Craftsman 247.372900 User Manual
OWNER’S
MANUAL
MODEL NO.
247.372900
CRAFTSMAN
5.0 HORSEPOWER
Caution:
Read and Follow
All Safety Rules
and Instructions
Before Operating
This Equipment
21" POWER PROPELLED
6-SPEED “3-IN-1”
MULCHING ROTARY MOWER
Assembly
Operation
Maintenance
Service and Adjustment
Repair Parts
SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
IMPORTANT
THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF NOT FOLLOWED, COULD ENDANGER THE PERSONAL
SAFETY AND/OR PROPERTY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL BEFORE
▲
ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE YOUR LAWN MOWER. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL
INJURY. WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL— HEED ITS WARNING.
SAFE OPERATION PRACTICES
A
DANGER: with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious
Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation in this manual. As
A
GENERAL OPERATION
Read this owner’s guide carefully In its entirety before attempting
to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all
instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before opera
tion. Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use
of this machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe
place for future and regular reference and for ordering replace
ment parts.
Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power equipment, not a
plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at all times. Your
unit has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not
use it for any other purpose.
Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power
mower. Children 14 years old and over should only operate
mower under close parental supervision. Only responsible indi
viduals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation should
be allowed to use your mower.
Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, particularly small
children and pets. Stop engine when they are in the vicinity of
your mower to help prevent blade contact or thrown object
injury. Although the area of operation should be completely
cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been overlooked
and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction
and cause serious personal injury to the operator or any others
allowed in the area.
Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used.
Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other foreign
objects which could be picked up and thrown by the mower in
any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator or
any others allowed in the area. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid
discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and
the like. To help avoid a thrown objects injury, keep children, ani
mals, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower
while it is in operation.
Always wear safety glasses with side shields or safety goggles
during operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to
protect eyes from foreign objects that may be thrown from the
machine in any direction.
Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and
shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs and steel
toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes
or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a
unit in bare feet, sandals, or sneakers.
Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear
of discharge opening at all times as the rotating blade can cause
injury.
Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over
the foot during a fall. Do not hang on to the mower if you are
falling; release the handle immediately.
Never pull the mower toward you while you are walking. If you
must back the mower away from a wall or obstruction first look
down and behind, and then follow these steps:
• Step back from the mower to fully extend your arms.
• Be sure you are well balanced with-sure footing.
• Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward
you.
• Repeat these steps as needed.
' Do not operate the mower while under the influence of alcohol or
drugs.
' Disengage the self-propelled mechanism or drive clutch on units
so equipped before starting the engine.
injury. This lawn mower is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe
the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
• The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to
bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device inopera
tive and may result in personal injury through contact with the
rotating blade. The blade control handle must operate easily in
both directions and automatically return to the disengaged posi
tion when released.
• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of your
footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. Keep a
firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. Mow only in daylight
or in good artificial light.
• Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.
• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the
engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is general
ly a warning of trouble.
• Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete
stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute.
The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the
engine is shut off. Never place any part of the body in the blade
area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.
• Never operate mower without proper guards, grass catcher,
plates or other safety protective devices in place.
• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not
touch.
• Only use accessories approved for this machine by the manufac
turer. Read, understand, and follow all instructions provided with
the approved accessory.
• If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care
and good judgment. Contact your dealer for assistance.
kll. SLOPE OPERATION
For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual
to measure slopes before operating this unit on a sloped or hilly
area. If the slope is greater than 15°, as shown on the slope gauge,
do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result.
DO:
• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise
extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tall grass can
hide obstacles.
• Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious
personal injury.
DO NOT:
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The opera
tor could loose footing or balance.
• Do not mow slopes greater than 15° as shown on the slope
gauge.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause slipping.
,111. CHILDREN
’Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the
presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and
the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where
you last saw them.
• Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area.
• Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for
small children.
• Never allow children under age 14 to operate the mower.
Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees,
or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child or
hazard.
IV. SERVICE
&
Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are
extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
• Use only an approved container.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is
running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before
refueling.
• Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any spilled gaso
line before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or
explosion.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of
ignition.
• Never refuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will
accumulate in the area.
» Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there
is an open flame or spark such as a gas water heater, space
heater, or furnace.
Never run an engine inside a closed area.
To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other
debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow mower to cool
at least 5 minutes before storing.
Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade
and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug
wire, and keep the wire away from the spark plug to prevent
accidental starting.
Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals
for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage
(e.g., bent, cracked). Replace with blade which meets original
equipment specifications.
Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is
in safe working condition.
Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation
regularly.
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire
from the spark plug, and thoroughly inspect the mower for any
damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the
mower.
Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while
the engine is running.
Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage and dete
rioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be
thrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and
replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when
necessary.
Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the
engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous.
OWNER’S
MANUAL
SAFETY LABEL
A
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.
VJAMWG—YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears
Craftsman Lawn Mower. It has been designed, engineered
and manufactured to give you the best possibie dependabil
ity and performance.
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily rem
edy, please return the lawn mower to the nearest Sears
Service Center/Department in the United States. We have
competent, well-trained technicians and the proper tools to
service or repair this unit.
Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will
enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower
properly. Always observe the “SAFETY RULES.”
MODEL
NUMBER 247.372900
SERIAL
NUMBER
DATE OF
PURCHASE
THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE FOUND
ON A LABEL ATTACHED TO THE TOP REAR OF THE
DECK.
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH SERIAL NUMBER AND
DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
• Read and observe the safety rules.
• Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for
and using your lawn mower.
• Follow the instructions under “Customer
Responsibilities” and “Storage” sections of this
Owner’s Manual.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Horsepower:
Displacement:
12.04 cu. in.
Fuel Capacity:
(Unleaded)
Oil:
20 Ounces
API Classification SG or SH
Spark Plug (Gap .030 in.): Champion J19LM
(or Equivalent)
Blade Bolt Torque:
450-600 in. lbs.
5.0
1 Quart
SAE 30
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this
product. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.
WARNING: This unit is equipped with an internal combus
tion engine and should not be used on or near any unim
proved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land
unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a
spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effec
tive working order by the operator.
In the State of California the above is required by law
(Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code).
Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on
federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available
through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center.
(See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual.)
FULL TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN LAWN MOWER
For two years from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman lawn mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned
up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the operator’s manual. Sears will repair, free of
charge, any defect in material or workmanship.
This warranty excludes the blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plugs, which are expendable
parts and become worn during normal use.
If this lawn mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 30 days from the
date of purchase.
WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN THE
UNITED STATES. THIS WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN USE IN THE UNITED
STATES.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
SEARS ROEBUCK AND CO., DEPT. 817WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60179
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY RULES................................................2,3
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
WARRANTY
.....................................................
.............................
.-..4
INDEX................................................................. S
MOWER ACCESSORIES....................................,5
ASSEMBLY
........................................................
6. 7
OPERATION................................................... MO
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES................10-12
Accessories
Adjustments:
Carburetor...................................................................14
Cutting Height
Engine Speed
Handle Height
Air Filter....................................... 12
Assembly......................................
Belt Removal and Replacement.14
Blade:
Replacement..........................
Sharpening
Controls:
Blade Control Handle..
Engine Speed Control
Cleaning
Customer Responsibilities
Cutting Height
Defleoter, Side Discharge ..............7
Drive Clutch Adjustment
Engine:
Lubrication
Speed Control
Starting
Storage...............................................
...................................
.........................
............................
...........................
B
........................
......................................
.................................8
D
E
..............................
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.....
...
......
.
,.,.,.,,..7
..........
...
,„,„,10
,.,„,.13
s
.12
12
...,S
..9
F
Filter, Air
.......................................
Gasoline:
5
14
13
S, 7
7
,15
12
Storage...........................................16
Tank Capacity
Type............................................. 9
Handle;
Hsighi Adjustmsnt,.
Storage,
Lubrication:
Brake Spring Bracket.........................11
11
Engine
........................................
vVhs6l A d ^ u s t s n j 1
Wheels 11
Maintenancs:
.Agrgsment,.,,,,.
Air Filter....................................... 12
Blade Care/Replacement
Engine............................................12
Lubrication,.
Spark Plug
Schedule .......................................
