Craftsman 247.88998 Operator's Manual

perator s

PROFESSIONAL

nual

33-inch Wide Cut Mower

Model No. 247.88998

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.769-06544A

, SAFETY , ASSEMBLY , OPERATION , MAINTENANCE , PARTS LIST , ESPANOL R 51

(December16,2010)

Warranty Statement .......................................................... 2

Safety instructions ........................................................ 3-6

Slope Guide ....................................................................... 7

Safety Labels .................................................................... 8

Assembly .................................................................... 10-14

Operation ................................................................... 15-17

CRAFTSMAN PROFESSIONAL TWO YEAR FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthe dateof purchase,this productiswarrantedagainstanydefectsin materialor workmanship.Defectiveproductwill receivefreerepairorfree replacementifrepairis unavailable.

Thiswarrantyappliesfor onlyone yearfromthedateof purchaseifthis productiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesor if rentedto anotherperson.

Forwarranty coveragedetailsto obtain repairor replacement,visitthe website: www.craftsman.com. ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefects in materialandworkmanship. Warranty coverage does NOTinclude:

• Expendableitemsthatbecomewornduringnormaluse,includingbutnot limitedtoblades,sparkplugs,aircleaners,belts,andoil filters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedby puncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,orglass.

• Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedto damagecausedbyimpactingobjectsthat bendtheframeor

crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnot limitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper storage,failureto usethe propergradeandamountofengineoil, failureto keepthe deckclearof flammabledebris,orfailureto maintainthe equipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningorrepairscausedbyfuel determinedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandwearofthe exteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyou mayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears Brands ManagementCorporation, Hoffman Estates,IL 60179

GrossHP: 12.5 EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC Engine: Briggs& StrattonPowerBuiltTM

Model Number Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthe modelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

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

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failureto complywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuiltto beoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron thepartofthe operatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknownto StateofCalifornia tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyinitsentiretybefore attemptingto assemblethis machine.Read,understand,and

followall instructionsonthemachineandinthe manualsbefore operation.Keepthismanualina safeplacefor futureand regular

referenceandfor orderingreplacementparts

• Becompletelyfamiliarwiththe controlsandthe properuseof this machinebeforeoperatingit.

• Thismachineis a precisionpieceofpowerequipment,nota plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat alltimes.This machinehas beendesignedto performonejob:to mowgrass. Donot useit foranyotherpurpose.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofageto operatethis machine.Children14andover shouldreadandunderstandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

• Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesof safeoperationshouldbe allowedtousethis machine.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeign objects,whichcouldbetrippedoverorpickedupandthrownby theblade.Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstruction,whichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,stayin operatorzonebehindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders, helpersandpetsat least75feetfrommowerwhileit is inopera- tion.Stopmachineif anyoneentersarea.

Your Responsibility--Restrict the useof this powermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperformingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.

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

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

Donot puthandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwithbladecan amputatefingers,hands,toesand feet.

A missingordamageddischargecovercan causebladecontact or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Manyinjuriesoccurasa resultofthe mowerbeingpulledoverthe footduringafallcausedby slippingortripping.Do notholdon to themowerif youarefalling:releasethehandleimmediately.

Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyou arewalking.If

youmustbackthemowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirst

lookdownandbehindtoavoidtrippingandthenfollowthese steps:

1. Stepbackfrommowerto fullyextendyourarmsforward.

2. Besureyouare wellbalancedwithsurefooting.

3. Pullthemowerbackslowly,nomorethanhalf waytoward

you.

4. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.

Donot operatethemowerwhileunderthe influenceof alcoholor

drugs.

Donot engagetheself-propelledmechanismon machinesso

equippedwhilestartingengine.

• Thebladecontrolhandleis a safetydevice.Neverattemptto bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinopera- tiveandmayresultin personalinjurythroughcontactwiththe rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandlemustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothedisengaged positionwhenreleased.

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

• Mowonlyin daylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

• Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.

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

• Shutthe engineoff andwaituntilthe bladecomesto a complete stopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcheror uncloggingthechute. Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotatefor afewsecondsafterthe bladecontrolisreleased.Neverplaceanypartofthebodyinthe bladeareauntilyou aresurethe bladehasstoppedrotating.

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

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot touch.

• Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile theengineis running.

• Onlyuse partsand accessoriesmadeforthis machineby the manufactureras listedin thePartspagesofthisOperator's Manual.Failuretodosocan resultin personalinjury.

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

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

andassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfall accidents,whichcan resultinsevereinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.If youfeel uneasyona slope,do notmowit. Foryoursafety,usethe SlopeGuideincludedaspartof thismanualto measureslopesbefore operatingthis machineon a slopedor hillyarea. Iftheslopeisgreater than15degrees,donot mowit.

Do:

Mowacrossthefaced slopes;neverupanddown.Exercise

extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

• Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan causeyouto sliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

• Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slipandfallcan causeserious personalinjury.Ifyou feelyou arelosingyourbalance,release thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewillstop

rotatingwithinthree (3) seconds.

DoNot:

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,because youcouldloseyourfootingorbalance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the slopeguide.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscan occurifthe operatorisnotalerttothe presence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themowerandthe mowing activity.Theydonotunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat childrenwill remainwhereyou lastsawthem.

Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaandunderwatchfulcareof

a responsibleadultotherthan theoperator.

• Bealertandturn moweroffif achildentersthearea.

• Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown for smallchildren.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionofa childwhomayrunintothe mower.

• 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.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthe vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhen gasolineis spilledonyourselfor yourclothes,whichcan ignite. Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron atruck ortrailerbed witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway

fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailerand

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

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimof thefueltankor containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingis complete.Donot use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources ofignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill accumulateinthe area.

