Craftsman 38819 User Manual

Owner's Manual

OTARY LAW

550 Series Briggs &

21" Rear-Discharge

Model No.

917.388191

OWER

Stratton Engine

. Espa_ol, p. 18

CAUTION:

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and CON,Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Visit our Craftsman website: www.searscom/craftsman

U.S.A.

Warranty ....................................................... 2

Safety Rules .................................................................2-4

Product Specifications ............................... 4

Assembly / Pre-Operation ........................ 6

Operation .................................................. 7-I0

Maintenance Schedule ........................... 11

Maintenance ...................................... 11-13

Service and Adjustments ................................14

Storage .............................................. 15-! 6

Troubleshooting ................................... 16-17

Repair' Parts ........................................... 34-42

Sears Service .......................... Back Cover

2-YEAR FULL WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN LAWN MOWER

If this Craftsman Lawn Mower fails due to manufacturer defects in material or

workmanship within two years from the date of purchase, return it to any Sears store,

Parts & Repair Center or other Craftsman outlet for free repair (or replacement if repair

proves impossible)° This warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase if this Lawn Mower is

ever used for commercial or rental purposes_ This warranty does not cover:

Expendable items that become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crackshafts and the failure to assemble, operate or maintain this Lawn Mower

according to all supplied product instructions.

This warranty applies only while this product is used 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., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw- ing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious

injury or death. &Look for this symbol to point out impor-

tant safety precautions.. It means CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERTEH

YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

WARNING: In order to prevent ac- cidental starting when setting up, trans- porting, adjusting or making repairs,

always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.

_WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components

contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects

or other reproductive harm.

_,WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and

related accessories contain lead and lead

compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth

defects or other reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

A CAUTION: Muffler and other engine parts become extremely hot during

operation and remain hot after engine has stopped. To avoid severe burns on contact, stay away from these areas.

I. GENERAL OPERATION

° Read, understand, and follow all

instructions on tile machine and in the manual(s) before starting Be thorougltfy

familiar with the controls and the proper

use of the machine before starting.

o Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis-

charge opening at all times.

o Only allow responsible individuals, who

are familiar with the instructions, to oper- ate the machine.

° Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc. which could be picked up and thrown by blade.

. Be sure the area is clear of other people

before mowing, Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

o Do not operate the mower when bare-

foot or wearing open sandals° Always wear substantial foot wear°

° Do not pull mower backwards unless

absolutely necessary, Always look down and behind before and while moving backwards.

o Never direct discharged material toward

anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction° Material

may richochet back toward the opera- tor. Stop the blade when crossing gravel

surfaces_

° Do not operate the mower without

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or other safety protective devices in place°

° See manufacturer's instructions for

proper operation and installation of accessories. Only use accessories ap- proved by the manufacturer.

,, Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel

drives, walks, or roads°

° Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the equipment, before cleaning the mower or unclogging the chute.

o Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until

the blade comes to complete stop before removing grass catcher.

o Mow only in daylight or good artificial

light.

- Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

, Never operate machine in wet grass.

Always be sure of your footing: keep a firm hold on the handle; walk, never run_

° Disengage the self-propelled mech-

anism or drive clutch on mowers so equipped before starting the engine.

° If tile equipment should start to vibrate

abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause. Vibra-

tion is generally a warning of trouble

o Always wear safety goggles or safety

glasses with side shields when operating mower.

ii. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip & fall accidents which can result in severe in-

jury. All slopes require extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow ito

DO:

° Mow across the face of slopes: never

up and down,, Exercise extreme caution

when changing direction on slopes

° Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree

limbs, etc.

° Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall

grass can hide obstacles.

DO NOT: . Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or

embankments° The operator could lose footing or balance,

° Do not trim excessively steep slopes. o Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced foot-

ing could cause slipping.

II1. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine

and the mowing activity. Never assume

that children will remain where you last

saw them

° Keep children out of the trimming area

and under the watchful care of another responsible adult.

. Be alert and turn machine off if children

enter the area,

. Before and while walking backwards,

look behind and down for small children.

. Never allow children to operate the ma-

chine,

. Use extra care when approaching blind

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Use extreme care in handling gasoline_ Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive° ° Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes

and other sources of ignition.

° Use only an approved container_

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with

the engine running, Allow engine to cool

before refueling°

° Never refuel the machine indoors.

- Never store the machine or fuel contain-

er where there is an open flame, spark or pilot light such as a water heater or on

other appliances.

o Never fill containers inside a vellicle, on

a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling°

• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the

ground. If this is not possible, then

refuel such equipment with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.

o Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim

of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device,

• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immediately.

