MTD 13BL78ST299 Owner’s Manual

perator's

nual

I:RnFrSMRN°

LAWN TRACTOR

21 HP, Variation Speed

46" Deck

Model No. 247.288862

• Espanol, P. 58

This product has a low emission engine which operates differently

from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and

understand this Operator's Manual.

For answers to your questions about

Before using this equipment, 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.769-06502E

this product, call:

1-800=659=5917

CraftsmanTractorHelpLine

7 am = 7 pm CT, Mort. =Sun.

(December6,2012)

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

Safety Instructions ............................................................ 3

Slope Gauge ..................................................................... 8

Assembly ........................................................................... 9

Operation ........................................................................ 11

Service and Maintenance .............................................. 17

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

Trou bleshooting .............................................................. 27

Labels ............................................................................. 28

Parts List ......................................................................... 30

Espa_ol ............................................................................ 58

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

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,all non-expendablepartsofthis ridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor workmanship.Adefectivenon-expendablepartwill receivefreein-homerepairorreplacementif repairisunavailable.

BATTERYLIMITEDWARRANTY

FOR90 DAYSfromthe dateofpurchase,thebattery(an expendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor workmanship.Anewbatterywillbesuppliedfreeof charge.Youareresponsibleforthelaborcostof batteryinstallation.

ADDITIONALLIMITEDWARRANTIES

inthefollowingadditionalwarranties,youare responsibleforthe laborcostof partinstallationafterthe secondyearfromthedateof purchase. FORFiVEYEARSfromthedateof purchase,theframeofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.A

newframewill be suppliedfreeof charge. FORTENYEARSfromthe dateofpurchase,thefrontaxleof thisridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.

A newfrontaxlewill be suppliedfreeofcharge. FORASLONGASIT iSUSEDbytheodginalownerafterthetenthyearfromthedateofpurchase,thecastironfrontaxle(ifequipped)ofthisriding

equipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.Withproofofpurchase,a newcastironfrontaxlewillbesuppliedfreeofcharge.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailsto obtainfreerepairor replacement,call 1-800-659-5917orvisit thewebsite: www.craftsman.com inallcasesabove,ifpart repairor replacementisimpossible,theridingequipmentwillbe replacedfree ofchargewiththesameor anequivalent

model. Alloftheabovewarrantycoverageisvoidif thisridingequipmentis everusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorif rentedtoanotherperson.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearout fromnormalusewithinthe warrantyperiod,includingbutnot limitedtoblades,spark plugs,air cleaners,belts,andoil filters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,or glass.

• Tireorwheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnot limitedto damagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyorcrankshaft,or over-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedby improper storage,failureto usethepropergradeandamountofengineoil, failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailureto maintainthe ridingequipmentaccordingto theinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandweard theexteriorfinishes,orproductlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalso haveotherrightswhichvaryfromstateto state.

Sears BrandsManagement Corporation, Hoffman Estates,IL 60179

EngineOil: SAE30 Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC Engine: Briggs& Stratton

Model Number: Serial Number:

Dateof Purchase:

Recordthe modelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

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

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyou seethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothe safeopera- tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroron the partofthe operatorcanresultin 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,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate. Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheir properoperation.Knowhow tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldto operatethismachine. Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadandunderstandthe operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthismanualandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyaparent.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe machinewhile itisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentisto be used. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownby the blade(s). Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeofmaterialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseof thispowermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsandinstruc-

tionsin thismanualandon the machine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperformingan adjustmentorrepairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbe caughtinmovable parts.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.

• Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand do notpointit at anyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherin its properplace.

Donot puthandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor underthe cutting

deck.Contactwiththe blade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet. A missingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroads andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineis notintendedforuseonanypublic roadway.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcohol or drugs.

• Mowonly indaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.Backupslowly. Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebackingtoavoida

back-overaccident.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil theblade(s)cometoa completestopbeforeremovinggrass catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor debris,or makinganyadjustments.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore dismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupor down ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtip over,causingserious personalinjury.Themachinemustbe pushedmanuallyon ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot touch.

Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtree branches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould resultinseriousinjury.

Disengageallattachmentclutchesanddepressthebrakepedal completelybeforeattemptingto startengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa heightnomorethan10".Donot attemptto mowthroughunusually tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpiles ofdryleaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedfor this machine bythe machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwiththe approvedaccessoryorattachment. Fora list ofapprovedaccessoriesandattachments,call 1-800-

659-5917. Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilityto operatetheriding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom seriousinjury.

If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgment.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossof controlandtip-over accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor if youfeeluneasyon it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartofthis manual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthismachineona slopedor hilly area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe Slope Guide,do notoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowupanddownslopes,notacross.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthe machine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingsothat youwill nothaveto stopor shiftwhileon the slope.Tiresmay losetractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesarefunctioning properly.Alwayskeepmachineingearwhengoingdownslopes totakeadvantageof enginebrakingaction.

• Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor counterweightsto improvestability.

Useextracarewithgrasscatchersor otherattachments.These

canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donotmake suddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidengagementor brakingcouldcausethefrontofthe machinetolift andrapidlyflip overbackwardswhichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

• Avoidstartingorstoppingona slope.Iftireslosetraction,disen- gagetheblade(s)andproceedslowlystraightdownthe slope.

DoNot:

• Donotturnon slopesunlessnecessary;then,turnslowlyand graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.Themower couldsuddenlyturnoverifa wheelis overtheedgeof a cliff, ditch,or ifan edgecavesin.

• Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the ground.

• Donotusea grasscatcheronsteepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donotattempttocoastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe operatortolosecontrolofthe machineresultinginseriousinjury

or death.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart, lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing downhill,theextraweighttendstopushthe tractorandmay causeyouto loosecontrol(e.g.tractormayspeedup,brakingand steeringabilityarereduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause tractorto overturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothe presence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthe mowing activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaand inwatchfulcareof a responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifachildentersthearea.

• Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindanddownforsmall children.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionof a child whomayrunintothe machine.

Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethe cutting blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.Ifequipped,the"Reverse CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesinreverse)

shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenor othersarearound. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine. Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe instructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon the machineandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyanadult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasahitchdesignedfortowing.Do notattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.

Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment. Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossof control. Alwaysuseextracautionwhentowingwithamachinecapableof

makingtightturns(e.g."zero-turn"ride-onmower). Makewide turnstoavoidjack-knifing.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop. Donotcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonly anapprovedgasolinecontainer.

Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerim ofthefueltankor containeropeningat all timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors. Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhilethe engineis hotorrun-

ning.Allowengineto coolat leasttwominutesbeforerefueling. Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltanktono morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecap andtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff the engineandequipment.Move machineto anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeof grass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlight as ona waterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe blade(s)andallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocomplete stopwithinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe bladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthe thistimeframe,yourmachineshouldbeservicedprofessionally byaSearsorotherqualifiedservicedealer.

• Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyasitissubjectedtowearduring normaloperation.Adjustandserviceasrequired.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s) fordamage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked).Replacethe blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

insafeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafety devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothe machine whilethe engineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoverare subject towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof partswhichdo not meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.to protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingtothe ConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct hasanAverageUsefulLifeofseven(7)years,or 270hours ofoperation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLife,buy anew machineor havethemachineinspectedannuallybya Searsor otherqualifiedservicedealerto ensurethatall mechanicaland safetysystemsareworkingproperlyandnot wornexcessively.

Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,injuriesordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoid seriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththe governorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if so equipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand shouldnot beusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered, brushcoveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,it shouldbemaintainedin effectiveworking orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis required bylaw (Section4442of the CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthemuffleris availablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson themachine beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

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 Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can

amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

BYSTANDERS Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation.

WARNING-- SLOPE OPERATION

Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

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

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.

15° Slope

(OK)

'_. _ Figure1

(TOO STEEP)

Figure2

15°

dashedline

USETHISSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

IFA SLOPEISTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfoldalongthedashedline.