• Neverremovegas caporaddfuel whileengineis hotor running. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• Neverover-fillfuel tank.Toallowfor expansionof thefuel,donot fillabovethebottomofthe fueltankneck.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• If gasolineisspilled,wipeit offtheengineandequipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.

• Neverstorethemachineorfuel containernearanopenflame, sparkor pilotlightasona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace, clothesdryerorothergas appliances.

• Toreducefirehazard,keepmachinefreeof grass,leaves,or otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand removeany

fuel-soakeddebris. Allowmachinetocoolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService:

• Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundagainstthe enginetopreventunintended starting.

Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsat frequentintervals forpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g., bent,cracked,worn).Replacebladewiththeoriginalequipment manufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listedinthePartspagesofthis manual.Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginalequipment specificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompro- misesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut. Wrapthe bladeor wear gloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobe suretheequipmentis insafeworkingcondition.

Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperoperation regularly.

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

Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile theengineisrunning.

• Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,and trailshieldare subjectto wearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allowobjectstobethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthePartspages ofthismanual.Useof partswhichdo notmeetthe original equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand compromisesafety!

Donot changetheengine'sgovernorsettingorover-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor

leaks.Replaceifnecessary.

Donot crankenginewith sparkplugremoved.

• Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improperdisposal offluidsandmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.

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

hasanAverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or 140hoursof

operation.At theendof theAverageUsefulLifehavethemachine

inspectedannuallybya Searsorotherqualifiedservicedealer

toensurethatallmechanicalandsafetysystemsareworking

properlyand notwornexcessively.Failuretodosocan resultin

accidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththe governorsettingcanleadto a runawayengineand causeitto operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.Doingso willvoidtheproductwarranty.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

EngineswhicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,and mayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM) and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineand shouldnotbe usedonor nearany unimprovedforest-covered, brush-coveredorgrass-coveredlandunlessthe engine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifa sparkarrestorisused,itshouldbe maintainedineffectiveworking orderbytheoperator.Inthe StateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequired

bylaw(Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws. Federallawsapplyonfederallands. A sparkarrestor(Part No.398067)for themufflerisavailablethrough

yournearestSearsPartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachine 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

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.

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 150.

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.

| |

or acornerof a building...

15°

Use this page as a guide to determine slopes where you may not operatesafely.

Donotoperateyourlawnmoweronsuchslopes.Donotmowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a riseof approximately2-1/2feetevery10feet). Operatewalk- behindmowersacrossthefaceofslopes,neverup anddownslopes.

This pageleft intentionallyblank.

IMPORTANT:Thisunitis shippedwithoil inthe engine.After assembly,seepage15for fuelandoil details.

IMPORTANT:Referencetorightor leftsideof themoweris observed fromtheoperatingposition.

Disconnectthesparkplugwire andgrounditagainstthe engineto preventunintendedstarting.

LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON

Thefollowingitemsare packagedina bag: Operator'sManual,Oildrainhose,Waterhosecoupler,EngineManual

TOOLS NEEDED FOR ASSEMBLY

A setofadjustablewrenchesandtiregauge

MOWER SET-UP

Shipping Brace Removal

Makesurethe lawnmower'sengineisoff.Removetheignitionkey beforeremovingtheshippingbrace.

1. Locatetheshippingbrace,if present,foundon therightsideof thecuttingdeck.SeeFigure1.

Attaching the Battery Cables NOTE:The positivebatteryterminalis markedPos.(+).Thenegative

batteryterminalis markedNeg.(-). Thepositivecable(heavyredwire)issecuredto thepositivebattery

terminal(+)withahexboltandhexnutat thefactory. Thenegativecable(heavyblackwire)maybe securedtothenegative

batteryterminalat thefactory.If ithasn'tbeenattached,proceedas follows:

Removethecarriageboltandhexnutfromthe positivecable

(heavyredwire).

Removetheredplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthepositivebattery terminalandattachthe positivecabletothe positivebattery terminal(+)withtheboltandhexnut.See Figure2.

Figure1

Whileholdingthe dischargechutewithyour lefthand,removethe shippingbracewithyourright handbygraspingit betweenyour thumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

Theshippingbraceis usedfor packagingpurposesonly.Remove anddiscardtheshippingbracebeforeoperatingyourlawnmower.

Themowingdeckis capableofthrowingobjects.Failuretooperate

Ithe mowerwithoutthedischargecoverin the properoperatingposi- ltion could resultin seriouspersonalinjuryand/orpropertydamage.

Figure2

3. Removethecarriageboltandhexnutfromthe negativecable (heavyblackwirel

4. Removetheblackplasticcover,if present,fromthe negativebat- tery terminalandattachthenegativecabletothe negativebattery terminal(-) withtheboltand hexnut.SeeFigure2.

5. Makecertainthehold-downrodisin positionoverthebattery, securingit inplaceandmakecertainthattheredrubberbootcov- ersthe positivebatteryterminaltohelpprotectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:Ifthe batteryis putinto serviceafterthe dateshown on top/sided battery,chargethebatteryas instructedinthe

Maintenancesectionof thismanualpriorto operatingthemower.

Unfolding the Handle

1. Removethestar knobsandcarriagescrewsfromthelower handle.SeeFigure3.

Attaching the Shift Lever

1. Removethescrewandthe locknutthatsecurestheshiftleverto theshift leverplate.SeeFigure5.

Figure3

Pivottheupperhandleintooperatingposition.Becarefulnotto crimpcables.SeeFigure4.

