MTD 12AE764Y099 Owner’s Manual

perator s

PROFESSIONAL

33-inch Wide Cut Mower

Model No. 247.889981

o SAFETY

ASSEMBLY OPERATION

CAUTION: Before using this product, read this manual and

follow all safety rules and operating

instructions.

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

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-06544B

MAINTENANCE PARTS LIST ESPANOL R 49

(January13,2012)

Warranty Statement .......................................................... 2

Safety instructions ........................................................ 3-6

Slope Guide ....................................................................... 7

Assembly ...................................................................... 8-12

Operation ................................................................... 13-15

Off-Season Storage ........................................................ 26

Troubleshooting .............................................................. 27

Parts List ................................................................... 28-42

Espa_ol ............................................................................ 49

Service Numbers ............................................. Back Cover

Service and Maintenance ......................................... 16-25

CRAFTSMAN PROFESSIONAL TWO YEAR FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthe dateof purchase,thisproductis warrantedagainstanydefectsin materialorworkmanship.Defectiveproductwill receivefreerepairorfree replacementif repairisunavailable.

Thiswarrantyappliesforonlyone yearfromthe dateof purchaseifthis productis everusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesor if rentedto anotherperson.

Forwarranty coveragedetailsto obtain repairor replacement,visit the website: www.craftsman.com. This warranty covers ONLYdefects in material andworkmanship. Warrantycoverage does NOTinclude:

• Expendableitemsthatbecomewornduringnormaluse,includingbutnotlimitedto blades,sparkplugs,aircleaners,belts,andoilfilters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,orglass.

• Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedto damagecausedbyimpactingobjectsthatbendtheframeor crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper storage,failureto usethepropergradeandamountof engineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe equipmentaccordingtothe instructionscontainedinthe operator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningorrepairscausedbyfuel determinedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandwearof theexteriorfinishes,orproductlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyou mayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears Brands ManagementCorporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

GrossHP: 12.5 EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC Engine: Briggs& StrattonPowerBuiltTM

ModelNumber Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof yourselfandothers. Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingto operatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuiltto beoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron the partof theoperatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateof California tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntothe Stateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

* Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyin itsentiretybefore

attemptingtoassemblethis machine.Read,understand,and followall instructionsonthe machineandinthemanualsbefore

operation.Keepthismanualina safeplaceforfutureand regular referenceandfororderingreplacementparts

, Becompletelyfamiliarwiththe controlsandthe properuseof this

machinebeforeoperatingit.

, Thismachineisa precisionpieceof powerequipment,nota

plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat alltimes.This machinehasbeendesignedto performonejob: to mowgrass. Donot useit foranyotherpurpose.

, Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsof agetooperatethis

machine.Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon

themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

, Only responsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesof

safeoperationshouldbe allowedtousethis machine.

, Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used.

Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeign objects,whichcouldbetrippedoverorpickedupandthrownby theblade.Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

, Planyour mowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtoward

roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstruction,whichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

, Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,stayin

operatorzonebehindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders, helpersandpetsat least75feetfrommowerwhileit is inopera- tion.Stopmachineif anyoneentersarea.

Your Responsibility--Restrictthe useof thispowermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsandinstruc-

tionsin thismanualandon the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperformingan adjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.

Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacks and shirts.Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsand

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

Donot puthandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwithbladecan amputatefingers,hands,toesand feet.

A missingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontact or thrownobjectinjuries.

Manyinjuriesoccuras a resultofthe mowerbeingpulledoverthe footduringafallcausedby slippingortripping.Do notholdon to themowerif youarefalling:releasethehandleimmediately.

Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyou arewalking.If youmustbackthemowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirst

lookdownandbehindtoavoidtrippingandthenfollowthese

steps:

1. Stepbackfrommowerto fullyextendyourarmsforward.

2. Besureyouare wellbalancedwithsurefooting.

3. Pullthemowerbackslowly,nomorethanhalf waytoward

you.

4. Repeatthesestepsas needed.

Donot operatethemowerwhileunderthe influenceofalcoholor drugs.

Donot engagetheself-propelledmechanismon machinesso equippedwhilestartingengine.

• Thebladecontrolhandleis a safetydevice.Neverattemptto bypassitsoperation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinopera- tiveandmayresultin personalinjurythroughcontactwiththe rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandlemustoperateeasily in bothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothe disengaged positionwhenreleased.

• Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbe sureof your footing.A slip andfallcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyou feelyou arelosingyourfooting,releasethebladecontrolhandle immediatelyandthebladewill stop rotatingwithinthreeseconds.

• Mowonlyin daylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

• Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.

• Iftheequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stopthe engineandcheckimmediatelyfor thecause.Vibrationis gener- allya warningoftrouble.

• Shutthe engineoff andwaituntilthe bladecomesto a complete stopbeforeremovingthe grasscatcheroruncloggingthechute. Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotateforafewsecondsafterthe bladecontrolisreleased.Neverplaceanypartofthebodyinthe bladeareauntilyou aresurethe bladehasstoppedrotating.

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

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot touch.

• Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile theengineis running.

• Onlyuse partsand accessoriesmadeforthis machinebythe manufactureraslistedin the Partspagesof thisOperator's Manual.Failuretodosocan resultin personalinjury.

• Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntil resistanceisfelt,then pullrapidly.Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpull handandarmtowardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Broken bones,fractures,bruisesor sprainscould result.

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

andassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,whichcan resultinsevereinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.If youfeel uneasyona slope,do notmowit. Foryoursafety,usethe SlopeGuideincludedaspartof thismanualto measureslopesbefore operatingthis machineona slopedor hillyarea. Iftheslopeisgreater than15degrees,donot mowit.

