Operator's Manual
21" LAWN MOWER
Model No. 247,370960
®
o SAFETY
o ASSEMBLY
o OPERATION
o MAINTENANCE
CAUTION" Before using this
product, 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.769-09493
o ESPANOL
(December10,2013)
WarrantyStatement.............................. Page2
SafetyInstructions............................ Pages3-6
SlopeGuide..................................... Page7
Assembly.................................... Pages8-11
Operation.................................. Pages12-13
CRAFTSMANTWOYEARFULLWARRANTY
Fortwoyearsfromthedateofpurchase,thisproductiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.Defectiveproductwill receivefreerepair
orfreereplacementifrepairisunavailable.
Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainrepairorreplacement,visitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com.
ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsinmaterialandworkmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:
, Expendableitemswhichcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchasmowerblades,bladeadapters,belts,filters,orsparkplugs.
, Productdamageresultingfromuserattemptsat productmodificationorrepairorcausedbyproductaccessories.
, Repairsnecessarybecauseofaccidentorfailuretooperateormaintaintheproductaccordingto allsuppliedinstructions.
, Preventativemaintenanceorrepairsnecessaryduetoimproperfuelmixture,contaminatedorstalefuel.
Thiswarrantyisvoidifthisproductiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorifrentedto anotherperson.
Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.
SearsBrandsManagementCorporation,NoffmanEstates,IL60179
ServiceandMaintenance.................... Pages14-16
Off-SeasonStorage.............................. Page17
Troubleshooting............................. Page18-19
Espa_ol........................................ Page22
ServiceNumber............................. BackCover
Engine Oil: SAE 30
Fuel: Unleaded Gasoline
Engine: Briggs & Stratton
© Sears Brands, LLC 2
Model Number
Serial Number
Date of Purchase
Record the model number, serial number,
and date of purchase above.
Thissymbolpointsout importantsafety instructionswhich,if not
followed,couldendangerthe personalsafetyand/orproperty of
yourselfandothers.Readandfollow all instructions inthis manual
beforeattempting to operatethis machine.Failureto complywith these
instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethis symbol,HEED
ITSWARNING!
Thismachinewasbuilt tobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeoperation
practicesinthismanual.Aswith anytype of powerequipment,
carelessnessorerroronthe part ofthe operatorcanresultinseriousinjury.
Thismachineiscapableof amputatingfingers, hands,toesandfeet and
throwingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowing safety instructionscould
resultinseriousinjuryor death.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
EngineExhaust,someofits constituents,and certainvehiclecomponents
containor emit chemicalsknowntoStateof Californiato causecancerand
birth defectsorother reproductiveharm.
GENERAL OPERATION
Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyinitsentiretybeforeattemptingto
assemblethis machine.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthe
machineandinthemanualsbeforeoperation.Keepthismanualina safe
placeforfutureandregularreferenceandfororderingreplacementparts
Becompletelyfamiliarwiththecontrolsandtheproperuseofthismachine
beforeoperatingit.
Thismachineisaprecisionpieceofpowerequipment,notaplaything.
Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatalltimes.Thismachinehasbeen
designedto performonejob: tomowgrass.Donotuseitforanyother
purpose.
Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsof agetooperatethismachine.Children
14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperation
practicesinthismanualandonthemachineandshouldbetrainedand
supervisedbyanadult.
Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwith theserulesofsafe
operationshouldbeallowedtousethis machine.
Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobeused.Removeall
stones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeignobjects,whichcouldbe
trippedoverorpickedupandthrownbytheblade.Thrownobjectscancause
seriouspersonalinjury.
Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtowardroads,
sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainst
awall orobstruction,whichmaycausedischargedmaterialtoricochetback
towardtheoperator.
Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,stayinoperatorzone
behindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders,helpersandpetsatleast75
feetfrommowerwhileitisinoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersarea.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperationandwhile
performinganadjustmentor repairtoprotectyoureyes.Thrownobjects
whichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytotheeyes.
Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseof this powermachineto
personswhoread,understandandfollow thewarningsand instructionsin
thismanualandonthe machine.
SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!
Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.
Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsandsteel-toedshoesare
recommended.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeet,sandals,slipperyor
light-weight(e.g.canvas)shoes.
Donotputhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsorunderthecuttingdeck.
Contactwith bladecanamputatefingers,hands,toesandfeet.
Amissingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontactorthrown
objectinjuries.
Manyinjuriesoccurasaresultofthemowerbeingpulledoverthefoot
duringafall causedbyslippingortripping.Donotholdonto themowerif
youarefalling:releasethehandleimmediately.
Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.Ifyoumust
backthemowerawayfromawallorobstructionfirstlookdownandbehind
toavoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:
a. Stepbackfrom mowertofullyextendyourarmsforward.
b. Besureyouarewellbalancedwith surefooting.
c. Pullthemowerbackslowly,nomorethanhalfwaytowardyou.
d. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.
Donotoperatethemowerwhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs.
Donotengagetheself-propelledmechanismonmachinessoequipped
whilestartingengine.
Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice.Neverattemptto bypassits
operation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinoperativeandmayresultin
personalinjurythroughcontactwith therotatingblade.Thebladecontrol
handlemustoperateeasilyinbothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothe
disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A
slipandfallcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyour
footing,releasethebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewill
stoprotatingwithin threeseconds.
Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.
Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stoptheengineand
checkimmediatelyforthecause.Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.
Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladecomestoacompletestopbefore
removingthegrasscatcheroruncloggingthechute.Thecuttingblade
continuestorotateforafewsecondsafterthebladecontrolisreleased.
Neverplaceanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntilyouaresurethe
bladehasstoppedrotating.
Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover,grass
catcher,bladecontrolhandleorothersafetyprotectivedevicesinplaceand
working.Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failuretodo
socanresultinpersonalinjury.
Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Donottouch.
Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe
engineisrunning.
Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthismachinebythemanufactureras
listedinthePartspagesofthisOperator'sManual.Failuretodosocanresult
inpersonalinjury.
Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,thenpull
rapidly.Rapidretractionofstartercord(kickback)willpullhandandarm
towardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Brokenbones,fractures,bruisesor
sprainscouldresult.
Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecareandgood
judgement.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,whichcanresultinsevere
injury.Operationonslopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoufeeluneasyonaslope,do
notmowit.Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartofthismanualto
measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineonaslopedor hillyarea.Iftheslope
isgreaterthan 15degrees,do notmowit.
Do:
Mowacrossthefaceofslopes;neverupanddown.Exerciseextremecaution
whenchangingdirectiononslopes.
Watchforholes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,orbumpswhichcancauseyou
tosliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
Alwaysbesureof yourfooting.Aslipandfallcancauseseriouspersonal
injury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyourbalance,releasethebladecontrol
handleimmediatelyandthebladewill stoprotatingwithinthree(3)
seconds.
Do Not:
Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,becauseyoucould
loseyourfootingorbalance.
Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesasshownontheslopeguide.
Donotmowonwetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.
CHILDREN
Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresenceofchildren.
Childrenareoftenattractedto themowerandthemowingactivity.Theydonot
understandthedangers.Neverassumethatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsaw
them.
Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderwatchfulcareofa
responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.
Bealertandturnmoweroffifa childentersthearea.
Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddownforsmall
children.
Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,trees,
orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionofachildwhomayrunintothe
mower.
Keepchildrenawayfromhotorrunningengines.Theycansufferburnsfrom
ahotmuffler.
Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine.Children
14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperation
practicesinthismanualandonthemachineandbetrainedandsupervised
byanadult.
SERVICE
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecareinhandling
gasoline.Gasolineisextremely flammableandthe vaporsare explosive.
Seriouspersonalinjury canoccurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselfor your
clotheswhichcanignite. Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.
Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
Neverfill containersinsideavehicleoronatruckortrailerbedwith a plastic
liner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthegroundawayfromyourvehiclebefore
filling.
Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailerandrefuelit on
theground.Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuchequipmentonatrailer
with aportablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.
Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltankorcontaineropening
atalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.
Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources
ofignition.
Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill accumulatein
thearea.
Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhileengineishotorrunning.Allow
enginetocoolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.
Neverover-fillfueltank.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,donotfill above
thebottomof thefueltankneck.
Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offtheengineandequipment.Movemachineto
anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.
Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainernearanopenflame,sparkorpilot
lightasonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryerorothergas
appliances.
Toreducefire hazard,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris
build-up.Cleanupoilorfuelspillageandremoveanyfuel-soakeddebris.
Allowmachinetocoolatleast5minutesbeforestoring.
4
General Service:
Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.
Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthebladeandall
movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireandground
againsttheengineto preventunintendedstarting.
Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervalsforproper
tightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn).
Replacebladewith theoriginalequipmentmanufacture's(O.EM.)blade
only,listedinthe Partspagesofthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeet
theoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformance
andcompromisesafety!
Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse
extracautionwhenservicingthem.
Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besuretheequipmentisin safe
workingcondition.
Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.
Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthesparkplug
wireandgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemowerforany
damage.Repairthedamagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.
Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe
engineisrunning.
Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldaresubjectto
wearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsorallowobjectsto be
thrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandreplace
immediatelywithoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.EM.)partsonly,
listedinthePartspagesofthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeetthe
originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand
compromisesafety!
Donotchangetheengine'sgovernorsettingorover-speedtheengine.The
governorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeedof theengine.
Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyfor cracksor leaks.Replace
if necessary.
Donotcrankenginewith sparkplugremoved.
Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.
Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.Improperdisposalof fluids
andmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.
AccordingtotheConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)andtheU.S.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproducthasanAverageUseful
Lifeofseven(7)years,or140hoursof operation.AttheendoftheAverage
UsefulLifehavethemachineinspectedannuallybyaSearsorotherqualified
servicedealertoensurethatallmechanicalandsafetysystemsareworking
properlyandnotwornexcessively.Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,
injuriesordeath.
DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE
Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,do notmodifyengineinanyway.Tampering
with thegovernorsettingcanleadtoarunawayengineandcauseitto
operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwith factory settingofengine
governor.
NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS
Engineswhkh arecertified to complywith Californiaandfederal EPA
emissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)arecertified
to operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayincludethefollowing
emissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification (EM),OxidizingCatalyst(OC),
SecondaryAirInjection(SAI)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.
SPARK ARRESTOR
Thismachineisequippedwith aninternalcombustionengineandshould
not beusedonornearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brusbcoveredor
grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwith a
sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).
Ifasparkarrestor isused,itshouldbemaintained ineffectiveworking order
bythe operator.IntheStateof Californiathe aboveisrequiredbylaw(Section
4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilar
laws.Federallawsapply onfederallands.
Asparkarrestorfor the muffler isavailablethrough yournearestSearsParts
andRepairServiceCenter.
SAFETY SYMBOLS
Thispage depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before
attempting to assembleand operate.
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
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.
• ®
imI
DANGER -- BYSTANDERS
Do not mow when children or others are around.
DANGER -- HAND/FOOT CUT
Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.
DANGER-- THROWNDEBRIS
Remove objects that can be thrown by the blade in any direction. Wear safety glasses.
DANGER -- SLOPES
Use extra caution on slopes. Do not mow slopes greater than 15°.
WARNING--GASOLINE ISFLAMMABLE
Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
WARNING-- CARBON MONOXIDE
Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING-- HOT SURFACE
Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and
muffler to cool before touching.
WARNING: Your Responsibility--Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow
the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!
6
15° Slope
15° Slope
X
(OK)
_- _. Figure1
_O._daShed._fine
USETHiSSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE
iFA SLOPEiS TOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!
Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:
1. Removethispageandfold alongthe dashedline.
2. Locateaverticalobjecton or behindthe slope(e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree, etc.)
3. Aligneitherside oftheslopegaugewith theobject(SeeFigure1 andFigure2 ).
4. Adjust gaugeupordownuntil the left cornertouchestheslope (SeeFigure1 andFigure2).
5.
If thereis agapbelowthe gauge,theslope istoo steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).
(TOO STEEP)
Figure2
Slopesare a major factor relatedto tip-over and roll-overaccidents which can resultin severe injury or death. Do not operate machine onslopes
in excessof 15 degrees.All slopes require extracaution.Alwaysmowacrossthe face of slopes, nevermow upanddownslopes.
