Craftsman 917377794 Owner’s Manual

Owner's Manual

IC.nFTSMnWl

ROTARY LAWN MOWER

5.5 Horsepower Power-Propelled

21" Multi-Cut

Model No.

917.377794

• EspaSol, p. 19

CAUTION: Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/craftsman

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

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

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

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

Operation .......................................... 7-11

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

Maintenance ................................... 12-14

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

Storage ........................................... 16-17

Troubleshootin( .............................. 17-18

Repair Parts .................................... 38-46

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

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 in the

owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material 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 of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crank- shafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions con-

tained in the owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest Sears

Parts & Repair Center in the United States. 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., D/817 WA, 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.

_¢LLook for this symbol to point out

important safety precautions. It means

CAUTION!H BECOME ALERT!H 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 con-

tact with plug. _JLWARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its

constituents, and certain vehicle compo-

nents contain or emit chemicals known

to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive

harm.

Ai_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.

_, 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 the machine and in the

manual(s) before starting. Be thoroughly familiar with the controls and the proper

use of the machine before starting.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis-

charge opening at all times.

• Only allow responsible individuals, who are familiar with the instructions, to

operate the machine.

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the

blade.

• Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone

enters the area.

• 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.

• 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.

• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until the blade comes to complete stop before removing grass catcher.

• 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 and walk; never run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mech- anism or drive clutch on mowers so

equipped before starting the engine (motor).

• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause. Vibra- tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when oper- ating mower.

II. SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents which can result in

severe injury. All slopes require extra cau- tion. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not

mow it. 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.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced

footing could cause slipping.

III. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children.

Children are often attracted to the ma- chine and the mowing activity. Neveras-

sume 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 machine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind

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

IV. SERVICE

• Use extra care in handling gasoline and

other fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.

-Use only an approved container.

-Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool before refueling.

Do not smoke.

-Never refuel the machine indoors.

-Never store the machine or fuel

container inside where there is an open flame, such as a water heater.

• Never run a machine inside a closed area.

• Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine (motor) running. Disconnectthe spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from theplug to prevent accidental starting.

• Keepnutsandbolts,especiallyblade attachmentbolts,tightand keepequip-

mentingood condition.

• Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Check theirproperoperationregularly.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves,or otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanoilorfuelspill- age.Allowmachinetocoolbeforestoring.

• Stop andinspectthe equipmentifyou strikean object.Repair,if necessary, beforerestarting.

• Neverattempttomakewheelheightadjust-

• Grasscatchercomponentsaresubject to wear,damage,anddeterioration,

whichcouldexposemovingpartsor allowobjectsto be thrown.Frequently checkcomponentsand replacewith

manufacturer'srecommendedparts,

whennecessary.

• Mowerbladesare sharpandcan cut. Wrapthe blade(s)orweargloves,and

useextracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Donot changethe enginegovernorset- ting oroverspeedtheengine.

mentswhiletheengine(motor)isrunning.

SerialNumber: Dateof Purchase:

GasolineCapacity/Type: 1.0 Quarts (Unleaded Regular)

Oil Type (API-SF-SJ): SAE 10W30 Oil Capacity: 18.5 Ounces Spark Plug (Gap: .030") NGK BPR6ES

Valve Clearance (± 0.04 mm): Intake: 0.015 mm; Exhaust: 0.020 mm

Blade Bolt Torque: 36-44 ft. Ibs.

• The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower housing. 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 operation. But like all prod-

ucts, it may require repair from time to

time. That's when having a Repair Protec- tion Agreement can save you money and

aggravation.

Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement now and protect yourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

Here's what's included in the Agreement:

• Expert service by our 12,000 profe- sional repair specialists.

• 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, 10% off regular price of preventive mainte-

nance check.

Fast help by phone - phone support from a Sears technician on products

requiring in-home repair, plus conve- nient 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 over 12,000 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

STABILIZER

GAS

CANS

_\\ \\\ FOR

\\ GRASS CATCHERS

LAWN MOWERS

REAR DISCHARGE

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

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 engine.

Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those

parts left unassembled 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 of 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

1. Remove loose parts included with mower.

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

3. Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower

SQU

Handle J bracket

Handle pin

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

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

loose parts.

HOWTO SET UPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables.

1. Raise lower handle section to oper- ating position and squeeze the bottom

ends of lower handle towards each other until the pin in handle can be

inserted into one of the three height adjustment holes.

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

3. Remove any packing material from around control bar.

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.

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.

2. Slip vinyl bindings over frame.

NOTE: If vinyl bindings are toe stiff, hold them in warm water for a few minutes. If

bag gets wet, let it dry before using.

Catcher

frame

handle

Operator presence control bar

LIFT

Mowing position

Lower handle

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bag- ging or discharging, see "TO CONVERT MOWER" in the Operation section of this

manual.

KNOWYOUR LAWN MOWER

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALL SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING

YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and 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 SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

DR WARNING GIN OFF AND FEET AWAY

Throttle/ engine

control

Starter handle Handle knob

Grass catcher

Blade/brake control

Drive control lever

Single point height

uster handle

Muffler

Mulcher plug

Engine oil cap with dipstick

Mulcher door 3using

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine. MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the

American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com-

mission. Operator presence control bar - must

be held down to the handle to start the

blade, Release to stop the blade. Starter handle - used for starting engine. Threttle/engine control - used for start-

ing and stopping the engine; and allows you to select either FAST or SLOW engine

speed,

Mulcher door - allows conversion to dis- charging or bagging operation,

Mulcher plug - located at the rear dis- charge opening. Must be removed when converting to bagging operation. Single point height adjuster - used to adjust cutting height of lawn mower. Drive control lever - used to engage

power-propelled forward motion of lawn mower,

Blade/brake control - used to engage

7 the blade after the engine is started.

Theoperationof any lawn mowercan resultin foreign objectsthrownintothe eyes,whichcan resultin

severeeye damage.Always wearsafetyglassesor eyeshieldswhile operatingyourlawnmowerorperforming any adjustmentsor repairs.Werecom-

mendastandardsafetyglassesor wide

visionsafetymaskworn overspectacles.

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER

THROTTLE/ENGINE CONTROL

The engine is controlled by a throttle con- trol located on the side of the upper handle. CHOKE position is for starting a cold engine;

FAST position is for starting a warm engine, normal cutting, trimming and better grass

bagging; SLOW position is for light cutting,

trimming and fuel economy, STOP position

is for stopping the engine.

•fp _

FAST C)

I",1,.

CHOK .4....,,, !,'; ',,:-,

t" ( Jt_ h ,,-_, _ tsr" ,Is

i }t_.,Z t

#t,

DRIVE CONTROL

• Self-propelling is controlled by hold- ing the operator presence control bar

down to the handle and pulling the drive control lever rearward to the handle.

The farther toward the handle the lever

is pulled, the faster the unit will travel.

• Forward motion will stop when either

the operator presence control bar or drive control lever are released. To stop forward motion without stopping blade,

release the drive control lever only. Hold

operator presence control bar down against handle to continue mowing

without self-propelling. NOTE: If after releasing the drive control the mower will not roll backwards, push the mower forward slightly to disengage

drive wheels.

_rator presence control bar

Drive

control

TO lever

Adjustment ENGAGE DRIVE button (on DRIVE CONTROL underside) CONTROL DISENGAGED

BLADE CONTROL Ar_CAUTION: When the blade control is engaged, the blade turns. When blade

control is disengaged, the blade stops.

• Your lawn mower has a blade/brake

clutch fastened to the engine crankshaft, which starts or stops the blade. To start the blade, hold the operator presence

control bar down to the handle and push the blade/brake control lever forward un-

til it latches. To stop the blade, release the operator presence control bar.

NOTE: Allow a cold engine to warm up for

one minute before starting the blade. Do

not start the blade in deep, uncut grass. Move lawn mower out of uncut grass

_ecfore starting blade.

AUTION: Federal regulations require

this blade/brake control to minimize the

risk of blade contact injury. Do not under

any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of this control.

