Craftsman 88998 User manual

perator's

PROFESSIONAL

33-inch Wide Cut Mower

Model No. 247.889980

For answers to your questions about this product,

call 1-800-4MY=HOME.

CAUTION: Before using this

product, read this manual and

follow all safety rules and operating

instructions.

, SAFETY

ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

PARTS LIST

ESPANOL R 48

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.sears.com/craftsman

FormNo.769-04684A

(December21,2009)

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

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

Slope Guide ....................................................................... 5

Safety Labels .................................................................... 6

Assembly ........................................................................... 8

Know your Lawn Mower .................................................. 11

Operation ........................................................................ 14

Service and Maintenance .............................................. 16

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

Accessories and Attachments ........................................ 26

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

Parts List ......................................................................... 28

Espa_ol ............................................................................ 48

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

CRAFTSMAN PROFESSIONAL FULL WARRANTY

Whenoperatedand maintainedaccordingtoallsuppliedinstructions,ifthis CraftsmanProfessionalproductfailsduetoa defectin materialor

workmanshipwithintwoyearsfromthedateor purchase,call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®toarrangeforfreerepair(orreplacementif repairproves

impossible).

Thiswarrantyappliesforonlyone yearfromthedateof purchaseifthis productiseverusedforcommercialor rentalpurposes.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsinmaterialandworkmanship.SearswillNOTpayfor:

• Expendableitemsthatbecomewornduringnormaluse,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,sparkplugs,aircleaners,belts,andoil filters.

Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups.

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

Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbyimpactingobjectsthatbendtheframeor

crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper

storage,failureto usethepropergradeandamountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe

equipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused

within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantyappliesonlywhilethisproductiswithinthe UnitedStates.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears, Roebuckand Co.,Noffman Estates,IL 60179

GrossHP: 12.5

EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& StrattonPowerBuiltTM

Model Number

Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

__IL hissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructions

which,ifnotfollowed,couldendangerthepersonal

safetyand/orpropertyofyourselfandothers.Read

andfollowall instructionsinthismanualbefore

attemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywiththese

instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,

HEEDITSWARNING!

Your Responsibility: Restricttheuseofthis powermachineto

personswhoread,understand,andfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsinthis manualandonthemachine.

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingto therulesfor

safeoperationinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment,

carelessnessorerroronthe partoftheoperatorcanresultin serious

injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetand

throwingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafetyinstructions

couldresultin seriousinjuryordeath.

__ate ofCaliforniatoI

causecancerandbirthdefectsor otherreproductiveharm.

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifoperatorisnotalertto presenceofchildren.Chil-

drenareoftenattractedto mowerandmowingactivity.Theydo notunderstand

thedangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

,, Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaandunderwatchfulcareofa

responsibleadult otherthanthe operator.

,, Bealertandturnmoweroff if achildentersthe area.

,, Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddownfor small

children.

,, Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,

trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionof achildwhomay

runintothemower.

,, Keepchildrenawayfrom hotor runningengines.Theycansufferburns

fromahot muffler.

,, Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsoldto operateapowermower.

Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadandunderstandoperation

instructionsandsafetyrulesin thismanualandshouldbetrainedand

supervisedbya parent.

GENERAL OPERATION

,, Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyinitsentirety beforeattempting

toassemblethismachine.Read,understand,andfollowall instructions

onthe machineandinthe manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletely

familiarwiththe controlsand the properuseofthismachinebefore

operatingit. Keepthis manualinasafeplaceforfutureandregular

referenceand for orderingreplacementparts.

,, Thismachineisaprecisionpieceof powerequipment,nota plaything.

Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatall times.Yourunithasbeen

designedto performonejob:to mowgrass.Donotuseitfor anyother

purpose.

,, Neverallowchildrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethismachine.

Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadandunderstandthe instruc-

tionsinthis manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyaparent.

Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe

operationshouldbe allowedto usethismachine.

,, Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto beused.Remove

allstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeignobjectswhichcould

betrippedoveror pickedupandthrownbythe blade.Thrownobjects

cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpatternto avoid

dischargeof materialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.

Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmay

causedischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

,, To helpavoid bladecontactor a thrownobject injury,stayin operator

zonebehindhandlesand keepchildren,bystanders,helpers,and petsat

least75feet frommowerwhile itis inoperation.Stopmachineifanyone

entersarea.

,, Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperationandwhile

performingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.Thrownobjects

whichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytotheeyes.

,, Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.

Shirtsand pantsthat coverthe armsand legsandsteel-toedshoes

arerecommended.Neveroperatethismachinein barefeet,sandals,

slipperyor lightweight(e.g.canvas)shoes.

,, Donot puthandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor undercuttingdeck.

Contactwith bladecanamputatehandsandfeet.

,, A missingor damageddischargecovercancausebladecontactor

thrownobjectinjuries.

,, Manyinjuriesoccurasaresultofthe mowerbeingpulledoverthefoot

duringafall causedbyslippingor tripping.Do notholdon tothemowerif

youarefalling;releasethe handleimmediately.

,, Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.If youmust

backthe mowerawayfromawallor obstructionfirst lookdownand

behindtoavoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:

a.Stepbackfrom mowertofullyextendyourarms.

b.Besureyouarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.

c. Pull backslowly,nomorethanhalfwaytowardsyou.

d.Repeatthesestepsas needed.

,, Donotoperatethe mowerwhile underthe influenceof alcoholordrugs.

,, Donotengagethe self-propelledmechanismonunitssoequippedwhile

startingengine.

,, Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice.Neverattemptto bypassits

operation.Doingso makesthe safetydeviceinoperativeandmayresult

inpersonalinjurythroughcontactwiththe rotatingblade.The blade

controlhandlemustoperateeasilyinbothdirectionsandautomatically

returntothe disengagedpositionwhen released.

,, Neveroperatethe mowerin wetgrass.Alwaysbesureof yourfooting. A

slip andfall cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.If youfeelyouarelosing

yourfooting, releasethe bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe blade

will stoprotatingwithinthreeseconds.

,, Mowonlyindaylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

,, Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.

3

• Iftheequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stoptheengineand

checkimmediatelyforthe cause.Vibrationisgenerallya warningof

trouble.

• Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto acompletestop

beforeremovingthe grasscatcheror uncloggingthe chute.

Thecuttingbladecontinuestorotatefora fewsecondsaftertheengine

isshut off.Neverplaceanypartofthe bodyinthe bladearea untilyou

aresurethe bladehasstoppedrotating.

• Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover,grass

catcher,bladecontrolhandle,orothersafety protectivedevicesin place

andworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failure

todoso can resultinpersonalinjury.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Do nottouch.

• Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadefor thismachinebymanufacturer.

Failureto doso canresultin personalinjury.Forrecommendedacces-

sories,call 1-800-659-5917.

• Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecareand

goodjudgment.ContactyourSearsServiceCenterforassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfall accidentswhichcanresultin

severeinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoufeeluneasyon

aslope,donotmowit.Foryoursafety,usethe slopeguideincludedaspartof

thismanualto measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis unitona slopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeis greaterthan15degrees,do notmowit.

Do:

• Mowacrossthefaceofslopes; neverupanddown.Exerciseextreme

cautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.

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

youto slipor trip.Tallgrasscan hideobstacles.

• Alwaysbe sureofyourfooting.Aslip andfall cancauseseriouspersonal

injury.If youfeelyouarelosingyourbalance,releasethe bladecontrol

handleimmediately,andthe bladewill stoprotatingwithin3 seconds.

Do Not:

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,whereyoucould

loseyourfootingor balance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe

slopegauge.

• Donotmowonwetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

SERVICE

Safe Handling Of Gasoline:

• Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthevaporsare

explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineis spilledon

yourselfor yourclotheswhichcan ignite.

• Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfill containersinsideavehicleoron atruckor trailerbedwith a

plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe groundawayfromyour

vehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck ortrailerand refueliton

theground.Ifthisisnot possible,thenrefuelsuchequipmentonatrailer

witha portablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthe nozzlein contactwiththe rimofthefueltank orcontainer

openingatalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot usea nozzle

lock-opendevice.

• Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesand othersources

ofignition.

• Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswillaccumulate

inthe area.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhile engineis hotor running.

Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfillfuel tank.Fill tanktono morethanV2inch belowbottom

offiller neckto provideforfuel expansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offthe engineand equipment.Moveunit

toanotherarea.Wait5minutesbeforestarting engine.

• Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainernearan openflame,spark

or pilotlightason awaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryer,

or othergasappliances.

• Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass,leaves,or other

debrisbuild-up.Cleanupoilor fuelspillageandremoveanyfuel

soakeddebris.

• Allowamowerto coolatleast5minutesbeforestoring.

General Service:

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorin a poorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbon monoxide,anodorlessand deadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladeand

all movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplugwireand

groundagainsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.

• Checkthe bladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervalsfor

propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g.,bent,

cracked,worn)Replacebladewith theoriginalequipmentmanufac-

ture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listedin this manual.Useofpartswhichdo

notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper

performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthe bladeorweargloves,

anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts, bolts,andscrewstightto besurethe equipmentis in

safeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheirproper

operationregularly.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthespark

plugwireand groundagainstthe engine.Thoroughlyinspectthe

mowerfor anydamage.Repairthe damagebeforestartingand

operatingthe mower.

• Neverattempttomakea wheelor cuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe

engineisrunning.

• Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldare

subjecttowearanddamagewhichcould exposemovingpartsor

allowobjectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck

componentsandreplaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment

manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedin thismanual.Use ofparts

whichdonotmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto

improperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingoroverspeedthe engine.

Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeedofthe

engine.

• Maintainorreplacesafetylabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improperdisposalof

fluidsandmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.

4

Usethispageasa guidetodetermineslopeswhereyoumaynotoperatesafely.Donot operatethelawnmoweron suchslopes.

