outdoors, use a waterproof cover to shield it from the elements․ Periodically check the mower during storage to ensure no moisture or pests are present․ Before using the mower again, inspect all components, including the blades, belts, and tires, for any signs of damage or wear․ Perform any necessary maintenance or repairs before starting the engine․

Wheel Height Adjustment

Adjusting the wheel height on your Craftsman lawn mower is essential for achieving the desired cutting height for your lawn․ Before making any adjustments, ensure the engine is turned off and the spark plug wire is disconnected for safety․ Locate the height adjustment levers or knobs near each wheel․

Most Craftsman mowers feature either single-point or multi-point adjustment systems․ For single-point systems, a single lever controls the height of all wheels simultaneously․ For multi-point systems, each wheel has its own individual adjustment lever or knob․ To adjust the height, pull the lever or turn the knob to the desired setting․ Ensure all wheels are set to the same height to achieve a uniform cut․

Refer to the height indicator markings on the mower deck to select the appropriate cutting height for your lawn type and conditions․ Lower settings are suitable for shorter, denser grasses, while higher settings are ideal for taller, coarser grasses․ After adjusting the wheel height, double-check that all levers or knobs are securely locked in place before operating the mower․ Periodically inspect the adjustment mechanisms to ensure they are functioning properly and lubricate them as needed to prevent stiffness or corrosion․

Spark Arrester Information

Your Craftsman lawn mower is equipped with an internal combustion engine, which necessitates the use of a spark arrester․ The spark arrester is a critical component designed to prevent the emission of flammable particles from the engine’s exhaust system․ This is especially important when operating the mower in or near areas with dry vegetation or unimproved land, where the risk of fire is elevated․

The spark arrester is typically located within the muffler assembly․ It functions by trapping any sparks or hot particles that may be expelled during engine operation, preventing them from igniting nearby flammable materials․ It is essential to regularly inspect and maintain the spark arrester to ensure it is functioning correctly․

Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to access and clean the spark arrester on your Craftsman lawn mower model․ In general, cleaning involves removing the spark arrester screen and using a wire brush to remove any accumulated carbon deposits or debris․ Replace the spark arrester if it is damaged or excessively worn․ Failure to maintain the spark arrester can not only increase the risk of fire but may also violate local or state laws․