Craftsman 328395900 Owner’s Manual

Sears

OWNER'S

MANUAL

MODEL NO.

328.395900

CAUTION:

Read SAFETY RULES and

INSTRUCTIONS

carefully

[RRFTSMRN°

3.75 HP 20" 7-Blade

Power Propelled Reel Mower

• Assembly

• Operating

• Maintenance

• Service & Adjustments

• Repair Parts

• Safety Rules

I SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A I

Safety Rules

CAUTION: ALWAYS DISCONNECT SPARK PLUG WIRE AND PLACE WIRE WHERE IT

_ CANNOT CONTACT SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STARTING WHEN _1_

Always use care when operating the POWER REEL MOWER. Keep clear of moving parts. Do not work on POWER ] REEL MOWER with engine running. Avoid striking or running into solid objects or debris in the area to be worked.

Read and observe the Operation Precautions. Keep the POWER REEL MOWER clean. Follow a regular] maintenance and check schedule to provide efficient and safe operation. A well-cared-for POWER REEL MOWER

w Iast onger and operate more eff cent y, A ways be careful for yourself and for others.

Preparation

SETTING-UP,TRANSPORTING,ADJUSTINGORMAKINGREPAIRSTOYOUR

MOWER.

1. Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used and remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones and other foreign objects.

2. Do not operate equipment when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial footwear.

3. Check fuel before starting engine. Do not fill gasoline tank indoors, when engine is running, or while engine is still hot. Wipe off any spilled gasoline before starting engine.

4. Disengage drive clutch before starting engine.

5. Never attempt to make a wheel height adjustment while engine is running.

6. Mow only in day light or in good artificial light.

7. Never operate equipment in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing, keep a firm hold on the

handle and walk, never run.

_ti

Operation

1. Do not change engine governor settings or overspeed engine.

2. Do not puts hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of discharge opening at all times.

3. Stop reel blade(s) when crossing gravel drive, walks or roads.

4. After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove wire from spark plug, thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage, and repair the damage before restarting and operating the mower.

5. If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately for

the cause. Vibration is generally a warning of trouble.

6. Stope engine whenever you leave the equipment, before cleaning mower housing, and when

making any repairs or inspections.

7. When cleaning, repairing or inspecting, make certain reel and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep wire away from plug to prevent accidental starting.

8. Do not run engine indoors.

9. Shut engine off and wait until reel comes to a complete stop before removing grass catcher and/or any other mower component.

10. Mow across the face of slopes, never up-and-down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. Do not mow excessively steep slopes.

11. Never operate mower without proper guards, plates or other safety projective devices in place.

12. DRAIN THE GASOLINE from your mower before transporting your mower inside your car or other vehicle.

LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. IT

MEANS - ATTENTION!H "BECOME ALERTZ!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Craftsman Lawn Mower. It has been

designed, engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance.

Should you experience any problem you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Service

Center/Department.

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will enable you to assemble and maintain your mower

properly. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".

MODELNUMBER

SERIALNUMBER

DATEOF PURCHASE

THE MODELAND SERIALNUMBERSWILLBEFOUNDON ADECALATTACHEDTO THE REAROF THE MOWERHOUSING, YOU SHOULDRECORDBOTHSERIALNUMBERAND DATEOF PURCHASEANDKEEPINASAFE PLACEFOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on thisproduct.Contact your nearest Sears store for details. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Read and observe the safety rules.

• Followa regularschedule in maintaining,caringfor and usingyour mower.

• Followthe instructionsunder "Maintenance" and "Storage" sectionso this Owner's Manual.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS HORSE POWER: 3.75 DISPLACEMENT: 9.02

GASOLINE CAPACITY: 2 quart (Unleaded) Oil (1-1/4 Pt. Capacity): SAE 30W SAE lOW30

SPARK PLUG (Gap .030 in.): Champion ShortCJ-8 Long J-gC VALVE CLEARANCE: Intake: .005"- .OOT' Exhaust: .007"-.009"

Craftsman Warranty

Two year limited warranty on Craftsman lawn mowers:

For two years from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman lawn mower is maintained, lubricated and tuned-up according to the instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair, free of charge any defect in material and workmanship.