!

l

I

!

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,ifnotfollowed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyofyourselfand

others.Readandfollowallinstructionsinthis manualbeforeattemptingtooperatethis machine.Failureto complywiththeseinstructionsmay

resultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

WARNING

Thissymbol pointsout importantsafety instructions

which,if notfollowed,could endangerthe personal

safetyand/or property ofyourself and others.Readand

followall instructionsin this manual beforeattempting

to operatethis machine. Failureto comply with these

instructionsmayresult inpersonalinjury.Whenyou see

thissymbol HEED ITS WARNING!

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useof this power machineto personswho

read, understand,and followthe warnings and instruc-

tionsin this manualandon the machine.

6

Thispageleftintentionallyblank.

7

IMPORTANT:Thisunitis shippedwithoilin theengine.After

assembly,seepage12forfuelandoil details.

IMPORTANT:Referencetorightor leftsideofthemowerisobserved

fromtheoperatingposition.

Disconnectthesparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheengineto

preventunintendedstarting.

LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON

Thefollowingitemsare packagedina bag:

Operator'sManual,Oildrainhose,Waterhosecoupler,EngineManual

TOOLS NEEDED FOR ASSEMBLY

A setofadjustablewrenchesandtiregauge

MOWER SET-UP

Shipping Brace Removal

Makesurethelawnmower'sengineisoff.Removetheignitionkey

beforeremovingtheshippingbrace.

1. Locatetheshippingbrace,if present,foundon therightsideof

thecuttingdeck.SeeFigure1.

.

Figure1

Whileholdingthedischargechutewithyourlefthand,removethe

shippingbracewithyourrighthandbygraspingit betweenyour

thumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

Attaching the Battery Cables

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative

batteryterminalismarkedNeg.(-).

Thepositivecable(heavyredwire)issecuredtothepositivebattery

terminal(+)witha hexboltandhexnutat thefactory.

Thenegativecable(heavyblackwire)maybe securedtothenegative

batteryterminalatthefactory.If ithasn'tbeenattached,proceedas

follows:

.

f

Removethecarriageboltandhexnutfromthepositivecable

(heavyredwire).

Removetheredplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthepositivebattery

terminalandattachthepositivecabletothepositivebattery

terminal(+)withtheboltandhexnut.See Figure2.

Figure2

3. Removethecarriageboltandhexnutfromthenegativecable

(heavyblackwirel

4. Removetheblackplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthenegativebat-

tery terminalandattachthenegativecabletothenegativebattery

terminal(-) withtheboltand hexnut.SeeFigure2.

5. Makecertainthehold-downrodisin positionoverthebattery,

securingit inplaceandmakecertainthattheredrubberbootcov-

ersthepositivebatteryterminaltohelpprotectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:Ifthe batteryis putintoserviceafterthedateshown

on top/sided battery,chargethebatteryasinstructedinthe

Maintenancesectionof thismanualpriortooperatingthemower.

Theshippingbraceisusedforpackagingpurposesonly.Remove

anddiscardtheshippingbracebeforeoperatingyourlawnmower.

Themowingdeckiscapableofthrowingobjects.Failuretooperate

Ithemowerwithoutthedischargecoverin theproperoperatingposi-

ltion couldresultin seriouspersonalinjuryand/orpropertydamage.

8

Unfolding the Handle

1. Removethestar knobsandcarriagescrewsfromthelower

handle.SeeFigure3.

.

Figure3

Pivottheupperhandleintooperatingposition.Becarefulnotto

crimpcables.SeeFigure4.

Figure4

3. Reinstallthecarriagescrewsandknobsremovedearlier.

4. Tightentheupperandlowerstarknobsandcarriagescrewsto

securetheupperhandletothelowerhandle,See Figure4.

5. Thehandleheightcanbeadjustedtoanyofthreepositions.

Forinstructions,refertoHandleHeightin theMaintenanceand

Adjustmentssectionofthis manual.

Attaching the Shift Lever

1. Removethescrewandthe locknutthatsecurestheshiftleverto

theshiftleverplate.SeeFigure5.

f

Figure5

2. Removetheremainingscrewandnutfromthelowershiftlever

plate.SeeFigure5.

3. Positiontheuppershiftleverintoa verticalpositionaligningthe

holesintheleverwith theholesintheshiftplate.SeeFigure6.

f

..t'

Figure6

Securethelevertothe plateusingthetwo screwsandtwo nuts

removedearlier.SeeFigure6.

9

Checking Tire Pressure

Maximumtirepressureunderanycircumstancesis30 psi.Equaltire

pressureshouldbemaintainedatalltimes.

Thereartiresonyourunitmaybeover-inflatedforshippingpurposes.

Reducethetirepressurebeforeoperatingthemower.Recommended

operatingtirepressureisapproximately20 p.s.i.Checkthesidewallof

tireformaximump.s.i.

