Kmart 02912158-9 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

CRRFTSMRH

21" LAWN MOWER

Model No. 247.38529

o SAFETY

ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

CAUTION: Before using this product, read this

manual and follow all

MAINTENANCE PARTS LIST

o ESPANOL, p. 27

safety rules and operating

instructions.

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FORMNO.769-06519

11/4/2010

WarrantyStatement..................................Page2

Safetyinstructions....................................Pages3-6

SlopeGuide..............................................Page7

SafetyLabels............................................Page9

Assembly..................................................Pages10-13

Operation..................................................Pages14-15

ServiceandMaintenance.........................Pages16-19

Off-SeasonStorage..................................Page20

Troubleshooting........................................Page21

PartsList...................................................Page22-23

Espa_ol.....................................................Page27

ServiceNumbers......................................BackCover

Craftsman TwoYearFull Warranty

FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,thisproductiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.Defectiveproductwill receivefreerepairorfreereplacementifrepairisunavailable.

Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainrepairorreplacement,visitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com. ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship. Warrantycoverage doesNOTinclude:

• Expendableitemswhichcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchas mowerblades,bladeadapters,belts,filters,or sparkplugs.

Productdamageresultingfromuserattemptsat productmodificationor repairorcausedbyproductaccessories.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof accidentorfailuretooperateormaintaintheproductaccordingto allsuppliedinstructions. Preventativemaintenanceor repairsnecessarydueto improperfuelmixture,contaminatedorstalefuel.

Thiswarrantyis voidifthisproductiseverusedwhile providingcommercialservicesorifrentedtoanotherperson. Thiswarrantygivesyou specificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears BrandsManagementCorporation, Hoffman Estates,IL60179

EngineOilType: SAE30 EngineOilCapacity: 18ounces

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& Stratton

ModelNumber.................................................................

Serial Number.................................................................

Dateof Purchase.............................................................

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber

anddateof purchaseabove

©SearsBrands,LLC 2

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof yourselfandothers. Readandfollowallinstructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingto operatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyou seethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingto the safeopera- tionpracticesinthismanual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroronthe partoftheoperatorcanresultinserious injury.Thismachineiscapableof amputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryordeath.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateofCalifornia tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorother reproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknownto theStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyin itsentiretybefore attemptingtoassemblethis machine.Read,understand,and

followall instructionsonthemachineandinthemanualsbefore operation.Keepthismanualina safeplaceforfutureandregular

referenceandfororderingreplacementparts

• Becompletelyfamiliarwiththecontrolsandtheproperuseofthis machinebeforeoperatingit.

• Thismachineisa precisionpieceofpowerequipment,not a plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat alltimes.This machinehasbeendesignedto performonejob:to mowgrass. Donotuseitforanyotherpurpose.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsof ageto operatethis machine.Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

• Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesof safeoperationshouldbe allowedtousethismachine.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawherethe equipmentistobe used. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeign objects,whichcouldbetrippedoverorpickedupandthrownby theblade.Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeofmaterialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawall orobstruction,whichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,stayin operatorzonebehindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders, helpersandpetsatleast75feetfrommowerwhileitis inopera- tion.Stopmachineifanyoneentersarea.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseofthis powermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsandinstruc-

tionsinthismanualandon themachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperforminganadjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.

Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacks and shirts.Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsand

steel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperatethis machine inbarefeet,sandals,slipperyor light-weight(e.g.canvas)shoes.

Donot put handsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwith bladecanamputatefingers,hands,toesand feet.

A missingor damageddischargecovercancausebladecontact or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Manyinjuriesoccurasaresultofthemowerbeingpulledoverthe footduringafallcausedby slippingor tripping.Donotholdonto themowerifyouarefalling:releasethe handleimmediately.

Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.If

youmustbackthemowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirst

lookdownandbehindto avoidtrippingandthen followthese steps:

1. Stepbackfrommowertofullyextendyourarmsforward.

2. Besureyouare wellbalancedwithsurefooting.

3. Pullthemowerbackslowly,no morethanhalfwaytoward

you.

4. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.

Donot operatethemowerwhileundertheinfluenceof alcoholor

drugs.

Donot engagethe self-propelledmechanismon machinesso

equippedwhilestartingengine.

• Thebladecontrolhandleisa safetydevice.Neverattemptto bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthe safetydeviceinopera- tiveandmayresultin personalinjurythroughcontactwiththe rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandlemustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothedisengaged positionwhenreleased.

• Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbe sureofyour footing.A slipandfall cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyou feelyou arelosingyourfooting,releasethebladecontrolhandle immediatelyandthebladewillstop rotatingwithinthreeseconds.

• Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

• Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.

• Iftheequipmentshouldstart tovibrateabnormally,stopthe engineandcheckimmediatelyforthecause.Vibrationis gener- allya warningoftrouble.

• Shutthe engineoff andwaituntilthebladecomesto a complete stopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcheroruncloggingthe chute. Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotateforafewsecondsafterthe bladecontrolisreleased.Neverplaceany partofthebodyinthe bladeareauntilyouaresurethe bladehasstoppedrotating.

• Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover, grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandleor othersafetyprotectivede- vicesin placeandworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamaged safetydevices.Failuretodosocan resultinpersonalinjury.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot touch.

• Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile theengineisrunning.

• Onlyuse partsand accessoriesmadeforthis machineby the manufactureraslistedin thePartspagesofthisOperator's Manual.Failuretodoso canresultinpersonalinjury.

• Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,then pullrapidly.Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpull handandarmtowardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Broken bones,fractures,bruisesor sprainscouldresult.

• If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgement.Contact1-800-4MY-HOME®forinformation

andassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,whichcan resultinsevereinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.If youfeel uneasyona slope,donotmowit. Foryoursafety,usethe SlopeGuideincludedas partof thismanualto measureslopesbefore operatingthis machineon aslopedorhillyarea.Ifthe slopeisgreater than15degrees,donotmowit.

Do:

Mowacrossthefaced slopes;neverupanddown.Exercise

extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

• Watchfor holes,ruts, rocks,hiddenobjects,orbumpswhichcan causeyoutosliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

• Alwaysbesureof yourfooting.A slipandfallcancauseserious personalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyourbalance,release thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewillstop

rotatingwithinthree(3) seconds.

DoNot:

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments,because youcouldloseyourfootingorbalance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the slopeguide.

• Donotmowonwetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themowerandthe mowing activity.Theydonot understandthe dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.

Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderwatchfulcareof

a responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmoweroffif achild entersthearea.

• Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddown for smallchildren.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionofa childwhomayrunintothe mower.

• Keepchildrenawayfromhot orrunningengines.Theycan suffer burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine.Children14andovershouldreadand understandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineand betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingOf Gasoline:

• Toavoid personalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecare in handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthe vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhen gasolineis spilledon yourselfor yourclothes,whichcanignite. Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfill containersinsideavehicleoronatruckortrailerbed withaplasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway

fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailerand

refuelitontheground.Ifthisis notpossible,thenrefuelsuch equipmenton atrailer witha portablecontainer,ratherthanfrom a gasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltankor containeropeningatall timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources ofignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill accumulateinthearea.

• Neverremovegascap oraddfuelwhileengineis hotorrunning. Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Neverover-fillfueltank.Toallowfor expansionof the fuel,donot fillabovethebottomofthe fueltankneck.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• If gasolineisspilled,wipeit offtheengineandequipment.Move machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.

• Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainernearanopenflame, sparkor pilot lightasonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace, clothesdryerorothergasappliances.

• Toreducefirehazard,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand removeany

fuel-soakeddebris. Allowmachinetocoolatleast5minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService:

• Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladeandallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe spark plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended starting.

Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervals forpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g., bent,cracked,worn).Replacebladewiththeoriginalequipment manufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listedinthePartspagesofthis manual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeettheoriginalequipment specificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompro- misesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharpandcan cut.Wrapthe bladeor wear gloves,anduse extracautionwhen servicingthem.

Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis insafeworkingcondition.

Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperoperation regularly.

Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe sparkplugwireand groundagainstthe engine.Thoroughly inspectthemowerforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore startingandoperatingthemower.

Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile theengineisrunning.

• Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldare subjectto wearand damagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allowobjectstobethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthePartspages ofthismanual.Useof partswhichdo notmeettheoriginal equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand compromisesafety!

Donot changetheengine'sgovernorsettingor over-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed oftheengine.

Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor

leaks.Replaceifnecessary.

Donot crankenginewith sparkplugremoved.

• Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improperdisposal offluidsandmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.