Figure4

3. Reinstallthecarriagescrewsandknobsremovedearlier.

4. Tightentheupperandlowerstarknobsandcarriagescrewsto securetheupperhandleto thelowerhandle,SeeFigure4.

5. Thehandleheightcanbeadjustedto anyof threepositions. Forinstructions,referto HandleHeightin the Maintenanceand Adjustmentssectionofthis manual.

Figure5

2. Removetheremainingscrewandnut fromthelowershiftlever plate.SeeFigure5.

3. Positionthe uppershiftleverintoa verticalpositionaligningthe holesinthe leverwiththe holesinthe shiftplate.SeeFigure6.

Figure6

4. Securethelevertothe plateusingthe two screwsandtwo nuts removedearlier.SeeFigure6.

Checking Tire Pressure

Maximumtire pressureunderanycircumstancesis 30 psi.Equaltire

pressureshouldbemaintainedatall times.

Thereartireson yourunitmaybeover-inflatedfor shippingpurposes.

Reducethe tirepressurebeforeoperatingthemower.Recommended operatingtirepressureis approximately20p.s.i.Checkthesidewallof tirefor maximump.s.i.

Fuel Tank Ca

oil Dipstick

Deck Height

Lever ===='_

Air

-- Cleaner

Handle

ignition Switch

Systems indicator Monitor

Drive Control

Gear Shift Lever

Figure7

Spark Plug

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsonsparkplug

replacement.

Oil Cap/Dipstick

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

MOWER CONTROLS

_,, J

Figure8

ENGINE CONTROLS

Referto Figure8forlocationsofthe enginecontrols.

Oil Drain Valve Usetheoil drainvalvetodrainoilfromthe engine.Refertothe

Maintenancesectionforinstructions. Air Cleaner Handle

Theair cleanerhandleis usedtogainaccessto theaircleaner.Theair cleanercartridgecanbe removedandcleanedor replaced.Referto

theMaintenancesectionfordetails.

Referto Figure7for locationsofthemowercontrols.

Throttle/Choke Control

NOTE:Whenoperatingthemowerwiththe cuttingdeckengaged,becertainthatthe throttle/chokecontrolis inthefast position.

THEthrottle/chokecontrolis usedto adjust enginespeeds,toactivatethe enginechoke andto stopthe engine.Alwaysrunengine

withthethrottle/chokecontrolleverinthe fastpositionfor bestmowerperformance.

CHOKE:Usewhenstartingacold engine.

FAST:Useduringmoweroperation.

SLOW:Usewhenidlingengine.

STOP:Stopstheengine.

REFERtoStartingTheEngineinthe

Operationsectionof thismanualfordetailed

startinginstructions.

Choke==_

Fast

Slow ==_

Stop

Deck Height Lever Usethisleverto adjustthemowingdeck'scuttingheight.Touse,move

thelevertothe left,then placetheleverin the notchbestsuitedfor yourapplication.

ignition Switch

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysdisengage blades,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

The four-position switch is used to start and stop the engine on electric-start models. To start the engine, insert the key into the

ignition position. Release key into the RUN _ position once the engine has started.

Move the key nto the RUN/LIGHT,_:'i'_ post on to run the mower with the headlight on. Turn the key 0 to stop the engine.

See Figure 9.

switch and turn clockwise to the START (J_t_

toSTOP

Run/Light

Drive Control

Thedrivecontrolisusedtoengageand disengagedrivetothe wheels.Toengage this control,squeezethedrivecontrol againstthehandlebargrip.Tostopthe drive,

releasethedrivecontrol.

Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechangingspeeds.Failureto do somayresultin seriousdamagetoyourtransmission.

Blade Control

Locatedonthe right-handhandle,theblade controlisusedtoengagethe mowingdeck. Tooperate,pressand holdthe leveragainst thehandlebargrip.Tostopthe blades,

releasethebladecontrol.

Stop 1

Position _ Run

Figure9

NevermovethekeyintotheStartpositionwhiletheengineisrunning; doingsomaycausedamagetothe engine'sstarter.

Neverattemptto starttheenginewiththe bladecontrolengaged.

Alwaysreleasethe bladecontrolwhenstartingtheengine.Failureto do somayresultinprematureweartoyourengine'selectricstarter.

GEAR SHIFT LEVER

Usethisleverto selectanyoffour forwardgroundspeeds,neutral,or reverse.

Forward Fourforwardspeedsareavailable.Positionone (1)isthe slowestand

positionfour(4) is thefastest. Reverse

Toselectreverse,puttheleverin theReverse(R)position.

Lookbehindthe mowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation.Stopthe

mowerbladesbeforeoperatinginreverse. Neutral Placethe leverinneutral(N)beforestartingthemowerandwhenthe

mowerisnot inuse.Inaddition,the mowercan be manuallypushed orpulledbyplacingthegearshiftleverinto N(neutral)positionand pressingthe drivecontrolagainstthe handlebargrip.

Alwaysreleasethe drivecontrolbeforechangingspeeds.Failureto dosomayresultin seriousdamagetoyourtransmission.

SYSTEMS INDICATOR MONITOR/HOUR METER

BATTERY

j j/

42.0

/// HOURS 1/10 \\\

Figure10

LCD

Whenthe ignitionkeyis rotatedout ofthe STOPpositionbut not

intothe STARTposition,the systemsindicatormonitordisplaysthe battery'soutput,involts,onits LCDfor approximatelyfiveseconds,

afterwhichitdisplaysan hourglassandthehoursofmoweroperation.

Oncetheengineisstarted,the monitorcontinuallydisplaysan hour

glassandthehoursofmoweroperationon its LCD.SeeFigure10.

