Craftsman 917372940 Owner’s Manual

Assembly

- Operation , Customer

Responsibilities

®Service

917.372940

OWNER'S MANUAL

:: ne °

Convertible

, Adjustments

Repair Parts

Caution:

Read and Follow

all Safety Rules and Instructions

Before Operating

This Equipment

149861 Rev. 1 07.17,95,

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Printed in U.S,,A,

IIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllIII'

A SAFETY RULES

IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS, FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH+

SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJURY. YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH+ SUCH CONTROLS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE

CONTROLS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES+

TRAINING:

• Read this operator's manual carefully. Become familiarwith the controls and know how to operate your mower properly..

Leam how to quickly stop mower+

• Do not allow children to use your mower. Never allow adults to use mower without proper+instructions.

° Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially

small children and pets..

• Use mower +only as the manufacturer intended and as de- scribed in this manual.+

o Do not operate mower ifithas been dropped or damaged fn

any manner:, Always have damage repaired before using your mower.

• Do notuse accessory attachments that are not recommended by the manufacturer. Use of such attachments may be

hazarCous_ .........

° The blade turns when the engine is running.

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed andclear itof all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects.. These objects will be thrown by the blade and can cause

severe injury.

° Always wear safety glasses or eye shields when starting and

while using your mower..

• Dress properly+ Do not operate mower when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Wear only sofid shoes with good traction when mowing,.

• Check fuel tank before starting engine+ Do not fill gas tank

indoors,when the engine is running orwhen the engine is hot+

Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before filling the gas tank+ Clean off any spilled gasoline before starting the

engine.

• Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your

mower. Never attempt to do this while the engine is running,

• Mow only in daylight or+good artificial light.,

OPERATION:

• Keep your eyes and mind on your mower and the area being cut+ Do not let other interests distract you+

• Do not mow wet orslippery grass. Never run while operating your mower+ Always be sure of your footing- keep a firmhold

on the handles and walk,

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts+ Keep clear of the discharge opening at all times,.

• Always stop the engine whenever you leave or are not using your mower, or before crossing driveways, walks, roads, and

any gravel-covered areas+ ...-

• Never direct discharge of material toward bystanders nor altow anyone rrear tbe mower v_ile you apeoperatingiL

,, Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing'i/our mowe r,stop the

engine and make absolutely sure the bla_e and all moving parts have stopped+ Then disconnect the _'parkplug wire and keep it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting+

, +,

Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers

• Do not continueto run your mower if you hit a foreignobject.. Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any dam-

age before restarting and operating you mower_

,, Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the

engine, Engine damage or personal Injury may result..

• Do not operate your mower+ifit vibrates abnormally+ Exces- sive vibration is an indication of damage; step the engine, safely check for the cause ofvibration and repair as required..

• Do not run the engine indoors, Exhaust fumes are danger- ous.

• Never cut grass by pulling the mower towards you, Mow across the face of slopes, never up and down or you might

loseyour footing+ Do not mow excessively steep slopes. Use caution when operating the mower on uneven terrain or when changing directions +maintain good footing,.

• Never operate your mower' without proper +guards, plates, grass catcher or other-safety devices in place+

MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:

• Check the blade and the engine mounting bolts often to be sure they are tightened properly+

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for proper tightness to be sure mower' is in safe working condi-

tion+

• Keep all safety devices in place and working.

• To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves

or excessive grease and oil+

• Check grass catcher often for deterioration and wear and replace worn bags+ Use only replacem¢,:lt bags that are

recommended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of you{ mower+

• Always keep a sharp blade on your mower+

• Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure+

• Never store mower with fuel in the tank inside a building

where fumes may reach an open flame or an ignitionsource such as a hot water heater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc°

A ook for this symbol to point out im-

portant safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERTI!! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

A WARNING A

The engine exhaust from this product con- tains chemicals known to the State of Califor-

nia to cause cancer, birth defects, or other

reproductive harm.

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CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Lawn Mower,. It has been designed, engineered and manufac- tured to give you the best possible dependability and performance.