Accordingto theConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct

hasanAverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or 140hoursof

operation.Atthe endoftheAverageUsefulLifehavethemachine

inspectedannuallybya Searsorotherqualifiedservicedealer

toensurethatallmechanicalandsafetysystemsareworking

properlyand notwornexcessively.Failuretodoso canresultin

accidents,injuriesordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,donotmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadto arunawayengineand causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.Doingsowillvoidthe productwarranty.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

EngineswhicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateon regularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM) and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifso equipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineand shouldnotbeusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered, brush-coveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust systemisequippedwithasparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(ifany).

Ifasparkarrestorisused,itshouldbe maintainedineffectiveworking orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiathe aboveisrequired

bylaw(Section4442of theCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws. Federallawsapplyonfederallands. A sparkarrestor(PartNo.398067)forthemufflerisavailablethrough

yournearestSears PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct. Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson themachine beforeattemptingto assembleandoperate.

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)

Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and

operate

DANGER -- ROTATING BLADES

To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.

DANGER -- BYSTANDERS Do not mow when children or others are around.

DANGER-- HAND/FOOT CUT Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.

DANGER -- THROWN DEBRIS Remove objects that can be thrown by the blade in any direction. Wear safety glasses.

DANGER -- SLOPES Use extra caution on slopes. Do not mow slopes greater than 150.

WARNING--GASOLINE ISFLAMMABLE Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

WARNING-- CARBON MONOXIDE

Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and muffler to cool before touching.

Sightandholdthis levelwith averticaltree...

or a cornerofabuilding...

15°

Use this pageas a guide to determine slopeswhere you may not operate safely.

Donotoperateyourlawnmoweronsuchslopes.Donotmowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a riseofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Operatewalk= behindmowersacrossthefaceofslopes,neverup anddownslopes.

This page left intentionallyblank.

IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroil intheengine. Becertainto serviceenginewithgasolineandoilasinstructedinthe Operationsectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.

NOTE:Referenceto rightandlefthandsideoftheLawnMoweris observedfromtheoperatingposition.

OPENING CARTON

1. Cuteachcornerof thecartonverticallyfromtopto bottom.

2. Removeall looseparts.

3. Removeloosepackingmaterial.

REMOVING UNIT FROM CARTON

1. Liftunitfromthereartodetachitfromunderlyingcartonmaterial androllunit outofcarton.

2. Checkcartonthoroughlyforanyotherlooseparts.

LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON

• SideDischargeCover

• EngineOil

ASSEMBLY

Attaching The Handle

1. Removeany packingmaterialwhichmaybebetweenupperand lowerhandles.

A. Removewing nutsandcarriageboltshandleas shown

in Figure1.Donot loosenor removeadjacenthexhead screws.

B. Whilestabilizingmowersoit doesn'tmove,pivotupper

handleupas showninFigure2.Donotcrimpcablewhile liftingthehandleup.

2. RemoveT-boltsfromthehandlebracketsas shownin Figure3.

Figure2

Figure3

Figure1

Followthestepsbelowtocompletehandleassembly: A. Pullupwardonthehandleuntilholesinlowerhandle(shown

in Figure3 deckcutaway)lineupwith holesinhandle bracket.SeeFigure4.

NOTE:Whenpullingupwardonhandle,makesuretonotpullhandle allthewayout.

B. Insertthe T-boltsremovedin stepearlierthroughthehandle

bracketsandlowerhandleandtightensecurelyto securethe handlein place.SeeFigure4.

C. Reattachwing nutsandcarriageboltsremovedearlierinto

lowerholesofhandleasshownin Figure5.

4. Theropeguideisattachedtotherightsideofthe upperhandle. Loosenthewingknobwhichsecurestheropeguide.Referto Figure6.

A. Holdbladecontrolagainstupperhandle. B. Slowlypullstarterropehandlefromengineandslip starter

ropeintotheropeguide.SeeFigure6.

C. Tightenropeguidewingknob. D. Usecabletiestosecurecableto lowerhandle.

Figure5

',_. J

Figure4

Figure6

Attaching Side Discharge Cover Yourmowerisshippedasa mulcher.Toconverttoside discharge,

makesuregrasscatcherisoff oftheunitand reardischargedooris closed.

1. Onthesideof themower,lift themulchingcover.See Figure7.

2. Slidetwo hooksof sidedischargecoverunderhingepinon mulchingcoverassembly.Lowermulchingcover.Donotremove sidemulchingcoverat anytime,evenwhenyouarenotmulching.

