Craftsman 24737173 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

CRRFTSMRH

21" LAWN MOWER

Model No. 247.37173

o SAFETY

ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

CAUTION: Before using
this product, read this

PARTS LIST

o ESPArqOL, p. 33

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.769-05621

11/5/2009

WarrantyStatement..................................Page2

SafeOperationPractices..........................Pages3-6

SlopeGuide..............................................Page7

SafetyLabels............................................Page9

Assembly..................................................Pages10-13

Operation..................................................Pages14-15

ServiceandMaintenance.........................Pages16-19

Off-SeasonStorage..................................Page20

Troubleshooting........................................Page21

PartsList...................................................Page22-29

Espa_ol.....................................................Page33

ServiceNumbers......................................BackCover

Craftsman Full Warranty

IfthisCraftsmanproductfailsduetoadefectinmaterialorworkmanshipwithintwoyearsfromthedateofpurchase,returnittoanySearsstore,
Parts&RepairServiceCenter,orotherCraftsmanoutletintheUnitedStatesforfreerepair(orreplacementifrepairprovesimpossible).

Thiswarrantyappliesforonly90daysifthisproductiseverusedforcommercialorrentalpurposes.

Thiswarranty coversONLYdefects in materialandworkmanship. Sears will NOTpayfor:

• Expendableitemswhichcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchas mowerblades,bladeadapters,belts,filters,or

sparkplugs.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof accident,suchas bentcrankshafts,or failuretooperateor maintaintheproductaccordingtoall supplied

instructions.

• Preventivemaintenanceor repairsnecessarydueto improperfuelmixture,contaminatedorstalefuel.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyou mayalso haveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears, Roebuck and Co.,NoffmanEstates,IL 60179

EngineOilType: SAE10W-30
Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: ChampionRJ19LM
Engine: Briggs& Stratton

ModelNumber.................................................................

Serial Number.................................................................

Dateof Purchase.............................................................

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber

anddateof purchaseabove

©SearsBrands,LLC 2

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not
followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof
yourselfandothers. Readandfollowall instructionsinthismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera-
tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment,
carelessnessorerroron the partoftheoperatorcanresultin serious
injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes
andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety
instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle
componentscontainoremitchemicalsknownto Stateof California
tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato
causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

* Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyin itsentiretybefore

attemptingto assemblethismachine.Read,understand,and
followall instructionsonthemachineandinthe manuals) before
operation.Keepthismanualina safeplaceforfutureand regular
referenceandfor orderingreplacementparts

, Becompletelyfamiliarwiththecontrolsandthe properuseofthis

machinebeforeoperatingit.

, Thismachineisa precisionpieceof powerequipment,nota

plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat alltimes.This
machinehasbeendesignedto performonejob:to mowgrass.
Donotuseit for anyotherpurpose.

, Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsof agetooperatethis

machine.Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe
instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon

themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

, Only responsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesof

safeoperationshouldbe allowedtousethis machine.

, Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used.

Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeign
objects,whichcouldbetrippedoverorpickedupandthrownby
theblade.Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

, Planyour mowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtoward

roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg-
ingmaterialagainstawall orobstruction,whichmaycause
dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

, Tohelpavoidbladecontactor athrownobjectinjury,stayin

operatorzonebehindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders,
helpersandpetsatleast75feetfrommowerwhileitis inopera-
tion.Stopmachineifanyoneentersarea.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseofthis powermachineto
personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsandinstruc-

tionsin thismanualandon themachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation
andwhileperformingan adjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes.
Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe
eyes.

Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacks
and shirts.Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsand

steel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperatethis machine
inbarefeet,sandals,slipperyorlight-weight(e.g.canvas)shoes.

Donot put handsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwithbladecanamputatefingers,hands,toesand
feet.

A missingor damageddischargecovercancausebladecontact
or thrownobjectinjuries.

Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultofthe mowerbeingpulledoverthe
footduringafallcausedbyslippingortripping.Donotholdon to
themowerifyouarefalling;releasethehandleimmediately.

Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyou arewalking.If
youmustbackthemowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirst

lookdownandbehindto avoidtrippingandthenfollowthese

steps:

1. Stepbackfrommowertofullyextendyourarms.

2. Besureyouare wellbalancedwithsurefooting.

3. Pullthemowerbackslowly,nomorethanhalf waytoward

you.

