Craftsman 247.889330 User manual

Operator's Manuam
CRAFTSMAN°
10.5 Horse power
33-inch Wide Cut Mower
Model No. 247.889330
CAUTION: Before using
this product, read this
manual and follow aim
safety fumes and operating
o SAFETY
ASSEMBLY
OPERATION
MAINTENANCE
PARTS LISTS
ESPANOL R 40
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.
Visit our web site: www.craftsman.com FORMNO,769-02963
1/15/2007

CraftsmanTwoYearLimited Warranty
If thisCraftsmanproductfailsdueto adefectinmaterialorworkmanshipwithintwoyearsfromthedateofpurchase,returnittoanySearsstore,
SearsServiceCenter,orotherCraftsmanoutletintheUnitedStatesforfreerepair,
Thiswarrantydoesnotinclude:
Expendableitemswhichcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchasrotarymowerblades,bladeadapters,belts,air
cleaners,andsparkplug,
, Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuseor negligence,includingbentcrankshaftsandthefailuretooperateor maintaintheequip_
mentaccordingtoallsuppliedinstructions,
Thiswarrantyappliesforonly90 daysifthis productiseverusedforcommercialor rentalpurposes,
This warrantyappliesonlywhilethisproductis usedintheUnitedStates,
This warrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate,
Sears, Roebuckand Co.,Hoffman Estates,[L 60179
Repair Protection Agreements
Congratulationson makinga smartpurchase,YournewCraftsman®
productisdesignedand manufacturedforyearsofdependableopera=
fion,Butlikeallproducts,it mayrequirerepairfromtimetotime,That's
whenhavinga RepairProtectionAgreementcansaveyoumoneyand
aggravation,Here'swhat'sincludedintheAgreement:
• Expertservicebyour 12,000professionalrepairspecialists
= Unlimitedserviceand nochargefor partsand laboronall covered
repairs
= Productreplacementifyourcoveredproductcan't befixed
• Discountof 10%fromregularpriceofserviceandservice=related
partsnotcoveredbytheagreement;also,10%off regularpriceof
preventivemaintenancecheck
• Fasthelpbyphone- phonesupportfroma Searstechnicianon
productsrequiringin=homerepair,plusconvenientrepair
scheduling
Purchasea RepairProtectionAgreementnowandprotectyourself
fromunexpectedhassleandexpense,
OnceyoupurchasetheAgreement,a simplephonecallisallthat it
takesforyoutoscheduleservice,Youcancallanytimedayor night,or
schedulea serviceappointmentonline,
Searshasover12,000professionalrepairspecialists,whohave
accesstoover4,5millionqualitypartsandaccessories,That'sthe
kindof professionalismyoucancountontohelp prolongthelifeof
yournewpurchaseforyearstocome,PurchaseyourRepairProtection
Agreementtoday!
Some[imitations and exclusions apply. For prices and additional
informationca[[1-800-827-6655.
SearsInstallation Service
ForSearsprofessionalinstallationofhomeappliances,garagedoor
openers,waterheaters,and othermaiorhomeitems,intheU,S,A,call
1-800-4-MY-HOME®
HorsePower: 10,5
EngineOil: SAE30
Fuel: UnleadedGasoline
SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC
Engine: Briggs& StrattonPowerBuiltTM
©SearsBrands,LLC
Mode[Number
Serial Number
Dateof Purchase
Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,
anddateof purchaseabove,

