Craftsman 247288842 Owner’s Manual

perator's

I:RnFrSMRN°

LAWN TRACTOR

19.5 HP, Variation Speed

42" Deck

Model No. 247.288842

• Espanol, P. 59

This product has a low emission engine which operates differently

from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and

understand this Operator's Manual.

For answers to your questions about

Before using this equipment, read this manual and follow

all safety rules and operating

instructions.

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-06421C

this product, Call:

1-800=659=5917

CraftsmanTractorHelpLine

7 am =7 pm CT, Mort. =Sun.

(February3,2012)

Off-Season Storage ........................................................ 27

Trou bleshooting .............................................................. 28

Labels ............................................................................. 29

Parts List ......................................................................... 30

Espafiol ............................................................................ 59

Service Numbers ............................................. Back Cover

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthe dateofpurchase,all non-expendablepartsofthis ridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsin material orworkmanship.Adefectivenon-expendablepartwill receivefreein-homerepairor replacementif repairis impossible.

FORFIVEYEARSfromthe dateofpurchase,theframeof thisridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship. A defectiveframewillreceivefree in-homerepairor replacementifrepairis impossible.

FORTENYEARSfromthe dateofpurchase,thefrontaxleofthisridingequipmentis warrantedagainstanydefectsin materialorworkman- ship.A defectivefrontaxlewillreceivefreein-homerepairor replacementif repairisimpossible.

FOR90 DAYSfromthedateof purchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)of thisridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstany defectsinmaterial orworkmanship(ourtestingprovesthatit willnotholdacharge).Adefectivebatterywill receivefree in-homereplacement.

ADDITIONALLIFETIMELIMITEDWARRANTYonCASTIRONFRONTAXLE(if equipped) FORAS LONGASITISUSEDbytheoriginalownerafterthetenthyearfromthedateofpurchase,thecastironfrontaxle(if equipped)of this ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor workmanship.Withproofof purchase,a defectivecastironfrontaxlewill

receivefreein-homereplacement.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainfreerepairor replacement,call 1-800-659-5917orvisitthe website:www.craftsman.corn Inallcasesabove,if partrepairor replacementisimpossible,the ridingequipmentwillbe replacedfreeofchargewiththe sameor an

equivalentmodel. Alloftheabovewarrantycoverageisvoidifthisridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorifrentedtoanotherperson.

This warrantycovers ONLYdefects in material andworkmanship. Warranty coveragedoes NOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwear outfromnormalusewithinthe warrantyperiod,includingbutnot limitedto blades,

sparkplugs,aircleaners,belts,andoil filters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,or glass.

• Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,or improperoperationormaintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityof

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedby

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfuel determinedtobecontaminatedor oxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbe

• Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,orproductlabelreplacement.

theridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyorcrankshaft,or over-speedingtheengine.

improperstorage,failureto usethe propergradeandamountof engineoil,failureto keepthedeckclearof flammabledebris,or failureto maintaintheridingequipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

usedwithin30 daysd its purchasedate.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

SearsBrands ManagementCorporation, NoffmanEstates,[L 60179

EngineOil: SAE30 Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC Engine: Briggs& StrattonIntek®

Model Number: Serial Number:

Dateof Purchase:

Recordthe modelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof yourselfandothers. Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron thepartoftheoperatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethe followingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateof California tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate. Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheir properoperation.Knowhow tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperatethis machine. Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadandunderstandthe operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthismanualandshould betrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsat least75feetfromthe machinewhile itisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobeused. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbythe blade(s). Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeofmaterialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseof thispowermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsandinstruc-

tionsin thismanualandon the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperformingan adjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjuryto the eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbe caughtin movable parts.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.

• Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand do notpointit at anyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherinits properplace.

Donot puthandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor underthe cutting

deck.Contactwiththe blade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet. A missingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroads andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineis notintendedforuseonanypublicroadway.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhileunderthe influenceofalcohol or drugs.

• Mowonly indaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.Backupslowly. Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile backingtoavoida

back-overaccident.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil theblade(s)cometoa completestopbeforeremovinggrass catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor debris,or makinganyadjustments.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore dismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupor down ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtip over,causingserious personalinjury.Themachinemustbe pushedmanuallyon ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot touch.

Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtree branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould resultinseriousinjury.

Disengageallattachmentclutchesanddepressthebrakepedal completelybeforeattemptingto startengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpiles of dryleaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedfor this machine bythe machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwiththe approvedaccessoryorattachment. Fora list ofapprovedaccessoriesandattachments,call 1-800-

659-5917. Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilityto operatetheriding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom seriousinjury.

If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgment.Contact1-800-659-5917forinformationand

assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossof controlandtip-over accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor ifyoufeeluneasyon it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartofthismanual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthismachineona slopedor hilly area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe Slope Guide,do notoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowupanddownslopes,notacross.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingsothat youwill nothaveto stopor shiftwhileon the slope.Tiresmay losetractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesarefunctioning properly.Alwayskeepmachinein gearwhengoingdownslopes totakeadvantageof enginebrakingaction.

• Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweights or counterweightstoimprovestability.Forrecommendations,call

1-800-659-5917.

• Useextracarewithgrasscatchersor otherattachments.These canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donotmake suddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidengagementor brakingcouldcausethefrontofthemachinetolift andrapidlyflip overbackwardswhichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

• Avoidstartingorstoppingonaslope.Iftireslosetraction,disen- gagetheblade(s)andproceedslowlystraightdownthe slope.

DoNot:

• Donotturnon slopesunlessnecessary;then,turnslowlyand graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.Themower couldsuddenlyturnoverifa wheelis overtheedgeofa cliff, ditch,or ifan edgecavesin.

• Donottry to stabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfootonthe ground.

• Donotusea grasscatcheronsteepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donotattempttocoastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe operatortolosecontrolofthe machineresultinginseriousinjury

or death.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart, lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing downhill,theextraweighttendstopushthe tractorandmay causeyouto loosecontrol(e.g.tractormayspeedup,brakingand steeringabilityarereduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause tractorto overturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalert tothepresence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthe mowing activity.Theydonotunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaand inwatchfulcareofa responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealert andturnmachineoff ifa childentersthearea.

• Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindanddownforsmall children.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththe blade(s)shutoff.Theymay falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionofachild whomayrunintothe machine.

Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethe cutting blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.Ifequipped,the"Reverse CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesinreverse)

shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenor othersarearound. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedto preventunauthorized operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine. Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe instructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon the machineandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Do notattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.For recommendations,

call1-800-659-5917. Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment.

Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof tractionandlossof control.

Alwaysuseextracautionwhentowingwitha machinecapableof makingtightturns(e.g."zero-turn"ride-onmower). Makewide turnstoavoidjack-knifing.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistanceto stop. Donotcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.

Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleorona truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthegroundaway fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerim of thefueltankor containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors. Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineis hotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbeforerefueling. Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktono morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff the engineandequipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeof grass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlight as ona waterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe blade(s)andallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocomplete stopwithinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe bladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthe thistimeframe,yourmachineshouldbeservicedprofessionally byaSearsorotherqualifiedservicedealer.

• Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyasitissubjectedtowearduring normaloperation.Adjustandserviceasrequired.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s) fordamage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked).Replacethe blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

insafeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththe safetyinterlocksystemor othersafety devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainstthe engine.Thoroughly inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothe machine whilethe engineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoveraresubject towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof partswhichdo not meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.to protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingtothe ConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct hasanAverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or 270hours ofoperation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLife,buyanew machineor havethemachineinspectedannuallybya Searsor otherqualifiedservicedealerto ensurethatall mechanicaland safetysystemsareworkingproperlyandnot wornexcessively.

Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoid seriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththe governorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand shouldnotbe usedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered, brushcoveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,it shouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis required bylaw (Section4442of the CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthemuffleris availablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthemachine beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

BYSTANDERS Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in

operation.

WARNING-- SLOPE OPERATION

Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and muffler to cool before touching.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass

catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.

15° Slope

(OK)

'_. _ Figure1

(TOO STEEP)

Figure2

15°

dashedline

USETHISSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

IFA SLOPEISTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfoldalongthedashedline.

2. Locateaverticalobject onor behindthe slope(e.g.a pole, building,fence, tree,etc.)

3. Align eithersideoftheslope gaugewith theobject(SeeFigure1and Figure2).

4. Adjust gaugeupor downuntilthe left cornertouchesthe slope(SeeFigure1and Figure2).

If thereisagap belowthegauge,theslopeistoo steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-overaccidentswhich can resultin severe injury or death. Do not operatemachine on slopes in excess of 15degrees.All slopesrequire extra caution. Ifyou cannot backup the slope orif you feeluneasyon it, do not mowit.

Always mowup and down theface ofslopes, never mowacrossthe faceof slopes.

IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroil in theengine. However,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.Refertothe Service& Maintenancesectionforinstructionson checkingtheoil

level. Attaching the Battery Cables

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red) wireto its terminalfirst,followedby theNEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmenthave beenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsat the factory.Toconnect thebatterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative batteryterminalis markedNeg.(i).

1. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe positivebattery terminaland attachthe redcableto thepositivebatteryterminal (+)withtheboltandhexnut.See Figure1.

2. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe negativebattery terminaland attachtheblackcabletothe negativebattery terminal(-) withthebolt andhex nut.SeeFigure1.

Shipping Brace Removal

Makesurethe ridingmower'sengineisoff,removetheignitionkey,

andset the parkingbrakebeforeremovingtheshippingbrace.Refer

ItotheOperationsectionfor instructionsonhowto setthe parking lbrake.

• Locatetheshippingbrace,ifpresent,andaccompanyingwarning tagfoundonthe rightsideof the mower,betweenthedischarge chutedeflectorandthe cuttingdeck.SeeFig.2.

Figure2

Figure1

3. Positionthe redrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminalto helpprotectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:If thebatteryisputinto serviceafterthedateshownon topof battery,chargethebatteryas instructedintheService& Maintenance sectionofthis manualpriortooperatingthetractor.

Placethedecklift leverinthe highestcuttingposition.Referto

SettingtheCuttingHeightin the Operationsectionofthismanual. Whilepushingthedischargechuteddlectortowardsthemachinewith

yourlefthand,removetheshippingbracewithyourrighthandbygrasp- ingitbetweenyourthumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

Theshippingbrace,usedfor packagingpurposesonly,mustbe

removedand discardedbeforeoperatingyourridingmower.

Themowingdeckiscapableofthrowingobjects.Failureto operate the ridingmowerwithoutthedischargecoverin theproperoperating

Ipositioncouldresultin seriouspersonalinjuryand/orproperty ldamage.

Attaching The Steering Wheel

Ifthesteeringwheelforyourtractordid notcomeattached,the hardwareforattachingithasbeenpackedwithinthe steeringwheel, beneaththesteeringwheelcap.Carefullypryoff thesteeringwheel capandremovethe hardware.

1. Withthe wheelsof thetractorpointingstraightforward,placethe steeringwheeloverthesteeringshaft.

2. Placethewasher(withthecuppedsidedown)overthesteering wheeland securewiththehex bolt.SeeFig.3.

Adjusting the Seat Toadjustthe positionof theseat,pullupandholdtheseatadjustment

lever.Slidetheseatforwardor rearwardtothedesiredposition;then releasetheadjustmentlever.Makesure seatis lockedintopositionin

a seat-stopbeforeoperatingthe tractor.SeeFigure5.

Beforeoperatingthetractor,makesurethe seatis engagedina seat-stop.Engagetheparkingbrake.Standbehindthe machineand pull backon seatuntil it clicksintoplace.

3. Placethe steeringwheelcap overthe centerof the steering

Figure3

wheeland pushdownwarduntilit"clicks"intoplace.

Attaching The Seat NOTE:Forshippingreasons,theseatis eitherfastenedtothetractor

seat'spivotbracketwitha plastictie,or mountedbackwardtothepivot bracket.Ineithercase,free the seatfromits shippingpositionbeing carefulnotto bendor kinkthewiringharnessandfollowtheinstruc-

tionsbelowtoattachit.

1. Removethetwo hexscrewsandnutsfromtheseatpivotbracket.

2. Alignthefrontholesof theseatmountingbracketwiththeholesin theseatpivotbracketonyourtractorandsecurewith previously removedhex screwsandnuts. SeeA in Figure4.

3. Plugthewiringharnessintotheseatsafetyswitchinthebottomof theseat,asshownin Bof Figure4.

NOTE:Thetractorwillnotoperatewiththe wiringharness disconnected.

," -)

Figure5

Tire Pressure

Maximumtire pressureunderanycircumstancesis 30 psi.Equal

tirepressureshouldbe maintainedatall times.Neverexceedthe

_maxmum nfatonpressureshownonthesdewa of thet re. Therecommendedoperatingtirepressureis:

Approximately10psi forthe reartires Approximately14psi forthefronttires

iMPORTANT: Refertothe tire sidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's recommendedormaximumpsi.Donot overinfiate.Uneventirepres-

surecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

Figure4

Figure6

A ParkingBrakeLever

B Throttle/ChokeControlLever

C IgnitionSwitchModule D Auto-drivePedal

E DeckLift Lever

NOTE: Anyreferenceinthis manualtothe RIGHTorLEFTsideofthetractoris observedfromoperator'sseat positionfacingforwardtowardsthefrontoftractor.

Meets ANS! Safety Standards

CraftsmanTractorsconformtothesafetystandardof theAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

F PTOLever(BladeEngage) G Cup Holder

H Shift Lever

I SeatAdjustmentLever

J BrakePedal

PARKING BRAKE LEVER

Tosetthe parkingbrake: Fullydepressthebrakepedal.Movethe parkingbrakeleverintotheparkingbrakeposition.Releasethebrake pedaltoallowtheparkingbraketoengage.

Toreleasethe parking brake: Depressthebrakepedalandthe park- ingbrakeleverwillmoveoutof the parkingbrakepositiononits own. Theparkingbrakewillthenbe released.Releasethebrakepedal.

NOTE: Theparkingbrakemustbe setifthe operatorleavestheseat withtheenginerunningortheenginewillautomaticallyshutoff.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL LEVER

Thethrottle/chokecontrolleveris locatedontherightside ofthetrac-

tor'sdashpanel.Thislevercontrols thespeedof theengineandwhen pushedallthe wayforward,the

chokecontrolalso.Whensetin agivenposition,thethrottlewill

maintaina uniformenginespeed. iMPORTANT: Whenoperating

thetractorwiththecuttingdeck engaged,thethrottle/chokecontrol levermustalwaysbeintheFAST (rabbit)position.