ADJUSTMENTS

Cutting Height Thereisacuttingheightadjustmentleverlocatedabovethe frontand

rearrightwheel.

1. Pulltheheightadjustmentlevertowardswheel(unitwill tendto fallwhen leverismovedoutward).

2. Moveleverto desiredpositionfora changeincuttingheight.See Figure8.

3. Releaselevertowardsdeck.

Side Mulching

Cover

Figure7

IMPORTANT:Allwheelsmustbeplacedinthe sameposition.For roughor unevenlawns,moveeachheightadjustmentlevertoa higher position.Thiswill preventyoufromcuttingthegrasstooclosetothe ground.

Handle Pitch

Forconvenienceofoperation,youmayadjustthepitchofthehandle asfollows:

1. Removewing nutsandcarriageboltsfromhandle.SeeFigure9.

2. Positionthehandlein oneofthethreepositionsthatismost comfortable.SeeFigure9inset.

3. Secureintopositionwithwingnutsandcarriageboltsremoved earlier.

Higher

Figure8

Figure9

Recoil Starter

Side Discharge

Cover

Oil Fill

Trail Shield

Figure10

BLADE CONTROL

Thebladecontrolisattachedtotheupperhandleofthemower. Depressandsqueezeit againsttheupperhandletooperatetheunit. Releaseittostopengineandblade.

Thisbladecontrolisa safetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits operations.

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Oneadjustmentleverislocatedon therightrearwheelandoneis locatedontherightfrontwheel.Bothlevershaveto beat the same positiontoensureauniformcut.Toadjustthecuttingheight,referto theAssemblySection.

MULCH PLUG

Themulchplugisusedformulchingpurposes.Insteadofcollecting thegrassclippingsin agrasscatcherorusingthesidedischarge chute,somemowermodelshavetheoptionof recirculatingthe clippingsbacktothelawn.Thisiscalledmulching.

SIDE DISCHARGE COVER

Yourmowerisshippedasamulcher.Todischargethegrassclippings tothesideinstead,followtheinstructionsin theAssemblysectionto attachthe sidedischargecover.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthechuteareaoncuttingdeck.Refer

towarninglabelonthe unit.

RECOIL STARTER

Therecoilstarterisattachedtotherightupperhandle.Standbehind theunitandpulltherecoilstarterropeto starttheunit.

OIL FILL CAP/DIPSTICK

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

TRAIL SHIELD

Thetrailshieldis attachedto the rearof the mowerand isthereto

protecttheoperatorfromflyingdebris.Donotusethemowerunless

theshieldis fullyfunctionalandinplace.

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanLawnMowersconformto thesafetystandardofthe AmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

GAS AND OiL FILL-UP f "_

IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroil intheengine. Becertainto serviceenginewithgasolineandoilasinstructedinthis sectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.

Oil (one 18 ounce bottle shipped with unit) FirstTime Use

1. Removeoil filldipstick(G).SeeFigure11.

2. Withthe moweron levelground,emptyentirecontentsofoilbottle providedintotheengineoil fill(H).

3. Replaceoil filldipstickandtighten.

Subsequent Uses Use4-strokemotoroil thatmeetsor exceedsthe requirementsforAPI

servicecategorySF,SG,SH,SJor later.AlwayschecktheAPIservice labelonthe oilcontainerto be sureitincludesthe lettersSF,SG,SH,

SJor later. Outdoortemperaturesdeterminetheproperoilviscosityfor theengine.

Usethechartto selectthe bestviscosityforthe outdoortemperature rangeexpected.

40 30

16so4s6 o** " 2

14 o4

20 10

°30

• A minimumof87 octane/87AKI (91RON).

• Gasolinewith upto 10%ethanol(gasohol)or upto 15%MTBE

(methyltertiarybutylether)isacceptable.

Refuelinawell-ventilatedareawiththeenginestopped.Iftheengine hasbeenrunning,allowitto coolfirst.Neverrefueltheengineinsidea buildingwheregasolinefumesmayreachflamesor sparks.

Gasolineishighlyflammableandexplosive,andyoucanbe burnedor seriouslyinjuredwhenrefueling.Stopengineandkeep heat,sparks,and flameaway.Refuelonlyoutdoors.Wipeupspills

immediately.