Do:

Mowacrossthefaced slopes;neverupanddown.Exercise

extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

• Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan causeyouto sliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

• Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slipandfallcan causeserious personalinjury.Ifyou feelyou arelosingyourbalance,release thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe bladewillstop

rotatingwithinthree(3) seconds.

DoNot:

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,because youcouldloseyourfootingorbalance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the slopeguide.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccurif theoperatorisnot alertto thepresence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themowerandthemowing activity.Theydonotunderstandthe dangers.Neverassumethat childrenwill remainwhereyoulastsawthem.

Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaandunderwatchfulcareof

a responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.

• Bealertandturnmoweroffif achildentersthearea.

• Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddownfor smallchildren.

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

• Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer burnsfroma hot muffler.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine.Children14andovershouldreadand understandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesinthis manualandon themachineandbetrainedandsupervisedby an adult.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingOf Gasoline:

• Toavoid personalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecare in handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthe vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhen gasolineis spilledonyourselfor yourclothes,whichcan ignite. Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleoron atruckortrailer bed witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway

fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailerand

refueliton theground.Ifthisis notpossible,thenrefuelsuch equipmenton atrailerwitha portablecontainer,ratherthanfrom a gasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltankor containeropeningatall timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuse a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources ofignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill accumulateinthearea.

• Neverremovegascap oraddfuelwhileengineis hotor running. Allowengineto coolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• Neverover-fillfueltank.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,donot fillabovethebottomofthe fueltankneck.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

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

• Neverstorethemachineorfuel containernearanopenflame, sparkor pilotlightasona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace, clothesdryerorothergas appliances.

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

fuel-soakeddebris. Allowmachinetocoolat least5 minutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService:

• Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe spark plugwireandgroundagainstthe enginetopreventunintended starting.

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

• Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut. Wrapthe bladeor wear gloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobe suretheequipmentis insafeworkingcondition.

Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperoperation regularly.

Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwireand groundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly inspectthe mowerforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore startingandoperatingthemower.

Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile theengineisrunning.

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

Donot changetheengine'sgovernorsettingorover-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyfor cracksor

leaks.Replaceifnecessary.

Donot crankenginewith sparkplugremoved.

• Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• 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.Failuretodosocan resultin

accidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do not modifyengineinany way. Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand causeitto operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.Doingsowill voidthe productwarranty.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

EngineswhicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,and mayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM) and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineand shouldnotbe usedonor nearany unimprovedforest-covered, brush-coveredorgrass-coveredlandunlessthe engine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifa sparkarrestorisused,itshouldbe maintainedineffectiveworking orderbytheoperator.Inthe StateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequired

bylaw(Section4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

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

yournearestSearsPartsandRepairServiceCenter.

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.

15° Slope

(OK)

_- _. Figure1

_O._daShed._fine

USETHiS SLOPEGAUGETO DETERMINE

iFA SLOPEiSTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfold alongthe dashedline.

2. Locateaverticalobjecton or behindthe slope(e.g.a pole, building,fence, tree, etc.)

3. Aligneitherside ofthe slopegaugewith the object(SeeFigure1 andFigure2 ).

4. Adjust gaugeup or down until the left cornertouchestheslope (SeeFigure1 andFigure2).

If thereis agap belowthe gauge,theslopeis too steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).

(TOO STEEP)

Figure2

Slopes area majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-over accidents which can resultin severe injury ordeath. Do not operate machineon slopes in excess of 15degrees.Allslopes requireextra caution.Always mowacrossthe face of slopes, never mow up and down slopes.

IMPORTANT:Thisunitis shippedwithoil intheengine.After assembly,see page13forfuelandoil details.

IMPORTANT:Referencetorightor leftsideof themoweris observed fromtheoperatingposition.

Disconnectthe sparkplugwireandgroundit againsttheengineto preventunintendedstarting.

LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON

Thefollowingitemsare packagedina bag: Operator'sManual,Oildrainhose,Waterhosecoupler,EngineManual

TOOLS NEEDED FOR ASSEMBLY

A setofadjustablewrenchesandtiregauge

MOWER SET-UP

Shipping Brace Removal

Makesurethe lawnmower'sengineisoff.Removetheignitionkey beforeremovingthe shippingbrace.

1. Locatetheshippingbrace,if present,foundon the rightside of thecuttingdeck.SeeFigure1.

Attaching the Battery Cables NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative

batteryterminalis markedNeg.(-). Thepositivecable(heavyredwire)issecuredto thepositivebattery

terminal(+)withahexboltandhexnutat thefactory. Thenegativecable(heavyblackwire)maybe securedtothenegative

batteryterminalat thefactory.If ithasn'tbeenattached,proceedas follows:

Removethe carriageboltandhexnut fromthepositivecable

(heavyredwire).

Removethe redplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthepositivebattery terminalandattachthe positivecabletothe positivebattery terminal(+)withtheboltandhexnut.See Figure2.

Figure1

Whileholdingthe dischargechutewithyourlefthand,removethe shippingbracewithyourright handbygraspingit betweenyour thumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

Theshippingbraceis usedfor packagingpurposesonly.Remove anddiscardtheshippingbracebeforeoperatingyourlawnmower.

Themowingdeckis capableofthrowingobjects.Failuretooperate

Ithe mowerwithoutthedischargecoverin theproperoperatingposi- ltion could resultin seriouspersonalinjuryand/orpropertydamage.

Figure2

3. Removethe carriageboltandhexnut fromthenegativecable (heavyblackwirel

4. Removethe blackplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthenegativebat- tery terminalandattachthe negativecableto thenegativebattery terminal(-) withtheboltand hexnut.SeeFigure2.