Gas and Oil

Thefueltankhasa capacityoftwogallons.Removethefuelcapby

turningitcounterclockwise.Useonlyclean,fresh(nomorethan30

daysold),unleadedgasoline.Fillthetankno higherthanfourinches

belowthetopofthefillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely

flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelthemachine

indoorsor whiletheengineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,

cigars,pipesandothersourcesofignition.

NOTE:Yourlawnmoweris shippedwithoil intheengine.However,

youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.RefertotheService

andMaintenanceSectionforCheckOil instructions.

Alwayschecktheengineoil levelbeforeeachuse.Addoilasneces-

sary.Failuretodo somayresultinseriousdamagetoyourengine.

10

Deck Height

Lever ===='_

Fuel Tank Ca

ignition Switch

Systems indicator Monitor

Drive Control

Gear Shift Lever

Figure7

f

oil

Dipstick

Air

-- Cleaner

Handle

_,, J

Figure8

ENGINE CONTROLS

Referto Figure8forlocationsoftheenginecontrols.

Oil Drain Valve

Usetheoil drainvalvetodrainoilfromtheengine.Refertothe

Maintenancesectionforinstructions.

Air Cleaner Handle

Theair cleanerhandleis usedtogainaccesstotheaircleaner.Theair

cleanercartridgecanbe removedandcleanedor replaced.Referto

theMaintenancesectionfordetails.

Spark Plug

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsonsparkplug

replacement.

Oil Cap/Dipstick

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

MOWER CONTROLS

Referto Figure7 forlocationsofthemowercontrols.

Throttle/Choke Control

NOTE:Whenoperatingthemowerwiththe

cuttingdeckengaged,becertainthatthe

throttle/chokecontrolis inthefastposition.

THEthrottle/chokecontrolisusedtoadjust

enginespeeds,toactivatetheenginechoke

andto stoptheengine.Alwaysrunengine

withthethrottle/chokecontrolleverinthe

fastpositionforbestmowerperformance.

CHOKE:Usewhenstartinga coldengine.

FAST:Useduringmoweroperation.

SLOW:Usewhenidlingengine.

STOP:Stopstheengine.

REFERtoStartingTheEngineinthe

Operationsectionofthismanualfordetailed

startinginstructions.

Choke==_

Fast

Slow ==_

Stop

11

Deck Height Lever

Usethislevertoadjustthemowingdeck'scuttingheight.Touse,move

thelevertotheleft,thenplacetheleverin thenotchbestsuitedfor

yourapplication.

ignition Switch

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysdisengage

blades,stopengineandremovekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

Drive Control

Thedrivecontrolisusedtoengageand

disengagedrivetothewheels.Toengage

this control,squeezethedrivecontrol

againstthehandlebargrip.Tostopthedrive,

releasethedrivecontrol.

f

@

The four-position switch is used to start and stop the engine on

electric-start models, To start the engine, insert the key into the

switch and turn clockwise to the START (;_

ignition position,

Release key into the RUN _ position<,:_once the engine has started,

Move the key into the RUN/LIGHT _)_ position to run the mower

to'STOP

with the headlight on, Turn the key 0 to stop the engine,

See Figure 9,

Run/Light

Stop 1

Position _ Run

Figure9

NevermovethekeyintotheStartpositionwhiletheengineisrunning;

doingsomaycausedamagetotheengine'sstarter.

Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechangingspeeds.Failureto

do somayresultin seriousdamagetoyourtransmission.

Blade Control

Locatedonthe right-handhandle,theblade

controlisusedtoengagethemowingdeck.

Tooperate,pressand holdtheleveragainst

thehandlebargrip.Tostoptheblades,

releasethebladecontrol.

,ik

@

Neverattempttostarttheenginewiththe bladecontrolengaged.

Alwaysreleasethebladecontrolwhenstartingtheengine.Failureto

do somayresultinprematureweartoyourengine'selectricstarter.

12

GEAR SHIFT LEVER

Usethislevertoselectanyoffourforwardgroundspeeds,neutral,or

reverse.

Forward

Fourforwardspeedsareavailable.Positionone (1)istheslowestand

positionfour(4) isthefastest.

Reverse

Toselectreverse,puttheleverin theReverse(R)position.

SYSTEMS INDICATOR MONITOR/HOUR METER

jf

BATTERY

42.0

/// HOURS 1/10 \\\

jJ

j j/

Figure10

Lookbehindthemowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation.Stopthe

mowerbladesbeforeoperatingin reverse.

Neutral

Placetheleverinneutral(N)beforestartingthemowerandwhenthe

mowerisnotinuse.Inaddition,themowercanbe manuallypushed

orpulledbyplacingthegearshiftleverintoN(neutral)positionand

pressingthedrivecontrolagainstthehandlebargrip.

Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechangingspeeds.Failureto

dosomayresultin seriousdamagetoyourtransmission.

LCD

WhentheignitionkeyisrotatedoutoftheSTOPpositionbutnot

intotheSTARTposition,thesystemsindicatormonitordisplaysthe

battery'soutput,involts,onits LCDforapproximatelyfiveseconds,

afterwhichitdisplaysan hourglassandthehoursofmoweroperation.

Oncetheengineis started,themonitorcontinuallydisplaysan hour

glassandthehoursofmoweroperationon its LCD.SeeFigure10.

NOTE:Hoursofmoweroperationarerecordedanytimetheignition

keyis rotatedoutoftheSTOP_i _position,regardlessofwhetherthe

engineisstarted.

TheIndicatorMonitorwillalsoremindtheoperatorofmaintenance

intervalsforchangingtheengineoil.TheLCDwillalternatelyflashthe

recordedhours,"CHG"and"OIL'forfive minutes,afterevery50 hours

of recordedoperationelapse.Themaintenanceintervallastsfortwo

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

asdescribedaboveforfiveminuteseverytimethemower'sengine

hasbeenstartedduringthismaintenanceinterval.Beforetheinterval

expires,changetheengineoilasinstructedintheMaintenancesection

ofthis Operator'sManual.

Battery

Itis normalfortheBatterylighttoilluminatewhiletheengineis

crankingduringstart-up,butifit illuminatesduringoperation,whilethe

engineisrunning,thebatteryisin needofa chargeor theengine's

chargingsystemisnotgeneratingsufficientamperage.Chargethe

batteryasinstructedin theServicesectionof thismanualor havethe

chargingsystemcheckedbySearsor anotherqualifiedservicedealer.

13

STARTING THE ENGINE

RefertotheServiceand Maintenancesectionof thismanualfor

GasolineandOilfill-upinstructions.

1. Disengageallcontrolsonthemower.

2. Movethegearshiftleverintotheneutral(N)position.

3. Insertthekeyintotheignitionswitch.

4. If startinga coldengine,placethethrottle/chokecontrolallthe

wayforward,intotheCHOKE1'_,1position.If restartinga warm

engine,placethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheFast'_ position.

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTART___position.After

theenginestarts,releasethekey.Itwill returntotheRUN(_q)

position.

6. MovethekeytotheRUN/LIGHT_-:i'_i:positiontooperatethe

mowerusingtheheadlight.

Totravelin REVERSE,

a. Checkthattheareabehindisclear.

b. PlacethegearshiftleverinReverse(R).

c. SlowlysqueezetheDriveControlagainstthelefthandlegrip

andthemowerwillmove.Releaseitanddrivemotionwillstop.

DoNOTattempttochangethedirectionoftravelwhenthemoweris

in motion.Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolandbringthemowertoa

completestopbeforerepositioningthegearshiftleverfromaforward

gearintoReverse.Failuretodo somayresultin seriousdamageto

rourtransmission.

Donotleavetheoperator'spositionwithoutfirstreleasingtheBlade

Control.Ifleavingthe mowerunattended,alsoturntheengineoffand

removetheignitionkey.

DoNOTholdthekeyintheSTARTpositionforlongerthanfive

secondsata time.Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine's

electricstarter.

7. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheFAST_ position.

NOTE:Neverleavethethrottle/chokecontrolintheCHOKEI_,1

positionwhileoperatingthemower.Doingsowillresultin a "rich"fuel

mixtureandcausetheengineto runpoorly.

Stopping the Engine

e beforerestartinc

ENGAGING THE BLADES

Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,keepbystand-

lets,helpers,childrenandpetsat least75feetfromthemachinewhile

lit isinoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontroltotheFAST_ position.

2. SlowlysqueezetheBladeControlagainsttherighthandlegrip

andthebladeswillengage.Releaseit andthebladeswillstop.

OPERATING ON SLOPES

RefertotheSLOPEGUIDEon page5 tohelpdetermineslopeswhere

youmayoperatethemowersafely.

1. Ifthe bladesareengaged,releasethe BladeControl.

2. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolintotheSTOPI_ position.

3. TurntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOP0 position.

4. Removethe keyfromtheignitionswitchto preventunintended

starting.

ENGAGING THE DRIVE

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

Starttheengineasinstructedearlierin thissectionandmovethe

throttle/chokecontrolintotheFAST'_ position.

TotravelFORWARD:

a. Placethegearshiftleverinanyofthefourforwardground

speeds.Selecta speedappropriatefortheconditionsanda

paceyou'recomfortablewith.

b. SlowlysqueezetheDriveControlagainstthelefthandlegrip

andthemowerwillmove.Releaseitanddrivemotionwillstop.

Donotmowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a rise

ofapproximately2-1/2feetevery 10feet).Themowercouldoverturn

andcauseseriousinjury.

• Mowacrossthefaceof slopes;neverupanddown.

• Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan

causeyoutosliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

• Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slipandfallcancauseserious

personalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyourbalance,release

thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewillstop

rotatingwithinthree(3) seconds.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments,youcould

loseyourfootingor balance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the

slopegauge.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

14

USING THE DECK HEIGHT LEVER

Toraiseor lowerthecuttingdeck,movethedeck heightlevertothe

left,thenplaceit inthenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.