Should you experience any problem you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center/Department_ We have competent, well-

. trained technicians and the propertoois to service or repair

this lawn mower.

Please read and retain this manual,. The instructions will

enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower properly. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES"°

MODEL NUMBER 917.372940

SERIAL NUMBER

DATEOFPURCHASE

THE MODELAND SERIAL NUMBERS WILL BE FOUND

ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE LAWN MOWER HOUSING

YOU SHOUED RECORD BOTH SERIAE NUMBER AN_ DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP tN A SAFE PLACE

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE°

PRODUCT SPECIFIICATIONS

HORSEPOWER: 5.5

DISPLACEMENT: 12.6CU. IN, GASOLINECAPACITY 1,.6QUARTS

AND _TYPE: UNLEADEDREGULAR

OILTYPE(API-SF/SG): SAE 30 (ABOVE32°F)

SAE 5W-30 (below32°F)

OiL CAPACITY: 20 OZS. SPARKPLUG: CHAMPIONJ19LM, RJ19LM

(GAP: ..030") STD361458 VALVECLEARANCE: iNTAKE: °005"-°007"

EXHAUST: .007'%009"

SOLID STATEIGNITION AIR GAP: .010 IN°

BLADEBOLTTORQUE: 35-40 FToLBSo

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is available on this producL Contact your nearest Sears store for details,,

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

o Read and observe the safety rule& o Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower°

• Follow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sections of this owner's manual.

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For two years from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions inthe owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in matedal or 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 blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

° Repairs necessary because ofoperator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts andthe failure to maintain

the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual

WARRANT_ SERVICE |S,AY_I _LASLEBYRETURNING THE _RAI_i_SMAN POWER MOWER TO THE NEAREST

SEARS SERVICE CENTER/DEPARTMENT IN THE UNITED _TATES. TFI)'SWARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE

THIS PRODUCT IS 1NUSE IN THE UNITED STATE&

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other.!rights which vary from state to state.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND COo,D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTA'I'ES, ILLINOIS 60't79

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 2

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

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ..................... 3, 12-14

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

ASSEMBLY ................................................................... 6

OPERATION .................................................................. 8

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ..................................... 12

INDEX

Accessories .................................................5

Adjustments:

Carburetor ........................................16

Drive BeIt ....................................15

Engine Speed ..................................16

Handle Height ................................16

Height of Cut ................................9

Air Filter:

Replacement .............................14

Service ........................................14

Assembly .............................................6

Blade:

Sharpening ....................................13

Replacement ...............................13

Controls:

Drive Control .....................................8

Engine Zone Control ..........................8

Engine Speed Control ........................8

Operator Presence

Control Bar .......................................8

Customer Responsibilities .o,3, 12-14

Air Filter ......................................14

Blade Care/Replacement ....... 13

Drive Wheels .............................13

Engine .........................................14

Lubrication.................................14

Spark Plug ...................................t4

Cutting Levels ......................................9

Engine:

Air Filter o................................. 14

Oil Change ............................... 14

Oil Level .................................. 14

Oil Type ................................... 14

Starting ................................... !0

Stopping .......................................10

Storage ......................i,....................16

Fuel:

Capacity ................................... 3

Storage ................................... 16

Type ....................................... 10

Handle Adjustment:

Assembly .....................................6

Cutting Height .....................................16

Lubrication:

Engine ..................................... 14

Lawn Mower'. ....................................12

Maintenance Agreement .....................3

Maintenance Schedule ..........................12

Mowing Tips ................................. 10

Oil:

Engine .........................................................12

Storage ...........................................16

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ................................ 15

STORAGE ................................................................... 17

TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................. 19

REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER ........................ 20-24

REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE .................................... 25-30

PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE ................................... 32

Operation:

Drive Control ...............................9

Engine Control ...................................9

Grass Catcher ........................... 9

Mower-. .........................................9

Operator Presence

Control Bar. .......................................9

Options:

Accessodes ............................... 5

Repair Parts:

Engine .......................................25-30

Lawn Mower ..................... 20-24

Responsibilities, Customer. 3, 12-14

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

Service and Adjustments .............. 15

Carburetor_ ......................................16

Drive Belt .........................................15

Engine Speed ...............................16

Handle ...........:........................... 16

Spark Plug ....................................... 14

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

Speed Controh

Engine .............................................8

Starting the Engine ....................... I0

Stopping the Engine ..................... 10

Storage .............................................16

Trouble Shooting Chart ........................19

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

LAWN MOWE ACCESSORIES

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced° They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers,, Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide the model number of your lawn

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

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CUPPING DEFLECTOR

FOR REAR DISCHARG.E LAWN MOWERS

GRASSREAR DISCHARGELAwNFORCATCHERSMowERS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

..........BELTS

BLADES

MULCHER KITS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

AIR FILTERS

BLADE ADAPTERS WHEELS

STABlUZER

GAS CANS

SPARK PLUGS

ENGINE OIL

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn

mower° Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembted

for shipping purposes,, All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete the assembly have been

placed in the parts bag. To ensure safe and proper operation 9f your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely° Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper' tightness.

TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM

CARTON

• Remove loose parts includedwith mower.

• Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel

down flat.

• Remove allpacking materials except padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator

presence control bar to upper handle°

• Roftlawn mower out of carton and check carton thol"_ oughly for'additional loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig. 1)

IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLES CAREFULLY SO AS

[-,lOTTO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES°

• Raise handles until lower handle section locks into

place in mowing position.

• Raise upper handle section into place on lower handle,

remove protective padding and tighten both handle

knobs.

• Remove handle padding holding operator presence control bar'to upper handle.

• Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service and Adjustment section of this manual

NOTE: For shipping purposes, the rear wheels on your

lawn mower are not adjusted to the same position as the front wheels. Before operating mower adjust all wheels to the same cutting height position.

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLBAR

UPPER HANDLE

LIFT UP

LOWER HANDLE

SLOTS

MULCHER PLATE TABS

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CAUTION: Do not run your iawrJ mower without mulcher plate in place or ap-

catcher in place, Never attempt to op- proved clipping deflector or grass

erate the lawn mower with the rear door

removed or propped open.

II ii IILIILI iiiiiiiii

MOWING POSITION

FIG. 1

FIG. 2

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

(See Fig. 2)

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a

mulcher. To convert to bagging ordischarging:

• Open rear door and remove mulcher plate_, Store mulcher plate in a safe place,_

• You can now installcatcher oroptionalclippingdeflec-

tor.

= 3"o retur:n to muiching operation, install mulcher plate

into discharge ol_eningof mower. Be sure all tabs are seated properly.

TO ASSEMBLE AND ATTACH GRASS

CATCHER (See Figs. 3A thru 4)

o Insert leg of tubular frame through front opening of

grass catcher and thread frame into sewn hem of bag.

NOTE= Keep bag hem gathered on the straight leg of the tubular frame.

o When frame comes out the other end of sewn hem,

immediatelywork the end offrame down inside the bag

as shown in inseL

o Slide sewn hem evenly around the tubular frame until

. both ends of frame are exposed out of the front open-

ing.

o Assemble lower frame to tubular frame as shown., Be

sure handle is outside of bag and frames are fully

seated as shown in inset,. o 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,.

° Close the flip lid. Flplidmustbeclosedwhileoperating

lawn mower.

° Lift the rear door on the mower housing and place the

rass catcher frame onto the formed tabs on the rear

our hinge bracket°

° The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower

housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without clipping deflector or approved

grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower withthe rear door removed or propped open.