IMPORTAN_Thisunitisshippedwithout gasolineoroil intheengine.Becertainto
serviceenginewithgasolineandoilasinstructedin theOperationsectionbefore
startingorrunningyourmachine.
flOTE:Referenceto rightandlefthandsideof theLawnMowerisobservedfromthe
operatingposition.
OPENINGCARTON
1. Cuteachcornerof thecartonverticallyfromtoptobottom.
2. Removealllooseparts.
3. Removeloosepackingmaterial.
REMOVINGUNITFROMCARTON
1. Liftunitfromtherearto detachit fromunderlyingcartonmaterialandroll
unitoutofcarton.
2. Checkcartonthoroughlyforanyotherlooseparts.
LooseParts In Carton
SideDischargeCover
EngineOil
Assembly
Attaching TheHandle
1. Removeanypackingmaterialwhichmaybebetweenupperandlower
handles.
a. Removewingnutsandcarriageboltshandleasshownin Figure1.
Donotloosenorremoveadjacenthexheadscrews.
b. Whilestabilizingmowersoit doesn'tmove,pivotupperhandleupas
shownin Figure2. Donotcrimpcablewhileliftingthehandleup.
2.
RemoveT-boltsfromthehandlebracketsasshownin Figure3.
Figure2
,,J
Figure3
Figure1
8
3.
Followthestepsbelowtocompletehandleassembly:
a. Pullupwardonthehandleuntilholesinlowerhandle(shownin
Figure3deckcutaway)lineupwith holesinhandlebracket.See
Figure4.
NOTE:Whenpullingupwardonhandle,makesuretonotpullhandleallthe
wayout.
b. InserttheT-boltsremovedinstepearlierthroughthehandle
bracketsandlowerhandleandtightensecurelyto securethehandle
inplace.SeeFigure4.
c. Reattachwingnutsandcarriageboltsremovedearlierintolower
holesof handleasshownin Figure5.
4.
Theropeguideisattachedtotherightsideoftheupperhandle.Loosenthe
wingknobwhichsecurestheropeguide.Referto Figure6.
a. Holdbladecontrolagainstupperhandle.
b. Slowlypullstarterropehandlefromengineandslipstarterropeinto
theropeguide.SeeFigure6.
c. Tightenropeguidewingknob.
d. Usecabletiesto securebladecontrolcabletolowerhandle.
Figure5
Figure4
Figure6
9
Attaching the GrassCatcher
I. Followstepsbelowtoassemblethegrasscatcher.Makecertainbagisturned
rightsideoutbeforeassembling(warninglabelwillbeontheoutside).
a. Placebagoverframesothatitsblackplasticsideisatthebottom.
b. Slipplasticchannelof grassbagoverhooksontheframe.SeeFigure7.
2. Followstepsbelowtoattachgrasscatcher:
a. Liftreardischargedoor.
b. Placegrasscatcherintotheslotsinthehandlebracketsasshownin
Figure8.Letgoofdischargedoorsothatit restsonthegrasscatcher.
Toremovegrasscatcher,liftreardischargedooronthemower.Lift grasscatcherup
andoff theslotsinthehandlebrackets.Releasereardischargedoortoallowit to
closerearopeningofmower.
f
Attaching SideDischargeCover
Yourmowerisshippedasamulcher.Toconverttosidedischarge,makesuregrass
catcherisoffof theunit andreardischargedoorisclosed.
I. Onthesideofthemower,lift themulchingcover.SeeFigure9.
2. Slidetwohooksof sidedischargecoverunderhingepinonmulchingcover
assembly.Lowermulchingcover.Donotremovesidemulchingcoverat any
time,evenwhenyouarenotmulching.
f
J
Figure8
J
Figure9
Figure7
10
Adjustments f
CuttingHeight
Thereisacuttingheightadjustmentleverlocatedabovethefrontandrearleft
wheel.
Pulltheheightadjustmentleveroutwardtowardswheel(unitwill tendto
fallwhenleverismovedoutward).SeeFigure10.
2.
Movelevertodesiredpositionforachangeincuttingheight.SeeFigure10.
3.
Releaselevertowardsdeck.
IMPORTAN#AIIwheelsmustbeplacedinthesameposition.Forroughoruneven
lawns,moveeachheightadjustmentleverto ahigherposition.Thiswill preventyou
fromcuttingthegrasstooclosetotheground.