5. Makecertainthehold-downrodisin positionoverthebattery, securingit inplaceandmakecertainthattheredrubberbootcov- ersthe positivebatteryterminaltohelpprotectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:Ifthe batteryis putinto serviceafterthe dateshown on top/sided battery,chargethebatteryas instructedinthe

Maintenancesectionof thismanualpriortooperatingthemower.

Unfolding the Handle

1. Removethestar knobsandcarriagescrewsfromthelower handle.SeeFigure3.

Attaching the Shift Lever

1. Removethescrewandthe locknutthatsecurestheshift leverto theshift leverplate.SeeFigure5.

Figure3

Pivottheupperhandleintooperatingposition.Becarefulnotto crimpcables.SeeFigure4.

Figure4

3. Reinstallthecarriagescrewsandknobsremovedearlier.

4. Tightentheupperandlowerstarknobsandcarriagescrewsto securetheupperhandleto thelowerhandle,SeeFigure4.

5. Thehandleheightcanbeadjustedto anyof threepositions. Forinstructions,refertoHandleHeightin theMaintenanceand Adjustmentssectionofthis manual.

Figure5

2. Removethe remainingscrewandnutfromthe lowershiftlever plate.SeeFigure5.

3. Positiontheuppershift leverintoa verticalpositionaligningthe holesinthe leverwiththe holesinthe shiftplate.SeeFigure6.

Figure6

4. Securethelevertothe plateusingthe two screwsandtwo nuts removedearlier.SeeFigure6.

Checking Tire Pressure

Maximumtirepressureunderanycircumstancesis 30 psi.Equaltire

pressureshouldbemaintainedat all times.

Thereartireson yourunitmaybeover-inflatedforshippingpurposes.

Reducethetire pressurebeforeoperatingthemower.Recommended operatingtirepressureisapproximately20p.s.i.Checkthesidewallof tirefor maximump.s.i.

Fuel Tank Ca

oil Dipstick

Deck Height

Lever ===='_

Air

-- Cleaner

Handle

ignition Switch

Systems indicator Monitor

Drive Control

Gear Shift Lever

Figure7

Spark Plug

Referto the Maintenancesectionforinstructionsonsparkplug

replacement.

Oil Cap/Dipstick

Referto the Maintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

MOWER CONTROLS

_,, J

Figure8

ENGINE CONTROLS

Referto Figure8forlocationsofthe enginecontrols.

Oil Drain Valve Usetheoil drainvalvetodrainoilfromthe engine.Refertothe

Maintenancesectionforinstructions. Air Cleaner Handle

Theair cleanerhandleis usedtogainaccessto theaircleaner.Theair cleanercartridgecanbe removedandcleanedor replaced.Referto

theMaintenancesectionfor details.

Referto Figure7 forlocationsofthe mowercontrols.

Throttle/Choke Control

NOTE:Whenoperatingthe mowerwiththe cuttingdeckengaged,becertainthatthe throttle/chokecontrolis inthe fastposition.

THEthrottle/chokecontrolisusedtoadjust enginespeeds,toactivatetheenginechoke andto stopthe engine.Alwaysrunengine

withthethrottle/chokecontrolleverinthe fastpositionfor bestmowerperformance.

CHOKE:Usewhenstartingacold engine.

FAST:Useduringmoweroperation.

SLOW:Usewhenidlingengine.

STOP:Stopstheengine.

REFERtoStartingTheEngineinthe

Operationsectionofthismanualfordetailed

startinginstructions.

Choke==_

Fast

Slow ==_

Stop

Deck Height Lever Usethisleverto adjustthemowingdeck'scuttingheight.Touse,move

thelevertothe left,then placetheleverin the notchbestsuitedfor yourapplication.

ignition Switch

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysdisengage blades,stopengineandremovekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

The four-position switch is used to start and stop the engine on electric-start models, To start the engine, insert the key into the

ignition position, Release key into the RUN ((_") position once the engine has started, Move the key nto the RUN/LIGHT_ ,_-',)_pos t on to run the mower

with the headlight on, Turn the key (()) to stop the engine, See Figure 9,

switch and turn clockwise to the START (PZ%_

to'STOP

F'_

Run/Light

Drive Control

Thedrivecontrolisusedtoengageand disengagedrivetothe wheels.Toengage

this control,squeezethe drivecontrol againstthehandlebargrip.Tostopthe drive,

releasethedrivecontrol.

Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechangingspeeds.Failureto do somayresultin seriousdamagetoyourtransmission.

Blade Control Locatedonthe right-handhandle,theblade

controlisusedtoengagethe mowingdeck.

,ik

Tooperate,pressand holdthe leveragainst thehandlebargrip.Tostopthe blades,

releasethebladecontrol.

Stop 1

Position _ Run

Figure9

NevermovethekeyintotheStartpositionwhiletheengineisrunning; doingsomaycausedamagetothe engine'sstarter.

Neverattempttostart theenginewiththe bladecontrolengaged.

Alwaysreleasethebladecontrolwhenstartingtheengine.Failureto do somayresultinprematureweartoyourengine'selectricstarter.

GEAR SHIFT LEVER

Usethisleverto selectanyoffour forwardgroundspeeds,neutral,or reverse.

Forward Fourforwardspeedsareavailable.Positionone (1)is theslowestand

positionfour(4) is thefastest. Reverse

Toselectreverse,puttheleverin theReverse(R)position.

Lookbehindthe mowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation.Stopthe

mowerbladesbeforeoperatinginreverse. Neutral Placethe leverinneutral(N)beforestartingthemowerandwhenthe

mowerisnot inuse.Inaddition,the mowercanbe manuallypushed orpulledbyplacingthegearshiftleverinto N(neutral)positionand pressingthedrivecontrolagainstthehandlebargrip.

Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechangingspeeds.Failureto dosomayresultin seriousdamagetoyourtransmission.