4. Repeatthesestepsas needed.

Donot operatethemowerwhileunderthe influenceofalcoholor
drugs.

Donot engagethe self-propelledmechanismonmachinesso
equippedwhilestartingengine.

3

• Thebladecontrolhandleisa safetydevice.Neverattemptto
bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinopera-
tiveandmayresultin personalinjurythroughcontactwiththe
rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandlemustoperateeasily
in bothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothe disengaged
positionwhenreleased.

• Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbe sureofyour
footing.A slip andfallcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyou
feelyou arelosingyourfooting,releasethebladecontrolhandle
immediatelyandthe bladewillstop rotatingwithinthreeseconds.

• Mowonlyin daylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

• Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.

• Iftheequipmentshouldstart to vibrateabnormally,stopthe
engineandcheckimmediatelyforthe cause.Vibrationis gener-
allya warningoftrouble.

• Shutthe engineoff andwaituntilthebladecomesto a complete
stopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcheroruncloggingthechute.
Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotateforafewsecondsafterthe
bladecontrolisreleased.Neverplaceany partofthebodyinthe
bladeareauntilyouaresurethebladehasstoppedrotating.

• Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrail shield,dischargecover,
grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandleor othersafetyprotectivede-
vicesin placeandworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamaged
safetydevices.Failuretodo socan resultinpersonalinjury.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot
touch.

• Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile
theengineisrunning.

• Onlyuse partsand accessoriesmadeforthis machinebythe
manufactureraslistedin thePartspagesofthisOperator's
Manual.Failuretodoso can resultin personalinjury.

• Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,then
pullrapidly.Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpull
handandarmtowardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Broken
bones,fractures,bruisesor sprainscouldresult.

• If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare
andgoodjudgement.Contact1-800-4MY-HOME®forinformation

andassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,whichcan
resultinsevereinjury.Operationonslopesrequiresextracaution.If
youfeel uneasyona slope,do notmowit. Foryour safety,usethe
SlopeGuideincludedaspartof thismanualto measureslopesbefore
operatingthis machineon aslopedorhillyarea. Iftheslopeis greater
than15degrees,donotmowit.

Do:

o

Mowacrossthefaced slopes;neverupanddown.Exercise

extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

• Watchfor holes,ruts, rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan
causeyoutosliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

• Alwaysbesureof yourfooting.A slipandfall can causeserious
personalinjury.Ifyoufeelyou arelosingyourbalance,release
thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewillstop

rotatingwithinthree(3) seconds.

DoNot:

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,youcould

loseyourfootingor balance.

Donot mowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the

slopegauge.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscan occurif the operatorisnotalertto the presence
ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themowerandthe mowing
activity.Theydonot understandthedangers.Neverassumethat
childrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.

Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderwatchfulcareof

a responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

Bealertandturnmoweroffif achildentersthearea.
Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,look behindanddownfor

smallchildren.

Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,
shrubs,trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionof a
childwhomayrunintothemower.

Keepchildrenawayfromhot or runningengines.Theycan suffer
burnsfroma hot muffler.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethis
machine.Children14andovershouldreadand understandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesinthis manualandon
themachineandbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingOf Gasoline:

• Toavoid personalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecare
in handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthe
vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhen
gasolineis spilledon yourselfor yourclothes,whichcanignite.
Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron atruck ortrailerbed
witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthegroundaway

fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailerand

refueliton theground.Ifthisis notpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmenton atrailerwitha portablecontainer,ratherthanfrom
a gasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltankor
containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use
a nozzlelock-opendevice.

4

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources
ofignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill
accumulateinthe area.

• Neverremovegascap oraddfuelwhileengineis hotor running.
Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfill fuel tank.Toallowfor expansionofthefuel,do not
fillabovethebottomofthefueltankneck.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• If gasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineandequipment.Move
machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.

• Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainernearanopenflame,
sparkor pilot lightasona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,
clothesdryerorothergasappliances.

• Toreducefirehazard,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or
otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageandremoveany

fuelsoakeddebris.
Allowmachinetocoolatleast5 minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService:

• Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine
exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe
bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark
plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended
starting.

Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervals
forpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g.,
bent,cracked,worn).Replacebladewiththeoriginalequipment
manufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listedinthe Partspagesofthis
manual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeettheoriginalequipment
specificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompro-
misesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharpandcan cut. Wrapthe bladeorwear
gloves,anduse extracautionwhen servicingthem.

Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstightto be suretheequipmentis
insafeworkingcondition.

Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperoperation
regularly.

Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthe
sparkplugwireand groundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly
inspectthe mowerfor anydamage.Repairthedamagebefore
startingandoperatingthemower.

Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile
theengineisrunning.

• Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldare
subjectto wearand damagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor
allowobjectstobethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck
componentsandreplaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment
manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthePartspages
ofthismanual.Useof partswhichdo notmeetthe original
equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand
compromisesafety!

Donot changetheengine'sgovernorsettingorover-speedthe
engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed
oftheengine.

Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor

leaks.Replaceifnecessary.

Donot crankenginewith sparkplugremoved.

• Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.Improperdisposal
offluidsandmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.

Accordingto theConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)
andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct

hasanAverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or 140hoursof

operation.At theendof theAverageUsefulLifehavethe machine

inspectedannuallybya Searsorotherqualifiedservicedealer

toensurethatall mechanicalandsafetysystemsareworking

properlyand notwornexcessively.Failuretodosocanresultin

accidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,do not modifyengineinanyway.
Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand
causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting
ofenginegovernor.Doingsowillvoidtheproductwarranty.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

EngineswhicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are
certifiedto operateon regularunleadedgasoline,and mayinclude
thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM) and
ThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifso equipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineand
shouldnotbe usedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,
brushcoveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust
systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor
statelaws(ifany).

Ifa sparkarresterisused,itshouldbemaintainedineffectiveworking
orderbytheoperator.Inthe StateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequired

bylaw(Section4442of the CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws. Federallawsapplyonfederallands.
A sparkarresterforthe mufflerisavailablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsonthemachine
beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)

i

i

®

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.

DANGER -- BYSTANDERS
Do not mow when children or others are around.

J

DANGER-- HAND/FOOT CUT
Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.

DANGER -- THROWN DEBRIS
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.

6

Sightandhold this levelwith averticaltree...

or a cornerofabuilding...

15°

Use this pageas a guide to determine slopes where you maynot operatesafely.

Donotoperateyourlawnmoweronsuchslopes.Donot mowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a riseof approximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Operatewalk=
behindmowersacrossthe faceof slopes,neverupanddownslopes.

This page left intentionallyblank.

8

DISCHARGECOVER,ETC.INPLACEANDWORKING.IFDAMAGEDREPLACEIMMEDIATELY.

9

IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroil intheengine.
Becertainto serviceenginewithgasolineandoilas instructedinthe
Operationsectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.

NOTE:Referenceto rightand lefthandsideoftheLawnMoweris
observedfromthe operatingposition.

OPENING CARTON

1. Cuteachcornerof the cartonverticallyfromtop to bottom.

2. Removeall looseparts.

3. Removeloosepackingmaterial.

REMOVING UNIT FROM CARTON

1. Liftunitfromthe rearto detachitfromunderlyingcartonmaterial
androllunit out of carton.

2. Checkcartonthoroughlyforanyotherlooseparts.

LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON

• GrassCatcher

• EngineOil
Operator'sManual/HandleHardware

J

Figure1

ASSEMBLY

Attaching The Handle

1. Removeanypackingmaterialwhichmaybebetweenupperand
lowerhandles.

A. Pullupandbackon upperhandleasshownin Figure1.

Makecertainthe lowerhandleisseatedsecurelyintothe
handlemountingbrackets.SeeFigure2. Donotcrimp
cableswhileliftingthehandleup.

B. Tightenstarknobstosecureupperhandleto lowerhandle.

Makesurethateachcarriageboltisseatedproperlyinthe
handle.

2. Inserta carriageboltfoundinthemanualbaginto the upperhole
onthehandlemountingbracket.Securewithone plasticwing
nut,alsoincludedinthemanualbag.Repeaton othersidewith
remaininghardware.See Figure2.

f

Handle Hardware

Carriage Bolts (2)

Wing Nuts (2)

Lower

Handle

mdle

Mounting

Bracket

Figure2

10

3. Theropeguideisattachedtothe right sideoftheupperhandle.
SeeFigure3. Loosenthewingnutwhichsecuresthe ropeguide.

A. Holdbladecontrolagainstupperhandle.
B. Pullstarterropeoutoftheengine.Releasebladecontrol.

C. Slipstarterropeintoropeguide.
D. Tightenwingnut.

4. Insertpostoncabletieintoholeprovidedonthelowerhandle.
Pullcabletietightandtrimexcess.SeeFigure4.

Attaching the Grass Catcher

1. Followstepsbelowto assemblethegrasscatcher.Makecertain
bagisturnedrightside out beforeassembling(warninglabelwiil
beon theoutside).