If this Craftsman lawn mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase.

This warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower and/or edger blades,

belts, blade guard, blade adapters, air cleaners, spark plugs, tire chains and shear pins.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN LAWN MOWER TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.

This warrantygives you specific legal rights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULE ......................... 2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .............. 3

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ........... 3

WARRANTY ........................... 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................... 4

INDEX ................................ 4

MOWER ACCESSORIES .................. 4

ASSEMBLY ........................ 5, 6, 7

INDEX

Adjustments:

Carburetor ................... 11

Engine Speed ................ 10

Heightof Cut .................. 9

Air Filter:

Cleaning .................... 10

PaperCartridge ............... t0

Replacement................. 10

Assembly:

Handle ...................... 5

Accessories..................... 4

Controls:

EngineControl ............. 9, 10

Speed Selector ................ 9

Customer Responsibilities .......... 3

Cutting Levels ................... g

Engine:

Control .................... 9 10

Oil Cap ...................... 7

Oil Change .................. 10

Oil Level ..................... 7

OilType ...................... 7

Starting ...................... 9

Storage ..................... 12

Filter,Air ...................... 10

Fuel:

Type ........................ 7

Storage ....................... 12

Gasoline ....................... 7

Handle:

AssemtYy ................ 5, 6, 7

Height, Cutting ................ 9

Index .......................... 4

Lubrication:

Chain ...................... 10

Engine ................... 7, 10

Maintenance:

Agreement ................... 3

AirFilter .................... 10

Air Filter

PaperCartridge ............... 10

Engine ..................... 10

GrassCatcher ................. 7

Lubrication .................. 10

SparkPlugs ................. 10

MowingTips ................... 2, 9

Oil:

Engine ...................... 7

Storage ..................... 12

Operation:

Operating Mower............. 8, 9

Speed:

Starting the Engine ............. 9

Stopping Your Lawn Mower ....... 9

OPERATION ........................ 7, 8; 9

MAINTENANCE ........................ 10

SERVICE & ADJUSTMENT ............... 11

STORAGE ............................ 12

TROUBLE SHOOTING ................... 13

REPAIR PARTS--MOWER ............. 14, 15

REPAIR PARTS--ENGINE ............. 16, 17

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ............. 20

Repair/Replacement:

Parts .................... 14, 15

Customer

Responsibilities .................. 3

Safety Rules .................... 2

Service and Adjustments:

Carburetor ................... 11

Cutting Level .................. 9

Engine .................. 10, 11

Service

Recommendation ................ 10

Spark Plugs .................... 10

Specifications .................... 3

Speed Control:

Engine ...................... 9

Starting the Engine:

Starter Rope .................. 9

Steppingthe Mower ............ 9

Storage ....................... 12

Table of Contents ................. 4

Trouble Shooting

Chart ......................... 13

Warranty ....................... 3

MOWER ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when the mower was purchased. They are also available at almost Sears retail outlets, catalog and service centers, most sears stores can order repair parts for you,

when you provide the model number your mower.

ENGINE

SPARKPLUG MUFFLER AIR FILTER GAS CAN ENGINE OtL STABILIZER

Assembly

TOOLS REQUIRED: 7/16" Wrench, Pliers, Screwdriver (11/16" Wrench needed to adjust Clutch Tension)

NOTE: Reference to left or right side of the mower is from operator's position at the handle, facing forward. The lawn mower is fully assembled except for the handle throttle control,

drive control rod and clutch control rod. Everything is packed and shipped

in one container.

ASSEMBLY:

1. CARTON REMOVAL Cut the back panel, lay down pull

mower backwards.