SYSTEMS INDICATOR MONITOR/HOUR METER

BATTERY

j j/

42.0

/// HOURS 1/10 \\\

Figure10

LCD

Whenthe ignitionkeyis rotatedoutof theSTOPpositionbutnot

intothe STARTposition,thesystemsindicatormonitordisplaysthe battery'soutput,involts,onitsLCDforapproximatelyfiveseconds,

afterwhichitdisplaysan hourglassandthehoursofmoweroperation.

Oncetheengineis started,the monitorcontinuallydisplaysan hour

glassandthehoursofmoweroperationon its LCD.SeeFigure10.

NOTE:Hoursof moweroperationarerecordedanytimethe ignition keyis rotatedoutofthe STOP_i _position,regardlessof whetherthe

engineisstarted. TheIndicatorMonitorwillalso remindtheoperatorofmaintenance

intervalsfor changingtheengineoil.The LCDwillalternatelyflashthe recordedhours,"CHG"and"OIL'forfive minutes,afterevery50 hours

of recordedoperationelapse.Themaintenanceintervallastsfortwo

hours(from50-52, 100-102,150-152,etc.).TheLeD willalso flash

asdescribedaboveforfiveminuteseverytimethemower'sengine

hasbeenstartedduringthismaintenanceinterval.Beforetheinterval expires,changetheengineoilas instructedintheMaintenancesection ofthis Operator'sManual.

Battery

Itis normalforthe Batterylighttoilluminatewhiletheengineis crankingduringstart-up,butif it illuminatesduringoperation,whilethe engineisrunning,thebatteryisin needof a chargeorthe engine's chargingsystemisnot generatingsufficientamperage.Chargethe

batteryasinstructedin theServicesectionof thismanualor havethe chargingsystemcheckedby Searsoranotherqualifiedservicedealer.

GAS AND OiL FILL-UP

IMPORTANT:Thisunitis shippedwithoutgasolinebutwithoil inthe engine.Becertainto serviceenginewithgasolineandchecktheoilas instructedin thissectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.

Oil Use4-strokemotoroilthatmeetsor exceedstherequirementsfor API

servicecategorySF,SG,SH,SJ or later.AlwayschecktheAPIservice labelontheoilcontainerto besureit includesthelettersSF,SG,SH,

SJorlater.

* Below40°F(4°C)theuseofSAE30willresultinhardstarting. ** Above80°F(27°C)theuseof 10W-30maycauseincreasedoil

consumption.Checkoil levelmorefrequently.

1. Checktheoil withtheenginestoppedandlevel.

2. Removetheoil filldipstickandwipeitclean.

3. Insertandtightenthe oilfilldipstick.Removeittochecktheoil level.See Figure11.

4. If theoillevelisnearorbelowthelowerlimitmarkon thedipstick, removetheoil fill dipstick,andfill withtherecommendedoil tothe upperlimitmark(J). Donot overfill.

5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipstick.

Gasoline

Donotuseunapprovedgasolines,suchas E85.Do notmixoilin gasolineormodifyengineto runonalternatefuels.Thiswilldamage theenginecomponentsandvoid the engine warranty.

Figure11

Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththeenginestopped.Iftheengine hasbeenrunning,allowit tocool first.Neverrefuelthe engineinsidea buildingwheregasolinefumesmayreachflamesorsparks.

Gasolineis highlyflammableandexplosive,andyoucan be burnedor seriouslyinjuredwhenrdueling.Stopengineandkeep heat,sparks,andflameaway.Refuelonlyoutdoors.Wipeupspills immediately.

ifyour equipmentwillbe usedonan infrequentorintermittentbasis, pleaserefertothe Off SeasonStoragesectionforadditionalinforma- tionregardingfuel deterioration.

NOTE:Fuelcandamagepaintandsometypes ofplastic.Becareful notto spillfuel whenfillingyourfueltank.

Neverusestaleorcontaminatedgasolineor oil/gasolinemixture. Avoidgettingdirtor waterin thefueltank.

1. Removethefueltankcap.

2. Fillthefueltankwith fuel.To allowforexpansionofthe fuel,do notfill abovethe bottomofthefuel tankneck.Do notoverfill.

Wipeupspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.

3. Installthefueltankcapandtightenituntil itclicks.

4. Movelawnmowerat least10feetawayfromthefuel container/ sourceandsitebeforestartingtheengine.

Fuelmustmeetthese requirements:

• Clean,fresh,unleadedgasoline.

• A minimumof 87 octane/87AKI(91RON).

• Gasolinewithupto 10%ethanol(gasohol)isacceptable.

Besurenooneotherthanthe operatorisstandingnearthelawn mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine indoorsor inenclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust containscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands, feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine

andlawnmower.

STARTING THE ENGINE

Disengageallcontrolsonthe mower.

Movethegearshiftleverinto theneutral(N)position.

Insertthe keyintothe ignitionswitch.

If startingacold engine,placethethrottle/chokecontrolallthe wayforward,intotheCHOKE1_.1position.Ifrestartinga warm

engine,placethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheFast_ position.

Turntheignitionkeyclockwisetothe START_ position.After theenginestarts,releasethekey.it will returntothe RUN(_

position.

MovethekeytotheRUN/LGNT positiontooperatethe

mowerusingthe headlight.

DoNOTholdthe keyintheSTARTpositionforlongerthan five secondsata time.Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine's

electricstarter.

7. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheFAST'_ position. NOTE:Neverleavethethrottle/chokecontrolinthe CHOKEI'_!

positionwhileoperatingthemower.Doingsowillresultin a "rich"fuel mixtureandcausetheengineto runpoorly.