MOWING

Thefollowinginformationwillbehelpfulwhenoperatingyourmower.

Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialstoward

roads,sidewalks,bystanders.Also,avoiddischargingmaterial

againstawallorobstructionwhichmaycausedischargedmaterialto

ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Donotmowatfastgroundspeeds,especiallyifa mulchkitor

grasscollectorisinstalled.

• Donotcut thegrasstooshort.Shortgrassispronetoweed

growthandyellowsquicklyin dryweather.

• Alwaysoperatethemowerwiththethrottle/chokecontrolinthe

FAST_ positionwhilemowing.

• Forbestresultsitis recommendedthatthefirsttwolapsbecut

withthedischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirsttwo

laps,reversethedirectiontothrowthedischargetotheoutside

forthebalanceofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearancetothe

lawn.

DoNOTattempttomowheavybrushandweedsor extremelytall

grass.Yourmowerisdesignedtomowlawns,NOTclearbrush.

Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.

Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthespark

plugwireandgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthe

mowerforanydamage.AlwaysInspectthebladetimingbeltas

instructedin theMaintenancesectionof thismanual.Repairthe

damagebeforestartingandoperatingthemower.

MULCHING

TheCraftsmanProWideCutmowerisequippedwitha mulchkit(sup-

pliedwiththemower),whichusesspecialbladesto recirculategrass

clippingsrepeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.Theultra-fineclippings

arethenforcedbackintothelawnwheretheyact asa naturalfertilizer.

Observethefollowingpointsforthebestresultswhenmulching.

• Neverattempttomulchifthe lawnisdamp.Wetgrasstends

tosticktotheundersideof thecuttingdeckpreventingproper

mulchingoftheclippings.

DoNOTattempttomulchmorethan1/3thetotalheightofthe

grass.Doingsowillcausetheclippingstoclumpupbeneaththe

deckandnotbemulchedeffectively.

• Maintaina slowgroundspeedtoallowthegrassclippingsmore

timetoeffectivelybe mulched.

• AlwayskeepthethrottlecontrolleverintheFAST,_ position

whilemowing.Failingtokeeptheengineatfullthrottleplaces

strainon themower'sengineanddoesnotallowthebladesto

properlymulchthegrassclippings.

INSTALLING/REMOVING MULCH BAFFLE

Beforeinstallingor removingthemulchbaffle,disengageblades,sto

theengineand removekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Stoptheengineandwaitforall partstostopmoving.

Installing the Mulch Baffle

1. Insertthe right-sidetab(A)ofthebaffleintothebracketonthe

deck.SeeFigure11.

2. Insertthe mulchbaffleintothedischargeopening(B).See

Figure11.

3. Onceit'spositionedin thedeckopening,pushthebaffletowards

therearofthemower(C)tosecureit inplace.

SeeFigure11.

Figure11

Removing the Mulch Baffle

Slidethebaffleto theright(towardthefrontofthemower)todisen-

gagetheslotfromthe mowerdeckandthenprythe left-sideofthe

baffleoutward.

15

MAINTENANCE

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengageblades,

stopengineand removekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganytypeof

maintenanceon themower.

Thewarrantyon thislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathave

beensubjectedtooperatorabuseor negligence.Toreceivefull

valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintainthelawnmoweras

instructedinthismanual.

• Changingof engine-governedspeedwillvoidenginewarranty.

• Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedatleastonceeachseason.

• Periodicallycheckall fastenersand makesuretheyare tight.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Engine Oil

Checkoil levelbeforeeachuse.Stopengineandwaitseveralminutes

beforecheckingoil level.Withengineon levelground,

theoil mustbe toFULLmarkondipstick.

1. Removethe OilCap/Dipstickand wipewitha

cleancloth.

2. ReplaceandtightenOilCap/Dipstick.Remove

OilCap/Dipstickandcheckoil level.Level

shouldbeat FULLmark.

3. If needed,addoil slowlyintotheengineoilfill. Recheckoil level.

Donotoverfill.

4. ReinsertOil Cap/Dipstickandtighten.

Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoil maymaketheenginehardtostart,

ornottostart.If overtheFULLmarkon thedipstick,drainoil levelto

FULLmarkondipstick.

Changing the Engine Oil

Iftheenginehasbeenrecentlyrun,theengine,mufflerandsur-

roundingmetalsurfaceswillbe hotandcancauseburnstotheskin.

Exercisecautionto avoidburns.

Theoil intheengineshouldbechangedafterthefirsttwohoursof

operationand every25 hoursof operation.

1. Runtheenginefora fewminutestoallowtheoilin thecrankcase

towarmup.Warmoilwillflowmorefreelyandcarryawaymoreof

theenginesedimentwhichmayhavesettledat thebottomofthe

crankcase.Usecaretoavoidburnsfromhotoil.

.

Togainaccesstotheoil drainvalveontheengine,pivottheright

handlebracetubeforward.

a. Removetheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewontheright

sideofthehandle,Figure12.

b. Pivotthebracetubetowardsthefrontofthemowertoallow

roomtoconnecttheoildrainhosetotheoil drainvalve,

Figure12.

Figure12

Popoff theprotectivecapon theendof theoil drainvalveto

exposethedrainport.SeeFigure13.

f

Oil Fill Cap/Dipstick

\

Figure13

4. Removetheoilfillcap/dipstickfromtheoil filltube,Figure13.

5. Pushtheoildrainhose(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoildrain

port.Routetheoppositeendd thehoseintoanappropriateoilcollec-

tioncontainerwithatleasta 2.5quartcapacity,tocollecttheusedoil.

6. Releasethevalvebypressingthetwotabs inwardwhilepulling

thevalveout.Theoilwillbegintodrainoutoftheengine.

16

7. Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pressthetwo tabsinwardand

pushtheoildrainvalvebackin tolockthevalveclosed.Remove

thehose,andre-captheendoftheoildrainvalveto keepdebris

fromenteringthedrainport.

8. Refilltheenginewithnewmotoroiluntiltheoil levelonthe

dipstickreadsFULL.Replacetheoil fillcap/dipstick.

9. Pivottherighthandlebracetubebackintoposition.Alignthe

middleholeinthebracetubewiththeholein thehandle.Secure

withthestarknobandcarriagescrewremovedearlier.

Onlyusehighqualitydetergentoil ratedwithAPIserviceclassification

SForSG.Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingtoyour

expectedoperatingtemperature,Figure14.Althoughmulti-viscosity

oils(5W30,10W30etc.)improvestartingincoldweather,thesemulti-

viscosityoilswill resultinincreasedoil consumptionwhenusedabove

32°RCheckyourengineoil levelmorefrequentlytoavoidpossible

enginedamagefromrunninglowon oil.

Oi!ViscositYGila!! _j

Figure14

Checking the Spark Plug

Cleansparkplugand resettheelectrodegapto0.030"atleastoncea

season;replaceevery100hoursofoperation.

1. Cleanareaaroundthesparkplugbase.Donotsandblastspark

plug.Sparkplugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushing

andwashingwitha commercialsolvent

2. Removeandinspectthesparkplug.Checkgap tomakesureit is

setat.030".SeeFigure15.

Replacethesparkplugifelectrodesarepitted,burned,or the

porcelainiscracked.Usea Champion®RC12YCsparkplug.

.

f

Electrode Porcelain "_

1 ;

_ .030inch(.76rnm)gap

Figure15

Servicing the Air Cleaner

Iffilters,or coversare notinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Donotattemptto starttheenginewith

themremoved.

Donotusepressurizedairor solventstocleantheair cleaner

cartridge.

Cleanor replacetheaircleanerevery25 hoursofoperation.

1. Pullup onaircleanerhandle,Figure10,andpull backtowardsthe

engine.

.

f

Removetheaircleanercover,Figure16.

AirCleanerCover AirCleanerCartridge

\

AirCleanerHandle

-.. J

Figure16

3. Carefullyremoveair cleanercartridgeand pre-cleaner(if

equipped)fromtheblowerhousing.

4. Cleanthebaseoftheaircleanercartridgecarefullytoprevent

debrisfromenteringtheengine.

5. Placethepre-cleaner,if equipped,andcartridgebackintothe

blowerhousing.Thecartridgemustbeplacedsecurelyinto

position.

6. Aligntabsoncoverwithslotsin blowerhousingand replacethe

cover.

17

BATTERY

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateofCaliforniatocause

cancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

1. Positionthemoweron a level,clearspoton yourlawn,near

enoughforyourgardenhoseto reach.

Makecertainthemower'sdischargechuteisdirectedAWAYfrom

yourhouse,garage,parkedcars,etc.

Thebatteryis sealedandismaintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbe

checkedandfluidcannotbeadded.

• Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof

corrosivebuild-up.

• Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applya lightcoatof

petroleumjellyor greaseto bothterminals.

If removingthebatteryforcleaning,disconnecttheNEGATIVE(Black)

wirefromit'sterminalfirst,followedbythePOSITIVE(Red)wire.When

re-installingthebattery,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)wireits

terminalfirst,followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.Becertainthat

thewiresareconnectedtothecorrectterminals;reversingthemcould

resultinseriousdamagetoyourengine'salternatingsystem.

TIRE PRESSURE

Maximumtirepressureunderanycircumstancesis30 psi.Equaltire

pressureshouldbemaintainedatalltimes.

.

Threadthehosecoupler(packagedwithyourmower'sOperator's

Manual)ontotheendofyourgardenhose.

Attachthehosecouplerto thewaterporton thedecksurface.

See Figure17.

Periodicallycheckthepressureon bothyourmower'sreartires.

Uneventirepressurewillcausethecuttingdecktomowunevenly

andmayresultin mowerto veeringtoeithertheleftor rightduring

operation.Recommendedoperatingtirepressureisapproximately20

p.s.i.Checkthesidewalloftireformaximump.s.i.

CLEANING THE MOWER

Anyfueloroil spilledonthemachineshouldbewipedoff promptly.Do

NOTallowdebristoaccumulatearoundthecoolingfinsoftheengine,

thetransmission'scoolingfanor onanyotherpartofthe machine,

especiallythebeltsandpulleys.

Smart Jet

Yourmower'sdeck isequippedwitha waterportonits surfaceaspart

ofitsdeckwashsystem.

UsetheSmartJetto rinsegrassclippingsfromthedeck'sunderside

andpreventthebuildupofcorrosivechemicals.Completethefollowing

stepsAFTEREACHMOWING:

Beforeusingthedeckwashsystem,alwaysdisengagethe Blade

Control,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Figure17

4. Turnthewateron.

5. Starttheengineandplacethethrottleleverinthe FAST,_

position.

6. Whilein theoperator'spositionbehindthemower,movethe

BladeControlintotheONposition.

7. Remainin theoperator'spositionwiththecuttingdeckengaged

fora minimumoftwominutes,allowingtheundersideofthe

cuttingdecktothoroughlyrinse.

8. MovetheBladeControlintotheOFFposition.

9. TurntheignitionkeytotheSTOP(_ positiontoturnthemower's

engineoff.

10. Turnthewateroffanddetachthehosecouplerfromthewater

porton yourdeck'ssurface.

AftercleaningyourdeckwiththeSmartJet system,startthemower's

engine,returntotheoperator'spositionandengagetheblades.Keep

thecuttingdeckrunningfora minimumoftwo minutes,allowingthe

undersideofthecuttingdecktothoroughlydry.

LUBRICATION

Beforelubricating,repairing,orinspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO,

setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeytopreventunintended

starting.

18

Pivot Points & Linkage

Lubricateall thepivotpointson thedrivesystemandlift linkageat

leastoncea seasonwith lightoil.

Rear Wheels

Therearwheelsshouldbe removedfromtheaxlesoncea season.

Lubricatetheaxlesandrimhubswellwithanall-purposegrease

beforereinstallingthem.

Front Wheels

Eachofthefrontwheelaxlesandcastersisequippedwitha grease

fitting.SeeFigure18.Lubricatewitha No.2 multi-purposegrease

appliedwitha greasegunafterevery50 hoursofmoweroperation.

BLADE TIMING BELT

Thecuttingdeckspindlesaredrivenbya timing(cogged)belt,

assuringthatthedeckbladesarealwaysperpendiculartoeachother.

Atleastoncea season,or afterstrikinganyforeignobject,checkthe

timingbeltasfollows:

1. Removethebeltcoverbyremovingthethreescrewsandwashers

whichsecureittotheframe.SeeFigure20.

Donotoperatemowerwithoutthebeltcoverinstalled.Failuretofol-

lowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryor propertydamage.

Figure18

Deck Spindles

Greasefittingscanbe foundon eachdeckspindle.SeeFigure19.

Lubricatewith251HEPgreaseoran equivalentNo.2 multi-purpose

lithiumgrease.Usinga greasegun,applytwostrokes(minimum)or

sufficientgreasetothespindleshaft.

Figure20

Thetopofeachspindlepulleyis markedwithanarrow.See

Figure21.Thearrowsshouldbe perpendicular(ata 90°angle)to

eachother.

\

Figure21

Figure19

19

3. Ifthearrowson thesurfaceofeachspindlepulleyarenot

perpendicular(ata 90°angle)toeachother,seeyourSearsor

otherqualifiedservicedealertohavethetimingbeltreset.

Donotoperatethemachinewithoutthedeck'stimingbeltproperly

set.Failuretofollowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryor

propertydamage.

ADJUSTMENTS

CUTTING DECK REMOVAL

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengageblades,

stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

Toremovethecuttingdeck,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethebeltcoverbyremovingthethreescrewsandwashers

whichsecureittotheframe.SeeFigure23.

Shuttheengineoffand removetheignitionkeybeforemaking

adjustments.

Handle Height

Theupperhandleissecuredtotwosupportbarsthatcanbe adjusted

toraiseor lowerthehandleheight.Adjustifnecessaryasfollows:

1. Removethe upperstarknobandcarriagescrewon therightside

ofthehandleandtheIdt sideofthehandle.

SeeFigure22.

Figure22

2. Pivotthehandleforwardor rearwardtoalignoneofthethree

holesoneachsupportbarwiththeholesonthehandle.

3. Reinstalltheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewon therightside

ofthehandleandtheIdt sideofthehandlewhena comfortable

heightisachieved.

Donotoperatemowerwithoutthebeltcoverinstalled.Failuretofol-

lowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryorpropertydamage.

J

Figure23

2. Placethedeckheightleverinits highestposition.

3. Positionwoodblocksatvariousplacesunderthedeck'sedge.

Thesewilltemporarilysupportthedeckin theprocessofremovingit.

4. Usethedeckheightleverto lowerthedeck,sothat itrestsonthe

woodblocks.

2O

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