Craftsman 143003508 Owner’s Manual

SEARS

operator's

manual

MODEL NO. 143.003508

3.5 HORSEPOWER
10 INCH CUBIC (163 cc)

DISPLACEMENT

SOLID STATE IGNITION

ENGIN

CAUTION:

Read RULES for

Safe OPERATION

and INSTRUCTIONS

Carefully

_ CaliforniaProposition65WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals

known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Sold by SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., CHICAGO, IL 60684 U.S.A.

and SEARS CANADA, INC., TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA

• Operating

• Maintenance

• Repair Parts

I

PrintedinU.S.A. 4-1-00 181-1228-11

OIL FILLPLUGANDDIPSTICK

RECOIL STARTER

[ lllllllllt4lilimll J

MODELAND

D.O.M. DECAL

SPARK PLUG WIRE

SPARK PLUG

THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH IF NOT FOLLOWED COULD A

ENDANGER THE PERSONAL SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL AND ANY PROVIDED WITH THE EQUIPMENT ON WHICH

THIS ENGINE IS USED BEFORE A'FrEMPTING TO OPERATING.

STARTER
HANDLE

THESE SYMBOLS MAY APPEAR ON THE ENGINE:

Figure 1

MUFFLER

FUEL

BoI-rOM OF ENGINE

AIR

QIL DRAINPLUG

31HECONTROL

CARBURETOR

FAST SLOW STOP C.OKE PR,MER

NOTE: EngineswhicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaand U.S.
EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOffRoad Equipment),are

certifiedto operate on regularunleaded gasoline,and includethe
following emissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM), and
Three-wayCatalyst(TWC) (if soequipped).

OIL & FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS

TO OPERATE ENGINE, YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING:

(_) A CLEAN, HIGH QUALITY, DETERGENT OIL.

Be sure original container is marked:
A.P.I. service "SF"-"SJ".

FOR SUMMER (ABO_;E 32°F;0°C) USE SAE 30 OIL.

Using multigrade oil will increase oil consumption.

FOR WINTER (BELOW 32°F;0°C) USE SAE 5W30 OIL.

(SAE 10W is an acceptable substitute.)

DO NOT USE SAE lOW40 OIL.
OIL SUMP CAPACITY: 21 ounces (1-1/4 U.S. pints)

.62 liter

(_) A FRESH, CLEAN, UNLEADED REGULAR,

UNLEADED PREMIUM, OR REFORMULATED

AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE ONLY. DO NOT USE
LEADED GASOLINE,
NOTE: DO NOT USE GASOLINE CONTAINING METHANOL

(WOOD ALCOHOL). Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol or
grain alcohol ("Gasohol"), or up to 15% MTBE (Methyl Tertiary

Butyl Ether), may be used but requires special care when engine
is unused for extended pedods.

See "STORAGE" instructions of Page 4.
NOTE: Use clean oil and fuel and store in approved, clean

covered containers. Use clean fill funnels.
Never use "stale" gasoline leftover from last season or stored for

long periods. Page 1

I,.'1 I,.,_LOFF FOLL ----l--

IMPORTANT

KEEP THIS MANUAL HANDY AT ALL TIMES FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE. READ IT CAREFULLY AND FAMILIARIZE

YOURSELF WITH THE OPERATING, MAINTENANCE AND
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. THIS MANUAL ALSO CONTAINS A
COMPLETE PARTS LISTING.

BEFORE STARTING

X) READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED WITHTHE EQUIPMENT

ON WHICH THIS ENGINE IS USED.

(_) CHECK OIL LEVEL:

IMPORTANT: NEVER RUN ENGINE UNLESS OIL LEVEL IS

BETWEEN "FULL" AND "ADD" MARKS ON
DIPSTICK.

CHECK OIL LEVEL OFTEN DURING ENGINE BREAK-IN.
NEVER RUN ENGINE UNLESS OIL FILL PLUG ISTIGHTENED

SECURELY INTO OIL FILL HOLE,

A. POSITION EQUIPMENT SO ENGINE IS LEVEL.

B. Clean area around oil fill plug (see Figure 1).
C. Remove oil fill plug and dipstick.

D. Wipe dipstick clean, insert it into oil f hoe and t ghten

securely.