2. Locateaverticalobject onor behindtheslope (e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree,etc.)

3. Align eithersideoftheslope gaugewith the object(SeeFigure1and Figure2).

4. Adjust gaugeupor down untilthe left cornertouchesthe slope(SeeFigure1and Figure2).

If thereisagap belowthegauge,theslopeis too steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedto tip-over androll-over accidents whichcan resultin severe injury or death. Do not operatemachine on slopes in excess of 15degrees.All slopesrequire extra caution. Ifyou cannotback up theslope orif you feeluneasyon it, do not mow it.

Always mowup and down theface ofslopes, never mowacrossthe faceof slopes.

IM PORTANT: Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroilintheengine.However, youMUSTchecktheoillevelbeforeoperating.RefertotheService&Maintenance sectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoillevel.

NOTE:Any referenceinthismanualtotheRIGHTorLEFTsideof the tractoris observedfromoperator'sseatpositionfacingforwardtowards

thefrontof tractor. Attaching the Battery Cables

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE([ted)wire toits terminalfirst, followed bythe NEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmenthavebeenleft disconnectedfromtheterminalsat thefactory.Toconnectthe batterycables, proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegativebattery terminalismarkedNeg.(-).

1. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthepositivebatteryterminaland attachtheredcabletothepositivebatteryterminal(+) with theboltand hexnut.SeeFigure1.

2. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthenegativebatteryterminaland attachtheblackcabletothenegativebatteryterminal(-) withtheboltand hexnut.SeeFigure1.

Shipping BraceRemoval

Makesurethe ridingmower'sengineisoff, removethe ignition key,and

setthe parkingbrakebeforeremovingthe shipping brace.Refertothe

0perat on sectonfor nstructonsonhowtosetthe parkngbrake.

Locatetheshippingbrace,ifpresent,andaccompanyingwarningtagfound ontherightsideofthemower,betweenthedischargechutedeflectorand thecuttingdeck.SeeFigure2.

Figure2

Placethedecklift leverin thehighestcutting position.RefertoSettingthe

CuttingHeightintheOperationsectionofthismanual. Whilepushingthedischargechutedeflectortowardsthemachinewithyourleft

hand,removetheshippingbracewithyourrighthandbygraspingitbetweenyour thumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

\ J

Figure1

3. Positiontheredrubberbootoverthe positivebatteryterminaltohelp protectitfromcorrosion.

NOTE:Ifthe batteryisput intoserviceafterthedateshownontopofbattery, chargethe batteryasinstructedin theService& Maintenancesectionofthis manualpriortooperatingthetractor.

Theshippingbrace,usedforpackagingpurposesonly,must beremovedand discardedbeforeoperatingyourridingmower.

Themowingdeckiscapableof throwing objects. Failuretooperatethe

[riding mowerwithout the dischargechutedeflector inthe properoperating [positioncouldresultinseriouspersonalinjuryand/orproperty damage.

Attaching TheSteeringWheel

Ifthesteeringwheelforyourtractordidnotcomeattached,thehardwarefor attachingithasbeenpackedwithinthesteeringwheel,beneaththesteeringwheel cap.Carefullypryoff thesteeringwheelcapandremovethehardware.

I. Withthewheelsofthetractorpointingstraightforward,placethesteering

wheeloverthesteeringshaft.

2. Placethewasher(with thecuppedsidedown)overthesteeringwheeland

securewith thehexbolt.SeeFigure3.

Figure3

Placethesteeringwheelcapoverthecenterofthesteeringwheelandpush

downwarduntilit"clicks"intoplace. Attaching TheSeat NOTE: Forshippingreasons,theseatiseitherfastenedto thetractor

seat'spivotbracketwitha plastictie,or mountedbackwardtothe pivot bracket.Ineithercase,free theseatfromitsshippingpositionbeing

carefulnotto bendor kinkthewiringharnessandfollowtheinstruc- tionsbelowtoattachit.

1. Removethetwohexscrewsandnutsfromtheseatpivotbracket.

2. Alignthefrontholesoftheseatmountingbracketwiththeholesintheseat

pivotbracketonyourtractorandsecurewithpreviouslyremovedhexscrews

andnuts.SeeAinFigure4.

3. Plugthewiringharnessintotheseatsafetyswitchinthebottomoftheseat,

asshowninBofFigure4. flOTE:Thetractorwillnotoperatewiththewiringharnessdisconnected.

Adjusting the Seat

Toadjustthepositionoftheseat,pull upandholdtheseatadjustmentlever.Slide theseatforwardorrearwardto thedesiredposition;thenreleasetheadjustment

lever.Makesureseatislockedintopositioninaseat-stopbeforeoperatingthe

tractor.SeeFigure5.

Beforeoperatingthe tractor, makesuretheseatisengagedin a seat-stop. Engagethe parkingbrake.Standbehindthe machineand pull backonseat

until itclicksintoplace.

_,, ,J

Figure5

Tire Pressure

Maximumtire pressureunderanycircumstancesis30psi.Equaltire pressure shouldbemaintainedat alltimes. Neverexceedthemaximum inflation

)ressureshownonthe sidewallofthe tire.

Figure4

Therecommendedoperatingtirepressureis:

Approximately10psiforthereartires

Approximately14psiforthefronttires IMPORTANT: Refertothe tire sidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's recommendedormaximumpsi.Donot overinflate.Uneventire

pressurecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

A ParkingBrakeLever

B ThrotNe/ChokeControlLever

C IgnitionSwitchModule

D Auto-drivePedal E DeckLiftLever

flOTE:Any referenceinthismanualtotheRIGHTorLEFTside of thetractoris observedfromoperator'sseat positionfacingforwardtowardsthefrontoftractor.

Figure6

F PTOLever(BladeEngage) G CupHolder

H ShiftLever I SeatAdjustmentLever

J BrakePedal

MeetsANSiSafetyStandards

CraftsmanTractorsconformto thesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

ParkingBrakeLever

SeatAdjustment Lever

Tosettheparkingbrake:Fullydepressthebrakepedal.Movethe parkingbrakeleverintotheparkingbrakeposition.Releasethe brakepedaltoallowtheparkingbraketoengage.

Toreleasetheparkingbrake:Depressthebrakepedalandthe parkingbrakeleverwillmoveoutoftheparkingbrakepositionon itsown.Theparkingbrakewill thenbereleased.Releasethebrake pedal.

NOTE:Theparkingbrakemustbesetiftheoperatorleavestheseat with theenginerunningortheenginewill automaticallyshutoff.

Throttle/chokeControlLever

Thethrottle/chokecontrolleverislocatedonthe leftsideofthetractor'sdashpanel.Thislever

controlsthespeedoftheengineandwhenpushed

allthewayforward,thechokecontrolalso.When setinagivenposition,thethrottle will maintaina uniformenginespeed.

IMPOR@N#Whenoperating the tractor with the cutting deck engaged, the throttle/choke control lever must always be inthe FAST (rabbit) position.

ignitionSwitch

mlmmmml

mmmmmmm

SLOW

IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingthe tractor,refertoboththe"Safety InterlockSystem"and"StartingThe Engine"laterinthissectionofthis

manualfordetailedinstructions regardingtheIgnitionSwitch

Module.

Neverleavearunning machineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO(Blade EngageLever),moveshift leverintoneutralposition,setparkingbrake, stopengineandremovekeyto prevent unintendedstarting.

Thekeyswitchmoduleisusedtostart andstoptheengine.Insert keyintothekeyswitchmoduleandturnclockwisetotheSTART position.Releasethe keyintothe normalmowingpositiononce enginehasstarted.Theheadlightswill beactivatedautomatkally.

Tostoptheengine,turntheignitionkeycounterclockwiseto the STOPposition.

