Craftsman 143004014 Owner’s Manual

SEARS

operator's

manual

MODEL NO. 143.004014

4.0 HORSEPOWER

10 INCH CUBIC (163 cc)

DISPLACEMENT

SOLID STATE IGNITION

ENGIN

CAUTION:

Read RULES for

Safe OPERATION

and INSTRUCTIONS

Carefully

a_k California Proposition 65 WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals I

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. 4-1-00 181-1229-11

OIL FILL PLUG AND DIPSTICK

RECOIL STARTER

3AP

[ IIHIIIIII tIIIIlllHIIII

MODELAND

D,O,M, DECAL

SPARK PLUG WIRE

SPARKPLU_

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

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'n'EMPTING TO OPERATING.

STARTER
HANDLE

THESE SYMBOLS MAY APPEAR ON THE ENGINE:

Figure 1

JFFLER

AIR

31NECONTROL

CARBURETOR

FUEL

OIL DRAIN PLUG

BOl-rGM OF ENGINE

jqlL DRAINPLUG

,I 1

FAST SLOW STOP CHOKE PRIMER

NOTE: Engines whicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaandU.S.
EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE (SmallOffRoadEquipment),are

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

OIL & FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS

TO OPERATE ENGINE, YOU WILL NEEDTHE FOLLOWING:

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

Be sure original container is marked:

A.P.L service "SF"-"SJ".

FOR SUMMER (ABOVE 32°F;O°C) USE SAE 30 OIL.

Using muttigrade oilwill increase oil consumption.

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

(SAE 10W is an acceptable substitute.)

DO NOT USE SAE 1OW4O 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 periods.
See "STORAGE" instructions of Page 4.

NOTE: Use clean oil and fuel and store in approved, clean
covered containers. Use clean fillfunnels.

Never use "stale"gasoline leftover from last season orstored for
long periods. Page 1

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

(_) 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 IS TIGHTENED

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 d!pstick clean, insert it into oil fill hole and tighten

securely.

E. Remove oilfill plug and check oil level. If level is notup

to"FULL" marl_ on dipstick, add recommended oil, until

itis. POUR SLOWLY. WiDe dipstickclean eachtime oil
level ischecked. 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).

181-1229-11

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 last season orstored for
long periods.

_ NEVER FILL FUEL TANK INDOORS. NEVER FILL FUEL TANI<

WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING OR HOT, DO NOT SMOKE WHEI_

! FILLING FUEL TANK.

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

BELOW BOTTOM OF FILLER NECK TO PROVIDE SPACE
FOR FUEL EXPANSION. WIPE ANY FUEL SPILLAGE FROr4
ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT BEFORE STARTING ENGINE.

_ANY LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM (LPG) OR NATURAL GAS

FUEL SYSTEM MUST BE LEAKPROOF AND MEET ALL

I APPLICABLE CODES AND REGULATIONS.

L

CHECK THE FOLLOWING:

_ILA. BE SURE EQUIPMENT IS IN NEUTRAL GEAR WITHI

CLUTCHES, BELTS, CHAINS AND SAFETY SWITCHES I
DISENGAGED. (FOLLOW EQUIPMENT MANU- I

FACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.) THIS SHOULD PLACE
ANY SAFETYSWITCHES INSAFE START NG POS T ON.

B. Besuresparkplug wire isattached to sparkplug(see Figure

1).

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

(_ AFTER ENGINE IS STOPPED:

_A. DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM SPARK PLUG

,_B. NEVER STORE ENGINE WITH FUEL IN TANK INDOORS

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, WATER

HEATER, CLOTHES DRYER OR OTHER GAS APPLIANCE,

ROPE GUIDE

Figure2

(-r

SPARKPLUG

STARTING

VENTILATED AREAS. ENGINE EXHAUST CONTAINS I
CARBON MONOXIDE, AN ODORLESS AND DEADLY GAS I
(CARBON MONOXIDE IS ALSO PRESENT IN ENGINE

_ NEVER RUN ENGINE INDOORS OR IN ENCLOSED, POORLY I

EXHAUST FROM LIQUID PETROLEUM (LPG) AND NATURAL

GAS FUEL SYSTEMS).

_IL KEEP HANDS, FEET, HAIR AND LOOSE CLOTHING AWAY

FROM ANY MOVING PARTS ON ENG NE AND EQU PMENT.
WARNING: TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBY

_k 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 control to "FAST" or "START" ifso equipped

(see equipment manufacturer's instructions).

2. Thecarburetoronyourenginehasbeencompletelyadjusted

atthe factory. When starting a cold engine, 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 primer to restarta warm engine after a 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 ropeout slowly until you feel drag. Let rope rewind slowly.
Pull rope with rapid, full arm stroke. Return rope slowly to
original position.

NOTE: Ifengine fails tostart afterthree pulls, repeat steps

2-3 above.

ENGINE SPEED: Engine speed is controlled by the ENGINE
CONTROL see Figure 1).
ENGINE CONTROL should bein HI positionfor highgrass conditions
and formost efficient bagging in heavy grass conditions, and inLOW
position for light grass, trimming and for fuel economy.

o

RETAINING POST

Figure3

;PARK PLUG WIRE

MAINTENANCE

,_ WARNING: TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBY

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

CHECK OIL LEVEL:

Check oilleveleveryfive (5)operatinghours oreachtime engine

isused.See"_ CHECKOIL LEVEL"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 is still warm from
recent runninq.

_I=A, DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM SPARK PLUG

Page 2

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

B. Position equipment soengine oil drain plug is lowest point on

engine.

C. Remove oil drain plug and oilfill 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 fill plug and tighten securely.

G. Connect spark plug wire to spark plug.

H. Wipe up any spilled oil and/or gasoline.
NOTE: Ifit isdifficulttoreach the oildrain plug, drain fuel. Remove

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

181-1229-11

MAINTENANCE (Continued) MAINTENANCE (Continued)

(_) AIR CLEANER (see Figure4):

NEVER RUN ENGINE WITHOUT COMPLETE AIR CLEANER
INSTALLED ON ENGINE.

Replace filter once a year ormore often if used inextremely 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

TURN COVER
TO THE LEFT
(COUNTER-
CLOCKWISE)

TO REMOVE

(_) SPARK PLUG (see Figure5):

Thisspark ignitionsystem meets all requirements ofthe Car_adian

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 plug if electrodes 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

(CLOCK'3NISE)
TO TIG HTEN

(_) COOLING SYSTEM (see Figure 1):

IMPORTANT: Frequently remove any grass clippings, dirtand
debris from cooling fins, air intake screen and levers and linkage

(see Figure 1).This will helpensure adequate cooling andcorrect
engine speed.

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

BOLTS AND ATTACHMENTS, AND KEEP THESE ITEMS
TIGHTENED.

Page 3 181-1229-11