Stopping the Engine

Totravelin REVERSE,

a. Checkthatthe areabehindisclear. b. PlacethegearshiftleverinReverse(R).

c. Slowlysqueezethe DriveControlagainstthelefthandlegrip

andthemowerwillmove.Releaseitanddrivemotionwillstop.

DoNOTattempttochangethe directionoftravelwhenthemoweris in motion.Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolandbringthe mowertoa completestopbeforerepositioningthegearshift leverfromaforward gearintoReverse.Failuretodo so mayresultin seriousdamageto

rourtransmission.

Donot leavetheoperator'spositionwithoutfirstreleasingtheBlade Control.Ifleavingthe mowerunattended,alsoturntheengineoffand

removetheignitionkey.

ENGAGING THE BLADES

Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,keepbystand-

lets,helpers,childrenandpetsat least75feetfromthemachinewhile lit is inoperation.Stopmachineif anyoneentersthearea.

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontroltothe FAST_ position.

e beforerestartingandoperating.

1. Ifthe bladesareengaged,releasethe BladeControl.

2. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheSTOPlI_ position.

3. Turntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetothe STOPO position.

4. Removethe keyfromtheignitionswitchto preventunintended starting.

ENGAGING THE DRIVE

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

Starttheengineas instructedearlierin thissectionandmovethe throttle/chokecontrolintothe FAST'_ position.

TotravelFORWARD:

a. Placethegearshiftleverin anyof thefourforwardground

speeds.Selecta speedappropriatefor theconditionsanda paceyou'recomfortablewith.

b. SlowlysqueezetheDriveControlagainstthelefthandlegrip

andthemowerwillmove.Releaseit anddrivemotionwillstop.

2. SlowlysqueezetheBladeControlagainstthe righthandlegrip andthebladeswillengage.Releaseit andthe bladeswillstop.

OPERATING ON SLOPES

Refertothe SLOPEGUIDEonpage7 to helpdetermineslopeswhere

youmayoperatethemowersafely.

Donot mowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a rise ofapproximately2-1/2feetevery 10feet).The mowercouldoverturn andcauseseriousinjury.

• Mowacrossthefaceof slopes;neverupanddown.

• Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.

• Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan

causeyouto sliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

• Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slipandfallcan causeserious personalinjury.Ifyou feelyou arelosingyourbalance,release thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe bladewillstop

rotatingwithinthree(3) seconds.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,youcould loseyourfootingor balance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the slopegauge.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

USING THE DECK HEIGHT LEVER

Toraiseor lowerthecuttingdeck, movethedeck heightleverto the left,then placeit inthenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.

MOWING

Thefollowinginformationwillbehelpfulwhenoperatingyourmower.

Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialstoward roads,sidewalks,bystanders.Also,avoiddischargingmaterial againstawallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Donot mowatfastgroundspeeds,especiallyifa mulchkitor grasscollectoris installed.

• Donotcut thegrasstoo short.Shortgrassisproneto weed growthandyellowsquicklyin dryweather.

• Alwaysoperatethemowerwiththethrottle/chokecontrolinthe FAST_ positionwhilemowing.

• Forbestresultsitis recommendedthatthe firsttwolaps becut withthedischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirst two laps,reversethedirectionto throwthedischargetotheoutside forthe balanceofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearanceto the

lawn.

INSTALLING/REMOVING MULCH BAFFLE

Beforeinstallingor removingthemulchbaffle,disengageblades,sto

theengineand removekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Stoptheengineandwaitforall partsto stopmoving. Installing the Mulch Baffle

1. Insertthe right-sidetab(A)of thebaffleinto thebracketonthe deck.SeeFigure12.

2. Insertthe mulchbaffleintothedischargeopening(B).See Figure12.

3. Onceit'spositionedinthedeckopening,pushthebaffletowards

therearof themower(C) tosecureit inplace.

SeeFigure12.

DoNOTattemptto mowheavybrushandweedsor extremelytall grass.Yourmoweris designedtomowlawns,NOTclear brush.

Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.

Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthe spark plugwireandgroundagainstthe engine.Thoroughlyinspectthe mowerforany damage.AlwaysInspectthebladetimingbeltas instructedin theMaintenancesectionof thismanual.Repairthe damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.

MULCHING

TheCraftsmanProWideCutmoweris equippedwitha mulchkit(sup- pliedwiththemower),whichusesspecialbladesto recirculategrass clippingsrepeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.Theultra-fineclippings arethenforcedbackinto thelawnwheretheyact asa naturalfertilizer. Observethefollowingpointsfor thebestresultswhenmulching.

• Neverattempttomulchif the lawnisdamp.Wetgrasstends tostickto theundersideof thecuttingdeckpreventingproper mulchingofthe clippings.

DoNOTattemptto mulchmorethan1/3the totalheightof the grass.Doingsowill causetheclippingsto clumpupbeneaththe deckandnotbemulchedeffectively.

• Maintaina slowgroundspeedto allowthe grassclippingsmore timetoeffectivelybemulched.

• Alwayskeepthethrottlecontrolleverinthe FAST,_ position whilemowing.Failingtokeepthe engineatfull throttleplaces strainon themower'sengineanddoesnotallowthebladesto properlymulchthegrassclippings.

