Manual for 917.20381

Manual for 917.20381

Brand: CRAFTSMAN

Category: Lawn Mower

Document Type: Manual

Language: EN

Available Languages: EN , ES

Uploaded: Sept. 12, 2025, 4:30 a.m.

Warranty Information

Two-year limited warranty on non-expendable parts, five-year on frame/front axle, and 90-day on battery.

OPERATION

These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.

CONTROLS

  • IGNITION SWITCH: Used for starting and stopping the engine.
  • THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL: Used for starting and controlling engine speed.
  • CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL: Used for declutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine.
  • PARKING BRAKE: Locks clutch/brake pedal into the brake position.
  • ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER: Used to raise and lower the mower or other attachments.
  • ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER: Used to engage the mower blades, or other attachments.
  • MOTION CONTROL LEVER: Selects the speed and direction of tractor.
  • REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) "ON" POSITION: Allows operation of mower or other powered attachment while in reverse.
  • LIGHT SWITCH: Turns the headlights on and off.
  • FREEWHEEL CONTROL: Disengages transmission for pushing or slowly towing the tractor with the engine off.
  • SERVICE MINDER/HOUR METER: Indicates when service is required for the engine and mower.

STARTING THE ENGINE

  1. Ensure freewheel control is in the transmission engaged position.
  2. Sit on seat, depress clutch/brake pedal, set parking brake.
  3. Place motion control lever in neutral.
  4. Disengage attachment clutch.
  5. Move throttle control to choke position.
  6. Turn ignition key to start position.
  7. Once engine starts, move throttle to fast position.

STOPPING THE MOWER BLADES

  • Move attachment clutch control to disengaged position.

STOPPING THE TRACTOR

  • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully.
  • Move motion control lever to neutral.
  • Turn ignition key to STOP and remove key.

Troubleshooting and error codes

PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Will Not Start 1. No fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank.
2. Engine not set to "CHOKE" properly. 2. See "TO START ENGINE".
3. Engine flooded. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start again.
4. Spark plug bad. 4. Replace spark plug.
5. Dirty air filter. 5. Clean or replace air filter.
6. Dirty fuel filter. 6. Replace fuel filter.
7. Water in fuel. 7. Drain fuel tank and carburetor, refill with fresh fuel, and replace fuel filter.
8. Loose or damaged wiring. 8. Check all wiring.
9. Engine valves out of adjustment. 9. Contact a qualified service center.
Hard to Start 1. Dirty air filter. 1. Clean or replace air filter.
2. Bad spark plug. 2. Replace spark plug.
3. Low or dead battery. 3. Recharge or replace battery.
4. Dirty fuel filter. 4. Replace fuel filter.
5. Stale or dirty fuel. 5. Drain fuel tank and refill with fresh fuel.
6. Loose or damaged wiring. 6. Check all wiring.
7. Engine valves out of adjustment. 7. Contact a qualified service center.
Engine Will Not Turn Over 1. Brake pedal not pressed. 1. Press brake pedal.
2. Attachment clutch engaged. 2. Disengage attachment clutch.
3. Low or dead battery. 3. Recharge or replace battery.
4. Blown fuse. 4. Replace fuse.
5. Corroded battery terminals. 5. Clean battery terminals.
6. Loose or damaged wiring. 6. Check all wiring.
7. Ignition switch faulty. 7. Check or replace ignition switch.
8. Solenoid or starter faulty. 8. Check or replace solenoid or starter.
9. Operator presence system faulty. 9. Contact a qualified service center.
Engine Loses Power 1. Low battery or dead. 1. Recharge or replace battery.
2. Corroded battery terminals. 2. Clean battery terminals.
3. Loose or damaged wiring. 3. Check all wiring.
4. Solenoid or starter faulty. 4. Check or replace solenoid or starter.
Loss of Power (cont.) 1. Too much grass cut too fast. 1. Raise cutting height / reduce speed.
2. "CHOKE" position used for starting. 2. Adjust throttle control.
3. Grass, leaves, debris buildup under deck. 3. Clean under deck.
4. Dirty air filter. 4. Clean or replace air filter.
5. Low oil level/dirty oil. 5. Check oil level / change oil.
6. Faulty spark plug. 6. Clean, adjust or replace spark plug.
7. Dirty fuel filter. 7. Replace fuel filter.
8. Stale or dirty fuel. 8. Drain fuel tank and refill with fresh fuel.
9. Water in fuel. 9. Drain fuel tank and carburetor, refill with fresh fuel, and replace fuel filter.
10. Loose spark plug wire. 10. Connect and tighten spark plug wire.
11. Dirty engine air screen/fins. 11. Clean engine air screen/fins.
12. Dirty muffler/clogged. 12. Clean or replace muffler.
13. Loose or damaged wiring. 13. Check all wiring.
14. Engine valves out of adjustment. 14. Contact a qualified service center.
Excessive Vibration 1. Worn, bent, or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.
2. Bent blade spindle. 2. Replace blade spindle.
3. Loose/damaged part(s). 3. Tighten/replace parts.
Engine Continues to Run When Operator Leaves Seat 1. Operator Presence System faulty. 1. Check wiring, switches, and connections. Contact service center if problem persists. (PRECAUTION: DO NOT operate the machine until the problem has been corrected.)
Uneven Cut 1. Worn, bent, or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.
2. Mower deck out of level. 2. Level mower deck.
3. Grass, leaves, debris buildup under deck. 3. Clean under deck.
4. Bent blade spindle. 4. Replace blade spindle.
5. Ventilation holes in blade carrier clogged. 5. Clean around blade carriers.
Blades Do Not Rotate 1. Clutch mechanism obstruction. 1. Remove obstruction.
2. Worn/damaged mower drive belt. 2. Replace drive belt.
3. Belt idler pulley stuck. 3. Replace idler pulley.
4. Blade spindle stuck. 4. Replace blade spindle.
Poor Grass Discharge 1. Engine speed too slow. 1. Set throttle to "FAST".
2. Travel speed too fast. 2. Shift to a slower speed.
3. Wet grass. 3. Allow grass to dry before mowing.
4. Mower deck out of level. 4. Level mower deck.
5. Low tire pressure. 5. Check tire pressure.
6. Worn, bent, or loose blade. 6. Replace/sharpen blade. Tighten blade bolt.
7. Grass, leaves, debris buildup under deck. 7. Clean under deck.
8. Worn or misadjusted mower drive belt. 8. Replace or adjust mower drive belt.
9. Blades installed incorrectly. 9. Reinstall blades with sharp edge down.
10. Incorrect blades used. 10. Use blades specified in manual.
11. Clogged ventilation holes in blade carrier. 11. Clean around blade carriers.
12. Mower deck drive belt too loose. 12. Adjust mower deck drive belt tension.
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