Operator presence control bar Blade/brake

control lever

ENGAGE BLADE

DRIVE CONTROL ADJUSTMENT

Over time, the drive control system may be- come "loose", resulting in decreased speed.

There is a button onthe underside ofthe drive control housing to increase tension on the

drive cable. Proceed as follows:

1. Turn unit off and disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.

2. Pull out button on underside of drive control, then push button back in.

3. Operate mower to test drive speed.

If condition becomes worse after

the above steps (forward speed has become slower), your system was not "loose". Repeating the above steps will return your unit to the proper adjust- ment and speed.

4. If condition fails to improve after the above steps (forward speed remains the same), your drive belt is worn and should be replaced.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

All four wheels are adjusted by a single lever.

• Pull adjuster lever toward wheel. To

raise mower, move lever forward to

desired position. To lower mower, move the lever toward the rear.

LEVER BACKWARD

TO LOWER

MOWER

LEVER FORWARD

TO RAISE

MOWER

TO ATTACH GRASS CATCHER

1. Lift the rear door of the lawn mower and place the grass catcher frame side

hooks onto the door pivot pins.

2. The grass catcher is secured to the lawn mower housing when the rear door is lowered onto the grass catcher frame.

_I,CAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without mulcher plug or approved grass

catcher in place. Never attempt to op- erate the lawn mower with the rear door

removed or propped open.

Pivot * Rear

Height

adjuster

lever

TO CONVERT MOWER

Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharging:

REAR BAGGING

° Open rear door, remove mulcher plug.

Store mulcher plug in a safe place.

• You can now install the grass catcher.

• To convert to mulching or discharging operation, install mulcher plug into rear discharge opening of mower.

Mulcher plug

SIDE DISCHARGING ° Mulcher plug must be installed into rear

discharge opening of mower.

° Open mulcher door and install dis-

charge deflector under door as shown.

° Mower is now ready for discharging

operation.

° To convert to mulching or bagging

operation, discharge deflector must

be removed and mulcher door

closed.

Catcher frame hook

TO EMPTY GRASS CATCHER

1. Lift up on grass catcher using the frame handle.

2. Remove grass catcher with clippings from under lawn mower handle.

3. Empty clippings from bag using both frame handle and bag handle.

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

Grass

catcher

frame

handle

Bag handle

Open mulcher door

Discharge

deflector

SIMPLE STEPS TO REMEMBER WHEN CONVERTING YOUR LAWN MOWER

FOR MULCHING -

1. Rear mulcher plug installed.

2. Mulcher door closed. FOR REAR BAGGING -

1. Rear mulcher plug removed.

2. Grass catcher installed.

3. Mulcher door closed. FOR SIDE DISCHARGING -

1. Rear mulcher plug installed.

2. Discharge deflector installed.

_CAUTION: Do not run your lawn

mower without mulcher plug or approved

grass catcher in place. Never attempt to operate the lawn mower with the rear door

removed or propped open.

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.

• I,CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or itwill smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

1. Be sure lawnmower is level.

2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.

3. You receive a container of oil with the

unit. Slowly pour the entire container down the oil fill spout into the engine.

4. Insert and tighten dipstick. IMPORTANT:

• Check oil level before each use. Add oil

if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

• Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season. You may

need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO

CHANGE ENGINE OIL' in the Mainte-

nance section of this manual.

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-

Bess.

_1_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.

Gasoline

filler cap

Oil

cap

TO STOP ENGINE

• To stop engine, move throttle control

lever to STOP position. Wait until blade

and all moving parts have stopped and turn fuel valve to OFF position if you do

not intend to restart the engine soon.

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 prod- uct and should be considered normal.

1. Be sure fuel valve is in the ON position.

2. To start a cold engine, move handle mounted throttle/choke control lever to

CHOKE position.

3. Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

4. Slowly move throttle control lever to FAST position after engine starts.

• To start a warm engine, move throttle

control lever to FAST position, then fol- low steps above.

NOTE: Allow a cold engine to warm up for

one minute before starting the blade. See "BLADE CONTROl" in this section of this

manual.