IGNITION SWITCH

Thekeyswitchmoduleisusedto startand stoptheengine.Insert keyintothe keyswitchmodule

andturnclockwisetotheSTART position.Releasethekeyintothe

normalmowingpositiononceen- ginehasstarted.The headlights willbeactivatedautomatically.

Tostoptheengine,turnthe ignitionkeycounterclockwiseto theSTOPposition.

IMPORTANT:Priorto operatingthe tractor,refertoboththe "Safety InterlockSystem"and"StartingTheEngine"laterin thissectionofthis manualfordetailedinstructionsregardingtheIgnitionSwitchModule.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO (BladeEngageLever),moveshiftleverintoneutralposition,setpark- ingbrake,stopengineand removekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Theseatadjustmentleverislocatedbelowthefront!leftoftheseat.The leverallowsforadjustmentof theforeandaft positionofthe seat.Refer tothe Assemblysectionofthemanual formoredetailedinstructionsfor adjustingthe seatposition.

CHOKE

FAST

-tell

SLOW

AUTO-DRIVE PEDAL

Thedrivepedalis locatedonthe rightsideof the tractor,alongthe

runningboard.Depressthedrivepedalforwardandthetractorwill moveinthedirectionthattheshiftleverisengagedin.Tocausethe tractorto travelforward,whileata completestop,movethe shiftlever intothe Forwardposition.Graduallysteponthedrivepedalandthe tractorwill begintomoveforward.Tomovein Reverse,followthesame procedureonlymovethe shiftleverintothe reverseposition.

Thegroundspeediscontrolledwiththedrivepedal.Thefurther forwardthatthepedalispivoted,thefasterthetractorwilltravel. Thepedalwill returntoitsoriginalpositionwhenit'snotdepressed.

Refertothe Operationsectionofthismanualfordetailedinstructions

regardingthedrivepedal.

IMPORTANT: Alwayssettheparkingbrakewhenleavingthetractor unattended.

DECK LIFT LEVER

Foundonyourtractor'srightfender,thedecklift leverisused tochangetheheightof thecuttingdeck.Touse,movethe leverto theleft,thenplace inthe notchbestsuitedfor your application.

PTO (BLADE ENGAGE) LEVER

Foundonthe tractor'srightfender,the PTO(bladeengage) leveris usedtoengagepowertothecuttingdeckorother (separatelyavailable)attachments.Tooperate,movethe leverall thewayforward.Movingtheleverallthe way

rearwardintothePTOOFFpositiondisengagespowertothe cuttingdeck/attachment.

NOTE: ThePTO(bladeengage)levermustbein the disengaged(PTOOFF)positionwhenstartingtheengine.

CUP HOLDER

Thetractor'scupholderis locatedonthe fendertothe left of theseat.

SHIFT LEVER _"

Theshift leveris locatedon theleft sideof the fenderandhasthree

positions,FORWARD,NEUTRAL and REVERSE.The brakepedal mustbedepressedandthetractor

mustnotbe inmotionwhenthe movingshiftlever.

IMPORTANT: Neverforcethe shiftlever.Doingsomayresultin

seriousdamageto thetractor's transmission.

BRAKE PEDAL

Thebrakepedalis locatedon theleftsideof thelawntractor,alongthe

runningboard.Depressthebrakepedaltoengagethe discbrakeand bringthetractorto acompletestop.

NOTE: Thepedalmustbedepressedto starttheengine.Referto SafetyInterlockSwitcheslaterin thissectionofthismanual.

GAS AND OIL FILL-UP 0il

IMPORTANT: Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroilintheengine. However,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.Becareful

nottooverfill. Forinstructionsonhowto checktheengineoil, refertoCheckingThe

EngineOilintheServiceandMaintenancesectionofthis manual.

Gasoline

Thegasolinetank islocatedunderthehood.Donotoverfill.

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremely flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelmachineindoors

orwhiletheengineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars, p pes,andothersourcesof gn ton.

NOTE : Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Do notusegasolineleft overfromthe previousseason,to minimizegumdepositsinthefuel system.

• Thisengineiscertifiedto operateonunleadedgasoline.For best results,fillthefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasoline witha pumpstickeroctaneratingof 87or higher.

• Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolineby volume)isanapprovedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblends,such asE85,arenot approved.

• MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends (uptoa maximumof 15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels. Othergasoline/etherblendsarenotapproved.

• Fillfueltankoutdoorsorinwell-ventilatedarea.

• Donotoverfillfuel tank. Filltanktono morethan 1/2inchbelow

bottomof fillernecktoallowspacefor fuelexpansion.

• Neverremovegascap oraddfuelwhiletheengineishot or run- ning.Allowenginetocoolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• If gasolineisspilled,wipe itofftheengineandequipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe engine.

To Add Gasoline

1. Turntheengineoff andletenginecoolat least2 minutesbefore removingthe fuelcap.Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthe hood.Removethefuel capbyturningitcounterclockwise.

2. Fillthefueltankwithgasoline.Useonlyclean,fresh(nomore than30 daysold),unleadedgasoline.Filltankto nomore than1/2 inchbelowbottomoffillerneckto allowspacefor fuel expansion.

3. Reinstallthefuelcap.

IMPORTANT: Donotoverfillthetank.Filltankto nomorethan1/2 inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.See

Fig.7.

Figure7

Avoid Serious injury or Death

• Go upanddownslopes,notacross.

• Avoidsuddenturns.

• Donotoperatetheunitwhereitcouldslipor tip.

• Ifmachinestopsgoinguphill,stopbladesandbackdownhill

slowly.

• Donotmowwhenchildrenorothersarearound.

• Nevercarrychildren,evenwithbladesoff.

• Lookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking.

• Keepsafetydevices(guards,shields,andswitches)in place andworking.

• Removeobjectsthatcouldbethrownbytheblades.

• Knowlocationandfunctionof allcontrols.

• Besurebladesandenginearestoppedbeforeplacinghandsor feetnearblades.

• Beforeleavingoperator'sposition,stoptractor,disengage blades,engageparkingbrake,shutengineoff,and removekey.

Read Operator's Manual

SAFETY iNTERLOCK SYSTEM

Thesafetyinterlocksystemisdesignedforsafeoperationof thetrac- tor.Ifthis systemshouldevermalfunction,do notoperatethetractor, Immediatelycontact1-800-4-MY-HOMEto havethesystemserviced.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromstarting unlesstheparkingbrakeis engagedandthe PTO(BladeEngage) leveris inthe disengaged(OFF)position.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutoff theengineif theoperatorleavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwill automaticallyshutoff theengine ifthe operatorleavesthetractor'sseatwiththePTO(Blade Engage)leverengaged,regardlessofwhethertheparkingbrake isengaged.

• Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoffif thePTO(BladeEngage) leveris movedintotheengaged(ON)positionwiththe shiftlever

in Reverse.

IGNITION SWITCH

Theignitionswitchisactivatedtostarttheengine,insertkeyintothe ignitionswitchandturnclockwisetothe STARTposition.Releasethe

Start

off

SETTING THE CUTTING HEIGHT

1. Selectthe heightpositionof the cuttingdeckbyplacingthedeck lift leverinanyof the differentcuttingheightnotchesonthe right

sideof the fender.

2. Adjustthedeck wheelssothattheyare between1A-inchand 1/2-inchabovethegroundwhenthe tractorisona smooth,fiat surfacesuchas adriveway.

To adjust Deck Wheels:

1. Removetheflangelocknuton the shoulderboltsecuringthe deckwheel.

2. Positionthe wheeltothedesiredheightas listedabove.SeeFig.

3. Securethe shoulderboltwiththe flangelocknut.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningofthecutting

deck.