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructions
which,ifnotfollowed,couldendangerthepersonal
safetyand/orpropertyofyourselfandothers,Read
andfollowallinstructionsinthismanualbefore
attemptingtooperatethismachine,Failuretocomplywiththese
instructionsmayresultinpersonaliniury,Whenyouseethissymbol,
HEEDITSWARNING!
YourResponsibility:Restricttheuseofthispowermachineto
personswhoread,understand,andfollowthewarningsandinstruc-
tionsinthismanualandonthemachine,
Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtotherulesfor
safeoperationinthismanual,Aswithanytypeofpowerequipment,
carelessnessorerroronthepartoftheoperatorcanresultinserious
iniury,Thismachineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetand
throwingobiects,Failuretoobservethefollowingsafetyinstructions
couldresultinseriousiniuryordeath,
EngineExhaust,someofitsconstituents,andcertainvehicle
componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateofCaliforniato
causecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm,
Tragicaccidentscan occurifoperatorisnotalerttopresenceofchildren.Chil-
drenareoftenattractedto mowerandmowingactivity.Theydonotunderstand
thedangers.Neverassumethatchildrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.
o Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaand underwatchfulcareof a
responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.
o Bealert andturnmoweroffif a childentersthe area.
o Beforeandwhile movingbackwards,lookbehindand downfor small
children.
o Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,
trees,orother objectsthat mayobscureyour visionofa childwhomay
runintothe mower.
o Keepchildrenawayfrom hotor runningengines.Theycansufferburns
fromahot muffler.
o Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsoldto operateapowermower.
Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadandunderstandoperation
instructionsand safetyrulesin thismanualandshouldbetrained and
supervisedbya parent.
GENERAL OPERATmON
Readthis operator'smanualcarefullyin its entiretybeforeattempting
toassemblethismachine.Read,understand,and followall instructions
onthe machineandinthe manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletely
familiarwiththe controlsandthe properuseofthismachinebefore
operatingit. Keepthis manualin a safeplaceforfuture andregular
referenceandfor orderingreplacementparts.
o Thismachineisa precisionpieceof powerequipment,not aplaything.
Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatalltimes.Yourunithasbeen
designedto performonejob:to mowgrass.Donotuseit foranyother
purpose.
o Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethismachine.
Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand understandthe instruc-
tionsinthis manualandshouldbetrainedand supervisedbya parent.
Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesof safe
operationshouldbeallowedto usethismachine.
o Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto beused.Remove
allstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeignobjectswhichcould
betrippedoveror pickedupand thrownbythe blade.Thrownobjects
cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpatternto avoid
dischargeofmaterialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.
Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmay
causedischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.
To helpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,stayinoperator
zonebehindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders,helpers,and petsat
least75feetfrom mowerwhile itis in operation.Stop machineif anyone
entersarea.
o Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperationandwhile
performingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.Thrownobjects
whichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.
o Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.
Shirtsandpantsthat coverthe armsand legsandsteel-toedshoes
arerecommended.Neveroperatethismachinein barefeet, sandals,
slipperyorlightweight(e.g.canvas)shoes.
,, Donotput handsor feet nearrotatingpartsor undercuttingdeck.
Contactwith bladecanamputatehandsandfeet.
o A missingor damageddischargecovercan causebladecontactor
thrownobjectinjuries.
o Manyinjuriesoccuras aresultofthe mowerbeingpulledoverthe foot
duringa fallcausedbyslippingortripping. Donot holdontothe mowerif
youarefalling;releasethe handleimmediately.
o Neverpull the mowerbacktowardyou whileyouarewalking.If youmust
backthe mowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirstlookdownand
behindtoavoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:
a.Step backfrom mowertofully extendyourarms.
b.Besureyouarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.
c. Pull backslowly,nomorethanhalfwaytowardsyou.
d.Repeatthesestepsas needed.
o Donotoperatethe mowerwhile underthe influenceof alcoholordrugs.
o Donotengagethe self-propelledmechanismonunitsso equippedwhile
startingengine.
o Thebladecontrolhandleisa safetydevice.Neverattemptto bypassits
operation.Doingso makesthe safetydeviceinoperativeandmayresult
in personalinjurythrough contactwiththe rotatingblade.Theblade
controlhandlemustoperateeasilyin bothdirectionsandautomatically
returntothe disengagedpositionwhenreleased.
o Neveroperatethe mowerinwet grass.Alwaysbesureof yourfooting. A
slip andfall cancauseseriouspersonalinjury. Ifyoufeelyouarelosing
yourfooting,releasethe bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe blade
will stoprotatingwithinthree seconds.
Mowonlyin daylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
o Stopthe blade whencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.

Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stoptheengineand
checkimmediatelyforthecause.Vibrationisgenerallyawarningof
trouble.
o Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladecomestoacompletestop
beforeremovingthegrasscatcheroruncloggingthechute.
Thecuttingbladecontinuestorotateforafewsecondsaftertheengine
isshutoff.Neverplaceanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntilyou
aresurethebladehasstoppedrotating.
o Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover,grass
catcher,bladecontrolhandle,orothersafetyprotectivedevicesinplace
andworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failure
todosocanresultinpersonalinjury.
o Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Donottouch.
o Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthismachinebymanufacturer.
Failuretodosocanresultinpersonalinjury.
o Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecareand
goodjudgment.ContactyourSearsServiceCenterforassistance.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedto slipandfall accidentswhichcan resultin
severeinjury'.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoufeeluneasyon
aslope,donotmowit.Foryoursafety,usethe slopegaugeincludedas part
ofthismanualtomeasureslopesbeforeoperatingthisunitona slopedor hilly
area.Ifthe slopeisgreaterthan15degrees,do notmowit.
Do:
o Mowacrossthe faceof slopes;neverupanddown.Exerciseextreme
cautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.
o Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcancause
youto slipor trip.Tallgrasscan hideobstacles.
o Alwaysbesureof yourfooting.A slipandfall cancauseseriouspersonal
injury.Ifyoufeelyouare losingyourbalance,releasethe bladecontrol
handleimmediately,andthebladewill stop rotatingwithin 3seconds.
Do Not:
o Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments,whereyoucould
loseyourfootingor balance.
o Donot mowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownonthe
slopegauge.
o Donot mowonwetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.
SERVICE
Safe Handling Of Gasoline:
o Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecarein
handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthe vaporsare
explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilledon
yourselfor yourclotheswhichcan ignite.
o Washyourskin andchangeclothesimmediately.
o Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
o Neverfill containersinsideavehicleor ona truck ortrailerbedwith a
plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson the groundawayfromyour
vehiclebeforefilling.
o Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailerandrefuelit on
theground.If thisisnot possible,thenrefuelsuchequipmentonatrailer
witha portablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.
o Keepthe nozzleincontactwith the rimofthe fueltankor container
openingatalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot useanozzle
lock-opendevice.
o Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources
ofignition.
o Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswillaccumulate
inthe area.
o Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhile engineishotor running.
Allowenginetocoolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.
o Neveroverfillfueltank. Filltank to nomorethan_ inchbelowbottom
offiller neckto provideforfuelexpansion.
o Replacegasolinecapand tightensecurely.
o Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offthe engineandequipment.Moveunit
to anotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestarting engine.
o Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainernearanopenflame,spark
or pilotlightasonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryer,
or othergasappliances.
o To reducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeof grass,leaves,orother
debrisbuild-up.Cleanupoilor fuelspillageand removeanyfuel
soakeddebris.
o Allowa mowertocoolatleast5minutesbeforestoring.
General Service:
o Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine
exhaustcontainscarbon monoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas.
o Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladeand
all movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplugwireand
groundagainsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.
o Checkthe bladeandenginemountingboltsat frequentintervals
for propertightness.Also,visually inspectbladefor damage(e.g.,
bent,cracked,worn)Replacebladewith theoriginalequipment
manufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listedin this manual.Use ofparts
whichdonot meetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceand compromisesafetyE"
o Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthe bladeorweargloves,
anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
o Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besurethe equipmentisin
safeworkingcondition.
o Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheir proper
operationregularly.
o Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthe spark
plug wireand groundagainstthe engine.Thoroughlyinspectthe
mowerfor anydamage.Repairthe damagebeforestartingand
operatingthe mower.
o Neverattemptto makea wheelor cuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe
engineis running.
o Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldare
subjecttowear anddamagewhichcould exposemovingpartsor
allowobjectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck
componentsandreplaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment
manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedin thismanual."Useofparts
whichdonot meetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto
improperperformanceand compromisesafetyE"
o Donotchangethe enginegovernorsettingor overspeedthe engine.
Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeedofthe
engine.
o Maintainor replacesafetylabels,asnecessary.
o Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.Improperdisposalof
fluidsand materialscanharmthe environment.
4