A. Placebagoverframeso thatits blackplasticsideisatthe

bottom.

B. Slipplasticchannelofgrassbagoverhooksontheframe.

SeeFigure5.All theplasticchannelsexceptcentertop of
bagattachfromoutsideof bag.

C. Attachcentertopof bagfrominsideof bag.

J

Figure3

11

l

Figure4

Figure5

2, Followthestepsbelowtoattachthegrasscatcher:

A. Liftreardischargedoor,SeeFigure6.
B. Placehookoneachsideofcatcheroverpivotrodof

dischargedoor.Letgoofdischargedoorsothatitrestson
thegrasscatcher.

Toremovegrasscatcher,liftreardischargedooronthemower.Lift
grasscatcherupandout,offofthepivotrod.Releasereardischarge
doortoallowittocloserearopeningofmower,

Neveroperatemowerunlessthehooksonthegrasscatcherare

Ifirmlyseatedonthepivotrodandthereardischargedoorrestsfirmly

_againsttopofthegrasscatcher.

ADJUSTMENTS

Cutting Height
Eachwheelhasa heightadjustmentleverto changethecuttingheight

ofthemower.Referto Figure7.

1. Depressheightadjustmentlevertowardswheel.

2. Slidelevertodesiredpositionforachangein cuttingheight

3. Releaselevertowardsdeck.

IMPORTANT:Allwheelsmustbeplacedinthe sameposition.For
roughor unevenlawns,moveeachheightadjustmentlevertoa higher
position.Thiswill preventyoufromcuttingthegrasstooclosetothe
ground.

J

Figure6

f

J

Figure7

12

Recoil Starter

Grass Catcher

GasCap /

BLADE CONTROL

Thebladecontrolisattachedtotheupperhandleofthemower.
Depressandsqueezeit againsttheupperhandleto operatetheunit.
Releaseittostopengineandblade.

Primer

J

Figure8

PRIMER

Theprimeris usedtopumpgasintothe carburetorandaidin starting
theengine.Useittostarta coldengine,butdonot use it to restarta
warmengineaftera shortshutdown.

Thisbladecontrolisa safetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits
operations.

RECOIL STARTER

Therecoilstarterisattachedto the rightupperhandle.Standbehind
theunitandpullthe recoilstarterropetostart the unit.

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVERS

Oneadjustmentleveris locatedoneachwheelandis used toadjust
thecuttingheight.Allfourlevershaveto beatthesamepositionto

ensureauniformcut.

GRASS CATCHER

Thegrasscatcher,locatedatthe rearofthemower,is usedto bagthe
grassclippingsfordisposalatanothersite.Oncethe bagisfull, it has
tobe removedfromthe mowerandemptiedbeforeanyfurthermowing.

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanLawnMowersconformto thesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

GAS CAP

Removethegascaptoaddfueltothefueltank.Useclean,fresh,
regularunleadedgasolinewitha minimumof86 octane.

OIL FILL CAP/DIPSTICK

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

SPARK PLUG

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsonsparkplug
replacement.

13

GAS AND OiL FILL-UP f "_

IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroil intheengine.
Becertainto serviceenginewithgasolineandoilas instructedinthis
sectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.

Oil (one 18 ounce bottle shipped with unit)
FirstTime Use

1. Removeoil fill dipstick(G). SeeFigure10.

2. Withthe moweron levelground,useafunnelto emptyentire
contentsof oilbottleprovidedintotheengineoil fill(H).

3. Replaceoil filldipstickandtighten.

Subsequent Uses
Use4-strokemotoroilthatmeetsor exceedstherequirementsfor API

servicecategorySF,SG,SH,SJor later.Alwayscheckthe APIservice
labelonthe oilcontainertobe sureitincludesthelettersSF,SG,SH,

SJor later.
Outdoortemperaturesdeterminetheproperoilviscosityfor the engine.