Ifyourequipmentwill be usedonan infrequentorintermittentbasis, pleaserefertotheOff SeasonStoragesectionfor additionalinforma-

tion regardingfueldeterioration.

Figure11

* Below40°F(4°C)theuseof SAE30 willresultin hardstarting. **Above80°F(27°C)theuseof 10W-30maycauseincreasedoil

consumption.Checkoil levelmorefrequently.

1. Checktheoilwiththeenginestoppedand level.

2. Removethe oil filldipstickandwipeit clean.

3. Insertandtightentheoilfilldipstick.Removeittochecktheoil level.SeeFigure11.

4. Iftheoillevelisnearorbelowthelowerlimitmarkonthe dipstick, removetheoil filldipstick,andfill withthe recommendedoiltothe upperlimitmark(J). Donotoverfill.

5. Reinstalltheoilfill dipstick.

Gasoline

Donotuse unapprovedgasolines,suchas E85.Donotmixoil in gasolineormodifyengineto runonalternatefuels.Thiswill damage theenginecomponentsandvoid the engine warranty.

Fuelmustmeetthese requirements:

• Clean,fresh,unleadedgasoline.

NOTE:Fuelcandamagepaintand sometypesof plastic.Becareful notto spill fuelwhenfilling yourfueltank.

Neverusestaleor contaminatedgasolineoroil/gasolinemixture.

Avoidgettingdirt orwaterin the fueltank.

1. Removethe fuel tankcap.

2. Fillthefuel tankwithfuel.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,do notfill abovethebottomofthefueltankneck.Donotoverfill.

Wipeupspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.

3. Installthefueltankcapandtightenituntilitclicks.

4. Movelawnmoweratleast10feetawayfromthefuelcontainer/ sourceandsitebeforestartin{ ine.

Besurenooneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine indoorsorin enclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands, feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine

andlawnmower.

TO START ENGINE

1. Standingbehindthemower,squeezethebladecontrolhandle againstupperhandle.SeeFigure12.

2. Holdingthesetwohandlestogetherfirmly,grasprecoilstarter handleandpullropeslowlyuntilresistanceis felt,thenpullwitha rapid,continuous,full arm stroke.SeeFigure12.Keepinga firm griponthe starterhandle,letthe roperewindslowly.Repeatuntil enginecranks.Letthe roperewindeachtimeslowly.

Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpullhandandarm towardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo. Brokenbones,fractures, bruisesorsprainscouldresult.

NOTE:Ifenginefloods,waita fewminutesto restart,butdo notprime.

TO STOP ENGINE

1. Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.

Waitforthebladeto stopcompletelybeforeperforminganyworkon themoweror toremovethegrasscatcher.

USING YOUR LAWN MOWER

Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhich coulddamagelawnmoweror engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidently thrownbythemowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjury totheoperatorandothers.

Theoperationofanylawnmowercan resultinforeignobjectsbeing thrownintothe eyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,or whileperforming anyadjustmentsor repairson it.

Figure12

USING AS MULCHER

Formulchinggrass,removethe sidedischargechutefromthe mower. Foreffectivemulching,donot cutwetgrass.If thegrasshasbeenal- lowedtogrowin excessoffourinches,mulchingis notrecommended. Usethegrasscatcherto bagclippingsinstead.

If you strikea foreignobject, stoptheengine.Removewirefromthe sparkplug,thoroughlyinspectmowerfor anydamage,andrepair damagebeforerestartingandoperating.Extensivevibrationof mower duringoperationisanindicationof damage.Theunitshouldbe promptlyinspectedandrepaired.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe enginetopreventunintendedstarting.

EachUse

1st5 hours

Annuallyor25hours

Annuallyor50hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

Cleanmoreoftenunderdustyconditionsor whenairbornedebrisis

1. Engineoillevel

2. Looseormissinghardware

3. Unitandengine.

1. Engineoil

1. Aircleanert

2. Controllinkages/pivotsandwheels

3. Undersideofmowerdeck

1. Engineoil

1. Sparkplug

2. AirCleaner

1. Fuelsystem

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackof completedmaintenancetasks.To locate the nearestSears Service Centeror to scheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

1. Check

2. Tightenor replace

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Lubewithlightoil

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Replace

2. Replace

1. Runengineuntil itstopsfromlackof fuel,oraddstabilizertoa full tankof

freshfuelpriortostorage.

_resent.Replaceaircleanerifverydirty.

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