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6

WARNING
This symbol pointsout important safety instructions
which,if notfollowed,could endangerthe personal
safetyand/or property ofyourself and others. Readand
followall instructionsin this manual beforeattempting
tooperate this machine.Failuretocomply with these
instructionsmay result in personalinjury.Whenyou see
this symbol HEEDITS WARNING!
Your ResponsibiJity
Restrictthe useof this power machineto personswho
read, understand,and followthe warningsand instruc-
tionsin this manualand on the machine.
7

IMPORTANT:This unitisshippedwithoil intheengine,After
assembly,seepage12forfuelandoildetails,
IMPORTANT:Referencetorightor left sideofthemowerisobserved
fromtheoperatingposition,
Themowingdeckiscapableof throwingobiects,Failuretooperate
themowerwithoutthedischargechuteintheproperoperatingposi-
tioncouldresultin seriouspersonaliniuryand/orpropertydamage,
Disconnectthesparkplugwireand grounditagainsttheengineto
preventunintendedstarting,
LOOSE PARTS mNCARTON
Thefollowingitemsarepackagedin abag:
Operator'sManual,Oildrainhose,Waterhosecoupler
TOOLS NEEDED FOR ASSEMBLY
A setofadiustablewrenchesandtiregauge
REMOVmNG THE UNmT FROM THE CRATE
1, Cutstraps,if present,securingunittopallet,Leaveuniton pallet
duringassembly(tosafelyremoveunitfrompallet,waituntilyou
haveassembledthehandle),
2, Removeanyprotectivepackagingandplastictiestraps,
REMOVING THE CHUTE HOLDER
Thechuteholdermustbe removedand discardedbeforeoperating
themower,
1, Locatethechuteholderwhichsecuresthedischargechutein a
verticalposition,Figure1,
2, Pullchutebacktowardstheengine,Whileholdingthechutewith
onehand,removethechuteholderusingyourotherhand,
3, Carefullylowerthechuteagainstthedeckanddiscardthechute
holder,
ASSEMBLING THE HANDLE
1, Removelowerstar knobsandcarriagescrewsfromlowerhandle,
Figure2,
2, Pivotupperhandleintooperatingposition,Figure3,Be careful
notto bendor kinkthecanes whenpivotingthehandle,
3, Installcarriagescrewsandknobsremovedearlier,
4, Tightentheupperandlowerstarknobsandcarriagescrewsto
securetheupperhandletothe lowerhandle,Figure3,
f
f
8
Figure1
Figure2
Figure3

mNSTALLmNG THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER
1, Removethe5/16=18screwandthelocknutthat holdtheshift
levertotheshift leverplate,Figure4,
2, Removethe remainingscrewandnutfromthelowershiftlever
plate,Figure4,
3, Positiontheuppershiftleverintoa verticalpositionaligningthe
holesin thelevertotheholesintheshiftplate,Figure5,
4, Securethelevertotheplateusingthetwoscrewsandtwo nuts
removedearlier,Figure5,
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Rear Tire Pressure
Neverexceedthe maximuminflationpressureshownonthesidewall
oftire,
The recommendedoperatingreartirepressureisapproximately20
psiforthe reartires,Checkthetirepressureperiodicallyandmaintain
equalpressurein bothreartiresatalltimes,
IMPORTANT:Refertothetiresidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's
recommendedor maximumpsi,Donotoverinfiate,Uneventirepres=
surecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly,
f
Figure4
_f ""X
//
// //
,.. j
Figure5
9