i,iii i,i,,i,i

BRACKET

FIG. 30

DOOR

GRASS CATCHER FRAME

TUBULAR FRAME SEWN

SEWN HEM FLIP LiD

FIG. 3A

FORMED TABS

FIG. 4

OPERATION

KNOW YoU'R LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER, Compare the iUustrationswith yourlawn mowerto familiarize yourselfwith the locationof variouscontrolsand adjustments. Save this

manual for' future reference,

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST

£UIJlJL I 'I]I'IIIIlUlIIIII ............. I I IIIIIIIII IIIUUIIIIUIUIIIIIIIIII

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL CABLE

MULCHER PLATE

OR WARNING ON OFF

HANDLEKNOB

GRASS CATCHER

GASOLINE CAP

SLO_,,V CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

AND FEET AWAY

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL BAR

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER

STARTER HANDLE

ENGINE OIL CAP W/DIPST'tCK

DRIVE COVER

ENGINE

HOUSING

PRIMER

WHEEL ADJUSTER

(ON EACH WHEEL)

...................... i i IHHlllllIHllIHHI II Ill

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn nlowers conformtothesafety standardsofthe American NationalStandards Institute and the U,So Consumer ProductSafety Commission° The blade turns when the engine is running,

iJlilllllllll

oPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROL - must be held down to the handle to start the engine, Release to stop ihe

engine.

PRIMER - pumpsadditional fuel from the carburetortothe cylinderfor use when starting a co!d engine°

STARTER HANDLE - used for starting the engine,

DRIVE CONTROL LEVER - used to engage power_pro-

pelled forwar_Jmotion of lawn rnower_

I_NGINE SPEED CONTROL - located on the side of the engine which allows you to select either fast (,_) or slow

(,_) engine speed, MULCHER PLATE - must be removed to convert to bag-

ging or dischargingoperation,

_,,,_.................... i,i , ,i ,

0 ATmON

...... m,l i ,i,il,,l,l,i,i,l,l i iill,,,i ...........................

The operationofany lawnmower can resultinforeignobjectsthrownintotheeyes,whichcan

resultinsevereeyedamage° Alwayswearsafetyglassesoreyeshieldswhileoperatingyour

lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs° We recommend a wide vision safety mask over the spectacles or standard safety glasses°

...... ll,,, ui M,,i,i,i 1,1,1,,1,, i ii ................................................

,li,l i _il_l, IUi'IJUL"Ji 'I'I' II 'I_...........:'': '_.............

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER

CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plate in place and door

closed or without anapproved clipping

deflector or grasscatcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn

mower with the rear door removed or propped open,

ENGINE SPEED (See Fig. 5)

The engine speed is controlled by a lever locatedon the

side of the engine. Fast (_) position is for starting the engine, normal cutting, and better grass bagging. Slow (,_!) position isfor,light cutting, trimming and fueleconomy°

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL

CAUTION: Federal regulations require an engine control to beinstalled onthis

lawn mower in order to minimize the risk of blade contact injury. Do not

under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function ofthe operator con-

trol. The blade turns when the engine is running.

° Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator pres-

ence 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 (See Fig. 6)

o Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cuL NOTE: For shipping purposes, the rear wheels on your lawn mower are not adjusted to the same position as the front wheels, Before operating mower adjust all wheels tO

the same cutting height position°

° Wheels are set in low cut for shipping. Adjust cutting

height to suit your requirements, Medium position is best for most lawns.

= To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever to-

ward wheel° Move wheel up or down to suit your requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same setting,

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER (See Fig. 7)

° To remove grass catcher, release operator presence

controlbar to stop engine_

° Lift up rear door and remove thegrass catcher by the

handle. ,

° ' Do not drag the bag When emptying; it wilt'cause

unnecessary wear.

DRIVE CONTROL (See Fig. 8)

• Self-propelling is controlled by holding the operator

presence control bar down to the handle and pushing the drive control lever forward until it clicks; then

release the lever.

° Forward motion will stop when the operator presence

control bar is released., To stop forward motion without

LOWER WHEELS FOR HIGH CUT

stopping engine, releasethe operator presence control bar slightly until the drive control disengages. Hold

operator presence control bar down to handle to con- tinue mowing without self-propelling.

To keep drive control engaged when turning corners,

while turning lawn mower_

ENGINE SPEED CONTROL LEVER

PRIMER

FIG. 5

RAISE WHEELS FOR LOW CUT

FIG. 6

FIG. 7

OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLBAR

DRIVE CONTROL CONTROL

ro ENGAGI_ DRIVE CONTBOL _iVECONTROL DISENGAGED

DRIVE

FIG. 8

push down on handle and lift front wheels off ground

u I,IIIIH illllllll

OPERATION

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL (See Fig. 9)

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine.