HandlePitch
Forconvenienceof operation,youmayadjustthepitchofthehandleasfollows:
1. Removestarknobsandcarriageboltsfrom handle.SeeFigure11.
2. Positionthehandlein oneofthethreepositionsthatismostcomfortable.
SeeFigure11inset.
3. Secureintopositionwithstarknobsandcarriageboltsremovedearlier.
DriveControl
Theadjustmentwheelislocatedinthespeedcontrolhousingandisusedto tighten
orloosenthedrivebelt.Youwill needto adjustthedrivecontrolifthemower
doesnotpropelitselfwiththedrivecontrolengagedorifthemower'swheels
hesitatewiththedrivecontrolengaged.Ifeitheroftheseconditionsoccur,rotate
adjustmentwheelclockwisetotightencableorcounterclockwisetoloosenthe
cable.SeeFigure12.
Figure11
Figure10
Figure12
11
RecoilStarter
Cutting Height
Adjustment
Lever
Deck Wash
Cutting Height
Adjustment
Lever
Side Discharge
Cover
Mulching Cover
BladeControl
Thebladecontrolisattachedtothe upperhandleofthemower.Depressand
squeezeitagainsttheupperhandletooperatetheunit.Releaseit tostopengine
andblade.
Thisbladecontrolisasafetydevice.Neverattempt to bypassitsoperation.
DriveControl
Thedrivecontrolis locatedontopoftheupperhandleandisusedtoengagethe
drive.Squeezeitagainsttheupperhandletoengagethedrive;releaseittoslow
downorstopmowerfrompropelling.
Cutting HeightAdjustmentLever
Oneadjustmentleverislocatedontheleftrearwheelandoneislocatedontheleft
frontwheel.Bothlevershavetobeatthe samepositiontoensureauniformcut.To
adjustthecuttingheight,refertotheAssemblySection.
DeckWash
/
Figure13
Mulching Cover
Themulchingcoverisusedfor mulchingpurposes.Insteadofcollectingthegrass
clippingsinagrasscatcherorusingthesidedischargechute,somemowermodels
havetheoptionof recirculatingtheclippingsbacktothelawn.Thisiscalled
mulching.
SideDischargeCover
Yourmowerisshippedasamulcher.Todischargethegrassclippingstotheside
instead,followtheinstructionsintheAssemblysectiontoattachthesidedischarge
cover.
Keephandsandfeet awayfrom the chuteareaon cutting deck.Referto
warning labelon the unit.
RecoilStarter
Therecoilstarterisattachedtothe rightupperhandle.Standbehindthe unitand
pulltherecoilstarterropetostarttheunit.
Yourmower'sdeckisequippedwitha waterporton itssurfaceaspartofitsdeck
washsystem.Usethedeckwashto rinsegrassclippingsfromthedeck'sunderside.
MeetsANSISafety Standards
CraftsmanLawnMowersconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).
12
Besurenooneother thantheoperator isstandingnearthe lawnmower
while starting engineoroperating mower.Neverrunengineindoorsor
inenclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaustcontainscarbon
monoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands,feet, hair andloose
clothingaway fromanymovingpartsonengineandlawnmower.
TOSTARTENGINE
Standingbehindthemower,squeezethebladecontrolhandleagainstupper
handle.
2. Holdingthesetwo handlestogetherfirmly,grasprecoilstarterhandleand
pullropeslowlyuntil resistanceisfelt,thenpullwitha rapid,continuous,full
armstroke.SeeFigure14.Keepingafirm griponthestartercordhandle,let
theroperewindslowly.Repeatuntil enginecranks.Lettheroperewindeach
timeslowly.
Keepafirm grip onthestarter cordhandleto preventrapidretractionof
starter cord(kickback).Rapidretractioncanpullhandand armtoward
enginefasterthanyoucanlet go,andresultinbroken bones,fractures,
bruisesorsprains.
TOSTOPENGINE
1. Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.
Waitforthe bladetostopcompletelybeforeperforminganyworkonthe
moweror to removethe grasscatcher.