Mulching and Mowing Tips
Mulching Plug
Oil;
Changs,,,
Storage
Type
Operating Mower
.......................................
........................
.........................................
............................................
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENT
4
STORAGE
TROUBLESHOOTING........................................16
REPAIR PARTS—MOWER
REPAIR PARTS—ENGINE...........................20-22
SLOPE GAUGE................................................ 23
PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE
INDEX
....
............................
H
................
M
....
.............................
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...............................
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O
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BACK PAGE
Primer.
Repair/Replacemsnt Parts
9
Responsibilities, Customer.....10-12
12, 13
.15
Rope Guide
Safety Ruios..
Service and Adjustments:
.............................
S
......
....................
Blade................................ 11
,.12
Carburetor
Cutting Height
Engine
Handle Height.................... 13
Rear Trail Shield
...........................
.......................
..................................
...............
Service Recommendations
Side Discharge Deflector
Spark Plug...............................12
Specifications
4
Starting the Engine
,.,11
Stopping the Mower
Storage
12
12
Table of Contents,.,.,...............5
10
Trouble Shooting Guide
10
7
Warranty.............................. ,.,.4
.....................................
............................
....
..............9
.................
T
W
Wheels;
Adjusting Height...................S
12
15
11
„.,.7-10
Lubrication.............................11
13,14
15
17-19
................
...
17-22
6
14
14
14
...
10
.........
........
16
9
2, 3
8
7
4
8
is
MOWER ACCESSORIES
These accessories were available when the mower was purchased. They are also available at most Sears retail
outlets, catalog and service centers. Most Sears stores can order repair parts for you, when you provide the
model number of your mower.
ENGINE
MOWER
MOWER MAINTENANCE
Blade
Blade
Adapter
1
Wheels
ASSEMBLY
IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped WITHOUT
GASOLINE or OIL in the engine. Be certain to ser
vice engine with gasoline and oil before operating
your mower.
NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the
mower is observed from the operating position.
TO
REMOVE MOWER FROM CARTON
• Open top of flaps of carton. Remove carton inserts
(if any). Remove owner’s manual, side discharge
chute and bottle of oil which are in the carton. Lift
the mower from the carton, or cut the corners of the
carton and roil the mower out.
NOTE: A grass catcher bracket is in the bag with the
owner’s manual. Keep this bracket in a safe place. If
you purchase the optional grass catcher, mount the
bracket on the right side of the upper handle as
shown on page 18 of this manual, key 10.
HOW TO SET-UP YOUR LAWN MOWER
• Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.
Ground the spark plug wire by attaching it to the
retaining post until ready to operate your mower.
See figures 1 and 2. (Spark plug wire is shown in
figure 1 without the rubber boot for clarity.)
• Remove any packing material which may be
between the upper and lower handies for shipping
purposes.
• Pull up and back on the upper handle to raise the
handle into the operating position. Make certain the
lower handle is seated securely into the handle
mounting brackets. Tighten the hand knobs on
each side of the handle.
NOTE: Your mower is shipped with the handle in the
higher height position. If you wish to lower the height of
the handle, refer to the Adjustment Section at this time.
• Using a pair of pliers, remove hairpin clips from the
outer hole in weld pins on handle mounting brackets.
Place hairpin clips in the inner hole. See figure 3.
• The rope guide and wing nut are attached to the
starter rope, on top of the engine. Remove the wing
nut from rope guide. Remove the rope guide from
the starter rope.
• With the spark plug wire disconnected and ground
ed, hold the blade control handle against the upper
handle, and pull the starter rope out of the engine.
Hold the rope guide as shown so the opening in the
rope guide is toward the front of mower. Slip the
rope guide around the starter rope and into the right
side of upper handle using the hole shown. Secure
using the wing nut. See figure 4.
• Make certain all nuts and bolts are tightened
securely. Also, be certain to reconnect the spark
plug wire before starting the mower.
FIGURE 1.
Guide
FIGURE 2.
FIGURES.
Rope
Handle
Mounting
Bracket
Wire
Blade Control
Handle
Upper
Handle
Starter
Rope
Lower
Handie
Spark Plug
Wire and
oot
Mulching
Plug
Pin
Your mower has been shipped as a mulcher. To dis
charge grass to the side, proceed as follows.