Figure12

Removing the Mulch Baffle Slidethebaffleto theright(towardthefrontof themower)todisen-

gagetheslotfromthe mowerdeckandthenprythe left-sideofthe

baffleoutward.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

1st5 hours Every8 hoursor Daily

25 hours

50 hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

1. Engineoil

1. Mowerblades

2. Looseormissinghardware

3. Belts

4. Engineoillevel

5. Controls

6. Mulchplug(iffitted)

1. Airfilter/pre-cleanerf

2. Mowerblades

3. Controllinkagesand pivots

1. EngineOil

2. FrontWheelBearings

1. Sparkplug

2. Air Filter

3. Pre-cleanerf

4. RearWheels

1. Fuelsystem

1. Change

1. As required

2. Tightenor replace

3. Check

4. Check

5. Checkfor properoperation

6. Checkfor properpluginstallation

1. Clean*

2. Sharpenandbalance

3. Lubewithlightoil

1. Change

2. Grease

1. Replace

2. Replace

3. Replace

4. Grease

1. Runengineuntilit stopsfromlackof fueloradda gasolineadditivetothe gasin thetank.

1-IfEquipped * Industyconditionsor whenairbornedebrisispresent,cleanmoreoften

MAINTENANCE

Beforeperformingany maintenanceor repairs,disengageblades, stopengineandremovekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganytype of maintenanceon the mower.

Thewarrantyon thislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathave beensubjectedto operatorabuseor negligence.Toreceivefull valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintainthe lawnmoweras

instructedinthismanual.

• Changingof engine-governedspeedwillvoidenginewarranty.

• Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedat leastonceeach season.

• Periodicallycheckall fastenersandmakesuretheyare tight.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Engine Oil Checkoillevelbeforeeachuse.Stopengineandwaitseveralminutes

beforecheckingoil level.Withengineon levelground, theoilmust betoFULLmarkondipstick.

1. RemovetheOil Cap/Dipstickandwipe witha cleancloth.

2. ReplaceandtightenOilCap/Dipstick.Remove OilCap/Dipstickandcheckoil level.Level

shouldbeat FULLmark.

3. If needed,addoil slowlyintotheengineoilfill. Recheckoil level. Donotoverfill.

Togainaccessto theoil drainvalveonthe engine,pivotthe right

handlebracetubeforward.

a. Removethe upperstarknobandcarriagescrewonthe right

sideof thehandle,Figure13.

b. Pivotthebracetubetowardsthefrontof themowerto allow

roomto connecttheoildrainhoseto theoildrainvalve, Figure13.

Figure13

Popoff theprotectivecap on theendof theoil drainvalveto

exposethedrainport.SeeFigure14.

Oil Fiil Cap/Dipstick

4. ReinsertOilCap/Dipstickandtighten.

Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoilmaymakethe enginehardtostart,

or notto start.If overthe FULLmarkonthedipstick,drainoil levelto

FULLmarkondipstick.

Changing the Engine Oil

Iftheenginehas beenrecentlyrun,theengine,mufflerandsur- roundingmetalsurfaceswillbe hotandcancauseburnstothe skin.

Exercisecautiontoavoidburns.

Theoil inthe engineshouldbechangedafterthefirst fivehoursof operationandevery50 hoursofoperation.

1. Runthe enginefora fewminutestoallowtheoil in the crankcase towarmup. Warmoilwillflowmorefreelyand carryawaymoreof theenginesedimentwhichmayhavesettledatthebottomofthe

crankcase.Usecaretoavoidburnsfromhotoil.

_\ j,J"

....."",,, iij ...............................................

Figure14

Removethe oilfillcap/dipstickfromtheoil filltube,Figure14.

Pushtheoildrainhose(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoildrain port.Routetheoppositeendd thehoseintoanappropriateoilcollec-

tioncontainerwithat leasta 2.5quartcapacity,to collectthe usedoil.

6, Releasethevalvebypressingthetwotabsinwardwhilepulling

thevalveout,Theoil willbeginto drainoutof theengine,

7. Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pressthe twotabsinwardand pushthe oildrainvalvebackin tolockthe valveclosed,Remove thehose,andre-captheendof theoildrainvalveto keepdebris fromenteringthedrainport.

8. Refilltheenginewithnew motoroil untilthe oillevelon the dipstickreadsFULL.Replacetheoilfill cap/dipstick.

9. Pivottheright handlebracetubebackintoposition.Alignthe middleholeinthe bracetubewiththeholein the handle.Secure

withthestarknobandcarriagescrewremovedearlier.

Checking the Spark Plug Cleansparkplugandresettheelectrodegapto0.030"atleastoncea

season;replaceannually.

1. Cleanareaaroundthe sparkplugbase.Donot sandblastspark plug.Sparkplugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushing andwashingwitha commercialsolvent

Removeand inspectthesparkplug.Checkgapto makesureit is setat .030".SeeFigure15.

Electrode Porcelain

Servicing the Air Filter

Iffilters,or coversarenotinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Donotattemptto startthe enginewith themremoved.

Donot usepressurizedairor solventsto cleantheair filtercartridge.

Cleanor replacetheairfilterevery25hoursofoperation.

1. Pulluponthecoverhandle.Rotatethecoverhandletowardthe engineand removethecover.SeeFigure16.

f -,,

Air FilterCover AirFilterCartridge

CoverHandle _

.030inch(26 ram)gap

Figure15

Replacethesparkplugif electrodesarepitted,burned,orthe porcelainiscracked.Usea Champion®RC12YCsparkplug.

Figure16

2. Carefullyremoveaircleanercartridgeandpre-cleaner(if equipped)fromtheblowerhousing.

3. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthe filteron a hardsurface.If thefilter is excessivelydirty,replacewitha newfilter.

4. Washthepre-cleanerinliquiddetergentandwaterandallowit to thoroughlydry. DONOToil the pre-cleaner.

5. Placethedrypre-cleaner,if equipped,andcartridgebackinto theblowerhousing.Thecartridgemustbeplacedsecurelyinto position.

6. Aligntabsoncoverwithslotsin blowerhousing.Rotatethecover handlebackandpushdownto lockinplace.

BATTERY

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntothe StateofCaliforniatocause

cancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

1. Positionthemowerona level,clear spoton yourlawn,near enoughforyourgardenhoseto reach.

Makecertainthemower'sdischargechuteisdirectedAWAYfrom

yourhouse,garage,parkedcars,etc.

Thebatteryissealedandis maintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbe checkedandfluidcannot beadded.

• Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof corrosivebuild-up.

Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applyalightcoatof petroleumjellyor greaseto bothterminals.

If removingthebatteryforcleaning,disconnectthe NEGATIVE(Black)

wirefromit'sterminalfirst,followedbythePOSITIVE(Red)wire.When

re-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE(Red)wireits terminalfirst,followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.Becertainthat thewiresareconnectedtothecorrectterminals;reversingthemcould

resultinseriousdamageto yourengine'salternatingsystem.

TIRE PRESSURE

Maximumtirepressureunderanycircumstancesis 30 psi.Equaltire

pressureshouldbemaintainedatalltimes.

Periodicallycheckthe pressureonbothyour mower'sreartires. Uneventirepressurewillcausethecuttingdecktomowunevenly andmayresultin mowertoveeringtoeithertheleftor rightduring operation.Recommendedoperatingtirepressureisapproximately20 p.s.i.Checkthe sidewalloftire formaximump.s.i.

CLEANING THE MOWER

Anyfuel oroil spilledonthe machineshouldbewipedoffpromptly.Do NOTallowdebristoaccumulatearoundthecoolingfinsof theengine, thetransmission'scoolingfanoronanyotherpartof themachine, especiallythebeltsandpulleys.

Smart Jet Yourmower'sdeckis equippedwitha waterportonitssurfaceas part

ofits deckwashsystem. UsetheSmartJetto rinsegrassclippingsfromthe deck'sunderside

andpreventthebuildupof corrosivechemicals.Completethe following stepsAFTEREACHMOWING:

Beforeusingthedeckwashsystem,alwaysdisengagethe Blade

Control,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

2. Threadthe hosecoupler(packagedwithyourmower'sOperator's Manual)onto theendof yourgardenhose.

3. Attachthe hosecouplertothewaterporton thedeck surface. SeeFigure17.

Figure17

4. Turnthewateron.

5. Starttheengineandplacethethrottleleverinthe FAST,_ position.

6. Whileinthe operator'spositionbehindthe mower,movethe BladeControlintothe ONposition.

7. Remainin theoperator'spositionwiththecuttingdeckengaged fora minimumoftwominutes,allowingtheundersideofthe cuttingdeckto thoroughlyrinse.

8. Movethe BladeControlintotheOFFposition.

9. Turnthe ignitionkeyto theSTOP(_ positiontoturnthe mower's engineoff.

10. Turnthewateroffanddetachthehose couplerfromthe water portonyour deck'ssurface.

AftercleaningyourdeckwiththeSmartJet system,startthemower's engine,returntothe operator'spositionandengagetheblades.Keep thecuttingdeckrunningfora minimumoftwo minutes,allowingthe

undersideof thecuttingdecktothoroughlydry.

LUBRICATION

Beforelubricating,repairing,orinspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO, set parkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintended starting.

Pivot Points & Linkage Lubricateall thepivotpointson the drivesystemandlift linkageat

leastoncea seasonwithlightoil. Rear Wheels Therearwheelsshouldbe removedfromtheaxlesoncea season.

Lubricatetheaxlesandrim hubswellwithanall-purposegrease beforereinstallingthem.

Front Wheels Eachof thefrontwheelaxlesandcastersisequippedwitha grease

fitting.See Figure18.Lubricatewitha No.2 multi-purposegrease appliedwitha greasegunafterevery50hoursofmoweroperation.

f -,

BLADE TIMING BELT

Thecuttingdeckspindlesaredrivenby a timing(cogged)belt, assuringthatthedeckbladesarealwaysperpendiculartoeachother. At leastoncea season,orafterstrikinganyforeignobject,checkthe timingbeltas follows:

1. Removethebeltcoverby removingthethree screwsandwashers whichsecureitto theframe.SeeFigure19.

Donot operatemowerwithoutthebelt coverinstalled.Failuretofol-

lowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryorpropertydamage.

Figure18

Figure19

2. Thetopof eachspindlepulleyis markedwithan arrow.See Figure20.Thearrowsshouldbeperpendicular(ata 90°angle)to

eachother.

Figure20

3. If thearrowsonthe surfaceofeachspindlepulleyarenot perpendicular(ata 90°angle)to eachother,seeyourSearsor otherqualifiedservicedealerto havethe timingbeltreset.

Donotoperatethemachinewithoutthedeck'stimingbeltproperly set.Failureto followthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryor propertydamage.

ADJUSTMENTS

CUTTING DECK REMOVAL

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceorrepairs,disengageblades,

stopengineand removekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

Toremovethecuttingdeck,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethebeltcoverby removingthethreescrewsandwashers whichsecureitto theframe.SeeFigure22.

Shutthe engineoffand removetheignitionkeybeforemaking

adjustments.

Handle Height Theupperhandleis securedtotwosupportbarsthatcanbeadjusted

toraiseor lowerthe handleheight.Adjustifnecessaryas follows:

1. Removetheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewonthe rightside ofthe handleandtheleftside ofthe handle.

SeeFigure21.

Donot operatemowerwithoutthebelt coverinstalled.Failuretofol-

lowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryor propertydamage.

Figure22

2. Placethedeckheightleverinits highestposition.

3. Positionwoodblocksatvariousplacesunderthedeck'sedge. Thesewilltemporarilysupportthedeckinthe processof removingit.

4. Usethedeckheightleverto lowerthedeck,sothat itrestsonthe woodblocks.

Figure21

2. Pivotthehandleforwardor rearwardto alignoneof thethree holesoneach supportbarwiththeholesonthehandle.

3. Reinstalltheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewonthe rightside ofthe handleandtheleftside ofthe handlewhenacomfortable

heightis achieved.

