Craftsman 143994024 Owner’s Manual

S "AI:IS

operator's

manual

MODEL NO. 143.994024

4.0 RESERVE POWER
10 INCH CUBIC (163 cC

DISPLACEMENT

SOLID STATE IGNITIOf

NGIN

CAUTION:

Read RULES for

Safe OPERATION

and INSTRUCTIONS

Carefully

California Proposition 65 WARNING: Theo°gi.eexhaust 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

Printedin U.S.A. 6-1-99 181-1204-11

• Operating

• Maintenance

• Repair Parts

OIL FILL PLUG AND DIPSTICK

RECOIL STARTER

3AP

NIIIUIIUIllilillll

MODELAND

D.O,M. DECAL

SPARK PLUG WIRE

SPARK PLUG/"

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 ATTEMPTING TO OPERATING.

STARTER

HANDLE

THESE SYMBOLS MAY APPEAR ON THE ENGINE:

FUEL

AIR

CONTROL

CARBURETOR

Figure 1

4t

FAST SLOW STOP CHOKE

ENGINESWHICHARECERTIFIEDTO COMPLYWITHCALIFORNIAAND
U.S.EPA EMISSIONREGULATIONSFOR ULGEENGINES: Arecertified

tooperateonregutarunleadedgasotine.Includethefollowingemissioncontrot
system(s):Era,TWC (if soequipped);Donot includeany useradjustable

features- thereforeno otheradjustmentsare needed.

OIL & FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS

TO OPERATE ENGINE, YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING:

(_ A CLEAN, HIGH QUALITY, DETERGENT OIL.

Be sure odginalcontainer is marked:
A.P.Lservice "SF" -"SJ".

FOR SUMMER (ABOVE 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 accaptabia 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,

UNLEADED PREMIUM, OR REFORMULATED
AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE ONLY. DO NOT USE
LEADED GASOLINE.

NOTE: DO NOT USE GASOLINE CONTAINING METHANOL
(WOOD ALCOHOL). Gasoline containingup to 10% ethanolor

grain alcohol ("Gasohol"),or up to 15% MTBE (Methyl Tertiary

Butyl Ether),may be usedbut requiresspecialcare whenengine
is unused for extended periods.

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"
gasoline leftover from last season or stored for long periods.

Page 1

OFF FULL

IMPORTANT

KEEP THIS MANUAL HANDY AT ALL TIMES FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE. READIT CAREFULLY AND FAMIUARIZE YOUR-

SELF WITH THE OPERATING, MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS. THIS MANUAL ALSO CONTAINS A COM-
PLETE PARTS LISTING.

BEFORE STARTING

(_ READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED WITH THE EQUIP-

MENT ON WHICH THIS ENGINE IS USED.

_) CHECK OIL LEVEL:

IMPORTANT; NEVER RUN ENGINE UNLESS OIL LEVEL IS

BE'PNEEN "FULL" AND "ADO" 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 oil fill plugand check oil level. If level is not up to

"FULL"mark on dipstick,add recommendedoil, untilit is.
POUR SLOWLY. Wipe dipstickclean each timeoil level is

checked. DO NOT FILL ABOVE "FULL" MARK ON DIP-

STICK.

F. Replace oil fill plug and tighten securely.
See "MAINTENANCE" section for any future oit levet and oil

change instructions(see Page 2).

161-1204-11

BEFORE STARTING (Continued)

STOPPING

(_) FILL FUEL TAN K withgasotineas specified inthe preceding

"OIL & FUEL RECOMMENDATIONS" item 2.

NEVER MIX OIL WITH GASOLINE

Never use=stale"gasolineleft overfrom lastseasonorstoredfor

long periods.

_k NEVER FILL FUEL TANK INDOORS. NEVER FILL FUELTANK

WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING OR HO'[. DO NOT SMOKE WHEN

I FILLINGFUELTANK. ' "

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

BELOW BO'I-rOM OF FILLER NECKTO PROVIDE SPACE FOR
FUEL EXPANSION. WIPE ANY FUEL SPILLAGE FROM EN-

G NE AND EQU PMENT BEFORE START NG ENG NE.

_k ANY LIQUEFlED PETROLEUM (LPG) OR NATURAL GAS FUEL

SYSTEM MUST BE LEAKPROOF AND MEET ALI_ APPLICA-
BLE CODES AND REGULATIONS.

(_ CHECK THE FOLLOWING:

_IIA. BE SURE EQUIPMENT IS IN NEUTRAL GEAR WITH]

CLUTCHES, BELTS, CHAINS AND SAFETY SWITCHES_

DISENGAGED. (FOLLOW EQUIPMENT MANU- /
FACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS.) THIS SHOULD pLACE I

ANY SAFETY SWITCHES IN SAFE STARTING POSITION. /

B. Be suresparkplugwire is attechedto spark plug(see Figure

t).