Theseatadjustmentleverislocatedbelowthefront/left oftheseat.Thelever allowsforadjustmentof theforeandaft positionof theseat.Referto theAssembly sectionofthemanualformoredetailedinstructionsforadjustingtheseatposition.

Auto-drivepedal

Thedrivepedalis locatedontherightsideofthetractor,alongtherunningboard.

Depressthedrivepedalforwardandthetractorwill moveinthedirectionthatthe shiftleverisengagedin.Tocausethetractortotravelforward,whileatacomplete stop,movetheshift leverintotheForwardposition.Graduallysteponthedrive pedalandthetractorwill begintomoveforward.TomoveinReverse,follow the sameprocedureonlymovetheshiftleverintothereverseposition.

Thegroundspeediscontrolledwith thedrivepedal.Thefurtherforwardthatthe pedalispivoted,thefasterthetractorwilltravel.Thepedalwill returnto itsoriginal positionwhenit'snotdepressed.RefertotheOperationsectionofthis manualfor detailedinstructionsregardingthedrivepedal.

IMPOR@NT_Always set the parking brake when leaving the tractor unattended.

DeckLiftLever

Foundonyourtractor'srightfender,thedecklift leverisusedto changetheheightofthecuttingdeck.Touse,movethelevertothe left, thenplaceinthenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.

PTO(Blade Engage)Lever

Foundonthetractor'srightfender,thePTO(bladeengage)lever isusedto engagepowertothecuttingdeckorother(separately available)attachments.Tooperate,movetheleveralltheway forward.Movingthe leverallthewayrearwardintothe PTOOFF positiondisengagespowertothecuttingdeck/attachment.

NOTE:ThePTO (blade engage) lever must be inthe disengaged (PTO OFF) position when starting the engine.

CupHolder

Thetractor'scupholderislocatedonthefendertotheleftof theseat.

Shift Lover

Theshiftleverislocatedon theleftside ofthefenderandhasthreepositions,

FORWARD,NEUTRALandREVERSE.The brakepedalmustbedepressedandthe

tractormustnotbeinmotionwhenthe movingshiftlever. IMPORTAN_Neverforcetheshiftlever.

Doingsomayresultinseriousdamageto thetractor'stransmission.

REVERSE

BrakePedal

Thebrakepedalislocatedontheleftsideofthelawntractor,alongtherunning board.Depressthebrakepedaltoengagethediscbrakeandbringthetractortoa completestop.

NOTE:Thepedalmustbedepressedtostarttheengine.Referto SafetyInterlock Switcheslaterin thissectionof thismanual.

Gasand OilFill-up

Oil

IMPORTAfl#Yourtractorisshippedwith motoroilintheengine.However,you MUSTchecktheoillevelbeforeoperating.Becarefulnottooverfill.

Forinstructionsonhowtochecktheengineoil,refertoCheckingTheEngineOilin theServiceandMaintenancesectionofthismanual.

Gasoline

Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthehood.Donotoverfill.

Useextremecarewhen handling gasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammable andthe vaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelmachineindoorsorwhile the

engineishotor running. Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,pipes,andother sourcesof gnt on.

NOTE:Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Donotusegasolineleft overfromthe previousseason,to minimizegumdepositsinthefuelsystem.

Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonunleadedgasoline.Forbestresults,fill thefueltankwith onlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasolinewith apumpsticker octaneratingof 87orhigher.

Gasohol(upto10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolinebyvolume)isan approvedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblends,suchasE85,arenotapproved.

MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends(uptoa maximumof 15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels.Othergasoline/ether blendsarenotapproved.

Fillfueltankoutdoorsorinwell-ventilatedarea. Donotoverfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethan1/2inchbelowbottomof

fillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion. Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhiletheengineishotor running.Allow

engineto coolatleasttwo minutesbeforerefueling. Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit off theengineandequipment.Movemachineto

anotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestartingtheengine.

ToAddGasoline

1. Turntheengineoffandletenginecoolatleast2minutesbeforeremoving thefuelcap.Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthehood.Removethefuel capbyturningitcounterclockwise.

2. Fillthefueltankwithgasoline.Useonlyclean,fresh(nomorethan30days old),unleadedgasoline.Filltanktonomorethan1/2inchbelowbottomof fillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

3. Reinstallthefuelcap.

IMPORTAN_Donotoverfillthetank.Filltanktonomorethan 1/2inchbelow bottomoffiller necktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.SeeFigure7.

Figure7

Avoid Serious Injury or Death

Goupanddownslopes,notacross. Avoidsuddenturns.

Donotoperatetheunitwhereitcouldsliportip. Ifmachinestopsgoinguphill,stopbladesandbackdownhillslowly.

Donotmowwhenchildrenorothersarearound. Nevercarrychildren,evenwith bladesoff.

Lookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking. Keepsafetydevices(guards,shields,andswitches)inplaceandworking. Removeobjectsthat couldbethrownbytheblades.

Knowlocationandfunctionofallcontrols. Besurebladesandenginearestoppedbeforeplacinghandsorfeet near

blades. Beforeleavingoperator'sposition,stoptractor,disengageblades,engage

parkingbrake,shutengineoff,andremovekey.

Read Operator's Manual

Safety Interlock System

Thesafetyinterlocksystemisdesignedfor safeoperationofthetractor.Ifthis systemshouldevermalfunction,do notoperatethetractor,Immediatelycontact

1-800-659-5917to havethesystemserviced.

Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromstartingunless theparkingbrakeisengagedandthePTO(BladeEngage)leverisinthe disengaged(OFF)position.

Thesafetyinterlocksystemwill automaticallyshutofftheengineifthe operatorleavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

Thesafetyinterlocksystemwill automaticallyshutofftheengineifthe operatorleavesthetractor'sseatwiththe PTO(BladeEngage)leverengaged, regardlessofwhethertheparkingbrakeisengaged.

Theenginewill automaticallyshutoffif thePTO(BladeEngage)leveris movedintotheengaged(ON)positionwith theshiftleverinReverse.

Ignition Switch

Theignitionswitchisactivatedto starttheengine.Insertkeyintotheignition switchandturnclockwiseto theSTARTposition.ReleasethekeyintotheON positiononceenginehasfired. SeeFigure8.

Tostoptheengine,turntheignitionkeycounterclockwiseto theOFFposition.

Neverleavearunning machineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO,move shift leverintoneutral position,set parkingbrake,stopengineandremove keyto preventunintendedstarting.

Start

off

Setting the Cutting Height

1. Selecttheheightpositionof thecuttingdeckbyplacingthedecklift leverin anyofthedifferentcutting heightnotchesontherightsideofthefender.

2. Adjustthe deckwheelssothattheyarebetweenl_-inchand1/2-inchabove thegroundwhenthetractorisonasmooth,flatsurfacesuchasadriveway.

Toadjust DeckWheels:

1. Removetheflangelocknutontheshoulderbolt securingthedeckwheel.

2. Positionthewheeltothedesiredheightaslistedabove.SeeFigure9.

3. Securetheshoulderboltwith theflangelocknut.

Keephandsandfeet awayfrom the dischargeopening of the cutting

deck.

NOTE:Thedeckwheelsareananti-scalpfeatureofthedeckandarenotdesigned tosupporttheweightof thecuttingdeck.RefertoLevelingintheMaintenanceand Servicesectionof thismanualformoredetailedinstructionsregardingvariousdeck adjustments.

Figure8

Engagingthe ParkingBrake

Toengagethe parking brake:

1. Fullydepressthe brakepedalandholditdownwith yourfoot.

2. Movethespeedcontrolleverallthewaydownandintotheparkingbrake position.

3. Releasethebrakepedalto allowtheparkingbraketoengage.

Toreleasethe parking brake:

1. Depressthebrakepedalandmovethespeedcontrolleveroutof theparking brakepositionandintoadesiredspeed.

Figure9

Starting the Engine

Donotoperatethetractor if the interlocksystemismalfunctioning.This

systemwasdesignedforyoursafetyandprotection.

