Craftsman 944.360030 Owner's Manual

_)wner's Manual "

CRAFTSMAN+

t.0 HORSEPOWER

Z0"SIDE DISCHARGE

::IOTARY LAWN MOWER

Vlodel No.

)44.360030

Safety
Assembly

Operation
Maintenance

Repair Parts

CAUTION:

_ead and follow all
Safety Rules and Instructions

:}eforeoperating this equipment

Sears Canada, Inc., Toronto, Ontario M5B 2B8

Warranty .......................... "................... 2

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

Assembly .............................................. 4

Operation. ............................................. 5

Maintenance Schedule ........................ 8

Maintenance ......................................... 8

Product Specifications .......................... 9

Service and Adjustments ....... _.............. 12

Storage ................................................. 13

Troubleshooting ................................... 14

Repair Parts ............. ,........... ,................ 16

Parts Ordedng ...................... 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 workman-
ship.

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
crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions
contained in the owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest
Sears Service Center/Department in the United States. This warranty applies only
while this product is in use 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 CANADA, INC., TORONTO, ONTARIO M5B 2B8

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 familiar with the controls and
know how to operate your mower
properly. Learn 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 described in this
manual.

Do not operate mower if it has been
dropped or damaged in any manner.
Always have damage repaired before

using your mower.

Do not use accessory attachments that

are not recommended by the manufac-

turer. Use of such attachments may be

hazardous.
The blade turns when the engine is
running.

2

PREPARATION:

• Always thoroughly check the area to be

mowed and clear it of 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 propedy. Do not operate mower

when barefoot or wearing open sandals.

Wear only solid shoes with good traction
when mowing.

• Checkfuel tank before startingengine.
Do notfill gastank indoors,when the

engine is runningor when the engine is
hot. Allowthe engineto cool for several

minutesbeforefilling the gas tank. Clean

off any spilledgasoline 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 or slippery grass. Never

run while operating your mower. Always
be sure of your footing -- keep a firm

hold on the handles and walk.

• Do not put hands or feet near or under

rotating parts. Keep clear of the dis-
charge 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 allow anyone

near the mower while you are operating
it.

• Before cleaning, inspecting, or repairing

your mower, stop the engine and make
absolutely sure the blade and all moving
parts have stopped. Then disconnect the
spark plug wire and keep it away from
the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.

• Do not continue to run your mower if you

hit a foreign object. Follow the procedure
outlined above, then repair any damage

before restarting and operating you

mower.

• Do not change the govemor settings or

overspeed the engine. Engine damage
or personal injury may result.

• Do not operate your mower if it vibrates

abnormally. Excessive vibration is an
indication of damage; stop the engine,

safely check for the cause of vibration
and repair as required.

• Do not run the engine indoors. Exhaust

fumes are dangerous.

• Never cut grass by pulling the mower
towards you. Mow across the face of

slopes, never up and down or you
might lose your 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 propedy.

• Check all bolts, nuts and screws at
frequent intervals for proper tightness to

be sure mower is in safe working
condition.

• 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 deteriora-

tion and wear and replace worn bags.

Use only replacement bags that are
recommended by and comply with
specifications of the manufacturer of

your 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 ignition
source such as a hot water heater,
space heater, clothes dryer, etc.

ALook for this symbol to point out
important safety precautions. It means

CAUTIONt!t BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

4_CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it cannot

contact spark plug in order to prevent
accidental starting when setting up,
transporting, adjusting or making repairs.

AWARNING

The engine exhaust from this product
contains chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer, birth defects,
or other reproductive harm.

3

Reed these instructionsand this manual in its

entiretybefore you attempt to assemble or

operate your new lawn mower.
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower isshipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

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

left unassembled for shipping puq0oses. All
partssuch 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
pads and hardware you assemble must be
tightened securely. Use the correct tools as

necessary to ensure proper tightness.

TOREMOVE LAWNMOWER FROM
CARTON

• Remove loose parts included with mower.

• Cut down two and comers of carton and

lay end panel down flat.

• Remove all packing materials except
padding between upper and lower handle

and padding holding operator presence
control bar to upper handle.

• Rolllawn mower out of carton and check

carton thoroughlyfor additional loose parts.