• Never overfill fuel tank,. Replace gas cap and tighten securely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE ° Never run a machine inside a closed

area.

• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine (motor) running. Disconnect

the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the plug to prevent accidental

starting_

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-

ment in good condition.,

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up, Clean oil or fuel

spillage. Allow machine to cool before

storing.

° Stop and inspect the equipment if you

strike an object° Repair, if necessary, before restarting.

o Never attempt to make wheel height

adjustments while the engine is running.

o Grass catcher components are subject

to wear, damage, and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or

allow objects to be thrown, Frequently check components and replace with

manufacturer's recommended parts, when necessary,

o Mower blades are sharp and can cut°

Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when sen,icing them_

• Do not change the engine governor set- ting or overspeed the engine.

• Maintain or replace safety and instruc- tion labels, as necessary.

,_WARNING: This lawn mower is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest_covered, brush-covered or

grassy.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 effective 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 lawso Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Parts & Repair Center (See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).

Serial Number: Date of Purchase:

Gasoline Capacity/Type: 1.0 Quarts (Unleaded Regular) Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F) Oil Capacity: 20 Ounces

Spark Plug (Gap: .030") Champion RJ19LM or J19LM Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. Ibso ° The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower

ilousingo Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.

Repair Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart pur- chase. Your new Craftsman® product is

designed and manufactured for years of dependable operatiom But like all prod-

ucts, it may require repair from time to time. Tllat's when having a Repair Protec- tion Agreement can save you money and

aggravation°

Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement

now and protect yourseff from unexpected

hassle and expense_

Here's what's included in the Agreement:

• Expert service by our 12,000 profe-

sional repair specialists.

o Unlimited service and no charge for

parts and labor on all covered repairs,

• Product replacement if your covered

product can't be fixed°

. Discount of 10% from regular price of

service and service-related parts not covered by the agreement; also, I0%

off regular price of preventive mainte- nance check°

o Fast help by phone- phone sup-

port from a Sears representative on products requiring in-home repair, plus

convenient repair scheduling

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all that it takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytime

day or night, or schedule a service ap- pointment online. Sears has over12,000 professional repair

specialists, who have access to over 4.5 million quality parts and accessories. That's the kind of professionalism you can count on to help prolong the life of your

new purchase for years to come. Purchase your Repair Protection Agreement today! Some limitations and exclusions apply.

For prices and additional information call 1-800-827-6655.

Sears Installation Service For Sears professional installation of home

appliances, garage door openers, water heaters, and other major home items, in

the U.S.A. call 1-800.,4-MY-HOME®.

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and

service centers. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower,

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING

DEFLECTORS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

t GRASS CATCHERS

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

FOR

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

AIR FILTERS

SPARK PLUGS

BELTS

BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS

WHEELS

ENGINE OIL

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble

or operate your new lawn mower. IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine. Your new lawn mower has been as-

sembled at the factory with the excep- tion of those parts left unassembled for

shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your fawn mower, all

parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely, Use the correct tools

as necessary to ensure proper tightness. All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc.,

necessary to complete the assembly have

been placed in the parts bag.,

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

1. Remove loose parts included with mower,

2. Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat.

3o Remove all packing materials except

padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

4. Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thoroughly for additional

loose parts.

O F

control bar

LIFT UP

TO ASSEMBLE GRASS CATCHER

1. Put grass catcher frame into grass bag with rigid part of bag on the bottom°

Make sure the frame handle is outside of the bag top,

2o Slip vinyl bindings over frame. NOTE: If vinyl bindings are too stiff, hold

them in warm water for a few minutes. If bag gets wet, let it dry before using.

MOWING

POSITION

Lower handle

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables_

1. Raise handles until lower handle sec- tion locks into place in mowing position.

2. Remove protective padding, raise up- per handle section into place on lower

handle and tighten both handle knobs.

3. Remove handle padding holding operator presence control bar to upper

handle,,

Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort, Refer to "AD-

JUST HANDLE" in the Service and Adjust-

ments section of this manual.

Vinyl Frame bindings opening

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulchero To convert to bag- ging or discharging, see '%0 CONVERT

MOWER" in the Operation section of this manual.