E. Re,move o.ilfill plug and check oil level. If level is not up,

to FULL marl_on diPsticK, add recommended o ,unt

itis. POUR SLOWLY. WiDe dipstick c ean each t me o
level is checked. DO NOT FILL ABOVE =FULL" MARK

ON DIPSTICK.

F. Replace oil fill plug and tighten securely.

See "MAINTENANCE" section for any future oil level and oil change
instructions (see Page 2).

181-1228-11

BEFORE STARTING (Continued)

STOPPING

FILL FUEL TANK with gasoline as specified inthe preceding

"OIL & FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS" item 2.

NEVER MIX OIL WITH GASOLINE
Never use =stale" gasoline left over from lastseason or stored for

long periods.

_L NEVER FILL FUEL TANK INDOORS. NEVER FILL FUELTANK

WH EN ENGINE IS RUNNING OR HOT. DO NOT SMOKE WHEN

I

[ FILLING FUEL TANK.

._ NEVER FILL FUEL TANK COMPLETELY. FILL TANK TO 1/2"

BELOW BOTTOM OF FILLER NECK TO PROVIDE SPACE

l FOR FUEL EXPANSION. WIPE ANY FUEL SPILLAGE FROM

ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT BEFORE STARTING ENGINE.

._ANY LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM (LPG) OR NATURAL GAS

FUEL SYSTEM MUST BE LEAKPROOF AND MEET ALL i

I APPLICABLE CODES AND REGULATIONS. i

(_) CHECK THE FOLLOWING:

_A. BE SURE EQUIPMENT IS IN NEUTRAL GEAR WITH 1

CLUTCHES, BELTS, CHAINS AND SAFETY SWITCHES /
DISENGAGED. (FOLLOW EQUIPMENT MANU- /
FACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.) THIS SHOULD PLACE|

ANY SAFETY SWITCHES IN SAFE STARTING POSITIONo i

B. Be sure spark plug wire isattached to spark plug (see Figure

1).

_) Move ENGINE CONTROL (see Figure 1) to STOP.

(_) AFTER ENGINE IS STOPPED:

._A. DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM SPARK PLU(

._B. NEVER STORE ENGINE WITH FUEL IN TANK INDOOR!

AND ATTACH IT TO RETAINING POST (see Figure 3).

OR IN ENCLOSED, POORLY VENTILATED AREAS
WHERE FUEL FUMES MAY REACH AN OPEN FLAME
SPARK OR PILOT LIGHT AS ON A FURNACE, WATEI

HEATER, CLOTHES DRYER OR OTHER GAS APPLIANCE,

ROPE GUIDE

Figure2

fr

SPARKPLUG

STARTING

,_ NEVER RUN ENGINE INDOORS OR IN ENCLOSED, POORL_

VENTILATED AREAS. ENGINE EXHAUST CONTAIN_
CARBON MONOXIDE, AN ODORLESS AND DEADLY GA!

(CARBON MONOXIDE IS ALSO PRESENT IN ENGINI
EXHAUST FROM LIQUID PETROLEUM (LPG) AND NATURAL

GAS FUEL SYSTEMS).

d_k KEEP HANDS, FEET, HAIR AND LOOSE CLOTHING AWA_

FROM ANY MOVING PARTS ON ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT

,_ WARNING: TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARB_

AREAS MAY EXCEED 150°F (65°C). AVOID THESE AREAS.

(_ Move ENGINE CONTROL (see Figure 1) to HI Position.

(_) START ENGINE WITH PRIMER:

1. Move equipment controlto =FAST" or =START" if so equipped
(see equipment manufacturer's instructions).

2. The carburator on your engine has been completely adjusted
at the factory. When starting a coldengine, push primer button
firmly with your thumb 3 times, allowing primer bulb to

return completely to original position between pushes (figure

1). Below 55°F additional primes may be needed.

NOTE: Do not use primerto restart a warm engine aftera short
shutdown.

3. Operate equipment control to release engine brake if so
equipped (see equipment manufacturer's instructions).

4. a) RECOIL STARTERS: Grasp starter handle (figure 2) and

pull rope outslowly untilyou feel drag. Let rope rewind slowly.