NOTE: Thedeckwheelsarean anti-scalpfeatureofthedeckand

are notdesignedtosupporttheweightofthe cuttingdeck.Referto

LevelingintheMaintenance& Servicesectionof thismanualformore

detailedinstructionsregardingvariousdeckadjustments.

keyintotheONpositiononceenginehasfired. Tostoptheengine,turnthe ignitionkeycounterclockwiseto theOFF

position.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO, moveshiftleverintoneutralposition,setparkingbrake,stopengine

_andremovekeytopreventunntendedstartng.

ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE

To engage the parking brake:

1. Fullydepressthebrakepedalandholdit downwithyourfoot.

2. Movethespeedcontrolleverallthewaydownandintothe parkingbrakeposition.

3. Releasethe brakepedalto allowthe parkingbraketo engage.

To release the parking brake:

1. Depressthebrakepedalandmovethespeedcontrolleveroutof theparkingbrakepositionandintoa desiredspeed.

Figure8

STARTING THE ENGINE

Donot operatethetractoriftheinterlocksystemismalfunctioning.

Thissystemwasdesignedforyoursafetyand protection.

NOTE: Refertothe GasolineandOilfill-upinstructionsearlierinthis

section.

1. Insertthetractorkeyintotheignitionswitch.

2. PlacethePTO(BladeEngage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF) position.

3. Engagethe tractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Activatethechokecontrolby movingthethrottle/chokeleverall thewayupintothechokeposition.

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTARTposition.Afterthe enginestarts,releasethekey.Itwill returntothe ON (or Normal Mowing)position.

DoNOTholdthekeyintheSTARTpositionfor longerthan ten secondsata time.Doingso maycausedamagetoyourengine's

electricstarter.

6. Aftertheenginestarts,deactivatethechokecontroland placethe throttlecontrolinthe FASTposition.

NOTE: DoNOTleavethechokecontrolonwhileoperatingthetractor. Doingso willresultin a"rich"fuelmixtureandcausetheenginetorun poorly.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

Ifyoustrikea foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthespark plugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthe machinefor anydamage.Repairthedamagebeforerestartingand operating

If thebladesareengaged,placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverin thedisengaged(OFF)position.

Turntheignitionkeycounterclockwiseto theSTOPposition.

Removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchto preventunintended starting.

DRIVING THE TRACTOR

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

Donot leavetheseatof the tractorwithoutfirstplacingthePTO (BladeEngage)leverin thedisengaged(OFF)position,depressing thebrakepedalandengagingtheparkingbrake.Ifleavingthetractor unattended,alsoturntheignitionkeyoffand removethekey.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile backinguptoavoida back-overaccident.

1. Depressthebrakepedalto releasetheparkingbrakeandthenlet thepedalup.

2. Movethe throttleleverintothe FAST(rabbit)position.

3. PlacetheshiftleverineithertheFORWARDor REVERSE position.

iMPORTANT: DoNOTuse theshiftleverto changethedirection

oftravelwhenthetractoris inmotion.Alwaysusethebrakepedalto

bringthetractortoa completestopbeforeshifting.

4. Graduallybegintoapplypressuretothedrivepedal.Thefurther

downthe pedalispushed,the fasterthetractorwilltravelinthe desireddirectionbasedon thepositionofthe shiftlever.

5. Thelawntractorisbroughttoa stopbyreleasingthedrivepedal

andthendepressingthe brakepedal.

Beforeleavingthe operator'spositionforanyreason,disengagethe blades,placethe shiftleverinneutral,engagethe parkingbrake, shutengineoff andremovethekey.

Whenstoppingthetractorfor any reasonwhileona grasssurface, always:

1. Placetheshiftleverinneutral,

2. Engagethe parkingbrake,

3. Shutengineoffand removethekey.Doingsowillminimizethe possibilityof havingyourlawn"browned"byhotexhaustfrom

yourtractor'srunningengine.

DRiViNG ON SLOPES

Refertothe SLOPEGAUGEintheSafetyInstructionssectionofthe manualtohelpdetermineslopeswhereyou mayoperatethistractor safely.

Donotmowoninclineswitha slope inexcessof 15degrees(a rise ofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Thetractorcouldoverturn

[and causeserous njury.

• Mowupanddownslopes,NEVERacross. Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.

Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects. Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles. Avoidturnswhendrivingona slope.Ifa turnmustbemade,turn

downthe slope.Turningupa slopegreatlyincreasesthechance ofa rollover.

Avoidstoppingwhendrivingupa slope.Ifit isnecessaryto stop whiledrivingupa slope,start upsmoothlyandcarefullytoreduce thepossibilityofflippingthetractoroverbackward.

ENGAGING THE BLADES

Engagingthe PTO(BladeEngage)transferspowertothecuttingdeck orother(separatelyavailable)attachments.Toengagethe blades, proceedasfollows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertotheFAST(rabbit)position.

2. Graspthe PTO(BladeEngage)leverandpivotit all theway forwardintothe engaged(ON)position.

3. Keepthethrottleleverinthe FAST(rabbit)positionfor the most efficientuseof thecuttingdeckor other(separatelyavailable)

attachments.

NOTE: Theenginewill automaticallyshutoff ifthe PTOisengaged withtheshiftleverinpositionforreversetravelwiththeignitionkeyin theONposition.

MULCHING

A mulchkit isavailableas an attachment.Mulchingisa processof recirculatinggrassclippingsrepeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.The ultra-fineclippingsarethenforcedbackintothelawnwheretheyact as

a naturalfertilizer. A mulchkitcan be purchasedthroughtheretaillocationinwhichyou

purchasedthistractor.Formore information,simply contact Sears at 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

USING THE DECK LIFT LEVER

Toraisethecuttingdeck,movethedecklift leverto theleft,thenplace itin thenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.RefertoSettingThe CuttingHeightearlierinthis section.

MOWING

Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,keepbystand- ers,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachine whileit is in operation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.

Thefollowinginformationwill behelpfulwhenusingthecuttingdeck withyourtractor:

Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeof materialstoward

roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarging materialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischarged materialtoricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Donotmowat highgroundspeed,especiallyifa mulchkitor grasscollectorisinstalled.

• Forbestresultsit isrecommendedthatthefirsttwolapsbecut withthedischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirsttwo laps, reversethedirectionto throwthedischargeto theoutside forthe balanceofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearancetothe

lawn.

• Donotcutthegrasstooshort.Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowth andyellowsquicklyindryweather.

• Mowingshouldalwaysbedonewiththeengineatfull throttle.

• Underheavierconditionsit maybe necessaryto go backoverthe

cut areaa secondtimetoget a cleancut.

• Do NOTattemptto mowheavybrushandweedsandextremely tallgrass.Yourtractorisdesignedtomowlawns,NOTclear

brush.

• Keepthe bladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.Refer to CuttingBladesintheServicesectionofthismanualfor proper bladesharpeninginstructions.

HEADLIGHTS

• ThelampsareONwheneverthetractor'sengineis running.

• ThelampsturnOFFwhenthe ignitionkeyismovedto theSTOP

position.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring operationorwhileperforminganyadjustmentsor repairs.

BeforeEachUse 1.

Inthe FirstFiveHours 1. Every10Hours 1.

Engineoil level Mufflerareaandcontrols

Fingerguard EngineOil Hood/Dashairvents Batteryterminals

Deckspindlesandidler

1. Check

2. Clean

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

bracket

Every25 hours 1.