• Be sure mower islevel and area around oilfill is clean.

• Removeengine oilcap w/dipstick and fillto the full line

on the dipstick_

• Use20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade ofoiltouse, see "ENGINE" in Customer Responsibilitiessectionof this

manual

,o Pour oitslowly. Do not over fill,.

° Check oillevel beforeeach use. Add oilifneeded° FlU

to full line on dipstick.

• To read proper level, tightenengine oilcap each time.

• Reinstall engine oilcap and tighten.

° After thefirst two (2) hoursof mowing, change the oil,

and every 25 hours thereafter, You may need to changetheoilmore oftenur_der_dusty,dirtyconditions.

GAS (See Fig. 9)

° Fill gasolinetank withfresh, clean, unleadedgasoline.

DO NOT USE PREMIUM GASOLINE° BECAREFUL NOT TO OVER FILL TANK.

WARNING: Experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can

attractmoisturewhichleads toseparationand 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 shouldbe emptied before stor- age of 30 days or longer. Drain the fuel _tank, start the engine and let it run until fuel lines and carburetor are

empty. Use fresh fuel nextseason,_ See Storage Instruc- tions for additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or permanent

damage may occur_

TO START ENGINE

° To start a cold engine, posh primer three (3) times

beforetryingto start. Use a finn push.,This step is not usually necessary when startingan engine which has

already runfor a few minutes°

• Moveengine speed controlleverto fast (,_) position°

• Holdoperator presencecontrolbar downtothe handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter

ropeto snap back°

° To stopengine, release operatorpresencecontrolbar°

NOTE: tn cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat

primingsteps, inwarmer weather over'primingmaycause

., flooding and engine will not start., _f.you d_ flood Jer_gine,

WaLta few minutes before attempting to s'_artand do not

repeat primingsteps.

GASOLINE FILLER CAP

FIG. 9

ENGINE OIL CAP W/DIPSTICK

MOWINGTIPS

• Undercertainconditions,suchas very tallgrass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce

pushingeffortandtokeep from overloading theengine and leaving clurnps of grass clippings°

• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut

and raise the rear of the lawn mower housing one (1) wheel adjuster setting higher than the front for better

dischargeof grass_

• Forbetter grass bagging and most cuttingconditions, the enginespeed should be set inthe fast (,_) position.

° When using a rear discharge lawn mower in moist,

heavy grass, clumps of cut grass may not enter the

grasscatcher° Reduce groundspeed (pushingspeed) and!orrunthelawn mowerover thearea asecond time.

• Ifatraitofgrass cUppingsislefton theright side of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow in a clockwise direction witha small overlapto collect the clippingson the next pass_

° Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of

grass clippings and chaff., This will help engine airflow and extend engine life.

° Pores incloth grass catchers can become filled with dirt

and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass, Toprevent this, regu!arly hose catchers off with water

andfet dry before using.

i i i i , i i

OPEBATmON

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND

TRASH,, SEE "CLEANING" IN CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES SECTION OF THIS MANUAL°

The special mulching blade will recut the grass clip_ pings 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 mulched grass will

biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn.

Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed

as this will provide the best recutting action of the blades.

o Avoid cutting your lawn when it iswet. Wet grass tends

to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action° The best time to mow your lawn isthe early afternoon..

At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun°

• For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades (See" Fig_ 10):- If the lawn is

overgrown it wilt be necessary to raise the height ofcut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For

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

= Certain types of grass and grass conditions may re-

quire that an area be muIched a second time to com- pletely hide the clippings° When doing a second cut, mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path°

= Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow

north tosouth one week then change to east to west the

next week, This will help prevent matting and graining

of the lawno

MAX 1/3

FIG. 10

i Ullllnl ............................. , .................................................. I

ASYOUCOMPLETE

REGULAR SERVICE ./'___" SERVICE DATES

Check for Loose Fasteners ........................ . . M#

"'clearflln'sp'e'ctGrass Catcher

(If Equipped) I/ I/ . : I/

Clean Lawn Mower .... 64' ...... !/ ............

