Craftsman 143994012 Owner’s Manual

SE/i4RS

operator's

manual

MODEL NO. 143.99401;

4.0 RESERVE POWER

10 INCH CUBIC (163 cc)

DISPLACEMENT

SOLID STATE IGNITION

ENGIN

CAUTION:

Read RULES for

Safe OPERATION

and INSTRUCTIONS

Carefully

A

Pdntedin U.S.A. 2-1-99 181-1186-11

California Proposition 65 WARNING: a_e 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

• Main.te.l_nce

=-Repa{PParts

I

RECOIL STARTER

STARTER HANDLE

MODELAND

D.O.M. DECAL

SPARK
PLUGWIRE

\

COOLING FINS

THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH IF NOT FOLLOWED COULD
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'R'EMPTING TO OPERATING,

THESE SYMBOLS MAY APPEAR ON THE ENGINE:

SPARK PLUG

Figure 1

FFLER

CARBURETOR

I

FILL CAP

FUEL TANK

CLEANER

CONTROL

OIL DRAIN PLUG

BO'R'OM OF ENGINE

OFF FULL

FAST SLOW STOP CHOKE

ENGINES WHICH ARE CERTIFIED TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA AND

US EPA EMISSION REGULATIONS FOR ULGE ENGINES: Are certified
to operate onregular unleededgasoline. Includethefollowingemission control

system(s): EM, "I3NC(if so equipped); Do not includeany user adjustable
features - therefore no other adjustments are needed,

OIL & FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS

TO OPERATE ENGINE, YOU WILLNEED THE FOLLOWING:

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

Be sure originalcontainer is marked:
A.P.I. service=SF'-'SJ'.

FOR BUMMER (ABOVE 32°F;0°C) USE SAE 30 OIL.

Using multigradeoil 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 10W40 OIL.
OIL SUMP CAPACITY: 21 ounces (1-1/4 U.S. pints)

.62 liter

(_ A FRESH, CLEAN, UNLEADED REGULAR, UN-

LEADED PREMIUM, OR REFORMULATED AU-
TOMOTIVE GASOLINE ONLY. DO NOT USE

LEADED GASOLINE.
NOTE: DO NOT USE GASOLINE CONTAINING METHANOL

(WOOD ALCOHOL). Gasolinecontaining up to 10% ethanol or
grain alcohol ('Gasohol'), or up to 15% MTBE (Methyl Tertiary

Butyl Ether),may be used butrequiresspecialcare when engine ,_ DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE FROMSPARK PLUG AND
is unusedfor extended periods. L

Page 1 181-1186-11

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

covered containers. Use clean fill funnels.
Never use "stale'gasolineleftoverfrom lastseason orstoredfor

long psdods.

IMPORTANT

KEEP THIS MANUAL HANDY AT ALL TIMES FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.READ rr CAREFULLY AND FAMIUARIZE YOUR-
SELFWITH THE OPERATING, MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS. THIS MANUAL ALSO CONTAINS A COM-
PLETE PARTS LISTING.

BEFORE STARTING

O

READALLINSTRUCTIONS PROVIDEDWITH THE EQUIPMENT

ON WHICH THIS ENGINE IS USED.

A

THIS ENGINE ISEQUIPPED WITH AFEDERALLY MANDATED
MECHANISM WHICH STOPS THE ENGINE. DO NOT!

INTERFERE WITH OR BYPASS THIS MECHANISM. PARTSOF
THE MECHANISM MAY BESUBJECT TOWEARAND MUSTBE
CHECKED ONCE A YEAR BY AN AUTHORIZED SEARS

ROEBUCK AND CO. (OR SEARS CANADA, INC.) SERVICE

CENTER. IN THE EVENT THE MECHANISM FAILS FOR ANY

REASON, YOU MUST NOT USE THE ENGINE UNTIL

CORRECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED SEARS ROEBUCK AND

CO. fOR BEARS CANADA. INC.) SERVICE CENTER.

ATTACH IT TO RETAINING POST (see Figure 6 on Page 3).

BEFORE STARTING (Continued)

(_) INSTALL ENGINE BRAKE CABLE AND STARTER ROPE:

BRAKE CABLE (see Figure 2):

Attach engine brake cable to brake mechanism as shown.

WARNING: Use onlythe cable screwthatcame with the engine
brake cable, Ifthe cablescrew hasbeen lost,get a newone from
a Sears, Roebuck and Co. (or Sears Canada, Inc.) Service

Center. Any cable screw used must be the same lengthas the
original cable screw.

STARTER ROPE;

A. Depress mower controtbar (see Figure 3) against mower

handle and hold it in this position.

B. Pullat least 2 feet ofstarter rope out of starterand tiea slip

knotatstartertopreventstarterropefrom rewindingbackinto
starter.

C. Slide rope stop (see Figure 21 onto starter rope and feed

starter rope through rope gu=deon mower handle (see
Figure 4).

D. Feed starter rope throu_ihstarterhandle (see Figure 5) and

tie a left hand knot, leaving1/2 inchto 1 inch ofstarterrope

extendingbeyond knot. DO NOT PULL LEFT HAND KNOT
INTO STARTER HANDLE YET,

E. With starter handle resting on rope guide (see Figure 4),

check starter rope for slack. If there isany slack, pull more
starter rope through starter handle and relocate left hand

knotto eliminate slack.

F. Untie slipknot at starter.

G. Pull left hand knot intostarter handle.
H. Position rope stop 2 to 3 inches from starter (see Rgure 2)

and fasten it to starter rope by gdpplng it with pliers and
forcing staplethroughstarterropeuntilstapleiseven without

(_) CHECK OIL LEVEL:

side of rope stop.

CAUTION: NEVER RUN ENGINE UNLESS OIL LEVEL IS BE-

TWEEN "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 fill hole and tighten

securely,

E. Remove oilfill plug and check oil level. If level is not up to

=FULL" mark on dipstick, add recommended oil, untilit is.
POUR SLOWLY. Wipe dipstickclean each time oillevel is
checked. DO NOT FILL ABOVE =FULL= MARK ON DIP-

STICK.

F. Replace oil till plug and tighten securely. See =MAINTE-

NANCE section for any future oil level and oil change
instructions(see Page 3).

BEFORE STARTING (Continued)

(_ FILL FUEL TANK withgasoline as specifiedin the preced-

ing"OIL& FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS," item 2.
NEVER MIX OIL WITH GASOLINE

Never use"stale"gasolineleft overfrom last season or storedfor
long periods.

_ll NEVER FILLFUELTANK INDOORS. NEVER FILL FUELTANK

WHEN ENGINE ISRUNNING OR HOT, DONOT SMOKE WHEN

[ FILLING FUEL TANK.

,_k. NEVER FILL FUEL TANK COMPLETELY. FILL TANK TO 1/2"

BELOWBo'n'OM OFFILLER NECK TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR

I FUEL EXPANSION. WIPE ANY FUEL SPILLAGE FROM EN-

GINE AND EQUIPMI=NT SBFORF STARTING I=NGINr.

_ANY LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM (LPG) ORNATURAL GASFUEL

SYSTEM MUST BE LEAKPROOF AND MEET ALL APPBCA-

l BLE CODES AND REGULATIONS.

(_) CHECK THE FOLLOWING:

,_A. BE SURE EQUIPMENT IS IN NEUTRAL GEAR WITHI

CLUTCHES, BELTS, CHAINS AND SAFETY swrrCHESl

DISENGAGED. (FOLLOW EQUIPMENT MANU- I

FACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS). THIS SHOULD PLACE
ANY SAFETY SWITCH ESIN SAFE STARTING POSIT ON.

B. Besure sparkplugwireisattechedtospark plug (soeFigure

1).

MOWER
CONTROL
BAR

Figure 3

NOSLACKPERMISSIBLE

ROPE STOP

2TO3

INCHES

STARTER

ROPE

BRAKE MECHANISM

STARTER

\\

\

F_uro 4

LEFT HAND KNOT

STARTER
HANDLE

1/2 TO 1 INCH

Figure 5

Figure 2 Page 2 181-1186-11

MOWERHANDLE" _

STARTING

MAINTENANCE

_NEVER RUN ENGINE INDOORS OR IN ENCLOSED,

POORLY VENTILATED AREAS. ENGINE EXHAUST
CONTAINS CARBON MONOXIDE, AN ODORLESS AND

DEADLY GAS (CARBON MONOXIDE IS ALSO PRESENT
INENGINE EXHAUST FROM LIQUID PETROLEUM (LPG)

AND NATURAL GAS FUEL SYSTEMS).

_ KEEP HANDS, FEET, HAIR AND LOOSE CLOTHING

AWAY FROM ANY MOVING PARTS ON ENGINE AND

I EQUIPMENT.

_ WARNING TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBY

AREAS MAY EXCEED 150OF (650C). AVOID THESE

I AREAS.

(_) Move enginecontrol (sea Figure 1) to HI Position.

(_) START ENGINE:

A. The carburetoron yourenginehas been completely
adjusted at the factory. When starting a cold engine,

pushred primerbulbfirmly with your thumb 5 times,
allowing primer bulb to return completely to original

positionbetween pushes. Repeat the above for each
starter operation as necessary.

NOTE: DO NOT USE PRIMER TO RESTARTAWARM
ENGINE AFTER A SHORT SHUTDOWN.

B. Operate mower control to release engine brake.
C. Grasp starterhandle (see Figure 4) and pull rope out,

slowly, until it pulls slightly herder. Let rope rewind"
slowly.Then pull rope with a rapid full arm stroke. Let

rope rewind SLOWLY. Do not let starter handle snap
back against rope guide (see Figure 4).

D. Repeat instructionsB and C if necessary, until engine

starts. NOTE: If engine does notstart, repeat instruc-
tionsA, B, C andD untilit starts.

ENGINE SPEED: Engine speed is controlled by the engine

control (see Figure1). Engine control should be in HI position
for highgrass conditions andfor mostefficient baggingin heavy

grass conditions,and in LOW positionfor lightgrass,trimming
and forfuel economy.

STOPPING

(_See mowermanufacturer's instructions.

(_) AFTER ENGINE IS STOPPED:

_A, DISCONNECT 5PARK PLUG WIRE FROM SPARK

PLUG AND A'I'rACH IT TO RETAINING POST (see

I Figure 6).

,_k WARNING: TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBY AREAS I

MAY EXCEED 150°F (650C).AVOID THESE AREAS. I

(_ CHECK OIL LEVEL:

Check oil level every five (5) operatinghours or each time engine is
used.See "3 CHECK OILLEVEL" in"BEFORE STARTING" on Page

2.

(_ CHANGE OIL:

Change oil after firsttwo (2) operating hoursand every 25 operating
hours thereafter, more often if operated in extremely dusty or dirty
conditions.Change oil whileengine isstill warm from recent running.

_A. DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM SPARK PLUG AND

ATTACH IT TO RETAINING POST (see Rgure 6).

B. Position equipment so engine oil drain plug is lowest point on

engine.

C. Remove oil drain plugand oil fill plugto drain oil (see Figure 1).

D. Replace oil drainplugand tighten securely.
E. Filloil sump with recommended oil See "OIL & FUEL RECOM-

MENDATIONS" and "CHECK OIL LEVEL" on Page 1.

F. Reptace oil fill plugand tightensecurely.
G. Connect spark plugwire to spark plug.

H. Wipe up any spilledoiland/or gasoline
NOTE: Ifit isdifficulttoreachthe oildrain plug,drain fuel. Remove

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

(_) AIR CLEANER (see Figure 7):

NEVER RUN ENGINE WITHOUT COMPLETE AIR CLEANER IN-

STALLED ON ENGINE.

Replacefilter once a year or more often ifused in extremely dustyor

dirty conditions.

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

Sears Canada, Inc.)ServiceCenter. To installnew filter, proceed as
follows:

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

filter from flange. Discardfilter.

B. Clean coverand flangethoroughly.
C. Insertnew filter intocover.

D. Positioncover and filteragainst flange withtab on cover inserted

intolower left comer of slot in flange.

E. Pushcover firmly againstflange and turnitto the right(clockwise)

as far as it will go. Be sure retainersare locked aroundflange.

,_. NEVER STORE ENGINE WITH FUEL IN TANK IN-

DOORS 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.

RETAINER

SPARK
PLUG

RETAINING SPARK PLUG Figure 7

Figure 6 Page 3 181-1186-11

WIRE

SLOT

TAB

TURN COVER TO THE
LEFT

(COUNTERCLOCKWISE
TO REMOVE

COVER

TO THE RIGHT

(CLOCIONISE)

TO TIGHTEN