Air filter'sprecleaner* Air filter*

Midsteeringarms,pivot

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

shafts,andaxles

Every50 hours 1.

Annually 1.

BeforeStorage 1.

Frontwheelbearings Frontdeckwheels

Engineoil/Oil filter Muffler

Air filter Air filter'spre-cleaner

Sparkplug

Air coolingsystem*

Fuelfilter SteeringGears

RearWheels Hood/Dashairvents Batteryterminals

Midsteeringarms,pivot

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

1. Change/Replace

2. Check

1. Replace

2. Replace

3. Replace

4. Clean

5. Replace

6. Clean

7. Removeandgreaseaxles

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

shafts,andaxles

Frontwheelbearings

Frontdeckwheels

Deckspindlesandidler

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

6. Lubricate

bracket

*Servicemorefrequentlyunder

Pedalpivotpoints

dustyconditions.

7. Lubricate

Followthe maintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumnto keeptrack

ofcompletedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearestParts&

RepairService Centeror to scheduleservice,simplycontact 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengagethePTO (BladeEngageLever),engagethe parkingbrake,stoptheengine andremovethekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

If theenginehasbeenrecentlyrun,theengine,mufflerandsur- roundingmetalsurfaceswillbehotandcancauseburnstotheskin.

Exercisecautiontoavoidburns.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Engine Oil Onlyuse highqualitydetergentoilratedwithAPIserviceclassification

SF,SG,SH,or SJ.Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingto theexpectedoperatingtemperature.Followthe chartbelow.

Althoughmulti-viscosityoils (5W20,10W30,etc.)improvestarting incoldweather,theywillresultinincreasedoilconsumptionwhen

usedabove32°E Checkyourengineoillevelmorefrequentlyto avoid possibleenginedamagefromrunninglowon oil.

Colder_ 32°F _Warmer

5W20

Oil Viscosity Chart

_, J

Tochecktheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

• Ensurethatthetractorisona levelsurface.

• Cleantheoil fillareaofanydebris.

1. Removethedipstickandwipewitha cleancloth.

2. Insertandtightendipstick.

3. Removethedipstickandcheckthe oil level.It shouldbeatthe Fullmarkonthedipstick.SeeFigure9.

Dipstick

Changing Engine Oil Theengineoil shouldbechangedinthe first5 hoursandthenevery

50 hoursoroncea season.Tochangetheengineoil,proceedas follows:

1. WithengineOFFbutstillwarm,disconnectsparkplugwireandkeep itawayfromsparkplug.

2. Removetheoilfillcap/dipstickfromtheoilfilltube.SeeFigure9.

3. Turnthesteeringwheelallthewaytothe righttobetterexposethe drainplug.

4. Cliptheoildrainsleeve(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoildrain port.Routetheoppositeendof thesleeveintoanappropriateoil collectioncontainerwitha capacitygreatenoughtocollecttheused

oil.

5. Removetheoildrainplug,Theoilwillbegintodrainoutoftheengine.

6. Aftertheoilhasfinisheddraining,replacetheoildrainplugand tighten.Becarefulnottoovertighten.

7. Removetheoildrainsleeveandstoreforlateruse.

8. Refilltheenginewithnewmotoroiluntiltheoillevelonthedipstick

readsFULL.Replacetheoilfillcap/dipstick.

Usedoil isa hazardouswasteproduct.Disposeof usedoil properly. Donotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyour localauthori- tiesoror contact1-800-4-MY-HOMEfora listof safedisposal/ recyclingfacilities.

Changing the Oil Filter

1. Draintheoil fromthe engineasdescribedabove.

2. Removetheoilfilteranddisposeofproperly.SeeFigure10.

3. Beforeyouinstallthe newoil filter,lightlylubricatethe oil filter

OilDrain

Valve

Oil Drain Sleeve

._.,,, J

Figure9

If low,addoil slowlyintotheengineoilfill. Do notoverfill.After addingoil,waitoneminuteandthenrechecktheoil level.

Donot overfill.Overfillingwithoilmaycausetheengineto notstart, hardstarting,orenginesmoking.IfovertheFULLmarkon the dipstick,drainoil toreduceoil levelto FULLmarkondipstick.

5. Replaceandtightendipstick.

Figure10

gasketwithfresh,cleanoil.

4. Installtheoilfilterby handuntilthegasketcontactstheoilfilter adapter,then tightentheoilfilter 1/2to3/4turns.

5. Addoil as describedabove.

6. Startand runtheengine.Astheenginewarmsup,checkforoil leaks.

7. Stopthe engineand checktheoillevel.ItshouldbeattheFULL

markon thedipstick.

Fuel Filter

)losioncancausesevereburnsor death.

• Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat, andotherignitionsources.

• Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor leaks.Replaceif necessary.

• Beforereplacingthefuel filter,drainthefueltankas perthe instructionsbelow.

• Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengine adequatetimetocool. Drainfuelintoan approvedcontainer outdoors,awayfromopenflame.

• Drainanylargevolumeof fuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthe fuellinefromthein-linefuel filterneartheengine.

• RemovethefuellinefromtheIn-lineside(sidetowardsthefuel tank)ofthefuel filter.

• Replacementpartsmustbethe sameandinstalledinthesame positionasthe originalparts.

• If fuelspills,waituntilitevaporatesbeforestartingengine.

• Beforereplacingthefuel filter,drainthefueltank. Otherwise,fuel canleakoutand causea fireor explosion.

ToDrainthe fuel:

1. Locatethefuelfilter,whichisroutedontheleftsideof theengine betweenthefueltankandthecarburetor,andmaybeattachedto theenginewitha tiestrap.Cutthetie strap,if present,thenpinch thein-lineclamponthefuelfilterwitha pairof pliers,slidethe clampupthefuelline.Pullthefuellinefreefromthefilterandplace theopenendof thelineintoanapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

Tochangethe fuel filter:

1. Useplierstosqueezethetabsontheotherclamp(theout-line sided thefuelfilter),thenslidetheclampawayfromthefuel filter. Twistandpullthefuellineoff of thefuelfilter.SeeFigure11.

2. Checkthefuellinesforcracksor leaks.Replaceif necessary.

3. Replacethefuel filterwithanoriginalequipmentreplacement filter.Call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®topurchasetheoriginalequip- mentreplacementfilter.

Securethefuellineswiththe clamps.

Air Cleaner

Iffilters,or coversare notinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjury ordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Do notattemptto starttheenginewith themremoved.

Donot usepressurizedair orsolventsto cleantheaircleaner

cartridge.

Theairfiltersystemusesa cylindricalcartridge.

1. Removethefasteners(A)andtheair filtercover(B).SeeFigure

12.

2. Toremovethefilter(C),lift theendofthefilterand thenpullthe filteroff the intake(D).

3. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthefilterona hardsurface.If thefilter

isexcessivelydirty,replacewitha newfilter.

4. Installthefilteronthe intake.Pushtheendofthefilterintothe

Figure12

baseas shown.Makesurefilterfits securelyinthebase. Installairfiltercoverandsecurewithfasteners.

Tab

Clamp

Fuel Line

Figure11

Spark Plug

1. Cleanareaaroundthe sparkplugbase.Do notsandblastspark plug.Sparkplugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushing andwashingwitha commercialsolvent

2. Removeand inspectthesparkplug.Checkgapto makesureit is setat .030".SeeFigure13.

Electrode Porcelain

.030 (.76 mm) gap

Figure13

3. Replacethe sparkplug(Champion®RC12YC)oncea season.

Muffler

Temperatureof mufflerandnearbyengineareasmayexceed150°F (65°0).Avoidcontactwiththeseareas.