Clean UnderDrive cover I .......

(Se!!,Prope!led Mowers) ..........V_I

CheckJsharpef'JReplace Blade ..................................! ! f I/3 ...........

Lubrication Chart V' V' clean Battery/Rechar! e

(Electric Start Mowers....................... v' v'4

N change Engine OII

G clean Air Filter

I Inspect Muffler o

N Clean or Replace Spark Plug

E Replace Air F!,!ter Paper Cartridge ................... { ......

1 - Change mere often when operatingunder a heavy Toador in high ambienttemperatures,.

2. Service moreoften when operating in dirtyor dusty conditions, 3 - Replace blades more often whenmowing insandy soil,.

4. Charge 48 hoursat end of season,,

v' v"2

...................

: /: ii '

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this lawn mower'does notcover items that

have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence_ To receive full value from the warranty, operator must maintain mower as instructed inthis manual

Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit,

All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of

this manual should be checked at least once each season.

• Once a year, replace,the sparkplug, replace air filter element and check blade for wear. A new spark plug

and clean!new air'filter elementassures properair4uel mixture and helps your engine run better' and last

longer°

• Followthe maintenance schedule in this manual

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check engine oil level,

° Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICATION CHART").

LUBRICATION CHART

(_) WHEEL

(_ ENGINE OIL

(_) REAR DOOR

MOUNq3NG PIN

(_) SPRAY I-UBRLCANT

(_) REFER _fO CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES "ENGINE"

SECTION,

IMPORTANT: DO NOT OIL OR GREASE PLASTIC WHEEL

BEARING& VISCOUS LUBRICANTS WILL ATTRACT DUST AND DIRT THAT WILL SHORTEN THE LIFE OF

TH E SELF LUBRICATING BEARINGS. IF YOU FEEL THEY

MUST BE LUBRICATED, USE ONLY A DRY, POWDERED GRAPHITE TYPE LUBRICANT SPARINGLY_

HINGE

CUSTOMER RESPON ILmT E$

in..,

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when performingany mainte-

nance,

TIRES

= Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi-

cals which can harm rubber.

o Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and

other hazards that may cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mowe_blade must be kept sharp_ Replace b_nt dr damaged blad_s._

TO REMOVE BLADE (See Fig, 11) o Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place

wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug.

= Turn lawn mower on its sider Make sure air filter and

carburetor are up.

° Use a wood block between blade and mower housing

to prevent blade from tcrtning when removing'blade bolt.

. Protectyour hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with

heavy cloth.

. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-cloclo_ise, Use

a 9/t6" box or open-end wrench..

° Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock

washer and hardened washer)°

NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter. The key must be in good condition to work properly,. Replace adapter if damaged°

TO REPLACE BLADE (See Fig,. 11)

° Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshafL

Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are

aligned.

o Position blade on the blade adapter aligning thetwo (2)

holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter,.

° Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp

edge) is up toward the engine,.

• Install theblade boltwiththelockwasher and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft..

• 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,,

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT ISGRADE 8 HEATTREATED_ NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if

you do, be sure the blade is balanced_

TO SHARPEN BLADE

Care should be_taken to keep the blade balanced° AT_

un'balan_ed blade' wi!l cause eventual dama.ae 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 en the mowen

° To check blade balance, drive a nailinto a beam orwall,

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. 13

BLADE ADAPTER

KEY

BLADE

HARDENED WASHER

LOCK WASHER EDGE

TRAILING

BLADE ADAPTER

CRANK- SHAFT

KEYWAY

SHAFT

FIG. 11

GRASS CATCHER

• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used°

- Check your grasscatcher oftenfor damage or deterio - ration° Through normal use it will wear,, If catcher

needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer approved replacement catcher,, Give the lawn mower

model number when ordering_

DRIVE WHEELS

Check front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely.

The wheels notturning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc,,are inthe drive wheel area and must be cleaned to free

drive wheels.