GasCap
Throttb/Choke
ControlLever
DriveControl
Blade
Control
/-
JGearShiftLever
Figure6
Befamiliarwithall thecontrolsandtheirproperoperation,Know
howto stopthe machineanddisengagethecontrols,
Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultinforeignobiectsbeing
thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely,Always
wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,orwhileperforming
anyadiustmentsor repairson it,
Be surenooneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn
mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower,Neverrunengine
indoorsor inenclosed,poorlyventilatedareas,Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessand deadlygas,Keephands,
feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine
and lawnmower,
THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL LEVER
IMPORTANT:Whenoperatingthemowerwiththe
cuttingdeckengaged,becertainthatthethrottle/
chokecontrolleverisalwaysinthefastposition,
Thisleverisusedtoadiustenginespeeds,toapply
theenginechoke,andtostoptheengine,Always
runengineatfastspeedsettingforbestmower
performance,
Choke:Usewhenstartinga coldengine
Fast:Useduringmoweroperation,
Slow:Usewhenidlingengine,
Stop:Stopstheengine,
Choke Fast Slow/Idle EngineOff
DECK HEIGHT LEVER
Usethis levertoadiustthecuttingheight,Touse,move
thelevertotheleft,thenplacetheleverin thenotchbest
suitedforyourapplication,
GAS CAP
Removethegascaptoaddfueltothefueltank,
Useclean,fresh,regularunleadedgasolinewitha
minimumof85 octane,
Turntheengineoff andlettheenginecoolat bast two minutes
beforeremovingthegascap,
10

BLADE CONTROL
The bladecontrolis usedtoengagethe
mowerdeck,Toengagethiscontrol,
pressand holdtheleveragainstthe
handlebargrip,Tostoptheblades,
releasethebladecontrol,Always
disengagethebladecontrolbefore
startingtheengine,This helpstoensure
thatthebladeswillnotstartturningwhen
theenginestarts,
DRIVE CONTROL
Thedrivecontrolisusedtoengage
anddisengagedriveto thewheels,To
engagethiscontrol,squeezethedrive
controlagainstthehandlebargrip,To
stopthedrive,releasethedrivecontrol
IMPORTANT:Alwaysreleasethedrive
controlbeforechangingspeeds,
GEAR SHIFT LEVER
Usethis levertoselectanyoffourforwardgroundspeeds,neutral,or
reverse,
Forward
Therearefourforwardspeeds,Positionone (1)istheslowestand
positionfour(4)is thefastest,
Reverse
Toselectreverse,puttheleverintheReverse(R) position,
Neutral
Puttheleverin neutral(N)beforestartingthemower,to manuallypush
themower,andwhenthemowerisnotinuse,
Toavoiddamagingthetransmission,donotshiftgearswhenthe
mowerismoving,Releasedrivecontrolbeforeshiftinggears,
ENGmNE CONTROLS
RefertoFigure7 forlocationsoftheenginecontrols,
Recoil Starter
The recoilstarterisusedtopull=starttheengine,
Oil Drain Vamve
Usetheoildrainvalvetodrainoilfromtheengine,Refertothe
Maintenancesectionforinstructions,
Air Cleaner Handme
Theair cleanerhandleisusedtogainaccesstotheaircleaner,Theair
cleanercartridgecanbe removedandcleanedor replaced,Referto
theMaintenancesectionfordetails,
Ifcartridgeor coverareinstalledincorrectly,seriousiniuryor death
couldresultfrombackfire,Donotattempttostartyourenginewith
themremoved,
Spark Plug/Spark Plug Wire
RefertotheMaintenancesectionforinstructionson sparkplug
replacement,
Oil Cap/Dipstick
RefertotheMaintenancesectionforinstructionson checkingtheoil,
11
Lookbehindthemowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation,Stop
themowerbladesbeforeoperatingin reverse,
RecoilStarter
Oil Cap/_ Handle
Dipstick
Oil Drain
Valve Mufflerand SparkPlug
MufflerGuard
SparkPlug
Wire
Figure7 J

Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultinforeignobiectsbeing
thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely,Always
wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,orwhileperforming
anyadiustmentsor repairson it,
Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline,Gasolineisextremely
flammableandthevaporsareexplosive,Neverfuelmachineindoors
orwhiletheengineishotor running,Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,
pipes,andothersourcesof ignition,
GAS AND OIL FILL°UP
Gas Fill
acidsduringstorage,Acidicgascandamagethefuelsystemofan
enginewhilein storage,
Toavoidengineproblems,thefuelsystemshouldbeemptiedbefore
storagefor30 daysor longer,Drainthegastank,starttheengine
andbt itrununtilthefuellinesandcarburetorareempty,Use
freshfuelnextseason,SeeSTORAGEInstructionsforadditional
information,
ge mayoccur,
IMPORTANT:Themowerisshippedwithoutgasin thefueltank,
• Neverfillthefueltankcompletely,Fillthetanktonomorethan
1/2=inchbelowbottomof fillernecktoprovidespaceforfuel
expansion,
• Alwaysuseclean,fresh,unbadedgradeautomotivegasoline,
Fillthefueltankoutdoorsand usea funnelorspouttoprevent
spilling,Makesurethatthecontainerfromwhichyoupourthe
gasolineiscleanandfreefromrustorotherforeignparticles,
Makesuretowipeoffanyspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine,
• Attheendofthejob,emptythefueltank ifthemowerisnot
goingto beusedfor30 daysor longer,Storegasolineina cban
containerandkeepthecapin placeon thecontainer,SeeSTOR=
AGEinstructionsforadditionalinformation,
Besureno oneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn I
mowerwhilestartingengineor operatingmower,Neverrunengine l
indoorsor inenclosed,poorlyventilatedareas,Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,anodorbss anddeadlygas, Keephands,I
feet,hair,andlooseclothingawayfromanymovingparts
Oil Fill
IMPORTANT:Themowerisshippedwithmotoroil intheengine;
however,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating,Oil shouldbe
changedonceafterthefirsttwohoursofoperationandevery25hours
ofoperationthereafter,Usethegradeofengineoil specifiedinthe
Maintenancesection,
1, Removetheoilfill cap/dipstickfromtheoilfilltube,
2, Checkthatthelevelofoil isuptothe FULLmarkon thedipstick,
Ifneeded,pouroil slowlyintotheoilfill tubeuntila FULLoil level
isachieved,
3, Replacetheoilfillcap/dipstick,
STARTmNG THE MOWER
1, Rebaseallcontrolsonthemowertopreventwheelsor blades
fromrotating,
2, Movegearshiftlevertoneutral(N)position,
3, Movethethrottb/chokecontrolleverfullyupwardtochokesetting
I_1 tostarta coldengineorto fast(rabbit)setting_11 tostarta
warmengine,
4, Tostartengineusingrecoilstarter:
a, Standon bft side(asviewedfrombehindhandbbars)ofma-
chine,Besureyourfeetaresafelyawayfromtheunderside
ofthemowerdeckandall mowercontrolsarereleased,
b, Graspstarterropehandb andpullslowlyuntilropepulls
slightlyharder,Letroperewindslowly,Thenpullropewitha
rapid,fullarmstroke,Letropereturnslowly,Ifenginefailsto
startafterthreepulls,repeatinstructions(trysettingthrottle
atfastsetting),
c, Whenenginestarts,operateinfastthrottlesetting_1_
(movethrottle/chokecontrolbverfromchokesettingtofast
setting),
Lookbehindthemowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation,Stop
themowerbladesbeforeoperatingin reverse,
Ifyoustrikea foreignobiect,stoptheengine,Removewirefromthe
sparkplug,thoroughlyinspectmowerforanydamage,andrepair
damagebeforerestartingandoperating,Extensivevibrationof
mowerduringoperationisanindicationofdamage,Theunitshould
bepromptlyinspectedandrepaired,
12

Lookbehindthemowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation.Stop
themowerbladesbeforeoperatinginreverse.
USmNG THE MOWER
IMPORTANT:Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechanging
speeds.Referto"KnowyourMower"sectionformowercontroldetails.
Besurelawnischar ofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobiectswhich
coulddamagelawnmowerorengine.Suchobiectscouldbeaccidently
thrownbythemowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonaliniury
totheoperatorandothers.Forbestresults,do notcutwetgrassand
nevercut off morethanone=thirdofthetotalbngth ofthegrass.
1. Oncetheengineis running,slowlysqueezethedrivecontrol
againsttheupperhandleto propelthe unit.Toactivatethecutting
blades,squeezethebladecontrolagainsttheupperhandle.
2. Tochangegears,releasethedrivecontrolbverand movethe
gearshiftlevertothedesiredsetting.Whenfirstpracticingwith
themower,puttheleverin No.1 position.Sebct forwardspeeds
accordingtomowingconditionsandterrain.Useslowerspeeds
on roughterrainor whengrassisheavyor thick.Theforward
speedcanbe increasedonsmoothterrainorifthegrasscoveris
light.Mow thewheelsto stopcompbtelybeforeshiftingfromone
speedintoanother.
iMPORTANT:Beawarethatwhenengagingthedrivecontrolleverwith
thegearshiftbver in 3rdor 4thgear,thepowerandtorquegenerated
maycausetheunitto lurchforward.Toavoidthis,slowlysqueezethe
drivecontrolleveragainsttheupperhandb.
3. Tostoptheblades,rebasethebladecontrol.Tostopthedrive
controltothewheels,releasethedrivecontrol.
STOPPING THE MOWER
1. Releasebladeanddrivecontroltostopwheelsanddeck blades.
2. Movethrottle/chokecontrolleverdowntoslow(turtb)
position.Wheneverpossible,graduallyreduceenginespeed
beforestoppingengine.
3. Movethrottle/chokecontrolbver allthewaydowntostop
position.
4. Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplugandgroundagainst
theengine.
MOVmNG THE MOWER WITHOUT
ENGmNE POWER
The mowercanbe manuallypushedor pulledbyplacingthegearshift
leverintoN (neutral)positionandpressingthedrivecontrolagainstthe
handlebargrip.
MULCHING OR SmDE-DISCHARGE MOWmNG
Youcan usethemowereitherasa mulchingmowerorasa side=
dischargemower.Tousethemulchingfeature,insertthemulchplug
asdescribedbelow.Removethemulchplugtoside=dischargegrass
clippings.
Themulchplugisdesignedto keepthedischargechuteraisedup
whilemowing.Whentheplugisremoved,thedischargechutewill
loweritselfforside=dischargemowing.
Beforeinstallingorremovingmulchplug,stopengine,waitforparts
to stopmoving,anddisconnectsparkplugwire.
Toinstallor removemulchplug:
1. Stoptheengineandwaitforall partstostopmoving.
2. Disconnectthespark plugwirefromthesparkplug.
3. Toinstallthemulchplug,inserttheright=sidetab(A) oftheplug
intothebracketonthedeck,Figure8.
4. Insertthecoverintothedischargeopening(B), Figure8.
5. Afterthemulchplughasbeenplacedintothedeckopening,push
theplugtowardstherearofthemower(C)tofit theplugproperly
intotheopening,Figure8.
6. Toremovetheplug,slidethecoverto theright(frontof mower)to
disengagetheslotfromthemowerdeckandthenprythe left=side
ofthecoveroutandoff.
f
Figure8
Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningof thecutting
deck.
13