• Inspectmufflerperiodically,and replaceifnecessary.Replace- mentpartsforthemufflermustbethesameand installedin the samepositionasthe originalparts.

Clean Engine

• Dailyor beforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chaffor accumulated debrisfromengine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean.

• Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeofany combustible debris.

• Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine.

• Enginepartsshouldbekeptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheat- ingandignitionofaccumulateddebris.

Donotusewatertocleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel system.Usea brushordrycloth.

Carburetor Adjustment

• Thecarburetoronthis engineisnot adjustable.

LUBRICATION

Beforelubricating,repairing,or inspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO (BladeEngageLever),moveshiftleverintoneutralposition,set parkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintended starting.

Pivot Points & Linkage Lubricateall the pivotpointsonthedrivesystem,parkingbrakeandlift

linkageat leastoncea seasonwithlightoil.

Rear Wheels

Therearwheelsshouldberemovedfromthe axlesonce aseason.

Lubricatetheaxlesandthe rimswellwithan all-purposegreasebefore re-installingthem.

Front Axles

Eachendof thetractor'sfrontpivotbarmaybeequippedwitha grease fitting.Lubricatewitha greasegunafterevery25hoursoftractor operation.

Battery Thebatteryissealedandismaintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbe

checked.

• Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof

corrosivebuild-up. Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applya lightcoatof

petroleumjelly orgreasetobothterminals.

• Alwayskeepthe rubberbootpositionedoverthepositiveterminal

to preventshorting.

iMPORTANT: If removingthebatteryforanyreason,disconnectthe

NEGATIVE(Black)wirefromitsterminalfirst,followedby the POSI- TIVE(Red)wire.Whenre-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthe

POSITIVE(Red)wiretoits terminalfirst,followedbythe NEGATIVE (Black)wire.Becertainthatthe wiresareconnectedtothecorrect terminals;reversingthemcouldchangethepolarityandresultin damagetoyourengine'salternatingsystem.

Cleaning Battery Cleanthe batterybyremovingitfromthetractorandwashingwith

a bakingsodaandwatersolution.Ifnecessary,scrapethebattery terminalswitha wirebrushto removedeposits.Coatterminalsand exposedwiringwithgreaseor petroleumjellytopreventcorrosion.

Battery Failures Somecommoncausesfor batteryfailureare:

Incorrectinitialactivation

• Overcharging

• Freezing

• Undercharging

• Corrodedconnections

Thesefailuresare NOTcoveredbyyourtractor'swarranty.

CLEANING THE ENGINE AND DECK

Anyfuel oroil spilledonthe machineshouldbe wipedoffpromptly.Do NOTallowdebristoaccumulatearoundthecoolingfinsofthe engine oron anyotherpart of themachine.

IMPORTANT: Theuseofa pressurewasherto cleanyourtractoris NOTrecommended.It maycausedamagetoelectricalcomponents, spindles,pulleys,bearingsor theengine.

A screwplugcanbefoundon yourtractor'sdecksurfaceasseenin Fig.14.Thisplugcanbereplacedwitha waterporttobeusedas part ofa separately-availabledeckwashsystem.

TheDeckWashSystemTM isusedtorinsegrassclippingsfromthe deck'sundersideand preventthebuildupof corrosivechemicals.

NOTE: A deckwash systemcanbe purchasedthroughtheretail locationinwhichyoupurchasedthis tractor.For moreinformation,call

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

2. Measurethedistancefromthefrontofthe bladetipto theground andthe rearofthebladetip totheground.Thefirstmeasure-

menttakenshouldbebetween1A"and3A"lessthanthe second measurement.Determinetheapproximatedistancenecessaryfor

properadjustmentandproceed,ifnecessary,tothenextstep.

3. Locatethe flangelocknutonthefrontsideof the stabilizer

bracket.SeeFig.15.

• Tightentheflangelocknutto raisethefrontofthe deck;

• Loosentheflangelock nuttolowerthe frontof thedeck.

Figure14

ADJUSTMENTS

Neverattempttomakeanyadjustmentswhiletheengineisrunning, exceptwherespecifiedintheoperator'smanual.

Leveling the Deck NOTE: Checkthe tractor'stirepressurebeforeperforminganydeck

levelingadjustments.Referto Tiresin theServicesectionofthis manualformoreinformationregardingtirepressure.

Front To Rear Thefrontof the cuttingdeckissupportedbya stabilizerbarthatcan

beadjustedtolevelthe deckfromfrontto rear.Thefrontofthe deck shouldbebetween1A-inchand3A-inchlowerthantherearofthedeck.

Adjustif necessaryas follows:

1. Withthetractorparkedona firm,levelsurface,placethelever forliftingthe platformon thesecondtothetop notch(second highestposition)androtatethebladeascloseaspossibleto the dischargechannelthat isparalleltothetractor.

Figure15

Side to Side Ifthecuttingdeckappearstobe mowingunevenly,a sideto side

adjustmentcan beperformed.Adjustifnecessaryasfollows:

1. Withthe tractorparkedona firm,levelsurface,placethedecklift leverinthe secondfromthe topnotch(secondhighestposition)

and rotatebothbladesso thattheyare perpendicularwiththe tractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromtheoutsideof theleft bladetip tothe groundandthedistancefromthe outsideoftherightbladetip to theground.Bothmeasurementstakenshouldbeequal.Ifthey're

not,proceedtothenextstep.

3. Loosen,but do NOTremove,thehex capscrewontheleft deck

hangerbracket.SeeFig.16.

4. Balancethedeckbyusinga wrenchtoturntheadjustmentgear

(foundimmediatelybehindthe hexcapscrewjustloosened)

clockwise/upor counterclockwise/down.Thedeck isproperly

balancedwhenboth bladetipmeasurementstakenearlierare

equal.

5. Retightenthehexcapscrewon the left deck hangerbracket whenproperadjustmentisachieved.

HexCapScrew

Figure16

Seat Adjustment Refertothe Assemblysectionofthismanualforseatadjustment

instructions. Parking Brake Adjustment

Neverattempttoadjustthebrakeswhiletheengineis running.Always disengagePTO(bladeengage)lever,moveshiftleverintoneutral

3osifion,stopengineandremovekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

thetractordoesnotcometo a completestopwhenthebrakepedal iscompletelydepressed,or ifthe tractor'srearwheelscanrollwiththe parkingbrakeapplied,thebrakeis in needof adjustment.Contactthe nearest SearsService Centerto haveyourbrakesproperlyadjusted.

Tolocatethenearest Parts&Repair ServiceCenteror to schedule service,contact 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

CUTTING DECK REMOVAL

To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows:

1. Placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF)

positionandengagetheparkingbrake.

2. Lowerthe deck by movingthe deck lift leverintothe bottom

notchon the rightfender.

3. Removethe self-tappingscrew(A)that securesthebelt-keeper

rodfromaroundthetractor'sPTOpulley,then removethebelt keeperrod(B). See Fig.17.

NOTE: Makea mentalnotewhatholetheotherendof thebelt-keeper rodisinsertedinforreinstallationpurposes.

4. Removethe belt(C) fromaroundthe tractor'sPTOpulley.See

Fig. 17.