Usethechartto selectthebestviscosityfortheoutdoortemperature
rangeexpected.

f

40
30

16so4s6 o** " 2

¸

32

14
o4

20
10

°30

• A minimumof 87 octane/87AKI(91RON).

• Gasolinewith upto 10%ethanol(gasohol)orupto 15%MTBE

(methyltertiarybutylether)isacceptable.

Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththeenginestopped.Iftheengine
hasbeenrunning,allowitto cool first.Neverrefuelthe engineinsidea
buildingwheregasolinefumesmayreachflamesorsparks.

Gasolineishighlyflammableandexplosive,andyoucanbe
burnedor seriouslyinjuredwhenrefueling.Stopengineand keep
heat,sparks,and flameaway.Refuelonlyoutdoors.Wipeupspills

immediately.

Ifyourequipmentwillbe usedonan infrequentorintermittentbasis,
pleaserefertotheOff SeasonStoragesectionforadditionalinforma-

tion regardingfueldeterioration.

Figure10

e

* Below40°F(4°C)theuseofSAE30 willresultin hardstarting.
**Above80°F(27°C)theuseof 10W-30maycauseincreasedoil

consumption.Checkoillevelmorefrequently.

1. Checktheoil withthe enginestoppedandlevel.

2. Removetheoil filldipstickandwipeit clean.

3. Insertandtightentheoilfilldipstick.Removeittochecktheoil
level.SeeFigure10.

4. Iftheoil levelisnearor belowthelowerlimitmarkonthe dipstick,
removetheoil filldipstick,andfillwiththe recommendedoil to the
upperlimitmark(J). Donotoverfill.

5. Reinstalltheoilfill dipstick.

Gasoline

Donotuse unapprovedgasolines,suchasE85.Do not mixoil in
gasolineormodifyengineto runonalternatefuels.Thiswilldamage
theenginecomponentsandvoid the engine warranty.

Fuelmustmeet theserequirements:

• Clean,fresh,unleadedgasoline.

NOTE:Fuelcandamagepaintand sometypesof plastic.Becareful
notto spill fuelwhenfillingyourfueltank.

Neverusestaleorcontaminatedgasolineoroil/gasolinemixture.

Avoidgettingdirt orwaterin thefueltank.

1. Removethefueltankcap.

2. Fillthefueltankwithfuel.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,do
notfill abovethebottomofthe fuel tankneck.Do notoverfill.

Wipeupspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.

3. Installthefueltankcapandtightenit until it clicks.

4. Moveatleast10feetawayfromthefuelcontainer/sourceandsite
beforestartin( ine.

Besurenooneotherthantheoperatoris standingnearthelawn
mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine
indoorsorin enclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands,
feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine

andlawnmower.

14

TO START ENGINE

1. Whenstartingtheengineforthefirsttime, pushprimerfivetimes.
Forall futurestarts,pushtheprimerthreetimes.Waitabouttwo
secondsbetweeneachpush.See Figure10.Donot primeto
restarta warmengine.

2. Standingbehindthemower,squeezethebladecontrolagainst
upperhandle.

3. Holdingthesetwohandlestogetherfirmly,grasprecoilstarter
handleandpull ropeoutwitha rapid,continuous,fullarmstroke.
SeeFigure10.Keepingafirmgriponthe starterhandle,letthe
roperewindslowly.Repeatuntilenginecranks.Lettherope
rewindeachtime slowly.

NOTE:Ifenginefloods,waita fewminutesto restart,butdo notprime.

TO STOP ENGINE

1. Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.

Waitforthebladetostopcompletelybeforeperforminganyworkon
themowerorto removethegrasscatcher.

USING YOUR LAWN MOWER

Besurelawnisclearof stones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhich
coulddamagelawnmoweror engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidently
thrownbythemowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjury
totheoperatorandothers.

Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultinforeignobjectsbeing
thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always
wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,or whileperforming
anyadjustmentsor repairsonit.

USING AS MULCHER

Formulchinggrass,removethegrasscatcherandsidedischarge
chutefromthemower.Foreffectivemulching,donotcutwetgrass.If
thegrasshasbeenallowedtogrowinexcessof four inches,mulching
isnotrecommended.Usethegrasscatchertobagclippingsinstead.

Figure10

USING GRASS CATCHER

Youcanusethegrasscatchertocollectclippingswhileyou are
operatingthemower.