NOTE:Referto theGasolineandOilfill-up instructionsearlierinthissection.

1. Insertthetractorkeyintotheignitionswitch.

2. PlacethePTO(BladeEngage)leverinthedisengaged(OFF)position.

3. Engagethetractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Activatethechokecontrolbymovingthethrottle/chokeleverallthewayupinto thechokeposition.

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTARTposition.Aftertheenginestarts,

releasethekey.Itwill returntotheON(orNormalMowing)position.

DoNOTholdthe key inthe STARTposition for longerthan ten seconds at atime. Doingsomay causedamageto your engine's electric

starter.

6. Aftertheenginestarts,deactivatethechokecontrolandplacethethrottle controlin theFASTposition.

NOTE:DoNOTleavethechokecontrolonwhileoperatingthetractor.Doingsowill resultina"rich"fuelmixtureandcausetheengineto runpoorly.

Stopping the Engine

If you strike aforeign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for anydamage. Repairthe damage before restartingand operating

Ifthebladesareengaged,placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverinthe disengaged(OFF)position.

Turntheignitionkeycounterclockwiseto theSTOPposition.

Removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchtopreventunintendedstarting.

DrivingTheTractor

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

Donotleavethe seatofthe tractor without first placingthe PTO(Blade

Engage)leverinthe disengaged(OFF)position,depressingthebrakepedal andengaging the parkingbrake.Ifleavingthe tractor unattended,also turn the ignitionkeyoffand removethe key.

Alwayslookdownand behindbeforeandwhile backinguptoavoidaback- overaccident.

1. Depressthebrakepedaltoreleasetheparkingbrakeandthenletthepedal up.

2. MovethethrottleleverintotheFAST(rabbit)position.

3. PlacetheshiftleverineithertheFORWARDor REVERSEposition.

IMPORTAN_DoNOTusetheshiftlevertochangethedirectionoftravelwhenthe tractorisin motion.Alwaysusethebrakepedaltobringthetractorto acomplete stopbeforeshifting.

4. Graduallybegintoapplypressureto thedrivepedal.Thefurtherdownthe pedalispushed,thefasterthetractorwilltravelinthedesireddirection basedonthepositionoftheshift lever.

5. Thelawntractorisbroughttoastopbyreleasingthedrivepedalandthen depressingthebrakepedal.

Beforeleavingthe operator'spositionfor anyreason,disengagethe blades, placethe shift leverin neutral,engagethe parkingbrake,shutengineoff andremovethe key.

Whenstoppingthe tractor for anyreasonwhile on agrasssurface, always:

Placetheshiftleverinneutral,

Engagetheparkingbrake,

Shutengineoffand removethekey.Doingsowill minimizethepossibility ofhavingyourlawn"browned"byhotexhaustfromyourtractor'srunning engine.

DrivingOnSlopes

RefertotheSLOPEGAUGEintheSafetyInstructionssectionofthe manualto help determineslopeswhereyoumayoperatethistractorsafely.

Donotmowon inclineswith aslopeinexcessof 15degrees(ariseof approximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Thetractorcouldoverturn and causeseriousinjury.

Mowupanddownslopes,NEVERacross. Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes. Watchfor holes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.Uneventerrain

couldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles. Avoidturnswhendrivingonaslope.Iraturnmustbemade,turndownthe

slope.Turningupaslopegreatlyincreasesthechanceof arollover. Avoidstoppingwhendrivingupaslope.If it isnecessarytostopwhile

drivingupaslope,startupsmoothlyandcarefullytoreducethe possibility offlippingthetractoroverbackward.

Engaging the Blades

Engagingthe PTO(BladeEngage)transferspowertothecuttingdeckorother (separatelyavailable)attachments.Toengagetheblades,proceedasfollows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertotheFAST(rabbit)position.

2. GraspthePTO(BladeEngage)leverandpivotit allthewayforwardintothe engaged(ON)position.

3. Keepthethrottleleverinthe FAST(rabbit)positionfor themostefficientuse ofthecutting deckorother(separatelyavailable)attachments.

NOTE:Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff ifthe PTOisengagedwith theshift leverinpositionforreversetravelwiththeignitionkeyintheONposition.

Mulching

Amulchkitisavailableasanattachment.Mulchingisaprocessof recirculating grassclippingsrepeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.Theultra-fineclippingsare thenforcedbackintothe lawnwheretheyactasanaturalfertilizer.

Amulchkitcanbepurchasedthroughtheretaillocationinwhichyoupurchased thistractor.Formoreinformation,simplycontactSearsat 1-800-659-5917.

Mowing

Tohelpavoid bladecontactor athrown object injury,keepbystanders, helpers,childrenandpetsat least75feet from the machinewhile it isin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.

Thefollowinginformationwill behelpfulwhenusingthecuttingdeckwith your tractor:

Planyour mowing patterntoavoiddischargeof materialstowardroads, sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischargingmaterial against awall or obstructionwhich maycausedischargedmaterialto ricochetback towardthe operator.

Donotmowat highgroundspeed,especiallyira mulchkitorgrasscollector isinstalled.

Forbestresultsit isrecommendedthatthefirsttwo lapsbecutwith the dischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirst twolaps,reversethe directiontothrowthedischargetotheoutsideforthebalanceof cutting. Thiswill giveabetterappearanceto thelawn.

Donotcutthegrasstooshort.Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowthandyellows quicklyindryweather.

Mowingshouldalwaysbedonewiththeengineatfullthrottle.

Underheavierconditionsit maybenecessarytogobackoverthecutareaa secondtimeto getacleancut.

DoNOTattemptto mowheavybrushandweedsandextremelytall grass. Yourtractorisdesignedtomowlawns,NOTclearbrush.

Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.Referto Cutting

Bladesin theServicesectionof thismanualforproperbladesharpening

instructions.

Headlights

ThelampsareONwheneverthetractor'sengineisrunning. Thelampsturn OFFwhentheignitionkeyismovedto theSTOPposition.

Usingthe Deck Lift Lever

Toraisethecuttingdeck,movethedecklift leverto the left,then placeit inthe notchbestsuitedfor yourapplication.RefertoSettingTheCuttingHeightearlierin

thissection.

MAINTENANCESCHEDULE

Beforeperforming anytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageallcontrols andstopthe engine.Waituntil all movingparts havecometoa complete stop.Disconnectsparkplugwire andgroundit againstthe engineto prevent unintendedstarting. Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring operationorwhile performing anyadjustmentsor repairs.

BeforeEachUse 1. Engineoil level 1.

2. Mufflerareaandcontrols 2.

3. Fingerguard 3.

Inthe FirstFiveHours 1. EngineOil 1. Every10Hours I. Hood/Dashair vents I.

2. Batteryterminals 2.

3. Deckspindlesandidlerbracket 3.

Every25 hours 1. Airfilter'sprecleaner* 1.

2. Airfilter* 2.

3. Midsteeringarms,pivotshafts, 3. andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings 4.

5. Frontdeckwheels 5.

Every50 hours 1. Engineoil/Oil filter 1.

2. Muffler 2.

Annually 1. Airfilter 1.

2. Airfilter'spre-cleaner 2.

3. Sparkplug 3.

4. Aircoolingsystem* 4.

5. Fuelfilter 5.

6. SteeringGears 6.

7. RearWheels 7.

BeforeStorage 1. Hood/Dashairvents 1.

2. Batteryterminals 2.

3. Midsteeringarms,pivotshafts, 3. andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

6. Deckspindlesandidlerbracket

7. Pedalpivotpoints

*Servicemorefrequentlyunderdustyconditions.

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

6. Lubricate

7. Lubricate

Followthe maintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribesservice

guidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumnto keeptrackofcompleted

maintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearest Parts & RepairServiceCenteror to

scheduleservice,simply contact1-800-659-5917.