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER READTHISOWNER'SMANUALANDALLSAFETYRULESBEFOREOPERATING

YOURLAWNMOWER,Comparethe illustrationswithyourlawnmowerto familiarize yourselfwiththelocationofvariouscontrolsandadjustments°Savethismanualfor

futurereference, Thesesymbols may appearonyour lawnmower or in literature supplied with the

product. [.earn and understand their meaning.

m\n

CAUTION ENGINE ENG{NE FAST SLOW CHOKE

OR WARNING ON OFF

oOperator presence control bar

FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

AND FEET AWAY

Handle knob

Starter handle

Grass

catche_

Gasoline filler cap

Air filter

Primer

Houstng Wheel adjuster

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped (on each wheel)

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine_

Engine oil cap with dipstick

plug

Muffler

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the

American National Standards Institute and the IJ_S, Consumer Product Safety Com-

mission_ The blade turns when the engine is running,

Operator presence control bar - must Primer- pumps additional fuel from the be held down to the handle to start the carburetor to the cylinder for use when

engine. Release to stop the engine, starting a cold engine. Starter handle - used for starting engine. 7

The operationof any lawn

mowercanresultin foreign objectsthrownintotheeyes, which can result in severe

eye damage.Alwayswear

safetyglasses or eye shields while oper-

ating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a standard safety glasses or wide vision safety

mask worn over spectacles°

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

ENGINE SPEED

Engine speed was set at the factory for

optimum performance. It is not adjustable.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL ,_CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this lawn mower in order to minimize the risk

of blade contact injury, Do not under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of the operator control. The blade turns when the engine is running,

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator presence control bar which

requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start

and operate the lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels

for high cut, adjust cutting tteight to suit

your requirements. Medium position is best for most lawns°

o To change cutting height, squeeze ad-

juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your requirements.

Be sure all wheels are in the same set- ting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts into hole in lever_ Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped)

allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs.

TO CONVERT MOWER Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be

used as a mulchero To convert to bagging: o Lift rear door of the lawn mower and

place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins.

• To convert to mulching operation, re- _kmove grass catcher and close rear door_

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower

without rear door closed, clipping deflector or approved grass catcher in place° Never

attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door removed or propped open,

_t "

Catcher frame hook TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

1, Lift up on grass catciler using the

frame handle,

2 Remove grass catcher with clippings

from under lawn mower handle.

3. Empty clippings from bag. NOTE: Do not drag the bag when empty- ing; it will cause unnecessary wear.

Rear Grass

catcher

handle

Grass

catcher

frame

LEVER BACKWARD

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE ADD OIL Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in

the engine_ For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance

section of this manual. _, CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

1, Besurelawnmowerislevel,

2. Removeoildipstickfromoilfill spout.

3. Youreceivea containerof oilwith the uniL Slowlypourtheentirecontainer

downtheoilfillspoutintotheengine.

NOTE:Initialoilfillrequiresonly18oz.

dueto residualoil inenginefromthe

manufacturersI00% qualitytesting.

Whenchangingoilyoumayneed20 oz.

4. Insertandtightendipstick.

IMPORTANT:

• Checkoillevelbeforeeachuse. Add oil

ifneeded,,Filltofulllineondipstick°

- Changetheoilafterevery25hoursof

operationor eachseason. Youmay

needtochangethe oilmoreoften underdusty,dirtyconditions,,See"TO

CHANGEENGINEOIL"in theMainte- nancesectionof thismanual,

Engine

oil cap

Primer

TO STOP ENGINE o To stop engine, release operator pres _

ence control bar°

TO START ENGINE NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the

engine, a small amount of smoke may be present during the initial use of the product

and should be considered normal°

1. To start a cold engine, push primer' three (3) times before trying to start°

Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when starting an engine which has already run for a few

minutes.

2_ Hold operator presence control bar

down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter

rope to snap back

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. In warmer weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not start° If you do

flood engine, wait a few minutes before attempting to start and do not repeat priming steps.

Gasoline

filler cap ADD GASOLINE

° Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.

Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of

87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh- ness_

CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or

fuel. Do not store, spill or' use gasoline

near an open flame.

CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels

(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha- nol) can attract moisture which leads to

separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage° To avoid engine problems, the fuel system

should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer° Empty the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines

and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel next season. See Storage Instructions for

additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur°

MOWING TIPS ,_ CAUTION: Do not use de4hatcher

blade attachments on your mower° Such attachments are hazardous, will damage your mower and could void your warranty_

o Under certain conditions, such as very

tall grass, it may be necessary to raise tile height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine

and leaving clumps of grass clippings

It may also be necessary to reduce

ground speed and/or run the lawn mower over the area a second time.