1. Attachgrasscatcherfollowinginstructionsinthe"Assembly"
section.Grassclippingswillautomaticallycollectinbagas you
runmower.Operatemoweruntilgrassbagisfull.

2. Stopenginecompletelybyreleasingthebladecontrol.Makesure
thattheunithascometoa completestop.

3. Liftdischargedoorandpullgrassbagupandawayfromthe

mowerto removethebag.Disposeofthegrassclippingsand
reinstallthebagwhencomplete.

Ifyoustrikeaforeignobject,stoptheengine.Removewire fromthe
sparkplug,thoroughlyinspectmowerforanydamage,andrepair
damagebeforerestartingandoperating.Extensivevibrationofmower
duringoperationisan indicationofdamage.Theunitshouldbe
promptlyinspectedandrepaired.

15

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall
controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo
acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe
enginetopreventunintendedstarting.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes
serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumnto keeptrackof
completedmaintenancetasks.To locate the nearestSearsService
Centeror toscheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

EachUse

1stMonthor 5 hours

Annuallyor25hours

Annuallyor50hours
Annually

BeforeStorage

.

Engineoillevel

2.

Looseormissinghardware

3.

Aircleaner

4.

Unitandengine.

1.

Engineoil

1.

Aircleaner1

2.

Controllinkages/pivotsandwheels

3.

Undersided mowerdeck

1.

Engineoilff

1.

Sparkplug

2.

AirCleaner

1.

Fuelsystem

1. Check

2. Tightenor replace

3. Check

4. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Lubewithlightoil

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Replace

2. Replace

1. Runengineuntil itstopsfromlackof
fuel,oraddstabilizertoa fulltankof
freshfuelpriortostorage.

Cleanmoreoftenunderdustyconditionsor whenairbornedebrisis

_resent.Replaceaircleanerifverydirty.

11Changeoilevery25 hourswhenoperatingtheengineunderheavyloador inhightemperatures.

16

Alwaysstopengine,disconnectsparkplugwire,andgroundagainst
enginebeforeperforminganytypeof maintenanceonyourmachine.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganymaintenance.

• Thewarrantyon thislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathave
beensubjectedto operatorabuseor negligence.Toreceivefull
valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintainthe equipmentas

instructedhere.

• Changingofengine-governedspeedwill voidenginewarranty.

• Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedat leastonceeachseason.

• Periodicallycheckall fastenersandmakesurethesearetight.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Spark Plug
Forgoodperformance,thesparkplugmustbeproperlygappedand

freeof deposits.Replacethesparkplugannually.

1. Disconnectthecapfromthesparkplug,andremoveanydirtfrom
thesparkplugarea.

2. Usethepropersizesparkplugwrenchtoremovethesparkplug.

f

Electrode

Figure11

NOTE:Replacewitha ChampionRJ19LMsparkplug.

3. Checkthegapwitha wire gauge.SeeFigure11.Sparkpluggap
shouldbe0.030in (0.76ram).If necessary,resetthegap.

4. installandtightenthe sparkplugtotherecommendedtorque(180
Ib-in[20 Nm]).

5. Attachthe sparkplugcapto thesparkplug.

Air Cleaner
A dirtyaircleanerwillrestrictairflowtothecarburetorandcausepoor

engineperformance,inspectthefiltereachtimetheengineis oper-
ated.Youwillneedtocleanthefiltermorefrequentlyifyouoperatethe
enginein verydusty areas.

Cleantheair cleanerevery25hoursofoperationoronce a season.
Replacetheaircleanerannually.

Neverstartor runtheenginewiththeaircleanerassemblyortheair
filterremoved.

NOTE:Do notusepressurizedairor solventstocleanthefilter.Pres-
surizedaircandamagethefilterandsolventswilldissolvethefilter.

1. Removethescrew(A)fromthetopoftheairfilterassembly(B).
SeeFigure12.

2. Topreventdebrisfromfallingintothe carburetor,carefullyremove
theairfilterassembly.

3. Removethefoamelement(C)fromtheairfilter base.

Figure12

4. Washthefoamelementinliquiddetergentandwater.Squeeze
drythefoamelementin a cleancloth.

5. Saturatethefoamelementwithclean engineoil.Toremovethe
excessengineoil,squeezethe foamelementina cleancloth.

6. installthefoamelementinto theair filterbase.

7. installtheairfilterassemblyontothecarburetorandsecurewith
screw.

17