HOWTO SETUPYOUR LAWN MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handles carefully so as

not to pinch or damage control cables.

• Raise handles until lower handle section
locks intoplace in mowing position.

• Remove protective padding, raise upper
handle section into place on lower handle
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.

Operator presence
bar

Lift up

Mowing
position

Lower handle

4

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN

MOWER. Compare the illustrationswithyour lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the
Iocat_n of v@riqu_ controlsand _td_u_ments. ,_ave this manual for future referance.

l"heeesymbolsmayappearonyourlawnmotor or InliteraturesuppliedwiththeIXOduc&_ _
undastandtheremeaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Engine zone

control cable

--Operator presence control bar

Starter handle

Handle

Gasoline filler cap

Airfilter

Engine oil plug

Lawn mower housing

Wheel ajduster
(on each wheel)

IMPORTANT: Thislawn moweris shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOUNE intheengine.

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

National Standards Instituteand the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade

turns when the engine is running.
Operator presence control bar - must be

held down to the handle to start the engine.
Release to stop the engine. •

Pdmer - pumps adddionalfuel from the
carburetor to the cylinderfor use when
starling a cold engine.

Starter handle - used for startingthe engine.

5

The operation of any lawn

mower can result in foreign

objects thrown into the eyes,
which can result in severe eye damage.
Always wear safety glasses or eye shields
while operating your lawn mower or

performing any adjustments or repairs.
We recommend a wide vision safety mask

over spectacles or standard safety
glasses.

HOWTO USEYOUR LAWN MOWER
ENGINE SPEED

The engine speed was set at the factory for

optimum performance. Speed isnot adjust-
able.

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL
_CAUTION: Federal regulations require an

engine controlto be installedon this lawn
mower in order to minimize the riskof blade

contact injury.Do not under any
circumstancesattempt 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 height to suit your require-

merits. Medium positionis best for most
lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster

lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or
down to suit your requirements. Be sure all

wheels are inthe same setting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when
platetab inserts intohole in lever. Also, 9-

positionadjusters (if so equipped) allow lever

to be positionedbetween the plate tabs.

Plate Tab

Lower Wheels for High Cut..._ / jL_

Lever

Raise Wheels for Low Cut

TO CONVERT TO DISCHARGING MOWER
Your mower is shipped ready to be used as a

mulcher. To convert to bagging or discharg-
ing:

• Liftdischarge guard and remove mulcher

plate.

• Mower can now be used for side discharg-
ing or optional grass catcher can be
attached.

• To retum to mulching operation, simply
reinstallmulcher plate as shown.

ACAUTION: Do notrunyour lawn mower
without discharge guard, approved grass
catcher or mulcher plate in place.

Discharge

uard

Mulcher plate

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

OIL
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in

the engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil
fillis clean.

• Remove engine oil plug and fill to the top
of slot in filler hole.

NOTE: Allow oilto settledown into engine for
accurate reading.

• Engine holds 20ozs. of oil. Fortypeand
grade of oilto use, see "ENGINE" in

Maintenance section of this manual.

• Pour oilslowly. Do not over fill.

• Check oil levelbefore each use. Add oil if
needed.

• Change the oilafter every 25 hours of
operation or each season. You may need

to change the oil more often under dusty,
dirty conditions.

ADD GASOUNE

• Fillfuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87
octane. Do not mix oilwithgasoline.
Purchase fuel in quantitiesthat can be
used within30 days to assure fuel

freshness.

AWARNING: Experience indP_atesthat

alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or

using ethanol or methanol) can attract
moisture which leads to separation and

formation ofacids duringstorage. 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 orlonger. Drain the gas

tank, startthe engine and let it run untilthe
fuel lines and carburetor are emp_. Use

6 fresh fuel next season. See Storage

Instructionsfor additionalinformation.Never
useengine or carburetor cleaner products in

the fuel tank or permanent damage may

occur.
ACAUTION: Filltobottom of gas tank filler
neck. Do not overfill. Wipe offany spilledoil

or fuel. Do notstore, spillor use gasoline
near an open flame.