Figure17

Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromthe leftside ofthetractor,locate thebow-tiepinthatsecuresthedecksupportrodontherear left sideofthe deck. SeeFig.18.Removethebow-tiepinthat securesthedecksupportrod,andcarefullyremovethedeck supportfromthedecklift arm.

Bow-TieClip

/ /

Figure18

6. Repeatthe abovestepsonthetractor'srightside. NOTE: Thebow-tieclipsshouldbe re-installedfromthetopdown.

7. Movethedecklift leverintothetopnotchon therightfenderto

raisethedecklift armsupandoutoftheway.

Avoidpinchinginjuries.Neverplaceyourfingersontheidlerspringor betweenthe beltanda pulleywhileremovingthe belt.

8. Removethebow-tiecotterpinsecuringthe deckstabilizerrodto thedeck.Slidethedecklift rodfromthemountingbracketon the deckasseenin Fig.19.

f -,

........,j_!_ _;_ _ .....,

The recommended operating tire pressure is:

Approximately10psiforthereartires Approximately14psiforthefronttires

IMPORTANT: Refertothetiresidewallfor exacttiremanufacturer's recommendedormaximumpsi.Donot overinfiate.Uneventirepres-

surecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly. BATTERY

CaliforniaProposition65WARNING!Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadandleadcompounds,chemicals knownto the StateofCaliforniatocausecancerand reproductive harm.Washhandsafterhandling.

If removingthe battery,disconnecttheNEGATIVE(Black)wire

fromitsterminalfirst,followedbythe POSFIVE(Red)wire.When

re-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)wireto

ts termna f rst,fo owedbythe NEGATVE (Back) w re.

JUMP STARTING

Figure19

CarefullyremovethePTOcablefromtherearofthecuttingdeck byremovingthebow-tiecotterpinwhichsecuresit.Removethe springfromthe deckidlerbracket.SeeFig.20.

Neverjump starta damagedorfrozenbattery.Becertainthevehicles

do nottouch,andignitionsareoff.Donotallowcableclampsto touch.

1. Connectpositive(+)cableto positivepost(+)of yourtractor's dischargedbattery.

2. Connecttheotherendof thecableto thepositive(+)postofthe jumperbattery.

3. Connectthe secondcable negative(-) tothe negativepost(-) of thejumperbattery.

4. Connecttheotherendof the negativecabletothe engineblockof thetractor,awayfromthe battery.Attachtoanunpaintedpartto assurea goodconnection.

Ifthejumper batteryis installedon avehicle(i.e.car,truck),do NOT

startthe vehicle'senginewhenjump startingyourtractor.

5. Startthetractor(asinstructedearlierinthissectionof this

manual).

6. Setthe tractor'sparkingbrakebeforeremovingthejumpercables,

inreverseorderofconnection.

CHARGING

Figure20

10. Gentlyslidethecuttingdeck(fromtheleft side)outfrom underneaththetractor.

TIRES

Neverexceedthemaximuminflationpressureshownonthesidewall oftire.

Batteriesgiveoffan explosivegaswhilecharging.Chargethebattery in a wellventilatedareaandkeepawayfroman openflameor pilot lightas ona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryeror othergas appliances.

Whenchargingyourtractor'sbattery,useonlya chargerdesignedforI

12Vlead-acidbatteries.Readyourbatterycharger_sOwner'sManualI priortochargingyourtractors battery.Alwaysfollowitsinstructions I

_andheed tswarnngs. J

Ifyourtractorhasnotbeenputinto useforanextendedperiodoftime, chargethebatteryas follows:

1. Setyour batterychargertodeliveramaxof 10amperes. Ifyourbatterychargerisautomatic,chargethebatteryuntilthe

chargerindicatesthatchargingiscomplete.Ifthechargeris not automatic,chargefor nofewerthaneighthours.

FUSE

One20AMPfuseis installedinyourtractor'swiringharnesstoprotect thetractor'selectricalsystemfromdamagecausedbyexcessive

amperage. Iftheelectricalsystemdoesnot function,or yourtractor'senginewill

notcrank,firstcheckto becertainthatthefusehasnotblown.It can befoundat the rearof theunit,underneaththefenderlocatedbythe

battery.

Alwaysusea fusewiththe sameamperagecapacityforreplacement.

CUTTING BLADES

Shutthe engineoffand removeignitionkeybeforeremovingthe cuttingbbde(s) for sharpeningor replacement.Protectyourhands

_byusng heavygoveswhengraspngthebade.

Removethehexflangenutthatsecuresthebladetothespindle

assembly.SeeFig.21.

Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamounts of metalfrombothendsofthebladesalongthe cuttingedges, paralleltothe trailingedge,at a 250.to300angle.Alwaysgrind eachcuttingbladeedgeequallytomaintainproperbladebalance. See Fig.22.

Periodicallyinspectthebladeand/orspindleforcracksor damage, especiallyafter you'vestrucka foreignobject.Donotoperatethe machineuntil damagedcomponentsare replaced.

Toremovetheblades,proceedasfollows.

1. Removethedeckfrombeneaththetractor,(referto CuttingDeck Removalearlierinthis section)thengentlyflipthedeckoverto exposeitsunderside.

2. Placea blockofwood betweenthecenterdeckhousingbaffle andthecuttingbladeto act asa stabilizer. SeeFig.21.

Figure 22

Ifthecuttingedgeof the bladehaspreviouslybeensharpened,or if

anymetalseparationispresent,replacethebladeswithnew ones.

A poorlybalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibration,maycause damageto thetractorand/or resultin personalinjury.

5. Testthe blade'sbalanceusinga bladebalancer.Grindmetal fromthe heavysideuntilit balancesevenly.

NOTE: Whenreplacingthe blade,be suretoinstallthe bladewith the sideof the blademarked"Bottom"(orwitha partnumberstampedin it) facingthegroundwhenthemoweris intheoperatingposition.

Usea torquewrenchtotightenthe bladespindlehexflangenutto between70Ibs-ftand90Ibs-ft.

CHANGING THE DECK BELT

Besureto shutthe engineoff, removeignitionkey,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengineto preventunin-

tendedstartingbeforeremovingthebelt.

Figure 21

All beltsonyourtractoraresubjectto wearandshouldbereplacedif anysignsof wear arepresent.

iMPORTANT: TheV-beltfoundon yourtractorisspeciallydesigned toengageanddisengagesafely.A substitute(non-OEM)V-beltcan bedangerousbynotdisengagingcompletely.Fora properworking machine,useidenticalequipmentbeltsas listedin thepartspagesof thisOperator'sManual.

Tochangeor replacethedeckbelt onyourtractor,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethedeckas instructedearlierinthis section.

2. Removethebeltcoversfromthespindlepulleysby removingthe hexscrewsthatfastenthecoverstothedeck.SeeFig.23.

3. It mayalsobenecessaryto loosenthehexnuton theleftdeck idlerpulleyto getthebeltoffthepulleyandaroundthebeltguard.

4. Carefullyremovethedeckbeltfromaroundthe twospindle pulleysand thetwo deckidlerpulleys.SeeFig.23.

5. Toplacethenewbelt,beginbyroutingthebeltaroundthetwo outerspindlepulleysasshownin Fig.23.

6. Thenroutethebeltaroundthetwodeckidlerpulleysasshownin Fig.23.

7. Retightenthebelt keeperrodloosenedearlier.

8. Remountthebeltguardsremovedearlier.

9. Re-installthedeck,makingsurethebeltremainsroutedaround thepulleysas instructed.Thecompletebeltroutingisshownin Fig.23.