• To convert your mower from a muicher to a
side discharge mower, lift the mulching plug. See
Mulching
Plug
figure 5. Slide the two hooks on the side discharge
deflector under the hinge pin on the mulching plug
assembly. Lower the mulching plug.
OPERATION
KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER.
Oompare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and
adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.
Drive Clutch
Lever
Rope
Guide
Starter Rope
Oil Fill and Dipstick
FIGURE 6.
Deck
Mulching
Plug
-Blade Control
Handle
MEETS CPSC
Spark Plug
Wire and Boot
BLADE
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Primer
LEFT SIDE OF MOWER
Front
Wheel
Adjuster
Engine
Speed Control
Lever
Sears Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute,
and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns when the engine is running.
BLADE CONTROL HANDLE—must be held down to
the handle to start and run the engine. Release to
stop the engine.
STARTER ROPE—used for starting the engine.
PRIMER—pumps additional fuel from the carburetor
to the cylinder for use when starting a cold engine.
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER—permits selec
tion of fast or slow engine speed.
DRIVE CLUTCH CONTROL—must be held against
the handle to engage the wheel drive. Release the
drive clutch control to stop the wheels from driving.
SHIFT LEVER—is used to select one of six operating
speeds for the mower.
OPERATION
BEFORE USING YOUR LAWN MOWER, AGAIN REFER TO THE “SAFETY RULES" AS SHOWN ON PAGE 2
OF THIS MANUAL. ALWAYS BE CAREFUL.
The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the
eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye
shields before starting power tool operation or while performing any adjustments or
repairs. We recommend Wide Vision Safety Mask for over spectacles or standard
glasses available at Sears Retail or Catalog Stores.
HOW TO USE YOUR MOWER
TO STOP ENGINE
Release blade control handle to stop engine.
Disconnect the spark plug wire and move it away from
the spark plug to prevent accidental starting while
equipment is unattended.
ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
The height adjuster levers for the wheels are located
on the left side of the deck. See figure 6, The levers
may be placed in one of nine cutting height positions.
Both levers should always be set to the same posi
tion.
• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high
ENGINE SPEED CONTROL
• To change cutting height, move adjuster levers
The engine speed is ccntroiied by a iever (red knob)
located on the left side of the engine. The “Hi’’ posi
tion is for starting engine, normal cutting and best pertormance. The "LOW’’ position is for light cutting, trim
ming and fuel economy.
• Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements.
BLADE CONTROL HANDLE
Your mower has a control handle which requires the
operator to be behind the handle to start and am the
mower, When the operator releases the control han
dle, the engine will stop and an internal brake helps
the blade to stop quickly.
When the operator leaves the operating position to
change the cutting height, pick up sticks or other
objects in the way, the engine vrill stop automatically
when the control handle is released.
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
OIL
A 20 ounce bottle of SAE 30 oil is included with your
new lawn mower.
DRIVE CLUTCH CONTROL LEVER
To engage the wheel drive, squeeze the drive clutch
control lever against the handle. Releasing the drive
clutch control iever stops the wheels from driving.
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API
service classification SQ or SH. Select the oil’s
viscosity grade according to your expected operating
temperature.
Release the drive clutch contrci iever to slow down
when negotiating an obstacle, making a turn or stop
colder 32T
ping.
cut.
toward wheels. Move wheels up or down to suit
your requirements. Be sure both levers are in the
same setting.
Refer to the "Mulching or Mowing Tips" on page 10.
(The height adjusters may seem hard to move when
new. They will operate easier after some use.)
Warmer
SHIFT LEVER
The six speed shift lever is located below the drive
clutch control lever. Position 1 is the slowest speed;
position 6 is the fastest. Release the drive clutch
control lever when changing speeds.
IMPORTANT; Move the shift lever ONLY when the
engine is running. Shifting the speeds with the
engine off can cause damage to the unit.
5W30
SAE 30
NOTE; Although mu It ¡-viscosity oil (SW30, 10W30,
etc.) Improve starting in cold weather, these multi
viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32®F. Check your oil level more
frequently to avoid possible engine damage from
running low on oil.
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