Craftsman 917.378430 Owner's Manual page 17

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM CAUSE
Loss of power
3.
4.
5.
6.
Poor cut - 1.
uneven
2.
3.
Excessive
vibration
1. Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in heavy grass.
2. Cutting too much grass.
Starter rope hard 1.
to pull
2.
3.
4.
Loss of drive 1.
2.
Grass catcher 1.
not filling (if so 2.
equipped) 3.
Hard to push 1.
2,
3.
4.
Dirty air filter.
Buildup of grass, leaves,
and trash under mower.
Too much oil in engine.
Walking speed too fast.
Worn, bent or loose blade.
Wheel heights uneven.
Buildup of grass, leaves
and trash under mower.
Worn, bent or loose blade.
Bent engine crankshaft.
CORRECTION
1. Set to "Higher Cut"
position,
2. Set to "Higher Cut"
position.
3. Clean/replace air filter.
4. Clean underside of mower
housing.
5. Check oil level.
6. Cut at slower walking
speed.
1. Replace blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
2. Set all wheels at same
height
3. Clean underside of
mower housing.
1. 1. Replace blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
2. 2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
Engine flywheel brake is on 1.
when control bar is released
Bent engine crankshaft.
Blade adapter broken.
Blade dragging in grass.
2,
3.
4.
Depress control bar to
upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
Replace blade adapter.
Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surface.
Drive wheels not turning 1. Adjust or replace drive
with drive control engaged, control cable.
Belt not driving 2. Put belt on pulleys or
replace belts if broken.
Cutting height too low. 1. Raise cutting height.
Lift on blade worn off. 2. Replace blade.
Catcher not venting air. 3. Clean grass catcher.
1. Raise cutting height.
Grass is too high or wheel
height is too low.
Rear of lawn mower
housing or blade dragging
in grass.
Grass catcher too full.
Handle height position not
right for you.
2. Raise rear of lawn mower
housing one (1) setting
higher.
3. Empty grass catcher.
4, Adjust handle height to
suit,
17