Alwaysstopengine,disconnectsparkplug,andgroundagainst
enginebeforeperforminganytypeof maintenanceon themower,
GENERAL RECOMMENDATmONS
Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganytypeof
maintenanceon themower,
• Thewarrantyon thislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathave
beensubiectedtooperatorabuseor negligence,Toreceivefull
valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintainthelawnmoweras
instructedin thismanual
• Changingof engine-governedspeedwillvoidenginewarranty,
• Alladiustmentsshouldbecheckedat leastonceeachseason,
, Periodicallycheckall fastenersand makesuretheyaretight,
2,
3,
f Electrode
ENGmNE MAINTENANCE
Checking the Spark Plug
Cleansparkplugandresettheelectrodegapto0,030"atleastoncea
season;replaceevery100hoursofoperation,
1, Cleanareaaroundthesparkplugbase,Donotsandblastspark
plug,Sparkplugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushing
andwashingwitha commercialsolvent
Removeandinspectthesparkplug,Checkgapto makesureitis
setat,030",SeeFigure9,
Replacethesparkplugifelectrodesarepitted,burned,or the
porcelainiscracked,
Porcelain
Servicing the Air Cleaner
If filters,or coversarenotinstalledcorrectlyseriousiniuryordeath
couldresultfrombackfire,Donotattempttostarttheenginewith
themremoved,
Donotusepressurizedairor solventstocleantheaircleaner
cartridge,
Cleanor replacetheaircleanerevery25 hoursofoperation,
1, Pulluponair cleanerhandle,Figure10,and pullbacktowardsthe
engine,
2, Removetheaircleanercover,Figure10,
3, Carefullyremoveair cleanercartridgeand pre-cleaner(if
equipped)fromthe blowerhousing,
4, Cleanthebaseoftheaircleanercartridgecarefullytoprevent
debrisfromenteringtheengine,
5, Placethepre-cleaner,if equipped,and cartridgebackintothe
blowerhousing,ThecarNdgemustbe placedsecurelyinto
position,
6, Aligntabsoncoverwithslotsin blowerhousingand replacethe
cover,
f-
AirCleanerCover _-Air Cleaner Cartridge
\
AirCleanerHandle
Figure10 J
14

Changing the Engine Oim
Theoil intheengineshouldbe changedevery25 hoursofoperation,
1, Togainaccesstotheoil drainvalveontheengine,theright
handlebracetubeshouldbe pivotedforward,
a, Removetheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewon theright
sideofthe handle,Figure11,
b, Pivotthebracetubetowardsthefrontofthemowertoallow
roomtoconnecttheoil drainhosetotheoil drainvalve,
Figure11,
2, Popofftheprotectivecapontheendoftheoil drainvalveto
exposethedrain port,Figure12,
3, Removetheoil fillcap/dipstickfromtheoil filltube,Figure12,
4, Pushtheoildrainhose(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoil
drainport,Routetheoppositeendofthehoseintoanappropriate
oilcollectioncontainerwitha capacitygreatenoughto collectthe
usedoil,
5, Releasethevalvebyrotatingtheoil drainvalvecounterclockwise
andpulling,Theoilwillbegintodrainoutoftheengine,
6, Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pushtheoil drainvalvebackin,
rotateit clockwisetolockthevalveclosed,removethehose,and
re-captheendoftheoildrainvalveto keepdebrisfromentering
thedrainport,
7, Refilltheenginewith newmotoroil untiltheoil levelonthe
dipstickreadsFULL,Replacetheoil fillcap/dipstick,
8, Pivottherighthandlebracetubebackintoposition,Alignthe
middleholeinthebracetubewiththe holein thehandle,Secure
withthestarknobandcarriagescrewremovedearlier,
Onlyusehighqualitydetergentoil ratedwithAPIserviceclassification
SForSG,Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingtoyour
expectedoperatingtemperature,Figure13,Althoughmulti-viscosity
oils(5W30,10W30etc,)improvestartingin coldweather,thesemulti-
viscosityoilswillresultin increasedoilconsumptionwhenusedabove
32°RCheckyourengineoil levelmorefrequentlytoavoidpossible
enginedamagefromrunninglowon oil
f
f
DrainValve
"\\
Figure11
Protective
DrainCaD
OilDrainHose
J
Figure12
J
J
fColder _ 2°F Warmer
SAE30
Oil Viscosit, Chart
Figure 13 1
15