Figure14
UsingasMulcher
Formulchinggrass,removethegrasscatcherorsidedischargechutefromthe
mower.Whenyouremovethegrasscatcherfromthemower,thereardischarge
doorwill close.Whenyouremovethesidedischargechute,themulchingcoverwill
close.Foreffectivemulching,donotcutwetgrass.Ifthegrasshasbeenallowedto
growinexcessoffourinches,mulchingisnotrecommended.Usethegrasscatcher
tobagclippingsinstead.
UsingYourLawnMower
Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhichcoulddamage
lawnmowerorengine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidentlythrownbythemowerin
anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjuryto theoperatorandothers.
1. Oncetheengineisrunning,squeezethedrivecontrolagainstthe upper
handletopropelmower.
Theoperationof anylawn mowercanresultinforeign objectsbeing
thrown intotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always
wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthe mower,orwhileperformingany
adjustmentsor repairson it.
UsingGrassCatcher
Youcanusethegrasscatchertocollectclippingswhileyouareoperatingthe
mower.
1. Attachgrasscatcherfollowinginstructionsinthe"Assembly"section.Grass
clippingswill automaticallycollectinbagasyourunmower.Operatemower
untilgrassbagisfull.
2. Stopenginecompletelybyreleasingthe bladecontrol.Makesurethatthe
unithascometoacompletestop.
3. Liftdischargedoorandpullgrassbagupandawayfromthemowerto
removethebag.Disposeofthegrassclippingsandreinstallthebagwhen
complete.
Ifyoustrikea foreignobject, stopthe engine.Disconnectthesparkplug
wire,thoroughly inspectmowerfor anydamage,andrepairdamage
beforerestartingandoperating.Extensivevibrationof mowerduring
operationis anindicationof damage.Theunit should bepromptly
inspectedandrepaired.
13
MAINTENANCESCHEDULE
Beforeperforminganytypeof maintenance/service,disengageall controls
andstopthe engine.Wait until all movingpartshavecometo acomplete
stop.Disconnectsparkplug wireand groundit againstthe engineto
preventunintendedstarting.
Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribesservice
guidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackofcompleted
maintenancetasks.TolocatethenearestSearsServiceCenterortoscheduleservice,
callthefollowingtollfreenumber:l-888-331-4569.
EachUse
IstMonthor__hours
Annuallyor25hours
Annuallyor50hours
Annually
BeforeStorage
Cleanmoreoftenunderdustyconditionsorwhenairbornedebrisispresent.Replaceaircleanerifverydirty.
ff Changeoilevery25hourswhenoperatingtheengineunderheavyloadorinhightemperatures.
^ Checkandcleanmoreoftenif moweristypicallyusedin themulchingconfiguration.
1. Engineoil level
2. Looseormissinghardware
3. Aircleaner
4. Unitandengine
1. Engineoil
1. Aircleanerf
2. Controllinkages/pivotsandwheels
3. UndersideofmowerdeckA
1. Engineoil ff
1. Sparkplug
2. AirCleaner
1. Fuelsystem
1. Check
2. Tightenorreplace
3. Check
4. Clean
1. Change
1. Clean
2. Lubewithlightoil
3. Clean
1. Change
I. Replace
2. Replace
1. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlackoffuel,or
addstabilizertoafulltankoffreshfuelprior
tostorage.
EngineCare
Alwaysstopengine,allow enginetocool,disconnectsparkplugwire, and
groundagainstenginebeforeperforming anytypeof maintenanceonyour
machine.
GeneralRecommendations
Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganymaintenance.
Thewarrantyonthislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathavebeen
subjectedtooperatorabuseor negligence.Toreceivefull valuefrom
warranty,operatormustmaintaintheequipmentas
instructedhere.
Changingofengine-governedspeedwill voidenginewarranty.
Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedatleastonceeachseason.
Periodicallycheckallfastenersandmakesurethesearetight.
Referto theEngineOperator'sManualpackedwithyourmowerfor adetailed
descriptionofallengine-relatedservicespecifications.
Lubrication
BladeControl
Lubricatepivotpointsonthebladeanddrivecontrolatleastonceaseasonwith
lightoil.Thesecontrolsmustoperatefreelyinbothdirections.SeeFigure15.
14