STARTING

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

(_) AFTER ENGINE IS STOPPED:

,_A. DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WlRE FROM SPARK PLUG

AND ATTACH ITTO RETAINING POST(seeFgure3).

,_B. NEVER STORE ENGINE WITH FUELIN TANKINDOORS OR I

IN ENCLOSED, POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, WHERE I

FUEL FUMES MAY REACH AN OPEN FLAME, SPARK ORI
PILOT LIGHT AS ON A FURNACE, WATER HEATER,

CLOTHES DRYER OR OTHER GAS APPL ANCE.

ROPEGUIDE

ure 2

SPARK PLUG

_ NEVER RUN ENGINE INDOORS OR IN ENCLOSED, POORLY

VENTILATED AREAS. ENGINE EXHAUST CONTAINS CAR-

BON MONOXIDE, AN ODORLESS AND DEADLY GAS (CAR-
BON MONOXIDE IS ALSO PRESENT IN ENGINE EXHAUST

FROMLIQUID PETROLEUM (LPG) AND NATURAL GASFUEL
SYSTEMS).

,_ KEEP HANDS, FEET, HAIR AND LOOSE CLOTHING AWAY

FROM ANY MOVING PARTS ON ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT.

,_WARNING: TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBY

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

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

(_) START ENGINE

A. The carburetor on your engine has been completelyadjusted

at the factory. When startinga cold engine, push red pdmer
bulb firmly with your thumb 5 times, allowing primerbulb to
return completely to original position between pushes. Re-
peat the above for each starter operation as necessary.

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

S. Grasp starter handle (see Figure 2) and pullropeout, slowly,

untilit pullsslightlyharder. Let rope rewind slowly.Then pull

ropewitha rapidfullarmstroke.Letrope rewindSLOWLY. Do
not let starter handle snap back against rope guide (see

Figure2).

C. Repeat instructionB if necessary, untilengine starts.

NOTE: Ifengine does notstart, repeat instructionsA, S and
C until itstarts.

ENGINE SPEED: Engine speed iscontrolled bythe ENGINE CON-
TROL see Figure 1).
ENGINE CONTROL should be in HI position for highgrass condi-

tions and for most efficient baggingin heavy grass conditions,and
in LOW positionfor tightgrass, trimmingand for fuel economy. Page 2

RETAINING POST

Figure 3

PARK PLUG WIRE

MAINTENANCE

,_WARNING: TEMPERATURE OF MUFFLER AND NEARBY1

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

(_ CHECK OIL LEVEL:

Checkoillevel everyfive(5) operatinghoursoreachtime engine

isused.See "_ CHECK OIL LEVEL"in"BEFORE STARTING"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 mnnina.

_ILA. DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM SPARK PLUG

AND ATrACH IT TO RETAINING POST (see Rgure 3).

B. Positionequipmentso engineondrainplugislowestpoint on

engine.

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

1).

D. Replace oil drain plug and tighten securely.

E. Fill oil sumpwith recommended oil. See "OIL & FUEL REC-

OMMENDATIONS" 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 spilledoil and/or gasoline.
NOTE: If itisdifficulttoreachthe oildrainplug,drainfuel.Remove

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

181-1204-11

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 ifusedinextremely dusty
ordirty conditions.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN OROIL FILTER.
Replacement filters are availableat 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, Discardfilter.

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 leftcorner 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 retainersare locked

around flange.

FLANGE

FILTER CLOCKWISE)

TO REMOVE

(_) SPARK PLUG (see Figure5}:

This spark ignition system meets all requirements of the Cana-
dianInterference-Causing EquipmentRegulations. This engine

complieswith all currentAustralian 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 ifelectrodesare pitted,burned orporce-

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

NOTE; A resistorspark plugmust be used for replacement.

D, Check electrodes gap with wire feeler gauge andset gap at

.030 if necessary.

E. Install spark plug, tighten securely,

ELECTRODE_

Figure 5

SLOT

TAB

RETAINER

F_ure 4

TO THE RIGHT
(CLOCKWISE)

TO TIGHTEN

(_) COOLING SYSTEM (see Figure1):

IMPORTANT: Frequentlyremove any grassclippings,dirt and
debris fromcoolingfins, air intake screen and leversand linkage
(see Figure 1). Thiswillhelpensure adequatecoolingand correct

engine speed.

®

_k CHECK ENGINE AND EQUIPMENT OFTEN FORLOOSE NUTS 1

BOLTS AND ATTACHMENTS, AND KEEP THESE ITEM_

I TmHTe.ED. !

Page 3 181.1204-11