Craftsman 917.388800 Owner's Manual page 17

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears Service Center.
PROBLEM
Loss of power
Poor cut -
uneven
Excessive
vibration
Starter rope
hard to pull
CAUSE
1. Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in heavy grass.
2. Cutting too much grass.
3. Dirty air filter.
4. Buildup of grass, leaves,
and trash under mower.
5. Too much oil in engine.
6. Walking speed too fast.
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
2. Wheel heights uneven.
3. Buildup of grass, leaves
and trash under mower.
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
1. Engine flywheel brake is
on when control bar is
released.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
3. Blade adapter broken.
4. Blade dragging in grass.
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. Replace blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
1. Depress control bar to
upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surface.
Grass catcher 1. Cutting height too low. 1. Raise cutting height.
not filling (if so 2. Lift on blade worn off. 2. Replace blade.
equipped) 3. Catcher not venting air. 3. Clean grass catcher.
Hard to push 1. Raise cutting height.
1. Grass is too high or wheel
height is too low.
2. Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in grass.
3. Grass catcher too full.
4. 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.
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