10. Pullthe rightsideof thebelt,and placethe narrowVsideof the beltintothePTOpulley.

11. Whileholdingthebeltandpulleytogether,rotatethepulleyto the Idt. Continueholdingand rotatingthe pulleyandbeltuntilthe belt isfully rolledintothe PTOpulley.

PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT

Neverattempttoadjustthebrakeswhiletheengineisrunning.Always

disengagePTO(BladeEngageLever),moveshiftleverintoneutral

3osition,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthetractordoesnotcometoa completestopwhentheclutch-brake pedaliscompletelydepressed,or ifthe tractor'srearwheelscanroll

withtheparkingbrakeapplied,thebrakeis inneedofadjustment.

Contactthe nearest Parts & RepairService Centertohaveyour brakesserviced.

Tolocatethe nearestParts& RepairServiceCenterorto schedule service,contact1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION DRIVE

BELT

NOTE: Severalcomponentsmustbe removedandspecialtools(i.e. air/impactwrench)in ordertochangethetractor'sdrivebelt.Contact the nearest Parts& RepairService Centertohaveyourtransmis-

siondrivebeltserviced.

Tolocatethe nearestParts& RepairServiceCenterorto schedule service,contact1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

He× Washer Screws

Belt Cover

Belt Guard

___ Deck idler Pulley

Figure 23

Neverstorelawntractorwithfuelintankindoorsor in poorly ventilatedareaswherefuelfumesmayreachanopenflame,spark, or pilotlightasona furnace,waterheater,clothesdryer,or gas appliance.

PREPARING THE ENGINE

IMPORTANT:Fuelleftinthefueltankduringwarmweatherdeterio-

ratesandwillcauseseriousstartingproblems.

Topreventgumdepositsfromforminginsidetheengine'scarburetor andcausingpossiblemalfunctionof theengine,the fuelsystemmust be eithercompletelyemptied,or thegasolinemustbetreatedwitha stabilizertopreventdeterioration.

1. Ifusinga fuelstabilizer: a. Readtheproductmanufacturer'sinstructionsandrecom-

mendations.

b. Addtoclean,freshgasolinethecorrectamountof stabilizer

forthe capacityof thefuelsystem.

c. Fillthefueltankwithtreatedfuelandruntheenginefor2-3

minutestogetstabilizedfuelintothe carburetor.

2. Ifemptyingthefuelsystem: a. Donot drainfuelwhenthe engineis hot.Allowtheengine

adequatetimeto cool.Drainfuelinto anapprovedcontainer outdoors,awayfromopenflame.

b. Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankby disconnect-

ingthefuellinefromthein-linefuelfilterneartheengine. SeethecompleteinstructionsforDrainingTheFuellaterin

this section.

DRAINING THE FUEL

1. Locatethe fuelfilter,whichis locatedon theleft sideof the engine,andmaybeattachedtotheenginewitha tie strap.

2. Cutthetiestrap,if present,thenpinchthe in-lineclamponthe fuelfilterwitha pairof pliers,slidetheclampupthefuelline.

3. Pullthefuellinefreefromthe filterand placetheopenendofthe line intoanapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

PREPARING THE LAWN TRACTOR

1. Cleanandlubricatetractorthoroughlyasdescribedinthelubrica- tioninstructions.

2. Donot usea pressurewasheror gardenhosetocleanyourunit.

3. Storemowerina dry,cleanarea.Do notstorenexttocorrosive materials,suchasfertilizer.

Gasolineisextremelyflammableandcanbeexplosiveundercertain

conditions.Draingasolinebeforestoringtheequipmentfor extended

periods.Drainfuelonlyinto anapprovedcontaineroutdoors,away froman openflame.Allowengineto cool.Extinguishcigarettes, cigars,pipes,andothersourcesofignitionpriorto drainingfuel.

Storegasolineinan approvedcontainerinsafelocation.

c. Reconnectthefuellineandruntheengineuntilit startsto

falter,thenusethe choketo keeptheenginerunninguntilall fuelinthecarburetorhasbeenexhausted.

d. Disconnectthefuel lineanddrainanyremaininggasoline

fromthesystem.

Gasolineisatoxicsubstance.Disposeofgasolineproperly.Contact yourlocalauthoritiesforapproveddisposalmethods.

3. Removethesparkplugandpourone(1)ounceofengineoil throughthe sparkplugholeintothecylinder.Cranktheengine severaltimesto distributetheoil. Replacethesparkplug.

Enginefailstostart

1. PTO/BladeEngageleverengaged.

2. Parkingbrakenotengaged.

3. Sparkplugwire(s)disconnected.

4. Throttle/Chokecontrollevernotincorrect

4. PlaceThrottle/ChokeleverintotheFASTposition.

startingposition.

5. Chokenotactivated

6. Fueltankempty,orstalefuel.

7. Blockedfuel line.

8. Faultysparkplug(s).

9. Engineflooded.

10. BlownFuse(s)

Enginerunserratically

1. UnitrunningwithCHOKEactivated.

2. Sparkplugwire(s)loose.

3. Blockedfuel lineor stalefuel.

4. Ventingas cap plugged.

4. Clearventor replacecapifdamaged.

5. Wateror dirtinfuelsystem.

6. Dirtyair cleaner.

Engineoverheats 1. Engineoillevellow. 1.

2. Airflowrestricted. 2.

Enginehesitatesat high RPM 1. Sparkpluggaptoo close. 1. Engineidlesrough 1. Sparkplugfouled,faultyor gaptoowide. 1.

2. Dirtyair cleaner. 2.

Excessivevibration

1. Cuttingbladelooseor unbalanced.

2. Damagedorbentcuttingblade.

Mowerwillnotmulchgrass

1. Enginespeedtoolow.

2. Wetgrass.

3. Excessivelyhighgrass.

Unevencut

4. Dullblade.

1. Decknot leveledproperly.

4. Sharpenor replaceblade.

2. Dullblade.

3. Uneventire pressure.

1. Placeleverindisengaged(OFF)position.

2. Engageparkingbrake.

3. Connectwire(s)to sparkplug(s).

5. MovetheThrottle/Chokeleverintothe Choke position.

6. Filltankwithclean,fresh(lessthan30daysold)gas.

7. Replacethe fuellineandreplacefuelfilter.

8. Clean,adjustgapor replaceplug(s).

9. Crankenginewiththrottlein FASTposition.

10. ReplaceFuse(s)

1. Deactivatethe CHOKE.

2. Connectsparkplugwire(s).

3. Replacethe fuelline;filltankwithclean,fresh gasolineandreplacefuelfilter.

5. Drainfueltank.Refillwithclean,freshgasoline.

6. Replaceair cleanerpaperelementorcleanfoam pre-cleaner,ifequipped.

Fillcrankcasewithproperamountandweightof oil. Cleangrassclippingsanddebrisfromaroundthe

engine'scoolingfinsandhousing. Removesparkplugandresetthe gap.

Replacesparkplug.Setpluggap. Replaceair cleanerelementand/orcleanpre-

cleaner.

1. Tightenbladeandspindle.

2. Replaceblade.

1. Placethrottlein FAST(rabbit)position.

2. Donotmulchwhengrassiswet.

3. Mowonceat a highcuttingheight,thenmowagain atdesiredheightor makea narrowercuttingswath.

1. Performside-to-sidedeckadjustment.

2. Sharpenor replaceblade.

3. Checktirepressureinallfour tires.

NEED MORE HELP?

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Craftsman 247288842 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual