Craftsman 944.367150 User manual

WAim
CRRFT5MRN
®
MODEL NUMBER 944.367150 owners manual
8
• Assembly
• Operation
• Customer
Responsibilities
• Service
• Adjustments
• Repair Parts
Caution:
Read and Follow
all Safety Rules
and Instructions
Before Operating
This Equipment
158387 02.08.97 VBL
Printed in U.S.A.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

A SAFETY RULES a
Safe Operation Practices for Walk-Behind Mowers m%
IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS ANDFEET ANDTHROWING OBJECTS.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJURY. YOUR UNIT IS
EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROLS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
TRAINING:
Read this operator's manual carefully. Become familiar with
the controlsand knowhowto operate yourmower properly.
Learn how to quickly stop mower.
Donot allowchildrento use your mower. Neverallowadults
to use mower without proper instructions.
Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially
small children and pets.
Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as de
scribed in this manual.
Donot operate mowerifithas been dropped or damaged in
any manner. Always have damage repaired before using
your mower.
Donot use accessoryattachmentsthat are notrecommended
by the manufacturer. Use of such attachments may be
hazardous.
The blade turns when the engine is running.
PREPARATION:
Alwaysthoroughly check the area to be mowed and clearitof
all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects.
These objects will be thrown by the blade and can cause
severe injury.
Always wear safety glassesor eye shields whenstartingand
while using your mower.
Dress properly. Do not operate mower when barefoot or
wearing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes with good
traction when mowing.
Check fuel tank before starting engine. Do not fill gas tank
indoors,when the engineis runningorwhen the engine ishot.
Allow the engine to coolforseveral minutes before filling the
gas tank. Clean offany spilled gasoline before startingthe
engine.
Always make wheel heightadjustments beforestartingyour
mower. Never attemptto do this whilethe engine is running.
Mowonly in daylight or good artificial light.
OPERATION:
Keep your eyes and mindon your mowerand the area being
cut. Do not let other interests distract you.
Do not mow wet or slippery grass. Never run whileoperating
your mower. Always be sure ofyour footing - keep a firmhold
on the handles and walk.
Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating parts. Keep
clear of the discharge opening at all times.
Alwaysstop the engine wheneveryou leave or are not using
your mower, or beforecrossing driveways, walks, roads, and
any gravel-covered areas.
Never direct discharge of material toward bystanders nor
allowanyone near the mower while you are operating it.
Beforecleaning, inspecting, or repairingyourmower,stop the
engine and make absolutely sure the blade and all moving
parts havestopped. Thendisconnectthe sparkplugwireand
keep it away from the spark plug to prevent accidental
starting.
Donotcontinue to runyour mower ifyou hita foreignobject.
Follow the procedure outlined above, then repair any dam
age before restarting and operating you mower.
Do not change the governor settings or overspeed the
engine. Engine damage or personal injury may result.
Do not operateyour mower ifitvibrates abnormally. Exces
sive vibration is an indication of damage; stop the engine,
safelycheck forthe cause ofvibrationand repair as required.
Donot run the engine indoors. Exhaust fumes are danger
ous.
Never cut grass by pulling the mower towards you. Mow
across the face of slopes, never up and down or you might
loseyour footing. Donotmowexcessively steep slopes. Use
caution when operatingthe moweron uneventerrain orwhen
changing directions - maintain good footing.
• Never operate your mower without proper guards, plates,
grass catcheror othersafety devices in place.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:
• Check the blade and the engine mounting bolts often to be
sure they are tightened properly.
• Check ail bolts, nuts and screws at frequent intervals for
proper tightness to be sure mower is in safe workingcondi
tion.
• Keep all safety devices in place and working.
• To reduce firehazard, keep the engine free ofgrass, leaves
or excessive grease and oil.
•
Check grass catcher often for deterioration and wear and
replace worn bags. Use only replacement bags that are
recommended by and comply with specifications of the
manufacturer of your mower.
• Always keep a
sharp blade on your mower.
• Allow engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
• Never store mower with fuel in the tank inside a building
where fumes may reach an
open flame or an ignitionsource
such as a hot waterheater, space heater, clothes dryer, etc.
A
A
Look for this symbol to point out im
portant safety precautions. It means
CAUTION!!! BECOME ALERT!!! YOUR
SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
CAUTION: Always disconnect spark
plug wire and place wire where it can
not contact spark plug in order to pre
vent accidental starting when setting
up, transporting, adjusting or making
repairs.