5. Removethe screwandflangenutwhichsecuresthebelt keeper rodtothe left sideof themower'sframe.SeeFigure23.

Figure23

Removethe beltkeeperrodand removethedeckbeltfrom aroundthemower'senginepulley.

Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromtheleft side,locateandcarefully removethehairpinclipsthatsecurethe decksupportsonthe rear leftsideandfrontleftsideof the deck.SeeFigure24.

Lift Arm

10. Carefullyunhookthemower'slift assemblyfromthereardeck supports.

11. Usethedeckheightleverto raisethe liftassemblytoits highest position.

12. Removethewoodenblocksfromunderthedeckandgentlyslide thecuttingdecktowardtherearof themachine.

13. Pulltheclick pinoutandunhookthedrivespringcablefromthe idlerarmassembly.SeeFigure25.

Figure25

14. Gentlyslidethecuttingdecktotheright,outfrombeneaththemower.

Toinstallthe cuttingdeck,followtheabovestepsintheoppositeorder and mannerofremoval.

... J

Figure24

Repeattheprevioussteponthe mower'srightside.

Carefullyremovethe frontdeck supportsfromthedecklift arms, Figure25.

CUTTING BLADES

Shutthe engineoffand removeignitionkeybeforeremovingthe

cuttingblade(s)forsharpeningor replacement.Protectyourhandsb

usingheavygloveswhengraspingtheblade.

Periodicallyinspectthe bladeand/orspindleforcracksor damage,

especiallyafter you'vestruckaforeignobject.Donotoperatethe

machineuntil damagedcomponentsare replaced.

Toremovetheblades,proceedasfollows.

1. Removethedeckfrombeneaththemower,(referto CuttingDeck Removalearlierinthis section)thengentlyflip thedeckoverto exposeitsunderside.

2. Placea blockofwoodbetweenthecenterdeckhousingbaffle andthecuttingbladetoactas a stabilizer.SeeFigure26.

Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamounts of metalfrombothendsof thebladesalongthecuttingedges,

paralleltothe trailingedge,ata250.to 300angle.Alwaysgrind

eachcutting bladeedgeequallytomaintainproperbladebalance.

SeeFigure27.

Ifthecuttingedgeofthe bladehaspreviouslybeensharpened,or if

anymetalseparationispresent,replacethebladeswithnewones.

A poorlybalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibration,maydamage tothe mowerand/orresultin personalinjury.

Figure26

3. Removethehexflangenutthat securesthebladeto thespindle assembly.SeeFigure26.

Figure27

5. Testthe blade'sbalanceusinga bladebalancer.Grindmetalfrom theheavyend untilthebladebalancesevenly.

NOTE:Whenreplacingthe blade,besuretoinstallthe bladewiththe sideof theblademarked"Bottom"(orwitha part numberstampedin it)facingthe groundwhenthe mowerisinthe operatingposition.

Usea torquewrenchto tightenthebladespindlehexflangenutto

between70Ibs-ftand 90Ibs-ft.

Thecutting bladesmust be installedperpendiculartoeachother.If thebladescannotbeinstalledperpendicularto eachother,the blade timingbeltmustbe reset.SeeyourSearsorotherqualifiedservice dealerto havethedecktimingbelt reset.

TRAIL SHIELD Jump Starting

Neveroperatethemowerwithoutthe trailshieldin placeandworking. Failuretodo socan resultinpersonalinjury.

Toreplacethetrail shield,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethe screwwhichsecuresthetrailshieldto theright side ofthe mower.SeeFigure28.

Figure28

Bowthe trailshieldinwardoneach sideto releaseit fromthe mowerframe.

Installthe replacementtrail shieldby followingthestepsabovein theoppositeorderandmannerof removal.

BATTERY

Neverjumpstart a damagedor frozenbattery.Becertainthe vehicles

do nottouch,andignitionsareoff.Do notallowcableclampsto touch.

1. Connectpositive(+)cabletopositivepost(+) of yourmower's dischargedbattery.

2. Connecttheotherendof thecabletothe (positive+)postofthe jumperbattery.

3. Connectthesecondcable(negative-) to theotherpostofthe jumperbattery.

4. Makethefinal connectionon the engineblockofthe mower,away fromthebattery.Attachtoan unpaintedpartto assurea good

connection.

Ifthejumper batteryis installedona vehicle(i.e.car,truck),do NOT

startthevehicle'senginewhenjumpstartingyourmower.

5. Startthemower(as instructedin theOperationsectionof this manual).

6. Removethejumpercablesin reverseorderofconnection.

Charging

Batteries

giveoff anexplosivegaswhilecharging.Chargethe batteryI in a wellventilatedareaandkeepawayfromanopenflameor pilot lightas ona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryeror othergas app ances, j

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntothe StateofCaliforniatocause cancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

If removingthebattery,disconnecttheNEGATIVE(Black)wire fromits terminalfirst,followedbythe POSITIVE(Red)wire.When

re-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE(Red)wireits

_termna f rst,fo owedbythe NEGATVE(Back) w re.

When

chargingyourmower'sbattery,useonlyachargerdesignedforI

12Vlead-acidbatteries.Readyourbatterycharger'sOwner'sManualI priortochargingyourmowers battery.Alwaysfollowits instructions I andheeditswarnings, j

Ifyourmowerhas notbeenput intouse foranextendedperiodof time,

chargethe batteryasfollows:

1. Setyourbatterychargertodelivera maxof10amperes.

2. Ifyourbatterychargeris automatic,chargethebatteryuntilthe chargerindicatesthat chargingiscomplete.If thechargerisnot automatic,chargeforat leasteighthours.

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