° For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the

width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly

° For better grass bagging and most cut-

ting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the FAST position°

o Pores in cloth grass catchers can

become filled with dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass. To

prevent this, regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before using°

,, Keep top of engine around starter clear

and clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air flow and extend

engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. See "CLEANING" in the

Maintenance section of this manual, ° The special mulching blade will recut

the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall

onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulclted grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always

mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recut- ring action of the blades.

o Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet°

Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The

best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon_ At this time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.

° For best results, adjust the lawn mower

cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one4hird of the grass blades. If the lawn is overgrown

it will be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep

from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For extremely

heavy grass, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

I MAX 1t3

• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be

mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a sec- ond cut, mow across (perpendicular) to the first cut path°

o Change your cutting pattern from week

to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next

week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.,

MAINTENANCS BEFOREA.ER

EACH EACH

SCHEDUL USE USE

_=.=,.:_==:

Check for Loose Fasteners tt,i'

_ Clean / inspect Grass Catcher" if _'

EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE

10 25 HOURS 100

HOURS OR SEASON HOURS STORAGE

Check Drive wheels *'"

Clean Lawn Mower ....

M Clean under Drive Cover "** 6/' O check Drive Belt I Pulleys ***

Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade

R Lubrication ............

Clean and Recharge Battery *"

Check Engine eli revel =4

IE Change Engine eli

INI clean Air Filter

_[nLspeC(MUfiier

Replace.Air Eilter Paper Cartridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

• (if so equipped)

• , Electric-Start mowers

• ** Power-Propelled mowers

•*** Use a scraper to clean under deck

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this lawn mower does not

cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must

maintain unit as instructed in this manual.

1 - Change more often if operaling under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures 2 - Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions 3 _ Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil 4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season

5 _And after each 5 hours of use

_/_,2

LUBRICATION CHART

Wheel

adjuster (on

each wheel)

Some adjustments wilt need to be made periodically to properly maintain your uniL

At least once a season, check to see if you should make any of the adjustments

described in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual

o At least once a year, replace the spark

plug, clean or replace air filter element

and check blade for wear. A new spark

plug and clean/new air filter element

assure proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer°

° Follow the maintenance schedule in this

manual

BEFORE EACH USE

- Check engine oil level

- Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION Keep unit well lubricated

(See "LUBRICATION CHART").

Engine oii

I I

_.1_)Handle bracket mounting pins

_2) Spray lubricant

See "ENGINE" in Maintenance section.

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic wheel bearings. Viscous lubricants will

attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the self-lubricating bearings. If you feel they

must be lubricated, use only adry, powdered

1! graphite type lubricant sparingly.

(_ Rear door

hinge

LAWN MOWER Alwaysobsewesafetyruleswhenper-

forminganymaintenance. TIRES

• Keeptiresfreeof gasoline,oil,or insect controlchemicalswhichcanharmrubber.

= Avoidstumps,stones,deepruts,sl_arp

objectsandotherhazardsthat may causetiredamage°

BLADECARE Forbestresults,mowerblademustbekept

,_arp. Replace bent or damaged blades.

CAUTION: Use only a replacement

blade approved by the manufacturer of your mower. Using a blade not approved by the manufacturer of your mower is hazardous, could damage your mower and void your warranty.

TO REMOVE BLADE

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug_

2. Turn lawn mower on its side° Make

sure air filter and carburetor are up.

3. Use a wood block between blade and

mower housing to prevent blade from

turning when removing blade bolto

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

clockwise°

5. Remove blade and attaching hardware

(bolt, lock washer and hardened washer).

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.

2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo- site sharp edge) is up toward the engine,,

3. Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened washer into

blade adapter and crankshaft.

4. Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the

blade bolt, turning clockwise.

• The recommended tightening torque is

35-40 ft. Ibs.

Blade adapter Ke_ Crankshaft

Lockwasher

Blade

Blade bolt Hardened

washer Trailing edge

Crankshaft '12

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated° If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharp- ening the blade - but if you do, be sure

the blade is balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn

mower or engine, o The blade can be sharpened with a file

or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.

o To check blade balance, drive a nail into

a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed. Place center

hole of blade over the head of the nail.

If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal position,, if either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.

GRASS CATCHER ° The grass catcher may be hosed with

water, but must be dry when used.