Gasolinefiller cap

Eng ne oi plug/

TO START ENGINE

• To starta coldengine, push primerfive (5)
times before tryingto start. Use a firm

push. This step is not usually necessary

when starting an engine which has
already run for a few minutes.

• Hold operator presence control bar down
to the handle and pull starter handle

quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap
back.

• To stop engine, release operator presence
control bar.

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
O_O_IWI_Gming steps"

TIPS

• Under certain conditions, such as very tall

grass, it may be necessary to raise the
height ofcut to reduce pushingeffort 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, reducethe
width of cut by overlapping previouslycut

path and mow slowly.

• For batter grass bagging and most cutting

conditions,the engine speed should be set

inthe fast position.

• When using a rear discharge lawn mower
in moist, heavy grass, dumps of cut grass
may not enter the grass catcher. Reduce
ground speed (pushing speed) and/or run

the lawn mower over the area a second
time.

• Ifa trailof clippingsis lefton the rightside of

a rear discharge mower, mow in a
clockwise directionwith a small ovedap to

collect the clippingson the next pass

• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become
filledwith dirt and dustwith 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 dear

and clean of grass cr=ppingsand chaff.
This will help engine air flow and extend
engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS
IMPORTANT: Forbest performance, keep

mower housingfree of built-upgrass and

trash. See "Cleaning" in 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 ontothe

lawn they will disperse into the grass and
not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass

will biodegrade quicklyto provide nutrients

forthe lawn Always mulch with your
highest engine (blade) speed as this will
providethe best recurringaction ofthe

blades

• Avoidcuttingyour lawn when it is wet. Wet
grass tends to form clumps and interferes

with the mulching action The best time to
mow your lawn isthe early aftemoon. At

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

sun.

• For best results,adjustthe lawn mower
cuttingheight so that the lawn mower cuts

off onlythe top one-third ofthe grass
blades. Ifthe lawn is overgrown it will he

necessary to raisethe height of cut to
reduce pushing effortand to keep from

overlcading 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 t_es of grass and grass conditions
may require that an area be mulched a

second time to completely hide the
clippings. When doing a second cut, mow

across or perpendicular to the firstcut path.

• Change your cuttingpattem from week to

week. Mow northto south one week then

change to east to west the next week. This

will help prevent matting and grainingof
the lawn.

, '._ Max 113

7

AS YOU COMPLETE J__'_O_l::=_,llr'l= r',

CheckforLooseFasteners I,/ ll/

Glean/InspectGrassCatcher I1_/_

(If Equipped) !,/

a clean LawnMower

o

CleanUnderDriveCover

E_ (Power-Propelled Mowers) I/'Checkdrivebelt/pulleys

(Power-PropelledMowers) I,/

R Check/Sharpen/Replace Blade 1/'3

Lubrication Chart I1_ q,/

Clean Battery/Recharge
/Electric Start Mowers I I/ b/'4

RECheck Ermine Oil Level 1/

Change Engine Oil 1_1.2

Gi Clean Air Filtei: _2

Inspect Muffler

N Clean or ReplaceSparkPlug

ReplaceAir FilterPaperCartridge I/2

1 - Change more oftenwhen operatingundera heavy load or in highambient temperatures.
2 - Sen_ce moreoftenwhen operaUngindirtyo_dustyconditions,

3 - Replace bladesmoreoftenwhenrnowk_gin sandy soil,
4- Charge 48 heum atend of season.

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 mower as

instructed in this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made

periodically to propedy 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 spark plug,
replace air filter element and check
blade for wear. A new spark plug and

clean/new air filter element assures
proper air-fuel mixture and helps 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 "LUBRICA-

TION CHART").

LUBRICATION CHART

(i:) Wheel adjuster _ Engineoil

\

\Brake

spring

bracket

/ _) Rear door hinge

/

(_) Handle bracket mountingpin

(_) Spray lubricant
(_) Refer to Maintenance "ENGINE' section.

IMPORTANT: Do not oll or grease plastic

wheel bearings. VLscouslubricantswillattract

dustand dirtthat willshorten the lifeof the self
lubricatingbearings. Ifyou feel they must be

lubricated, use only a dry, powdered graphite

typelubrP ntopa ncJy.

8