Beforeperforminganytypeof maintenanceonthe machine,waitfor
all partstostopmovinganddisconnectthesparkplugwire,Failure
tofollowthisinstructioncouldresultin personaliniuryor property
damage,
REMOVING THE BELT COVER
Thebeltcovermustberemovedtoperformseveralmaintenanceand
serviceprocedures,Followtheinstructionsbelowtoremovethebelt
cover,
1, Stopengine,waitforall partstostopmoving,anddisconnect
sparkplugwire,
2, Removethethreescrewsandwashersholdingthecoverto the
frame,Figure14,
3, Removethebeltcover,
4, Toreinstallthebeltcover,placethecoverinpositionandfasten
usingthreescrewsandwashersremovedearlier,
Donotoperateunitwithoutbeltcoverinstalled,Failuretofollowthis
instructioncouldresultin personaliniuryor propertydamage,
I
i
/
Figure14
REMOVING THE MOWER DECK
Whenservicingthe undersideofthemowerdeckforanyreason,the
cuttingdeckshouldfirstberemoved,Followtheinstructionsbelowto
removethecuttingdeck:
1, Stoptheengine,waitfor allpartstostopmoving,anddisconnect
sparkplugwire,
2, Releaseall mowercontrols,
3, Removebeltcoverasinstructedunder"'Removingthe
BeltCover,"
4, Usethedeckheightlevertomovethecuttingdeckto its
highestposition,
5, Placesmallwoodenblocksunderthedeck,
6, Usethedeckheightlevertolowerthedecksothatit restsupon
thewoodenblocks,
7, Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromtheleftsideofthemower,locate
thehairpinclipthatsecuresthedecksupportrodon therearleft
sideofthedeck,Figure15,
8, Removethehairpinclipthatsecuresthesupportrod,andcare-
fully removethedecksupportfromthedeck liftarm,Figure15,
9, Repeatsteps7 and8 onthemower'srightside,Whencomplete,
all fourhairpinclipsshouldbe removed,
10, Pushthecuttingdecktotheleftto unhooktheliftassemblyfrom
thedeck,
11, Usethedeckheightlevertoraisethecuttingdeckto its highest
position,
12, Removethewoodenblocksfromunderthedeck,
13, Removethedrivebeltasinstructedunder"ReplacingtheDrive
Belt"instructions,
14, Slidethecuttingdecktowardstherearof theunit,
15, Unhookthedrivespringcane fromtheidlerarmassembly,
Figure16,
16, Removethecuttingdeck,
17, Toinstallthecuttingdeck,followtheabovestepsin reverseorder,
Figure15 16 Figure16

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenanceonthemachine,waitfor
allpartstostopmovinganddisconnectthesparkplugwire,Failure
tofollowthisinstructioncouldresultinpersonaliniuryorproperty
damage,
LUBRICATmON
Pivot Points & Linkage
Lubricateall thephzotpointsonthedrivesystemandlift linkageat
bast oncea season,or 25hoursofoperation,withlightoil,
Rear Wheels
The rearwheelsshouldbe removedfromtheaxlesoncea season,
Lubricatetheaxlesandtherimswellwithanall=purposegreasebefore
reinstallingthem,
Front Wheel Bearings
Greasefittingsarelocatedoneachcasterwheelandontheframe
aboveeachfrontcasterwheel,Figure17,Lubricatetheseareasusing
a greasegunafterevery50hoursofmoweroperation,
Tolubricateacasterwheelbearing,rotatethewheelsothatthegrease
fittingis inalignmentwiththenotchinthebracket,Figure17- doing
thiswillallowroomtoconnectthegreaseguncoupbrontothegrease
fitting,Youwillnotneedtousethegreasefittingon theoppositeside
ofthewheel,
CLEANmNG THE ENGmNE AND DECK
Anyfueloroil spilledonthemachineshouldbewipedoff promptly,Do
notallowdebristoaccumulatearoundanycomponentsonthe mower,
Cmeaning the Engine
Enginepartsshouldbe keptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheating
andignitionofdebris,Thisisespeciallyimportantifcuttingtallgrass,
Cleaning the Cutting Deck
DeckWashSystemTM
UsetheDeckWashSystemTM to rinsegrassclippingsfromtheunder-
sideof thedeckandto preventthebuildupofcorrosivechemicab,
1, Threadthehosecoupbr (packagedina bagwiththeOperator's
Manual)ontotheendofyourgardenhose,Figure18,
2, Attachthehoseandcoupbrtothewaterportonthedeck
surface,Figure18,
3, Turnthewateron,
4, Pointthedischargechuteawayfromanyobiectsor persons,
5, Startthemowerandengagethe blades(pressandholdtheblade
controlagainstthehandlebargrip)fora minimumoftwo minutes,
Donotengagethedrivecontrol,
6, Whencomplete,disengagethebladecontrol(releasetheblade
control)andturntheengineoff,
7, Turnthewateroff anddetachthehosecoupbr fromthewater
port,
17
Donotusea pressurewashertocban themower,it maycause
damagetoebctrbal components,spindles,pulleys,bearings,orthe
engine,
\\\
Grease
fittingon
wheel
/
Figure17
Aligngreasefittingwith
notchin wheelbracket
J
f
GardenHosei_
HoseCoupler
\
/WaterPort
Figure18 J