° Check your grass catcher often for dam-

age or deterioration. Through normal

use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-

ing, replace only with approved replace- ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts

section of this manual° Give the lawn

mower' model number when ordering°

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated

with AP1 service classification SG-SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade

according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

C -30 -20 qD 0 10 20 30 40

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Although rnulti-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in

cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when

used above 32°R Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil.

Check the crankcase oil level before

starting the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug

securely each time you check the oil level,

TOCHANGEENGINEOIL

1 Disconnectsparkplugwirefromspark

plugandplacewirewhereit cannot comeincontactwithplug.

2. Besurelawnmoweris on levelsur- face°

NOTE: Oilwilldrainmorefreelywhen warm. Catchoil ina suitablecontainer.

3. Removebottomoildrainplug.

4o Afteroil hasdrainedcompletely,

replaceoildrainplugandtightense- curely.

5. Fillenginewithoilo(See"ADDOIL"in theOperationsectionofthis manual).

6o Reconnectsparkplugwireto spark

plugo

AIR FILTER Your engine will not run properly and may

be damaged by using a dirty air filter. Clean the element after every 25 hours

of operation or every season. Replace the air filter every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first,

Service air cleaner more often under dusty

conditions_ TO CLEAN AIR FILTER ELEMENT

1. Remove screw.

2. Remove air cleaner carefully to prevent dirt from entering carburetor.

3o Take air cleaner apart and clean air

filter element.

4. Wash filter element in liquid detergent

and water.

5. Wrap filter element in cloth and

squeeze dry.

6_ Lightly coat filter element with clean

engine oil. Squeeze in towel to remove excess oil. Do not saturate.

7. Reassemble parts and put back on

carburetor.

Screw ASSEMBLE ONE OF THESE LOW POINTS

Lip Element Cup

ASSEMBLE SO LIP EXTENDS OVER EDGE OF

AIR CLEANER BODY

LIP WILLFORM PROTECTIVE

SEAL WHEN COVERIS ASSEMBLED

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it

could create a fire hazard and/or damage.

SPARK PLUG Replace spark plug at the beginning of

each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs

firsL Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in the "PRODUCT SPECIFIC-

ATIONS" section of this manual.

CLEANING IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-grass and trash. Clean the underside of your

mower after each use.

,&CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it

cannot come in contact with plug. . Clean the underside of your lawn

mower by scraping to remove build-up of grass and trash.

° Clean engine often to keep trash from

accumulating, A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life,

• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc,

o We do not recommend using a garden

hose to clean lawn mower unless the electrical system, muffler, air filter and

carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can result in short* ened engine life..

)

,_ WARNING: To avoid serious injury,

before performing any service and adjustments:

t .. Release control bar and stop engine..

2. Make sure the blade and alI moving parts have completely stopped.

3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot

come in contact with plug.

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT See '%0 ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in

the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector, attached between the

rear wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will

be thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position. If the

deflector becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

Mowing r'-q Mowing ___.

,-_. position _ I ,p,,, position / /

\./ , , \ \/ , ,

\ "t, x% _ _ \ "£ x'-. _ i

Mounting,..1"" "_ LU bracket - pin LOW POSITION HiGH POSITION

Lower

i ! t

TO ADJUST' HANDLE The handle can be mounted in a high or

low position. The mounting holes in the bottom of lower handle are off center for

raising or lowering the handle.

1. Remove upper handle and all wire tie(s) securing cable(s) to lower handle.

2. Remove hairpin cotters from lower handle bracket mounting pin.

3. Squeeze lower handle in to remove it from mounting pins.

4. Turn lower handle over to raise or lower handle.

5. Squeeze lower handle in and position holes onto mounting pins on handle

bracket°

6. Reassemble upper handle and all parts removed from lower' handle°

SQUEEZE

TO ADJUST

""--_ Lower ha

Mounting

Handle

.i bracket Hairpin cotter

ROTATE

ENGINE

ENGINE SPEED Your engine speed has been factory set.

Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may result in personal injury° if you

believe that engine is running too fast or too slow, take your mower to a Sears or other qualified service center for repair and adjustment. CARBURETOR

Your carburetor is not adjustable. If your engine does not operate properly due to sus- pected carburetor problems, take your lawn

mower to a Sears or other qualified service center for repair and!or adjustment.

IMPORTANT: Never tamper with the

engine governor, which is factory set for proper engine speed. Overspeeding

the engine above the factory high speed setting can be dangerous. If you think the engine-governed high speed needs

adjusting, contact a Sears or other qualified service center, which has proper

equipment and experience to make any necessary adjustments,

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