2. PARTS ID

3. TOOLS REQUIRED

7/16" Wrench, Pliers, Screwdriver

(11/16" Wrench needed to adjust Clutch Tension)

STEP 1: Remove the grass catcher, handle assembly, and rods from the box

(see Fig. 1, grass catcher not shown). STEP 2: Attaching the handle: remove

the bolts retainingthe panel to the lower

handle.You need six boltsto mount the handle.Two of the six bolts were those

you just removed. The other four are supplied with loose hardware in the

plasticbag. (see Fig, 2) Takethe bottom sectionof the handle (Fig. 3) and install a bolt through the brace, the upper handle section, and the panel or

bracket. Put a nut on each bolt and secure the panel or bracket on both

sides of the handle. NOTE: The three holes in the upper

handle must be aligned with the three holes in the lower handle. The handle

brace is put on the outside of the upper handle. Slip on the handle grips. Soaking in hot water may ease assembly.

DRIVE CONTROL ROD ASSEMBLY:

(see Fig. 4 & 5)

1. Assemble drive control rod (one piece rod with both ends bent), by inserting one bent end in the drive

control lever bearing and inserting the other end inthe drive pivot rod.

2. Secure the control rodwith cotter pins.

ENGINE CLUTCH CONTROL ROD ASSEMBLY: (see Fig. 6)

1. The clutch controlrodconsistsof one long rod with one bent end, one

coupler, two lock nuts and one short

rodwith one bent end.

Assemble the clutch control rod by inserting the short rod bent end in the

clutch bearing. The end of the rod must be outside the belt (Fig. 6).

3. Insert the bent end of the long rod in the clutch lever bearing.

4. Insert a cotter pin in each bent end, but do not secure until final

adjustment is made.

IMPORTANT! ENGINE CLUTCH ROD

TENSION ADJUSTMENT: (Fig. 7)

1. Lift the engine clutch lever to the

handle. Ifthere is a slighttensionon the belt, the adjustment should be

correct. The tension should be just enough to propelthe mower and reel withoutthe belt slipping onthe pulley.

EXCESSIVE TENSION WILL REDUCE BELT LIFE AND PERFORMANCE OF

THE MOWER,

2 Check for correct belt tension"

! CAUTION !

A. Remove spark plug wire, engage

the clutch by lifting the clutch

lever to the handle and pull on

the rope starter.

B. If the reel turns, the tension should

be correct, however, be sure to

check if the idler bearing is putting excessive tension on the belt.

C. If reel does not turn, more tension

is needed. Final adjustment can be made after reel is operating.

3. ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES:

A. Excessive Belt Tension: Remove

the upper rodfrom the clutchlever handle and turn right (into the coupler)one turnat a time until the

tensionis correct.

B. Increased Belt Tension Needed:

Remove the upper rod from the clutch lever handle and turn left

(out of the coupler) one turn at a time until the tension is correct.

C. When the tension is correct, insert

the upper rod into the clutch lever handle, secure the cotter pins at

both ends of the control rod and tighten the lock nuts to the coupler.

At this time, replace the spark plug wire.

D. Refer to the operation

instructions before using mower.

be sure rod is on the outside

FIGURE 1: These parts, and the grass catcher, should have been

removed from the shipping carton.

Upper handle

7/8 Bolt

Brace

-Lower Handle

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3: Reuse the two bolts on the

panel, plus the other four bolts your received, to mount the handle.

Assembly

FIGURE 4: Installthe Wheel DriveControl rodon top and insert

cotter pin.Then, open itsbottom to securely fastenit.

RGURE 5: Insert the rod atthe bottom ofthe Wheel DriveLever

and secure with a cotter pin.

FIGURE7: Putthe Pentendofthe rodthroughtheholeof thedrive

dutch lever.

INSTALLING THRO'I-rLE CONTROL.

1. One end of the throttle control is factory installed to the carburetor.The other end needs to be installed in the upper handle,

2. Take hold of the controlleveratthe other end ofthe cableand route the throttle cable under and behind the panel located

where the upper handle is peltedto the lower handle.

3. See Fig. 8: Holdthe control leverat the end ofthe throttle cable andtwist it slightlyso _e knob willpass through the slot inthe

upper handle.

Cluth

t'i ¸_.

RGURE 6: PUtthe bend end of the rod through the hole ofthe idler bracket.Securelaterwitha cotter p_n.

RGURE 8: Twistleverso knob willpass through slot in panel.

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