Check Clean

Clean Change

Clean Clean

Lubricate

Clean Clean

Lubricate

Lubricate Lubricate

Change/Replace Check

Replace Replace Replace

Clean

Replace

Clean

Removeandgreaseaxles

Clean Clean

Lubricate

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceorrepairs,disengagethePTO(Blade EngageLever),engagethe parking brake,stopthe engineandremovethe keyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthe enginehasbeenrecentlyrun,the engine,muffler andsurrounding metalsurfaceswill behot andcancauseburnsto the skin. Exercisecaution

to avoidburns.

Engine Maintenance

Checkingthe EngineOil

OnlyusehighqualitydetergentoilratedwithAPIserviceclassificationSF,SG, SH,or SJ.Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingto theexpectedoperating temperature.Followthechartbelow.Althoughmulti-viscosityoils(5W20,10W30, etc.)improvestartingin coldweather,theywill resultinincreasedoilconsumption whenusedabove32°I.Checkyourengineoillevelmorefrequentlyto avoidpossible enginedamagefromrunninglowonoil.

Colder _'_ 32°F _Warmer

Oil Viscosity Chart

Tochecktheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

Ensurethatthetractorisonalevelsurface. Cleantheoilfill areaofanydebris.

1. Removethedipstickandwipewith acleancloth.

2. Insertandtightendipstick.

3. Removethedipstickandchecktheoillevel.ItshouldbeattheFullmarkon thedipstick.SeeFigure10.

4. Iflow,addoilslowlyintotheengineoilfill. Donotoverfill.Afteraddingoil, waitoneminuteandthenrechecktheoillevel.

ChangingEngineOil

Theengineoilshouldbechangedin thefirst 5hoursandthenevery50hoursor onceaseason.Tochangetheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

I. WithengineOFFbutstillwarm,disconnectsparkplugwireandkeepitaway

fromsparkplug.

2. Removetheoilfill cap/dipstkkfromtheoilfill tube.SeeFigure10.

3. Turnthesteeringwheelallthewaytothe righttobetterexposethedrain plug.

4. Cliptheoildrainsleeve(packedwith thismanual)ontotheoil drainport,

seeFigure10.Routetheoppositeendofthesleeveintoanappropriateoil collectioncontainerwith acapacitygreatenoughtocollecttheusedoil.

5. Removetheoildrainplug,Theoilwill begintodrainoutof theengine.

6. Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,replacetheoildrainplugandtighten.Be

carefulnottoovertighten.

7. Removetheoildrainsleeveandstoreforlateruse.

8. Refilltheenginewith newmotoroiluntiltheoil levelonthedipstickreads FULL.Replacetheoilfill cap/dipstkk.

Usedoil isa hazardouswasteproduct. Disposeof usedoil properly. Donot discardwith householdwaste.Checkwith your localauthoritiesor or contact 1-800-659-5917for alist of safedisposal/recyclingfacilities.

Changingthe Oil Filter

I. Draintheoilfromtheengineasdescribedabove.

2. Removetheoilfilteranddisposeofproperly.SeeFigure11.

Donotoverfill. Overfillingwith oil maycausethe engineto notstart, hard starting, orenginesmoking.If overthe FULLmark onthedipstick,drain oil to reduceoil levelto FULLmarkondipstick.

Replaceandtightendipstick.

Dipstick

OilDrain

Valve

Oil Drain Sleeve

Figure10

Figure11

3. Beforeyouinstallthenewoil filter, lightly lubricatetheoil filter gasket

with fresh,cleanoil.

4. Installtheoilfilter byhanduntil thegasketcontactsthe oilfilteradapter,

thentightentheoilfilter 1/2to3/4turns.

5. Addoilasdescribedabove.

6. Startandruntheengine.Astheenginewarmsup,checkforoil leaks.

7. Stoptheengineandchecktheoillevel.ItshouldbeattheFULLmarkonthe

dipstick.

FuelFilter

Gasolineanditsvaporsare e×tremelyflammable andexplosive.Fireor explosioncancausesevereburnsordeath.

Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat,andother ignitionsources.

Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor leaks.Replace if necessary.

Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltankaspertheinstructions below.

Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengineadequatetimeto cool.Drainfuelintoanapprovedcontaineroutdoors,awayfromopenflame.

Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthefuel line fromthe in-linefuelfilter neartheengine.

Removethefuellinefromthe In-lineside(sidetowardsthefueltank)ofthe fuelfilter.

Replacementpartsmustbethesameandinstalledinthesamepositionas theoriginalparts.

Iffuelspills,wait untilit evaporatesbeforestartingengine. Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltank.Otherwise,fuelcanleak

outandcauseafireorexplosion.

To Drain the fuel:

1. Locatethefuelfilter,whichisroutedontheleft sideoftheenginebetween thefueltankandthecarburetor,andmaybeattachedtotheenginewith atie strap.Cutthetie strap,if present,thenpinchthein-lineclamponthefuelfilter withapairofpliers,slidetheclampupthefuelline.Pullthefuellinefreefrom thefilterandplacetheopenendofthelineintoanapprovedcontainertodrain

thefuel.

Tochange the fuel filter:

1. Useplierstosqueezethetabsontheotherclamp(theout-linesideofthe fuelfilter),thenslidetheclampawayfromthefuelfilter.Twistandpullthe fuellineoff ofthefuelfilter.SeeFigure12.

Clamp

Fuel Line

AirCleaner

Theairfilter systemusesacylindricalcartridge.

1. Removethefasteners(A)andtheairfiltercover(B).SeeFigure13.

2. Toremovethefilter (C),lift theendofthefilter andthenpullthefilter off theintake(D).

3. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthefilter onahardsurface.If thefilter is excessivelydirty, replacewith a newfilter.

4. Installthefilteronthe intake.Pushtheendofthefilter intothebaseas shown.Makesurefilterfitssecurelyin thebase.

Installairfilter coverandsecurewith fasteners.5.

Figure13

SparkPlug

Cleanareaaroundthesparkplugbase.Donotsandblastsparkplug.Spark plugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushingandwashingwith a

commercialsolvent Removeandinspectthesparkplug.Checkgaptomakesureit issetat.030".

SeeFigure14.

Electrode

Tab

Figure12

2. Checkthefuellinesforcracksorleaks.Replaceifnecessary.

3. Replacethefuelfilterwith anoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter. Call 1-800-659-5917to purchasetheoriginalequipmentreplacementfilter.

4. Securethefuellineswiththeclamps.

Figure14

Replacethesparkplug(ChampionRC12YC)onceaseason.

Muffler

Temperatureof muffler andnearbyengineareasmayexceed150° F(65°C). Avoidcontactwith theseareas.

Inspectmufflerperiodically,andreplaceifnecessary.Replacementparts forthemufflermustbethesameandinstalledinthesamepositionasthe originalparts.

Clean Engine

Dallyorbeforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chafforaccumulateddebrisfrom engine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean.

Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeof anycombustibledebris. Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine.

Enginepartsshouldbekeptcleantoreducethe riskofoverheatingand ignitionofaccumulateddebris.

re-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)wire toitsterminal first, followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.Becertainthat thewiresareconnected tothecorrectterminals;reversingthem couldchangethepolarityandresultin damageto yourengine'salternatingsystem.

CleaningBattery

Cleanthebatterybyremovingitfromthetractorandwashingwith abakingsoda andwatersolution.Ifnecessary,scrapethebatteryterminalswith awirebrushto removedeposits.Coatterminalsandexposedwiringwith greaseorpetroleumjelly topreventcorrosion.

Battery Failures

Somecommoncausesfor batteryfailureare:

Incorrectinitialactivation Overcharging

Freezing Undercharging

Corrodedconnections

Donotusewater to cleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel system.Usea brushordry cloth.

CarburetorAdjustment

Thecarburetoronthisengineisnotadjustable.