CONGRATULATIONS onyour purchaseofa Sears Lawn
Mower. Ithas been designed, engineered and manufac
tured to give you the best possible dependability and
performance.
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily
remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized
Service Center/Department. We have competent, well-
trained techniciansandthepropertoolstoserviceor repair
this lawn mower.
Please read and retain this manual. The instructions will
enable you to assemble and maintain your lawn mower
properly. Always observe the "SAFETY RULES".
MODEL
NUMBER
SERIAL
NUMBER
944.367150
fartiM
DATE OF PURCHASE / feftril^ Ml
THE MODELAND SERIAL NUMBERS WILLBE FOUND
ON A DECAL ATTACHED TO THE REAR OF THE
LAWN MOWER HOUSING
YOUSHOULD RECORD BOTHSERIAL NUMBERAND
DATE OF PURCHASE AND KEEP IN A SAFE PLACE
FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
HORSEPOWER:
5.0
DISPLACEMENT:
11.5CU. IN.
GASOLINE CAPACITY
AND TYPE:
1.5 QUARTS
UNLEADED REGULAR
OILTYPE (API-SF/SG): SAE 30
(ABOVE 32°F)
SAE 5W-30 (BELOW 32°F)
OIL CAPACITY:
20 OZS.
SPARK PLUG:
(GAP: .030")
CHAMPION RJ19LM
VALVE CLEARANCE:
INTAKE: .008
EXHAUST: .008
SOLID STATE IGNITION
AIR GAP:
.0125 IN.
BLADE BOLT TORQUE:
35-40 FT. LBS.
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
ASears Maintenance Agreement is available on this product. Contact your nearest Sears store for details.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
•Read and observe the safety rules.
• Follow a regular schedule in maintaining, caring for and using your lawn mower.
• Follow the instructions under "Customer Responsibilities" and "Storage" sectionsof this owner's manual.
LIMITED TWO (2) YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER
For Two (2) years from date of purchase Sears Canada, Inc. will repair or replace at Sears option free of charge parts which are
defective as a resultofmaterial or workmanship.
COMMERCIAL OR RENTAL USE:
Warranty on Power Mower (Gas) will be ninety (90) days from djrte of purchase if used for commercial or rental purposes.
This Warranty does NOT cover:
1. Pre-delivery set-up.
2. Expendable items which become worn during normal use, suchas rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts,
filters and spark plugs.
3. Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to
operate and maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the Owner's Manual.
Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman Power Mower to the nearest Sears Sen/ice Centre/Department in
Canada.This warranty applies only while this product isinuse inCanada.
This warranty is in addition to any statutory warranty and does not exclude or limit legal rights you may have but shall run
concurrently with applicable provincial legislation. Furthermore, some provinces do NOT allow limitation on how long an implied
warranty will lastso the above limitations maynot apply to you.
SEARS CANADA, INC., TORONTO, ONTARIO M5B 2B8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY RULES 2
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS 3
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES 3,10-12
WARRANTY 3
ASSEMBLY 5
OPERATION 7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE 10
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 13
STORAGE 14
TROUBLESHOOTING 15
REPAIR PARTS - LAWN MOWER 16-17
REPAIR PARTS - ENGINE 18-20
PARTS ORDERING/SERVICE 22
INDEX
A
Adjustments:
Carburetor 13
Engine Speed 13
Handle Height 13
Height of Cut 8
Air Filter:
Replacement 12
Service 12
Assembly 5
B
Blade:
Sharpening 11
Replacement 11
C
Controls:
Engine Zone Control 7
Engine Speed Control 8
Operator Presence
Control Bar 8
Customer Responsibilities... 3,10-12
Air Filter 12
Blade Care/Replacement 11
Engine 12
Lubrication 12
Spark Plug 12
Cutting Levels 8
E
Engine:
Air Filter 12
Oil Change 12
Oil Level 12
Oil Type 12
Starting 9
Stopping 9
Storage 14
F
Fuel:
Capacity 3
Storage 14
Type 8
H
Handle Adjustment:
Assembly 5
Cutting Height 14
L
Lubrication:
Engine 12
Lawn Mower 10
M
Maintenance Agreement 3
Maintenance Schedule 10
Mowing Tips 9
O
Oil:
Engine 12
Storage 14
Operation:
Engine Control 7
Grass Catcher 11
Mower 7
Operator Presence
Control Bar 7
R
Repair Parts:
Engine 18-20
Lawn Mower 16-17
Responsibilities, Customer.. 3,10-12
S
Safety Rules 2
Service
and Adjustments 13
Carburetor 13
Engine Speed 13
Handle 14
Spark Plug 12
Specifications 3
Speed Control:
Engine 13
Starting the Engine 9
Stopping the Engine 9
Storage 14
T
Trouble Shooting Chart 15
W
Warranty 3

ASSEMBLY
Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety
beforeyouattempt to assemble or operate your new lawn
mower. Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the
factory with the exception ofthose parts leftunassembled
for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and properopera
tion of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you
assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct
tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness. All parts
such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete
the assembly have been placed inthe parts bag.
TO REMOVE LAWN MOWER FROM
CARTON
• Remove loose parts included with mower.
• Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end
panel down flat.
• Remove all packing materials except padding be
tween upper and lower handle and padding holding
operator presence control bar to upper handle.
•Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton
thoroughly for additional loose parts.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOWER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE (See Fig. 1)
IMPORTANT: UNFOLD HANDLE CAREFULLY SO AS
NOT TO PINCH OR DAMAGE CONTROL CABLES.
• Raise handles until lower handle section locks into
place in mowing position.
• Raise upper handle section intoplace on lowerhandle,
remove protective padding and tighten both handle
knobs.
• Remove handle padding holding operator presence
control bar to upper handle.
• Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your
mowing comfort. See "TO ADJUST HANDLE" in the
Service and Adjustment section of this manual.
OPERATOR PRESENCE
CONTROL BAR
#V
UPPER HANDLE - ^
LIFT UP *J/fr
LIFT UP
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Ky
oJTr
®^5
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MOWING POSITION
LOWER HANDLE
FIG.1