Pull rope with rapid, full arm stroke. Return rope slowly to

original position.

NOTE: Ifengine fails to start after three pulls, repeat steps
2-3 above.

ENGINE SPEED: Engine speed is controlled by the ENGINE
CONTROL see Figure 1).

ENGIN E CONTROL should be inHI positionfor high grass conditions
and for most efficient bagging inheavy grass conditions, and in LOW
position for light grass, tdmming and for fuel economy.

RETAININGPOST

Figure3

3WIRE

MAINTENANCE

,_ WARNING: TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBYI

AREAS MAY EXCEED 150°F (65°C). AVOID THESE AREAS. I

O

CHECK OIL LEVEL:

Check oillevel everyfive(5)operatinghours oreachtimeengine

isused.See "_ CHECKOILLEVEL"in"BEFORESTARTING"on
Page 1.

@

CHANGE OIL:

Change oil after first two (2) operating hours and every 25
operating hours thereafter, more often if operated in extremely

dusty or dirty conditions. Change oil while engine isstillwarm from

recent runninc.

,_A. DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM SPARK PLUG

Page 2 181-1228oll

AND ATI'ACH IT TO RETAINING POST (see Figure 3).

B. Position equipment so engine oildrain plug is lowest point on

engine.

C. Remove oil drain plug and oil fill plug to drain oil (see Figure

1).

D. Replace oil drain plug and tighten securely.
E. Fill oil sump with recommended oil. See "OIL & FUEL

RECOMMENDATIONS" and "CHECK OIL LEVEL" on Page

1.

F. Replace oil fillplug and tighten securely.
G. Connect spark plug wire to spark plug.
H. Wipe up any spilled oiland/or gasoline.
NOTE: Ifit isdifficultto reach the oildrain plug. drain fuel. Remove

oil fill plug and tip mower on its side. Drain oil into a suitable
container.

MAINTENANCE (Continued)

MAINTENANCE (Continued)

(_) AIR CLEANER (see Figure4):

NEVER RUN ENGINE WITHOUT COMPLETE AIR CLEANER
INSTALLED ON ENGINE.

Replace filter once ayear or more often ifused in extremely dusty

or dirty conditions.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN OR OIL FILTER.
Replacement filters are available at any Sears Roebuck and Co.

(or Sears Canada, Inc.) Service Center. To install new filter,
proceed as follows:

A. Turn cover to the left (counterclockwise) and remove it and

filter from flange. Discard filter.

B. Clean cover and flange thoroughly.
C. Insert new filter into cover.

D. Position cover and filter against flange with tab on cover

inserted into lower left corner of slot in flange.

E. Push cover firmly against flange and turn it to the right

(clockwise) as far as it will go. Be sure retainers are locked

around flange.

FLANGE

_' TO THE LEFT

w (COUNTER-

RNCOVER

CLOCKWISE)

TO REMOVE

(_) SPARK PLUG (see Figure 5):

This sparkignition system meets all requirements of'theCanadian

Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. This engine

complies with all current Australian and New Zealand limitations

regarding electromagnetic interference.

Check spark plug yearly or every 100 operating hours.
A. Clean area around spark plug.

B. Remove and inspect spark plug.

C. Replace spark plugifelectrodes are pitted,burned orporcelain

is cracked. For replacement use Champion RJ-19LM or
equivalent.

NOTE: A resistor spark plug must be used for replacement.

D. Check electrodes gap with wire feeler gauge and set gap at

.030 if necessary.

E. Install spark plug, tighten securely.

ELECTRODES

,030 GAP

Figure 5

SLOT

TAB

RETAINER

Figure 4

3OVER

TO THE RIGHT

(CLOCKWISE)

TOTIGHTEN

(_ COOLING SYSTEM (see Figure1):

IMPORTANT: Frequentlyremoveanygrassclippings,dirtand
debrisfrom coolingfins,air intakescreenand leversandlinkage

(seeFigure1).Thiswillhelpensureadequatecoolingandcorrect
enginespeed.

(_) CHECK ENGINE AND EQUIPMENTOFTEN FOR LOOSE NUTS, I

BOLTS AND ATTACHMENTS, AND KEEP THESE ITEMS

n' TIGHTENED,

Page 3 181-1228-11