Lubrication

Beforelubricating, repairing,orinspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO(Blade EngageLever),moveshift leverinto neutral position,set parkingbrake,stop

engneandremovekeyto preventun ntendedstart ng.

Pivot Points& Linkage

Lubricateallthepivotpointsonthedrivesystem,parkingbrakeandlift linkageat leastonceaseasonwith lightoil.

RearWheels

Therearwheelsshouldberemovedfromtheaxlesonceaseason.Lubricatethe axlesandtherimswellwith anall-purposegreasebeforere-installingthem.

Front Axles

Eachendofthetractor'sfrontpivotbarmaybeequippedwith agreasefitting. Lubricatewith agreasegunafterevery25hoursoftractoroperation.

Battery

Thebatteryissealedandismaintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbechecked.

Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeofcorrosive build-up.

Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applya lightcoatofpetroleumjelly orgreaseto bothterminals.

Alwayskeeptherubberbootpositionedoverthepositiveterminaltoprevent shorting.

IM PORTANT: Ifremovingthebatteryforanyreason,disconnecttheNEGATIVE (Black)wirefromitsterminalfirst,followedbythePOSITIVE(Red)wire.When

ThesefailuresareNOTcoveredbyyourtractor'swarranty.

Cleaningthe EngineAndDeck

Anyfueloroilspilledonthemachineshouldbewipedoff promptly.DoNOTallow debristoaccumulatearoundthecoolingfinsoftheengineoronanyotherpartof

themachine.

IMPORTANT: TheuseofapressurewashertocleanyourtractorisNOT recommended.It maycausedamageto electricalcomponents,spindles,pulleys, bearingsortheengine.

DeckWashSystemTM

Yourtractor'sdeckisequippedwith awaterportonitssurfaceaspartofitsDeck WashSystem%followtheseinstructionstoutilizethisfeature.

UsetheDeckWashSystemTM to rinsegrassclippingsfromthedeck'sundersideand preventthebuildupofcorrosivechemicals.CompletethefollowingstepsAFTER

EACHMOWING:

Drivethetractortoa level,clearspotonyourlawn,nearenoughforyour

gardenhosetoreach.

Makecertainthe tractor'sdischargechuteisdirectedAWAYfromyourhouse, garage,parkedcars,etc.

2. Disengagethe PTO(BladeEngage),settheparkingbrakeandstopthe

engine.

3. Threadthe hosecoupler(packagedwith yourtractor'sOperator'sManual)

ontotheendofyourgardenhose.

4. Attachthehosecouplertothewaterportonthedeck'ssurface.SeeFigure

15.

Turnthewateron.

Whilesittingintheoperator'spositiononthetractor,starttheengineand

placethethrottle leverintheFAST(rabbit)position. Movethetractor'sPTO(Blade Engage) intotheONposition.

Remainintheoperator'spositionwiththecuttingdeckengagedfor a minimumoftwominutes,allowingtheundersideofthecuttingdeckto thoroughlyrinse.

Movethetractor'sPTO(Blade Engage) intotheOFFposition.

Figure15

10. TurntheignitionkeytotheSTOPpositiontoturnthetractor'sengineoff.

11. Turnthewateroffanddetachthehosecouplerfromthewaterportonyour deck'ssurface.

12. Repeatsteps4through11ontheoppositesideofthecuttingdeck.

IMPORTANT: Aftercleaningyourdeckwith the DeckWashSystemTM , return totheoperator'spositionandengagethePTO.Keepthecuttingdeckrunningfora minimumoftwo minutes,allowingtheundersideofthecuttingdeckto thoroughly dry.

Adjustments

Neverattempt to makeanyadjustmentswhiletheengineisrunning,except wherespecifiedinthe operator'smanual.

Levelingthe Deck

NOTE:Checkthetractor'stire pressurebeforeperforminganydeckleveling adjustments.Referto Tiresin theServicesectionof thismanualformore informationregardingtirepressure.

Front ToRear

Thefrontofthecuttingdeckissupportedbyastabilizerbarthatcanbeadjustedto levelthedeckfromfrontto rear.Thefrontofthedeckshouldbebetween1g-inch

andY8-inchlowerthantherearofthedeck.Adjustif necessaryasfollows:

1. Withthetractorparkedona firm, levelsurface,placetheleverforliftingthe platformonthesecondto thetop notch(secondhighestposition)androtate thebladeascloseaspossibletothedischargechannelthat isparalleltothe

tractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromthefrontof thebladetiptothegroundandthe rearofthebladetip totheground.Thefirst measurementtakenshould

bebetweenlg"and_8"lessthanthesecondmeasurement.Determine theapproximatedistancenecessaryfor properadjustmentandproceed,if

necessary,tothenextstep.

3. Locatetheflangelocknutonthefrontsideofthestabilizerbracket.See

Figure16.

Tightentheflangelocknutto raisethefrontofthedeck;

Loosentheflangelocknutto lowerthefrontofthedeck.

f__

,,_. J

Figure16

Sideto Side

Ifthecuttingdeckappearstobemowingunevenly,asidetosideadjustmentcanbe performed.Adjustifnecessaryasfollows:

1. Withthetractorparkedonafirm,levelsurface,placethedeckliftleverin thesecondfromthetopnotch(secondhighestposition)androtateboth bladessothattheyareperpendicularwith thetractor.

2. Measurethedistancefromtheoutsideoftheleftbladetipto theground andthedistancefromtheoutsideoftheright bladetip totheground.Both measurementstakenshouldbeequal.Ifthey'renot,proceedtothenext

step.

3. Loosen,but doNOTremove,the hexcapscrew onthe leftdeck hanger bracket.See Figure17.

4. Balancethe deckby usinga wrenchto turn the adjustment gear (found immediatelybehindthe hex capscrewjust loosened)dockwise/up or counterclockwise/down.Thedeck isproperlybalancedwhen both bladetip measurements taken earlierare equal.

Retightenthehexcapscrewontheleft deckhangerbracketwhenproper adjustmentisachieved.

Avoidpinchinginjuries.Neverplaceyourfingers onthe idlerspringor

betweenthe beltand apulleywhile removingthe belt.

Hex Cap Screw

Figure17

SeatAdjustment

RefertotheAssemblysectionofthismanualfor seatadjustmentinstructions.

Parking BrakeAdjustment

Neverattempt toadjustthe brakeswhilethe engineisrunning. Always disengagePTO(bladeengage)lever,moveshift leverintoneutralposition, stopengineandremovekeyto prevent unintendedstarting.

Ifthetractordoesnotcometoacompletestopwhenthe brakepedaliscompletely depressed,orifthetractor'srearwheelscanrollwiththeparkingbrakeapplied, thebrakeisinneedof adjustment.ContactthenearestSearsServiceCenterto have yourbrakesproperlyadjusted.

Tolocatethe nearestParts& RepairService(enter orto scheduleservice, contact1-800-659-5917.

Cutting DeckRemoval

Toremovethe cuttingdeck, proceedasfollows:

I. Placethe PTO(BladeEngage)leverinthe disengaged(OFF)positionand

engagethe parkingbrake.

2. Lowerthedeckbymovingthedecklift leverintothebottomnotchon the rightfender.

3. Removetheself-tappingscrewCA)thatsecuresthebelt-keeperrodfrom aroundthetractor'sPTOpulley,then removethebeltkeeperrod(B).See Figure18.

Note:Makeamentalnotewhatholetheotherendofthebelt-keeperrodis insertedinfor reinstallationpurposes.

4. Removethebelt(C)fromaroundthetractor'sPTOpulley.SeeFigure18.

Figure18

5. Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromtheleftsideofthetractor,locatethebow- tiepinthat securesthedecksupportrodon therearleftsideofthedeck.See

Figure19.Removethebow-tiepinthatsecuresthedecksupportrod,and

carefullyremovethedecksupportfromthedeckliftarm.