Neverexceedthemaximuminflationpressureshownon thesidewall
oftire,
REAR TmRE PRESSURE
Therecommendedoperatingreartirepressureisapproximately20
psiforthereartires,Checkthetirepressureperiodicallyandmaintain
equalpressurein bothreartiresat alltimes,
IMPORTANT:Refertothetiresidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's
recommendedor maximumpsi,Donotoverinflate,Uneventirepres-
surecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly,
REPLACmNG THE TRAIUNG SHIELD
1, Bend(bow)thetrailingshieldinwardoneachsidetoreleasetabs
fromtheholesinthemowerframe,Figure19,
2, Replacewith newtrailingshieldbybendingtheshieldtoallow
eachtabtofit intoholesinmowerframe,
,f ....... i _ -'X
. _ ,_ i_ i
\'\ \
/
/f
iii 4:•
: ! _J
Figure19
18

SERVmCmNGTHE CUTTmNGBLADES
Be suretoshuttheengineoffanddisconnectthesparkplugwire
andgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintendedstartingbefore
removingthecuttingblade(s)forsharpeningor replacement,Protect
yourhandsbyusingheavyglovesor a ragtograspthecuttingblade,
Periodicallyinspectthebladespindlesforcracksor damage,espe=
ciallyifyoustrikea foreignobiect,Replaceimmediatelyifdamaged,
Mowerbladesaresharp,Whenworkingnearblades,wearheavy
leatherglovesor wrapbladesinthickragstoprotectyourselffrom
thesharpedges,
Blade Removal
1, Removethedeckfrombeneaththemowerandgentlyflipthe
deckovertoexposeits underside,Referto"RemovingtheMower
Deck"forinstructions,
2, Placea 2x4blockofwoodapproximately8,5"longbetweenthe
deckhousingandthecuttingbladetoact asastabilizer,
Figure20,
3, Removethe hexflangenutthat securesthebladetothespindle
assembly,Figure20,
Bmade Sharpening
IMPORTANT:Ifanymetalseparationispresent,replacetheblades
withnewones,
1, Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamounts
ofmetalfrombothendsofthebladesalongthecuttingedges,
paralleltothetrailingedge,ata 25°to30° angle,Figure21,
a, It isimportantthateachcuttingbladeedgebeground
equallyto maintainproperbladebalance,A poorlybalanced
bladewillcauseexcessivevibrationand maycausedamage
tothemowerandresultin personaliniury,Thebladecanbe
testedbybalancingiton a roundshaftscrewdriver,Grind
metalfromtheheavysideuntilit balancesevenly,
Blade Installation
1, Wheninstallinga blade,placethesideofthebladewitha part
numberstampedin itfacingthegroundwhenthe mowerisin the
operatingposition,
2, Useatorquewrenchtotightenthespindleflangenutto between
70=90foot=pounds,
f
f
Removeflangenuttoreleaseblade
\
Useblockofwoodto stabilizeblade.
Figure20
\\\
Figure21
-m
J
J
19

REPLACmNGBELTS
between beltsandpulleys.
Themowerusesthreebelts:1)drivebelt,2) deckengagementbelt,
3) bladetimingbelt.Beforereplacinga belt,observehowthebelt
isroutedaroundthepulleysand bracketstohelpwheninstallinga
replacement.
IMPORTANT:Thebeltsonthe mowerarespeciallydesignedto
engageanddisengagesafely.Fora properworkingmachine,use
factoryapprovedbelts.
Replacing the Drive Belt
1. Stopengine,waitforall partstostopmoving,anddisconnect
sparkplugwire.
2. Releaseall mowercontrols.
3. Removebeltcoveras instructedearlierin thissection.
4. Loosenbeltkeeper(A).Thebeltkeeperisattachedtothe
undersideofthemowerframe,Figure22.
5. Loosentheidlerpulley(B)by looseningboltandnut,Figure22.
6. Removebelt(C)fromaroundpulleys,Figure22.
7. Routenewbeltaroundthepulleysmakingsuretotightennuts,
bolts,andbeltkeeper.
8. Replacethebeltcover.
Replacing the Deck Engagement Belt
1. Stopengine,waitforallpartstostopmoving,anddisconnect
sparkplugwire.
2. Releaseall mowercontrols.
3. Removebeltcoverasinstructedearlierinthissection.
4. Loosentheboltandnutholdingbeltkeeperrodto frame,
Figure23.
5. Loosenidlerpulley(A)bylooseningthenutandbolt,Figure24.
6. Loosenidlerpulley(B)bylooseningnut,Figure24.
7. Removebelt(C)fromaroundpulleys,Figure24.
8. Routenewbeltaroundthe pulleysmakingsuretotightennuts,
bolts,and beltkeeper.
9. Replacethebeltcover.
\
0
Figure22 Figure24