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

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 recut- ting action of the blades.

• 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 one-third 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.

Fuel valve lever

MOWING TIPS

• Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the 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 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.

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can be- come 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. 11

MAXI_

• 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.

• 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.

MAINTENANCE BEFOREAPTEREVERY EVERY EVERYBEFORE

EACH EACH 10 25HOURS 100

SCHEDULE USE USE HOURS ORSEASON HOURS STORAGE

Check for Loose Fasteners

AL Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher *

Check Tires

_ Check Drive Wheels

Clean Lawn Mower ....

M Clean under Drive Cover *** O Check Drive Belt / Pulleys ***

_ Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade

R Lubrication

Clean and Recharge Battery ** Check Engine Oil level

E Change Engine Oil

_ Clean Air Filter

Inspect Muffler

_ Replace Spark Plug

E Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

* (if so equipped)

** Electric-Start mowers

*** Power-Propelled mowers

**** Use a scraper

to clean under deck

1 - Change more often if operating 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.

i/ i/

t_,2

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.

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

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.

• 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").

LUBRICATION CHART

Rear door

hinge

Handle bracket mounting pins

_ 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

12 graphite type lubricant sparingly.

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per- forming any maintenance.

TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber.

• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check rear drive wheels each time you

mow to be sure they move freely. The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc., may be inside the

drive wheel and dust cover area and must

be cleaned out to free drive wheels.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace bent or damaged blades.

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 bolts.

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves

and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

4. Remove blade bolts by turning counter- clockwise.

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position the blade. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge)

is up toward the engine and install the blade bolts.

2. Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolts, turning clockwise.

• The recommended tightening torque is

36-44 ft. Ibs.

IMPORTANT: Blade bolts are heat treat- ed. If bolts need replacing, replace only

with approved bolts shown in the Repair

Parts section of this manual.

TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced.

Care should be taken to keep the blade bal- anced. An unbalanced blade will cause even-

tual damage to lawn mower or engine.

• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.

• 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

API service classification SF-SJ. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your

expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

"F -20 0 30 3_ 40 60 80 100

-30 -20 -10 D 10 20 30

"I_MPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

\ \ Blade

NOTE: Multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, and you should check your engine oil level fre- quently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil. Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least once a year if the

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 continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level.

TOCHANGEENGINEOIL

NOTE: Beforetippinglawnmowerto drain

oil, emptyfuel tankby runningengineuntil fuel tankisempty.

1. Disconnectsparkplug wirefromspark plugandplace wirewhereit cannot

comeincontactwith plug.

2. Removeengineoilcap;layasideon a cleansurface.

3. Tip lawnmoweron itsside as shown anddrainoil intoa suitablecontainer.

Rocklawnmowerbackandforthto re- moveanyoil trappedinsideofengine.

Oil filler cap/dipstick

4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine.

5. Fill engine with oil. The engine oil capacity is 18.5 oz. If oil is not com- pletely drained from engine, you may

not need the entire container of a 20 oz. bottle of oil. Slowly pour 3/4 of the

oil from the container down the oil fill spout into the engine.

6. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle. Use guage on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert dipstick into the

tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube.

DO NOT thread the cap into the tube when taking reading.

7. Continue adding small amounts of oil and rechecking the dipstick until it reads full.

DO NOT overfill, or engine will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick before starting engine.

9. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly and may

be damaged by using a dirty air filter. Replace the air filter every 100 hours of

operation or every season, whichever oc- curs first. Service air cleaner more often

under dusty conditions.

TO CLEAN AIR FILTER

1. Remove cover.

2. Carefully remove cartridge.

3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur-

face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

_i, CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as

kerosene, are not to be used to clean car- tridge. They may cause deterioration of the

cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.

4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.

Tabs

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 first. 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-up grass and trash. Clean the underside of your mower

after each use.

• I,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.

• 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.

CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER Clean under drive cover at least twice a

season. Scrape underside of cover with putty knife or similar tool to remove any build-up of trash or grass on underside of

drive cover.

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