6. Repeattheabovestepsonthetractor'srightside. NOTE:Thebow-tieclipsshouldbere-installedfromthetopdown.

7. Movethedecklift leverintothetopnotchontheright fendertoraisethe decklift armsupandoutoftheway.

Bow-TieClip

Figure19

8. Removethebow-tiecotterpinsecuringthedeckstabilizerrodtothedeck. JUllIIpStarting

Slidethedecklift rodfromthemountingbracketon thedeckasshownin Figure20.

.........._y,_ _ ....................

i o

Figure20

CarefullyremovethePTOcablefromtherearofthecuttingdeckby removingthebow-tiecotterpinwhichsecuresit. Removethespringfrom thedeckidlerbracket.SeeFigure20.

10.

Gentlyslidethecuttingdeck(fromtheleft side)outfromunderneaththe tractor.

Tires

Neverjump start adamagedor frozen battery. Becertain the vehicles do not touch, and ignitions are off. Do not allow cableclampsto

touch.

1. Connectpositive(+) cableto positivepost(+)of yourtractor'sdischarged battery.

2. Connecttheotherendofthecabletothe(positive+)postofthejumper battery.

3. Connectthesecondcable(negative-) to theotherpostofthejumper battery.

4. Connecttheotherendofthenegativecabletotheengineblockofthe tractor,awayfromthebattery.Attachtoanunpaintedparttoassureagood

connection.

Ifthejumper batteryis installedona vehicle(i.e.car,truck),doNOTstart

the vehicle'senginewhenjumpstartingyourtractor.

5. Startthetractor(asinstructedearlierinthissectionof thismanual).

6. Setthetractor'sparkingbrakebeforeremovingthejumpercables,in reverse orderofconnection.

Charging

Batteries

awell ventilated areaand keepawayfrom anopen flame or pilot light [ asonawater heater,spaceheater,furnace, clothes dryer orother gas [

lapp ances. J

giveoff an explosive gaswhile charging. Chargethe battery in [

Neverexceedthe maximum inflation pressureshown on the sidewall of tire.

Therecommended operating tire pressureis:

Approximately10psifor thereartires Approximately14psifor thefronttires

IMPORTANT: Refertothetiresidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's recommendedormaximumpsi.Donotoverinflate.Uneventirepressurecould

causethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

Battery

CaliforniaProposition65WARNING!Batteryposts,terminals,andrelated accessoriescontainleadandleadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiatocausecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Ifremovingthe battery, disconnectthe NEGATIVE(Black)wirefrom its terminalfirst, followed bythe POSITIVE(Red)wire. Whenre-installing the battery,alwaysconnectthe POSITIVE(Red)wire toits terminal first, followedbythe NEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Whenchargingyourtractor'sbattery,useonlyachargerdesignedfor 12Vlead-

[acidbatteries.Readyourbatterycharger'sOwner'sManualpriortocharging [yourtractorsbattery.Alwaysfollow itsinstructionsandheeditswarnings.

Ifyourtractorhasnotbeenputintouseforanextendedperiodoftime,chargethe batteryasfollows:

1. Setyourbatterychargerto delivera maxof 10amperes.

2. Ifyourbatterychargerisautomatic,chargethebatteryuntilthecharger indicatesthatchargingiscomplete.If thechargerisnotautomatic,charge fornofewerthaneighthours.

Fuse

One20AMPfuseisinstalledinyourtractor'swiringharnesstoprotectthetractor's

electricalsystemfromdamagecausedbyexcessiveamperage.

Iftheelectricalsystemdoesnotfunction,oryourtractor'senginewillnotcrank,

firstcheckto becertainthatthefusehasnotblown.Itcanbefoundattherearof theunit,underneaththefenderlocatedbythebattery.

Alwaysuseafusewith thesameamperagecapacityfor replacement.

CuttingBlades

Shutthe engineoffand removeignitionkeybeforeremovingthe cutting blade(s)for sharpeningor replacement.Protectyour handsbyusingheavy

[g oveswhengraspngthe b ade.

Periodicallyinspectthe bladeand/orspindlefor cracksor damage,

Iespeciallyafter you'vestruckaforeign object. Donot operatethe machine [until damagedcomponentsarereplaced.

Toremovetheblades,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethedeckfrombeneaththetractor,(refertoCuttingDeckRemoval earlierinthissection)thengentlyflipthedeckoverto exposeitsunderside.

2. Placeablockofwoodbetweenthecenterdeckhousingbaffleandthe cuttingbladetoactasastabilizer.SeeFigure21.

3. Removethehexflangenutthatsecuresthe bladeto thespindleassembly.

HexFlangeNut

Ifthe cuttingedge ofthe bladehaspreviouslybeensharpened,orif any metalseparationispresent,replacethe bladeswith newones.

Apoorlybalancedbladewill causeexcessivevibration, maycausedamageto the tractor and/orresultin personalinjury.

5. Testtheblade'sbalanceusingabladebalancer.Grindmetalfromthe heavysideuntilit balancesevenly.

NOTE:Whenreplacingtheblade,besureto installthebladewith thesideofthe blademarked"Bottom" (orwitha partnumberstampedinit)facingtheground whenthemowerisintheoperatingposition.

Useatorquewrenchtotighten the bladespindlehexflange nut to between 70Ibs-ftand 90Ibs-ft.

Changingthe DeckBelt

Besureto shutthe engineoff, removeignitionkey,disconnectthe spark plugwire(s)andgroundagainstthe engineto prevent unintendedstarting beforeremovingthe belt.

Figure21

Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamountsofmetal frombothendsofthe bladesalongthecuttingedges,paralleltothetrailing edge,ata25°-to 30° angle.Alwaysgrindeachcuttingbladeedgeequallyto maintainproperbladebalance.SeeFigure22.

Figure22

All beltsonyourtractor aresubjectto wear andshouldbereplacedif any signsofwearare present.

IMPORTANT: TheV-beltfoundonyourtractorisspeciallydesignedto engage anddisengagesafely.Asubstitute(non-OEM)V-beltcanbedangerousbynot disengagingcompletely.Foraproperworkingmachine,useidenticalequipment beltsaslistedinthe partspagesof thisOperator'sManual.

Tochangeorreplacethedeckbeltonyourtractor,proceedasfollows:

Removethedeckasinstructedearlierinthissection.

1. Removethebeltcoversfromthespindlepulleysbyremovingthehexscrews thatfastenthecoversto thedeck.SeeFigure23.

2. Itmayalsobenecessaryto loosenthehexnutontheleft deckidlerpulleyto getthebeltoffthe pulleyandaroundthebeltguard.

3. Carefullyremovethedeckbeltfromaroundthetwospindlepulleysandthe twodeckidlerpulleys.SeeFigure23.

4. Toplacethenewbelt,beginbyroutingthebeltaroundthetwoouterspindle

pulleysasshownin Figure23.

5. Thenroutethe beltaroundthetwodeckidlerpulleysasshowninFigure23.

6. Retightenthe beltkeeperrodloosenedearlier.

7. Remountthe beltguardsremovedearlier.

8. Re-installthedeck,makingsurethebeltremainsroutedaroundthepulleys asinstructed.Thecompletebeltroutingisshownin Figure23.

9. Pulltherightsideofthebelt,andplacethenarrowVsideofthebeltintothe

PTOpulley.

10. Whileholdingthebeltandpulleytogether,rotatethepulleyto theleft. Continueholdingandrotatingthepulleyandbeltuntilthebeltisfully rolled intothePTOpulley.

ParkingBrakeAdjustment

Neverattempt toadjustthe brakeswhile theengineisrunning.Always disengagePTO(BladeEngageLever),moveshift [everintoneutralposition, stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Ifthetractordoesnotcometoacompletestopwhentheclutch-brakepedalis completelydepressed,orif thetractor'srearwheelscanrollwith theparkingbrake applied,thebrakeisinneedofadjustment.Contactthe nearestParts& Repair ServiceCenterto haveyourbrakesserviced.