If necessary to clean the drive wheels, check both front

wheefs. o Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and washers.

°_ Remove wheels from wheel adjusters_ ° Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the

dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth.

= Put wheels back in place, ° If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely,

contact your nearest authodzed service center.

GEAR CASE

- To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case andarea around the drive should be kept clean

and fr_ of.trash build-upo Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

The gear case isfilled with lubricant to the proper level at ;the factory. The only time the lubricant needs

attention is ifservice has been performed on the gear case°

If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Pre- mium I Grease, Part No. 750355. Do not substitute°

C RESPONSIBILITIES

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated withAPI service classification SF or SG. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade

according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

CONTAINER

FIG. 12

°F- _20_ 0° 30='° 32 = 40 _ ' riD* , 80 ° 1130°

°C "30_ -20Q -10 = 0_ "tO=' 20° 30'_ 40 _ i

.........TEMPERATURI= RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils willresult in increased oil consumptionwhen used above

32°F. Check your engine oillevel more frequently to avoid possibleengine damage frorn runninglow on oil.

change theoil after the first two il0urs of operation and every25 hoursthereafter'or at leastonce a year ifthe lawn

mower is not used for 25 hours in one year.

Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuoususe°Tighten oil

plug securely each time you check the oillevel TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. t2)

NOTE: Before tippinglawn mower to drainoil, drain fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank isempty.

o Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place

wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug.

• Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface,, ° Tip lawn mower on its side and drain oil into a suitable

container. Rock lawn mower back and forth to remove any oil trapped inside of engine.,

• Wipe off any spilled oil.on lawn mower and on side of engine. ' "FULL"

° Fill engine with oil, Fill onty to the line on the

dipstick_DO NOT overfill.

° Replace engine oil cap° ° Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by

using a dirty air filter. Replace the air filter every year, more often if you mow in

very dusty, dirty conditions, TO CLEAN AIR FILTER (See Fig. 13)

° Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove° ° Carefully remove cartridge.

, Clean by gently tapping on a flat surface. If very dirty,

replace cartridge or clean as f011ows:Wash ina low or

non,sudsingdetergent'and,warmwater sofption. Rinse

thoro.ughly with "flowing water from mesh, side .ur_til

water runsclear. Letcartrid_jeair drythorogghlybefore

using.

as kerosene, are notto be used to clean

cartridge. They may cause deteriora-

_ CAUTION: Petroleum solventsi-such -

tion of the cartridge. Do not oil car- tridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

illlllll

LIP BACK

CARTRIDGE

COVER

FIG, 13

MUFFLER

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage.

SPARK PLUG

Change your spark plug each year to make your engine starteasier and run better° Set spark plug gap at ..030inch.

CLEANING

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP

MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND

TRASH. CLEAN THE UNDERSIDE OF YOUR MOWER AFTER EACH USE..

CAUTION: Disconnect sparkplug wire from spark plug and place w=re where

_ iiiiiiiiiiiiii ................................. ,...............

itcannot come incontactwith the spark

plug.

...... ii iii IIIIIIIII III iii

• Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up. Clean the underside of your lawn

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

° Clean engine often to keeptrash from accumulating. A

clogged engine runs hotter' and shortens engine life,

° Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,

oil,etc.

° We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean

lawn m_)Wer.unlessthe electrical system, muffler, air' filter' and carburetor are covered to keep water out.

Water in engine can result in shortened engine life.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER

Clean under drive cover at least twice a season.. Scrape undersideof coverwith puttyknife orsimilartool toremove any build-upoftrash or'grass on underside of drive cover,

PLATE

COVER TABS

$ERVmCE A

i i i iNl,,lll,t

CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS:

Release control bar.

Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped,

• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place where it cannot come in contact with plug,

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation

section of this manual,. REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector_ attached between the rear wheels of your lawn mower, is provided to minimize the possibility

that objects will be thrown out the rear of the lawn mower into the operator's mowing position, tf the rear deflector be_comesdamaged, it should be replaced°

TO REMOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT (See Fig, 14)

. Remove drive cover. Remove belt bypushing downon

gear case pulley°

° Turn lawn mower on its side with carburetor and fuel

cap up,.