NOTE:Hoursof moweroperationarerecordedanytimethe ignition keyis rotatedoutofthe STOP_i _position,regardlessofwhetherthe

engineisstarted. TheIndicatorMonitorwill alsoremindtheoperatorofmaintenance

intervalsforchangingtheengineoil. TheLCDwill alternatelyflashthe recordedhours,"CHG"and"OIL' forfiveminutes,afterevery50 hours

of recordedoperationelapse.Themaintenanceintervallastsfortwo

hours(from50-52, 100-102,150-152,etc.).TheLeD willalso flash

asdescribedaboveforfiveminuteseverytimethemower'sengine

hasbeenstartedduringthismaintenanceinterval.Beforetheinterval expires,changetheengineoilas instructedintheMaintenancesection ofthis Operator'sManual.

Battery

Itis normalforthe Batterylighttoilluminatewhiletheengineis crankingduringstart-up,butif it illuminatesduringoperation,whilethe engineisrunning,thebatteryisin needof a chargeorthe engine's chargingsystemisnot generatingsufficientamperage.Chargethe

batteryasinstructedin the Servicesectionof thismanualorhavethe chargingsystemcheckedbySearsor anotherqualifiedservicedealer.

GAS AND OiL FILL-UP

IMPORTANT:Thisunitis shippedwithoutgasolinebutwithoil inthe engine.Becertainto serviceenginewithgasolineandchecktheoilas instructedin thissectionbeforestartingor runningyour machine.

Oil Use4-strokemotoroilthatmeetsor exceedstherequirementsforAPI

servicecategorySF,SG,SH,SJ or later.AlwayschecktheAPIservice labelontheoilcontainerto besureit includesthelettersSF,SG,SH,

SJorlater.

* Below40°F(4°C)theuseofSAE30willresultinhardstarting. ** Above80°F(27°C)theuseof 10W-30maycauseincreasedoil

consumption.Checkoil levelmorefrequently.

1. Checktheoil withtheenginestoppedandlevel.

2. Removetheoil filldipstickandwipeitclean.

3. Insertandtightenthe oilfilldipstick.Removeittochecktheoil level.See Figure11.

4. If theoillevelisnearorbelowthelowerlimitmarkon thedipstick, removethe oil filldipstick,andfillwiththe recommendedoil tothe upperlimitmark(J). Donot overfill.

5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipstick.

Gasoline

Donotuseunapprovedgasolines,suchasE85.Donotmixoilin gasolineormodifyengineto runonalternatefuels.Thiswilldamage theenginecomponentsandvoid the engine warranty.

Figure11

Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththe enginestopped.Ifthe engine hasbeenrunning,allowit tocool first.Neverrefuelthe engineinsidea buildingwheregasolinefumesmayreachflamesor sparks.

Gasolineis highlyflammableandexplosive,andyoucan be burnedor seriouslyinjuredwhenrdueling.Stopengineandkeep heat,sparks,andflameaway.Refuelonlyoutdoors.Wipeupspills immediately.

ifyour equipmentwill be usedonan infrequentorintermittentbasis, pleaserefertothe Off SeasonStoragesectionforadditionalinforma- tionregardingfueldeterioration.

NOTE:Fuelcandamagepaintandsometypes ofplastic.Becareful notto spillfuel whenfillingyourfueltank.

Neverusestaleorcontaminatedgasolineoroil/gasolinemixture. Avoidgettingdirtor waterin thefueltank.

1. Removethefueltankcap.

2. Fillthefueltankwith fuel.To allowforexpansionof thefuel,do notfill abovethe bottomofthefuel tankneck.Do notoverfill.

Wipeupspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.

3. Installthefueltankcapandtightenituntil itclicks.

4. Movelawnmowerat least10feetawayfromthefuel container/ sourceandsitebeforestartingtheengine.

Fuelmustmeetthese requirements:

• Clean,fresh,unleadedgasoline.

• A minimumof87 octane/87AKI(91RON).

• Gasolinewithupto 10%ethanol(gasohol)or upto 15%MTBE (methyltertiarybutylether)is acceptable.

Besurenooneotherthanthe operatorisstandingnearthelawn mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine indoorsor inenclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust containscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands, feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine

andlawnmower.

STARTING THE ENGINE

Disengageallcontrolsonthemower.

Movethegearshiftleverinto theneutral(N)position.

Insertthe keyintothe ignitionswitch.

If startingacold engine,placethethrottle/chokecontrolallthe wayforward,intotheCHOKE1_.1position.If restartinga warm

engine,placethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheFast_ position.

Turntheignitionkeyclockwisetothe START_ position.After theenginestarts,releasethekey.it will returntothe RUN(_

position.

MovethekeytotheRUN/LGNT positiontooperatethe

mowerusingthe headlight.

DoNOTholdthe keyintheSTARTpositionforlongerthan five secondsata time.Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine's

electricstarter.

7. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheFAST'_ position. NOTE:Neverleavethethrottle/chokecontrolintheCHOKEI'_!

positionwhileoperatingthemower.Doingsowillresultin a "rich"fuel mixtureandcausetheengineto runpoorly.

Stopping the Engine

Totravelin REVERSE,

a. Checkthatthe areabehindisclear. b. PlacethegearshiftleverinReverse(R).

c. SlowlysqueezetheDriveControlagainstthelefthandlegrip

andthemowerwillmove.Releaseitanddrivemotionwillstop.

DoNOTattempttochangethe directionof travelwhenthe moweris in motion.Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolandbringthe mowertoa completestopbeforerepositioningthegearshiftleverfromaforward gearintoReverse.Failuretodo somayresultin seriousdamageto

rourtransmission.