Tolocate the nearestParts&RepairServiceCenterorto scheduleservice, contact1-800-659-5917.

(:hanging the TransmissionDrive Belt

NOTE:Several components must be removed and special tools (i.e. air/

impact wrench) in order to change the tractor's drive belt. Contact the nearest Parts & Repair Service Center to have your transmission

drive belt serviced.

Tolocatethe nearestParts& RepairService(:enteror to scheduleservice, contact1-800-659-5917.

Figure23

Neverstorelawn tractor with fuel in tank indoorsorin poorlyventilated areaswherefuel fumes mayreachanopen flame,spark,or pilot light ason afurnace,waterheater,clothesdryer,or gasappliance.

PreparingTheEngine

IM PORTANT: Fuelleft inthefueltankduringwarmweatherdeterioratesand

will causeseriousstartingproblems. Topreventgumdepositsfromforminginsidetheengine'scarburetorandcausing

possiblemalfunctionoftheengine,thefuelsystemmustbeeithercompletely emptied,orthegasolinemustbetreatedwithastabilizertopreventdeterioration.

I. Ifusingafuelstabilizer:

a. Readtheproductmanufacturer'sinstructionsandrecommendations. b. Addtoclean,freshgasolinethecorrectamountofstabilizerforthe

capacityofthefuelsystem.

c. Fillthefueltankwith treatedfuelandruntheenginefor2-3minutesto

getstabilizedfuelintothecarburetor.

2. Ifemptyingthefuelsystem: a. Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengineadequate

timetocool.Drainfuelintoanapprovedcontaineroutdoors,awayfrom openflame.

b. Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthe

fuellinefromthe in-linefuelfilter neartheengine.Seethecomplete instructionsforDrainingTheFuellaterin thissection.

Gasolineisextremelyflammableand canbeexplosiveundercertain conditions.Draingasolinebeforestoringthe equipment for extended

periods.Drainfuelonly intoan approvedcontaineroutdoors,awayfrom anopenflame. Allowengineto cool.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,pipes, andothersourcesof ignition prior to draining fuel. Storegasolinein an approvedcontainerinsafelocation.

DrainingTheFuel

1. Locatethefuelfilter,whichislocatedontheleftsideoftheengine,andmay beattachedtotheenginewith atiestrap.

2. Cutthetiestrap,if present,thenpinchthe in-lineclamponthefuelfilter with apairofpliers,slidetheclampupthefuelline.

3. Pullthefuellinefreefromthefilterandplacetheopenendof thelineinto anapprovedcontainerto drainthefuel.

PreparingThelawn tractor

Cleanandlubricatetractorthoroughlyasdescribedinthelubrication instructions.

2. Donotuseapressurewasherorgardenhoseto cleanyourunit.

3. Storemowerinadry,cleanarea.Donotstorenexttocorrosivematerials, suchasfertilizer.

c. Reconnectthefuellineandruntheengineuntilit startstofalter,then

usethechoketokeeptheenginerunninguntilall fuelinthecarburetor hasbeenexhausted.

d. Disconnectthefuellineanddrainanyremaininggasolinefromthe

system.

Gasolineisatoxicsubstance.Disposeofgasolineproperly.Contactyour localauthoritiesforapproveddisposalmethods.

3. Removethesparkplugandpourone(1)ounceofengineoil throughthespark plugholeintothecylinder.Crankthe engineseveraltimestodistributethe oil. Replacethesparkplug.

Enginefailstostart

1. PTO/BladeEngageleverengaged.

2. Parkingbrakenotengaged.

3. Sparkplugwire(s)disconnected.

4. Throttle/Chokecontrollevernotincorrect

4. PlaceThrottle/Chokeleverintothe FASTposition.

startingposition.

5. Chokenotactivated

6. Fueltankempty,orstalefuel.

7. Blockedfuel line.

8. Faultysparkplug(s).

9. Engineflooded.

10. BlownFuse(s)

Enginerunserratically

1. UnitrunningwithCHOKEactivated.

2. Sparkplugwire(s)loose.

3. Blockedfuel lineor stalefuel.

4. Ventingascap plugged.

4. Clearventorreplacecapifdamaged.

5. Wateror dirtin fuelsystem.

6. Dirtyair cleaner.

Engineoverheats 1. Engineoillevellow. 1.

2. Air flowrestricted. 2.

Enginehesitatesat high RPM 1. Sparkpluggaptoo close. 1. Engineidlesrough 1. Sparkplugfouled,faultyor gaptoowide. 1.

2. Dirtyair cleaner. 2.

Excessivevibration

1. Cuttingbladelooseor unbalanced.

2. Damagedorbent cuttingblade.

Mowerwillnot mulchgrass

1. Enginespeedtoolow.

2. Wetgrass.

3. Excessivelyhighgrass.

Unevencut

4. Dullblade.

1. Decknot leveledproperly.

4. Sharpenor replaceblade.

2. Dullblade.

3. Uneventire pressure.

1. Placeleverindisengaged(OFF)position.

2. Engageparkingbrake.

3. Connectwire(s)to sparkplug(s).

5. MovetheThrottle/Chokeleverintothe Choke position.

6. Filltankwithclean,fresh(lessthan30daysold)gas.

7. Replacethe fuellineandreplacefuelfilter.

8. Clean,adjustgapor replaceplug(s).

9. Crankenginewiththrottlein FASTposition.

10. ReplaceFuse(s)See"Fuse"in Serviceand Maintenancesection.

1. Deactivatethe CHOKE.

2. Connectsparkplugwire(s).

3. Replacethe fuelline;filltankwithclean,fresh gasolineandreplacefuelfilter.

5. Drainfueltank.Refillwithclean,freshgasoline.

6. Replaceair cleanerpaperelementorcleanfoam pre-cleaner,ifequipped.

Fillcrankcasewithproperamountandweightof oil. Cleangrassclippingsanddebrisfromaroundthe

engine'scoolingfinsandhousing. Removesparkplugandresetthegap.

Replacesparkplug.Setpluggap. Replaceair cleanerelementand/orcleanpre-

cleaner.

1. Tightenbladeandspindle.

2. Replaceblade.

1. Placethrottlein FAST(rabbit)position.

2. Donotmulchwhengrassiswet.

3. Mowonceat a highcuttingheight,thenmowagain atdesiredheightor makea narrowercuttingswath.

1. Performside-to-sidedeckadjustment.

2. Sharpenor replaceblade.

3. Checktirepressureinallfourtires.

NEED MORE HELP?

Find this and a[[ your other product manuals online. Get answers from our team of home experts.

Get a personalized maintenance ptan for your home. Find information and tools to help with home projects.

777X46404 777D18558

777D17036

777D15654

Ce.tersorcall1-800-366-PART(7278)ifyo.wanttilepart

i specmc tractor attachlnent_ lot yo.r Crattslnan

tractoravailableatSearsStoresandServiceCenlers. Seebelowfor otheru,i_e_al atladlmentsal_oavailahlem

Descr|_tjon Stock Ho.

BumperKit | 24011 WeightKit [ 24041

_.Weight | 24027 ,

777D15546

777X44950

777S30018

777123592

777[22454

777D17039

777X43688

DONOT

USE E85 OR FUEL

CONTAINING MORE

THAN 10% ETHANOL

777D18559

777S33818

777D15649

777123364

777123754

777125080

777X45529

W Ik ILIII i I:W: IL

II MTD CONSUMER GROUPINC.

This equipnlent meets U.S. EPAEVP

regulations for 2012 model year.

[EVP Family: CMTDPRHEQRC1

X45529

777D17042

777D17043

777X46245

MTD CONSUMER GROUPINC.

Thisequipmentmeets U.S. EPAEVP regulations for 2013 model year,

L X46245

777D15648

777S33896

BEFOREOPERATING.

+ 64 hidden pages