= Remove blade.,

• Remove debris shield. ° Remove belt from engine pulley on crankshaft.

• Install new belt by reversing above steps. o Always use factor v'approvedbelt toassure fit and long

life.

TO ADJUST HANDLE (See Figs. 15 Thru 17)

Your lawn mower handle can be raised or lowered for your mowing comfort. Four (4) positions are available: high, medium high, medium lew and low, Handles are shipped mounted in the medium lowposition,.

• To change from medium 10wto medium high position, the upper and lower handle sections will have to be

turned over (See Fig. 15B),,

° Remove cable clips°

- Remove the controls and operator presence control

bar from the upper handle,

° Remove the starter rope guide from the lower handleo

° Remove hairpin cotters.

- Disconnect the lower handle from the handle brackets

(See Fig. 17).

Turn the har_tle o_r and reassemble the hairpin cotters"that h_tivebee't_t,:removed'_

Reassemble the starter rope guide.

Reasserfi_F_ ,tf_econtrols, and the operator presence

control bar to the upper handle.

ADJUSTMENTS

DRIVE COVER

BELl

PRESS

FIG. 14

SHIPPING POSITION

MEDIUM LOW

FIG. 15A FIG. 15B

MEDIUM HIGH

LOW

15 FIG. 16A FIG. 16B

SERVICE AND ADJUS

CAUTION: Theoperator presence con- brake engagement when control bar is

_ trol bar must pivot freelyto permit blade

released° Do not over tighten the fasteners holding the controls to the

upper handle.

To change from medium lowto highpositiononlythe upper handle section willhave to be turned over (See

Fig_16A).

To change from medium lowto 10wposition,only the

lowerhandle section willhave to be tgrned over (See Fig_16B).

ENGINE

ENGINE SPEED

Your engine speed has been factory set, Do not attempt

toincrease engine speed or'it may result inpersonal injury_ Ifyou believe thattheen gine_isrunningtoofast ortooslow, take yourlawn mower toan authorized servicecenter for

repair and adjustmenL

TO ADJUST CARBURETOR (See Fig, 18)

Minorcarburetor'adjustmentsmay be requiredto compen- sate for differences in fuel, temperature, altitude or load.

The air cleaner and air'cleaner cover must be assembled

tocarburetor when running°

INITIAL ADJUSTMENT- With the engine not running, gently turn idle mixture screw

clockwise until it just closes° Screw may be damaged by turning it in too far,

Next open the screw one turn counter-clockwise. This initial adjustment will permit the engine to be started and

warmed up (approximately 5 minutes) prior to final adjust-

menL NOTE: Do not adjust top no load adjusting screw. Itwas

pre-set at the factory_ FINAL ADJUSTMENT-

Place engine speed control lever in idleor slow 0 position_

Adjust idle RPM by turning idle speed adjusting screw to obtain 1700 RPM_ Next, turn idle mixture screw in (clock-

wise - lean mixture) until engine just starts to slow. Then

turn idle mixture screw out (counter-clockwise - richmix- ture) until engine runs unevenly_ Now turn idle mixture

screw midway between rich and lean. Engine should accelerate smoothly, if engine does not accelerate prop-

erly, the carburetorshould be readjusted, usuallyto a richer mixture, by turning the idle mixture screw counter-clock-

wise 1/8 turn more.

IMPORTANT: NEVER TAMPER WITH 'THE ENGINE GOVERNOR, WHICH IS F.ACTORY.SET FOEtI_d_I_PER

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 YOUR

NEAREST AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER, WHICH HAS PROPER EQUIPMENT AND EXPERIENCE TO MAKEANY NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS..

SQUEEZE \\\\ TO REMOVE

TOP NO LOAD

SCREW

IDLE SPEED

ADJUSTING SCREW

IDLE MIXTURE

SCREW

LOWER HANDLE

HANDLE BRACKET

HAIRPIN CLIP

FIG, 17

FIG. 18

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