Donot leavetheoperator'spositionwithoutfirstreleasingtheBlade Control.Ifleavingthe mowerunattended,also turnthe engineoffand

removethe ignitionkey.

ENGAGING THE BLADES

Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,keepbystand-

lets,helpers,childrenandpetsat least75feetfromthemachinewhile lit is inoperation.Stopmachineif anyoneentersthearea.

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontroltothe FAST_ position.

e beforerestartingandoperating.

1. Ifthe bladesareengaged,releasethe BladeControl.

2. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheSTOPlI_ position.

3. TurntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOPO position.

4. Removethe keyfromtheignitionswitchto preventunintended starting.

ENGAGING THE DRIVE

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

Starttheengineas instructedearlierin thissectionandmovethe throttle/chokecontrolintotheFAST'_ position.

TotravelFORWARD:

a. Placethegearshiftleverin anyof thefourforwardground

speeds.Selecta speedappropriateforthe conditionsanda paceyou'recomfortablewith.

b. Slowlysqueezethe DriveControlagainstthelefthandlegrip

andthemowerwillmove.Releaseitanddrivemotionwillstop.

2. Slowlysqueezethe BladeControlagainsttherighthandlegrip andthebladeswillengage.Releaseit andthebladeswillstop.

OPERATING ON SLOPES

Refertothe SLOPEGUIDEon page7 tohelpdetermineslopeswhere

youmayoperatethemowersafely.

Donot mowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a rise ofapproximately2-1/2feetevery 10feet).Themowercouldoverturn andcauseseriousinjury.

• Mowacrossthefaceof slopes;neverupanddown.

• Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

• Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan

causeyouto sliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

• Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slipandfallcan causeserious personalinjury.Ifyou feelyou arelosingyourbalance,release thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewillstop

rotatingwithinthree (3) seconds.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,youcould loseyourfootingor balance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the slopegauge.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

USING THE DECK HEIGHT LEVER

Toraiseor lowerthecuttingdeck, movethe deck heightlevertothe left,then placeit inthenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.

MOWING

Thefollowinginformationwill behelpfulwhenoperatingyourmower.

Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialstoward roads,sidewalks,bystanders.Also,avoiddischargingmaterial againstawallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Donotmowatfastgroundspeeds,especiallyifa mulchkitor grasscollectoris installed.

• Donotcut thegrasstooshort.Shortgrassisproneto weed growthandyellowsquicklyin dryweather.

• Alwaysoperatethemowerwiththethrottle/chokecontrolinthe FAST_ positionwhilemowing.

• Forbestresultsitis recommendedthatthefirsttwolapsbecut withthedischargethrowntowardsthe center.Afterthefirsttwo laps,reversethe directiontothrowthe dischargeto theoutside forthe balanceofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearancetothe

lawn.

INSTALLING/REMOVING MULCH BAFFLE

Beforeinstallingor removingthe mulchbaffle,disengageblades,sto

theengineand removekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Stoptheengineandwaitforall partsto stopmoving. Installing the Mulch Baffle

1. Insertthe right-sidetab(A)of thebaffleinto thebracketonthe deck.SeeFigure12.

2. Insertthe mulchbaffleintothedischargeopening(B).See Figure12.

3. Onceit'spositionedin thedeckopening,pushthebaffletowards

therearof themower(C) tosecureit inplace.

SeeFigure12.

DoNOTattemptto mowheavybrushandweedsor extremelytall grass.Yourmoweris designedtomowlawns,NOTclear brush.

Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.

Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthe mowerfor anydamage.AlwaysInspectthe bladetimingbeltas instructedin the Maintenancesectionof thismanual.Repairthe damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.

MULCHING

TheCraftsmanProWideCutmoweris equippedwitha mulchkit(sup- pliedwiththemower),whichusesspecialbladesto recirculategrass clippingsrepeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.Theultra-fineclippings arethenforcedbackinto thelawnwheretheyact asa naturalfertilizer. Observethe followingpointsforthe bestresultswhenmulching.

• Neverattempttomulchif the lawnisdamp.Wetgrasstends tostickto theundersideof thecuttingdeckpreventingproper mulchingof theclippings.

DoNOTattemptto mulchmorethan1/3the totalheightof the grass.Doingsowill causetheclippingsto clumpupbeneaththe deckandnotbemulchedeffectively.

• Maintaina slowgroundspeedtoallowthegrassclippingsmore timetoeffectivelybemulched.

• Alwayskeepthethrottlecontrolleverinthe FAST,_ position whilemowing.Failingtokeepthe engineatfull throttleplaces strainon themower'sengineanddoesnotallowthe bladesto properlymulchthegrassclippings.

Figure12

Removing the Mulch Baffle Slidethebaffleto theright(towardthe frontofthe mower)to disen-

gagetheslotfromthe mowerdeckandthen prythe left-sideofthe

baffleoutward.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

1st5 hours Every8 hoursor Daily

25 hours

50 hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

1. Engineoil

1. Mowerblades

2. Looseormissinghardware

3. Belts

4. Engineoillevel

5. Controls

6. Mulchplug(iffitted)

1. Airfilter/pre-cleanerf

2. Mowerblades

3. Controllinkagesand pivots

1. EngineOil

2. FrontWheelBearings

1. Sparkplug

2. Air Filter

3. Pre-cleanerf

4. RearWheels

1. Fuelsystem

1. Change

1. As required

2. Tightenor replace

3. Check

4. Check

5. Checkfor properoperation

6. Checkfor properpluginstallation

1. Clean*

2. Sharpenandbalance

3. Lubewithlightoil

1. Change

2. Grease

1. Replace

2. Replace

3. Replace

4. Grease

1. Runengineuntilit stopsfromlackof fueloradda gasolineadditivetothe gasin thetank.

1-IfEquipped * Industyconditionsor whenairbornedebrisispresent,cleanmoreoften

MAINTENANCE

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengageblades, stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganytype of maintenanceon themower.

Thewarrantyon thislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathave beensubjectedtooperatorabuseor negligence.Toreceivefull valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintainthelawnmoweras

instructedinthismanual.

• Changingofengine-governedspeedwillvoidenginewarranty.

• Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedat leastonceeachseason.

• Periodicallycheckall fastenersandmakesuretheyare tight.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Engine Oil Checkoillevelbeforeeachuse.Stopengineandwaitseveralminutes

beforecheckingoil level.Withengineon levelground, theoilmust betoFULLmarkondipstick.

1. RemovetheOil Cap/Dipstickandwipewitha cleancloth.

2. ReplaceandtightenOilCap/Dipstick.Remove OilCap/Dipstickandcheckoil level.Level

shouldbeat FULLmark.

3. If needed,addoil slowlyintotheengineoilfill. Recheckoil level. Donotoverfill.

Togainaccessto theoil drainvalveonthe engine,pivotthe right

handlebracetubeforward.

a. Removetheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewontheright

sideof thehandle,Figure13.

b. Pivotthebracetubetowardsthefrontof themowerto allow

roomto connecttheoildrainhoseto theoildrainvalve, Figure13.

Figure13

Popoff theprotectivecapon theendofthe oil drainvalveto

exposethedrainport.SeeFigure14.

Oil Fiil Cap/Dipstick

4. ReinsertOilCap/Dipstickandtighten.

Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoilmaymakethe enginehardtostart,

or notto start.If overthe FULLmarkonthedipstick,drainoil levelto

FULLmarkondipstick.

Changing the Engine Oil

Iftheenginehas beenrecentlyrun,theengine,mufflerandsur- roundingmetalsurfaceswillbe hotandcan causeburnsto theskin.

Exercisecautiontoavoidburns.

Theoil inthe engineshouldbechangedafterthefirst fivehoursof operationandevery50 hoursofoperation.

1. Runthe enginefora fewminutestoallowtheoil in the crankcase towarmup. Warmoilwillflowmorefreelyand carryawaymoreof theenginesedimentwhichmayhavesettledatthebottomofthe

crankcase.Usecareto avoidburnsfromhotoil.

_\ j,J"

....."",,, iij ...............................................

Figure14

Removetheoilfill cap/dipstickfromtheoil fill tube,Figure14.

Pushtheoildrainhose(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoildrain port.Routetheoppositeendd thehoseintoanappropriateoilcollec-

tioncontainerwithatleasta2.5quartcapacity,tocollectthe usedoil.

6, Releasethevalvebypressingthetwotabsinwardwhilepulling

thevalveout,Theoil willbeginto drainoutof theengine,

7. Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pressthetwotabsinwardand pushthe oildrainvalvebackin tolockthe valveclosed,Remove thehose,andre-captheendof theoildrainvalveto keepdebris fromenteringthedrainport.

8. Refilltheenginewithnew motoroil untilthe oillevelon the dipstickreadsFULL.Replacethe oilfillcap/dipstick.

9. Pivottheright handlebracetubebackintoposition.Alignthe middleholeinthe bracetubewiththeholein the handle.Secure

withthestarknobandcarriagescrewremovedearlier.

Checking the Spark Plug Cleansparkplugandresettheelectrodegapto0.030"atleastoncea

season;replaceannually.

1. Cleanareaaroundthe sparkplugbase.Donot sandblastspark plug.Sparkplugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushing andwashingwitha commercialsolvent

Removeand inspectthesparkplug.Checkgapto makesureit is setat .030".SeeFigure15.

Electrode Porcelain

Servicing the Air Filter

Iffilters,or coversarenotinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Donotattemptto startthe enginewith themremoved.

Donot usepressurizedairor solventsto cleantheair filtercartridge.

Cleanor replacetheairfilterevery25hoursofoperation.

1. Pulluponthecoverhandle.Rotatethecoverhandletowardthe engineand removethe cover.SeeFigure16.

f -,,

Air FilterCover AirFilterCartridge

CoverHandle _

.030inch(26 ram)gap

Figure15

Replacethe sparkplugifelectrodesarepitted,burned,or the porcelainiscracked.Usea Champion®RC12YCsparkplug.

Figure16

2. Carefullyremoveaircleanercartridgeandpre-cleaner(if equipped)fromtheblowerhousing.

3. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthe filteron a hardsurface.If thefilter is excessivelydirty,replacewitha newfilter.

4. Washthepre-cleanerinliquiddetergentandwaterandallow itto thoroughlydry. DONOToil thepre-cleaner.

5. Placethedrypre-cleaner,if equipped,andcartridgebackinto theblowerhousing.Thecartridgemustbeplacedsecurelyinto position.

6. Aligntabsoncoverwithslotsin blowerhousing.Rotatethecover handlebackandpushdownto lockinplace.

BATTERY

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato cause

cancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

1. Positionthemowerona level,clear spoton yourlawn,near enoughforyourgardenhoseto reach.

Makecertainthe mower'sdischargechuteisdirectedAWAYfrom

yourhouse,garage,parkedcars,etc.

Thebatteryissealedandis maintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbe checkedandfluidcannot beadded.

• Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof corrosivebuild-up.

Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applyalightcoatof petroleumjelly or greaseto bothterminals.

If removingthebatteryforcleaning,disconnecttheNEGATIVE(Black)

wirefromit'sterminalfirst,followedbythePOSITIVE(Red)wire.When

re-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)wireits terminalfirst,followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.Becertainthat thewiresareconnectedto thecorrectterminals;reversingthemcould

resultinseriousdamageto yourengine'salternatingsystem.

TIRE PRESSURE

Maximumtire pressureunderany circumstancesis30 psi.Equaltire

pressureshouldbemaintainedat alltimes.

Periodicallycheckthepressureonbothyourmower'sreartires. Uneventire pressurewill causethecuttingdecktomowunevenly andmayresultin mowertoveeringtoeithertheleftor rightduring operation.Recommendedoperatingtirepressureis approximately20 p.s.i.Checkthe sidewallof tirefor maximump.s.i.

CLEANING THE MOWER

Anyfuel oroil spilledonthe machineshouldbewipedoffpromptly.Do NOTallowdebristoaccumulatearoundthecoolingfinsof theengine, thetransmission'scoolingfanor onanyotherpartof themachine, especiallythebeltsandpulleys.

Smart Jet Yourmower'sdeckis equippedwitha waterportonitssurfaceas part

ofits deckwashsystem. UsetheSmartJetto rinsegrassclippingsfromthe deck'sunderside

andpreventthe buildupofcorrosivechemicals.Completethe following stepsAFTEREACHMOWING:

Beforeusingthedeckwashsystem,alwaysdisengagetheBlade

Control,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

2. Threadthe hosecoupler(packagedwithyour mower'sOperator's Manual)ontothe endofyourgardenhose.

3. Attachthe hosecouplertothewaterporton thedeck surface. SeeFigure17.

Figure17

4. Turnthewateron.

5. Starttheengineandplacethethrottleleverinthe FAST,_ position.

6. Whileinthe operator'spositionbehindthe mower,movethe BladeControlintothe ONposition.

7. Remainin theoperator'spositionwiththecuttingdeckengaged fora minimumoftwominutes,allowingthe undersideofthe cuttingdeckto thoroughlyrinse.

8. Movethe BladeControlintothe OFFposition.

9. Turnthe ignitionkeyto theSTOP(_ positiontoturnthe mower's engineoff.

10. Turnthewateroffanddetachthehosecouplerfromthe water portonyour deck'ssurface.

AftercleaningyourdeckwiththeSmartJet system,startthemower's engine,returntothe operator'spositionandengagetheblades.Keep thecuttingdeckrunningfora minimumof two minutes,allowingthe

undersideofthe cuttingdeckto thoroughlydry.

LUBRICATION

Beforelubricating,repairing,orinspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO, set parkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintended starting.

Pivot Points & Linkage Lubricateall thepivotpointson thedrivesystemandlift linkageat

leastoncea seasonwithlightoil. Rear Wheels Therearwheelsshouldbe removedfromthe axlesoncea season.

Lubricatethe axlesandrimhubswellwithanall-purposegrease beforereinstallingthem.

Front Wheels Eachof thefrontwheelaxlesandcastersisequippedwitha grease

fitting.See Figure18.Lubricatewitha No.2 multi-purposegrease appliedwitha greasegunafterevery50hoursofmoweroperation.

f -,

BLADE TIMING BELT

Thecuttingdeckspindlesaredrivenbya timing(cogged)belt, assuringthatthedeckbladesarealwaysperpendiculartoeachother. At leastoncea season,orafterstrikinganyforeignobject,checkthe timingbeltas follows:

1. Removethebeltcoverbyremovingthethreescrewsandwashers whichsecureitto theframe.SeeFigure19.

Donot operatemowerwithoutthe beltcoverinstalled.Failuretofol-

lowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryorpropertydamage.

Figure18

Figure19

2. Thetopof eachspindlepulleyismarkedwithan arrow.See Figure20.Thearrowsshouldbeperpendicular(ata 90°angle)to

eachother.

Figure20

3. If thearrowsonthe surfaceofeachspindlepulleyarenot perpendicular(ata 90°angle)toeachother,seeyourSearsor otherqualifiedservicedealerto havethe timingbeltreset.

Donotoperatethemachinewithoutthedeck'stimingbeltproperly set.Failureto followthisinstructioncould resultin personalinjuryor propertydamage.

ADJUSTMENTS

CUTTING DECK REMOVAL

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceorrepairs,disengageblades,

stopengineand removekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Toremovethecuttingdeck,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethebeltcoverbyremovingthethreescrewsandwashers whichsecureitto theframe.SeeFigure22.

Shutthe engineoffand removethe ignitionkeybeforemaking

adjustments.

Handle Height Theupperhandleis securedtotwosupportbarsthatcanbeadjusted

toraiseor lowerthe handleheight.Adjustifnecessaryas follows:

1. Removetheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewonthe rightside ofthe handleandtheleftside ofthe handle.

SeeFigure21.

Donot operatemowerwithoutthe beltcoverinstalled.Failuretofol-

lowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryor propertydamage.

Figure22

2. Placethedeckheightleverinits highestposition.

3. Positionwoodblocksatvariousplacesunderthedeck'sedge. Thesewilltemporarilysupportthedeckinthe processofremovingit.

4. Usethedeckheightleverto lowerthedeck,sothat itrestsonthe woodblocks.

Figure21

2. Pivotthehandleforwardor rearwardto alignoneofthe three holesoneach supportbarwiththeholesonthehandle.

3. Reinstalltheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewonthe rightside ofthe handleandtheleftside ofthe handlewhenacomfortable

heightis achieved.

5. Removethe screwandflangenut whichsecuresthebeltkeeper rodtothe left sideof themower'sframe.SeeFigure23.

Figure23

Removethe beltkeeperrodand removethedeckbeltfrom aroundthemower'senginepulley.

Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromtheleft side,locateandcarefully removethe hairpinclipsthatsecurethedecksupportson therear leftsideandfrontleftsideof the deck.SeeFigure24.

Lift Arm

10. Carefullyunhookthe mower'slift assemblyfromthe reardeck supports.

11. Usethedeckheightleverto raisethe liftassemblytoits highest position.

12. Removethewoodenblocksfromunderthe deckandgentlyslide thecuttingdecktowardtherearof themachine.

13. Pulltheclick pinoutandunhookthedrivespringcablefromthe idlerarmassembly.SeeFigure25.

Figure25

14. Gentlyslidethecuttingdeckto theright,outfrombeneaththemower.

Toinstallthe cuttingdeck,followtheabovestepsintheoppositeorder and mannerofremoval.

... J

Figure24

Repeattheprevioussteponthe mower'srightside.

Carefullyremovethefrontdeck supportsfromthedecklift arms, Figure25.

CUTTING BLADES

Shutthe engineoffand removeignitionkeybeforeremovingthe

cuttingblade(s)forsharpeningor replacement.Protectyourhandsb

usingheavygloveswhengraspingtheblade.

Periodicallyinspectthebladeand/or spindleforcracksor damage,

especiallyafter you'vestruckaforeignobject.Do notoperatethe

machineuntil damagedcomponentsare replaced.

Toremovetheblades,proceedasfollows.

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

2. Placea blockofwoodbetweenthe centerdeckhousingbaffle andthecuttingbladetoactas a stabilizer.SeeFigure26.

Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamounts of metalfrombothendsof thebladesalongthecuttingedges,

parallelto thetrailingedge,at a250.to 300angle.Alwaysgrind

eachcutting bladeedgeequallytomaintainproperbladebalance.

SeeFigure27.

Ifthecuttingedgeofthe bladehaspreviouslybeensharpened,orif

anymetalseparationispresent,replacethebladeswithnewones.

A poorlybalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibration,maydamage tothe mowerand/orresultin personalinjury.

Figure26

3. Removethehexflangenutthat securesthe bladetothe spindle assembly.SeeFigure26.

Figure27

5. Testthe blade'sbalanceusinga bladebalancer.Grindmetalfrom theheavyend untilthebladebalancesevenly.

NOTE:Whenreplacingthe blade,be sureto installthebladewiththe sideof theblademarked"Bottom"(orwitha part numberstampedin it)facingthe groundwhenthe mowerisinthe operatingposition.

Usea torquewrenchto tightenthebladespindlehexflangenutto

between70Ibs-ftand 90Ibs-ft.

Thecutting bladesmust be installedperpendiculartoeachother.If thebladescannotbeinstalledperpendiculartoeachother,theblade timingbeltmustbe reset.SeeyourSearsorotherqualifiedservice dealerto havethedecktimingbelt reset.

TRAIL SHIELD Jump Starting

Neveroperatethemowerwithoutthetrailshieldin placeandworking. Failuretodo socan resultinpersonalinjury.

Toreplacethetrail shield,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethe screwwhichsecuresthetrailshieldtothe rightside ofthe mower.SeeFigure28.

Figure28

Bowthe trailshieldinwardoneach sideto releaseit fromthe mowerframe.

Installthe replacementtrailshieldbyfollowingthestepsabovein theoppositeorderandmannerof removal.

BATTERY

Neverjumpstarta damagedor frozenbattery.Becertainthe vehicles

do nottouch,andignitionsareoff.Do notallowcableclampsto touch.

1. Connectpositive(+)cabletopositivepost(+) of yourmower's dischargedbattery.

2. Connecttheotherendof thecabletothe (positive+)postofthe jumperbattery.

3. Connectthesecondcable(negative-) to theotherpostofthe jumperbattery.

4. Makethefinal connectionon theengineblockof the mower,away fromthebattery.Attachtoan unpaintedpartto assurea good

connection.

Ifthejumper batteryis installedona vehicle(i.e.car,truck),do NOT

startthevehicle'senginewhenjumpstartingyourmower.

5. Startthemower(as instructedin theOperationsectionofthis manual).

6. Removethejumpercablesin reverseorderof connection.

Charging

Batteries

giveoff anexplosivegaswhilecharging.Chargethe batteryI in a wellventilatedareaandkeepawayfromanopenflameor pilot lightas ona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryeror othergas app ances, j

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato cause cancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

If removingthebattery,disconnectthe NEGATIVE(Black)wire fromits terminalfirst,followedbythe POSITIVE(Red)wire.When

re-installingthe battery,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE(Red)wire its

_termna f rst,fo owedbythe NEGATVE(Back) wre.

When

chargingyourmower'sbattery,useonlyachargerdesignedforI

12Vlead-acidbatteries.Readyourbatterycharger'sOwner'sManualI priortochargingyourmowers battery.Alwaysfollowits instructions I andheeditswarnings, j

Ifyourmowerhas notbeenput intouse foranextendedperiodof time,

chargethe batteryasfollows:

1. Setyourbatterychargertodelivera maxof10amperes.

2. Ifyourbatterychargeris automatic,chargethebatteryuntilthe chargerindicatesthat chargingiscomplete.Ifthechargeris not automatic,chargefor atleasteighthours.

+ 58 hidden pages

Craftsman 247.88998 Operator's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual