MTD 12ABC32J799 Owner's manual

Brand: MTD

Model: 12ABC32J799

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: Owner's manual

Operator's Manual

21" LAWN MOWER

Model No. 247,375900

CAUTION" Before using this

product, read this manual and

follow all safety rules and operating

instructions,

o SAFETY

o ASSEMBLY

o OPERATION

o MAINTENANCE

o ESPANOL

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

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-09383

(November25,2013)

WarrantyStatement.............................. Page2

SafetyInstructions............................ Pages3-6

SlopeGuide..................................... Page7

Assembly.................................... Pages8-11

Operation.................................. Pages12-15

ServiceandMaintenance.................... Pages16-21

Off-SeasonStorage............................. Page22

Troubleshooting............................ Page23-24

Espa_ol........................................ Page27

ServiceNumbers............................ BackCover

CRAFTSMANTWOYEARFULLWARRANTY

Fortwoyearsfromthedateofpurchase,this 3roductiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.Defectiveproductwillreceivefreerepair

orfreereplacementifrepairisunavailable.

Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainrepairorreplacement,visitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsinmaterialandworkmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:

, Expendableitemswhichcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchasmowerblades,bladeadapters,belts,filters,orsparkplugs.

, Productdamageresultingfromuserattemptsatproductmodificationorrepairorcausedbyproductaccessories.

, Repairsnecessarybecauseofaccidentorfailuretooperateormaintaintheproductaccordingtoallsuppliedinstructions.

, Preventativemaintenanceorrepairsnecessaryduetoimproperfuelmixture,contaminatedorstalefuel.

Thiswarrantyisvoidifthisproductiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorifrentedtoanotherperson.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

SearsBrandsManagementCorporation,NoffmanEstates,IL60179

Engine Oil: SAE 30

Fuel: Unleaded Gasoline

Engine: Craftsman

Model Number

Serial Number

Date of Purchase

Record the model number, serial number,

and date of purchase above.

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructionswhich,ifnot

followed,couldendangerthe personalsafetyand/orproperty of

yourselfandothers.Readandfollow all instructionsinthismanual

beforeattempting to operatethis machine.Failureto complywith these

instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,HEED

ITSWARNING!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someofits constituents,and certainvehiclecomponents

containor emit chemicalsknowntoStateof Californiatocausecancerand

birth defectsorother reproductiveharm.

Thismachinewasbuilt tobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeoperation

practicesinthismanual.Aswith anytype of powerequipment,

carelessnessorerroronthe part ofthe operatorcanresultinseriousinjury.

Thismachineiscapableof amputatingfingers, hands,toesandfeet and

throwingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowing safety instructionscould

resultinseriousinjuryor death.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseofthis powermachineto

personswhoread,understandandfollow thewarningsand instructionsin

thismanualandonthe machine.

SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!

GENERAL OPERATION

Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyinitsentiretybeforeattemptingto

assemblethismachine.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionsonthe

machineandinthemanualsbeforeoperation.Keepthismanualinasafe

placefor futureandregularreferenceandfororderingreplacementparts

Becompletelyfamiliarwith thecontrolsandtheproperuseofthismachine

beforeoperatingit.

Thismachineisaprecisionpieceofpowerequipment,notaplaything.

Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatalltimes.Thismachinehasbeen

designedtoperformonejob:tomowgrass.Donotuseitforanyother

purpose.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine.Children

14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperation

practicesinthismanualandonthemachineandshouldbetrainedand

supervisedbyanadult.

Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe

operationshouldbeallowedtousethismachine.

Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobeused.Removeall

stones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeignobjects,whichcouldbe

trippedoverorpickedupandthrownbytheblade.Thrownobjectscancause

seriouspersonalinjury.

Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtowardroads,

sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainst

awallorobstruction,whichmaycausedischargedmaterialtoricochetback

towardtheoperator.

Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,stayinoperatorzone

behindhandlesandkeepchildren,bystanders,helpersandpetsatleast75

feetfrommowerwhileitisinoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersarea.

Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperationandwhile

performinganadjustmentor repairtoprotectyoureyes.Thrownobjects

whichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytotheeyes.

Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.

Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsandsteel-toedshoesare

recommended.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeet,sandals,slipperyor

light-weight(e.g.canvas)shoes.

Donotputhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsorunderthecuttingdeck.

Contactwith bladecanamputatefingers,hands,toesandfeet.

Amissingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontactorthrown

objectinjuries.

Manyinjuriesoccurasaresultofthemowerbeingpulledoverthefoot

duringafallcausedbyslippingortripping.Donotholdontothemowerif

youarefalling:releasethehandleimmediately.

Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.Ifyoumust

backthemowerawayfromawallorobstructionfirstlookdownandbehind

toavoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:

a. Stepbackfrom mowertofullyextendyourarmsforward.

b. Besureyouarewellbalancedwith surefooting.

c. Pullthemowerbackslowly,nomorethanhalfwaytowardyou.

d. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.

Donotoperatethemowerwhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholordrugs.

Donotengagetheself-propelledmechanismonmachinessoequipped

whilestartingengine.

Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits

operation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinoperativeandmayresultin

personalinjurythroughcontactwiththerotatingblade.Thebladecontrol

handlemustoperateeasilyinbothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothe

disengagedpositionwhenreleased.

Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbesureofyourfooting. A

slipandfall cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyour

footing,releasethebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewill

stoprotatingwithin threeseconds.

Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.

Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stoptheengineand

checkimmediatelyforthecause.Vibrationisgenerallyawarningoftrouble.

Shuttheengineoffandwaituntilthebladecomestoacompletestopbefore

removingthegrasscatcheroruncloggingthechute.Thecuttingblade

continuestorotateforafewsecondsafterthebladecontrolisreleased.

Neverplaceanypartofthebodyinthebladeareauntilyouaresurethe

bladehasstoppedrotating.

Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover,grass

catcher,bladecontrolhandleorothersafetyprotectivedevicesinplaceand

working.Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failuretodo

socanresultinpersonalinjury.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Donottouch.

Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe

engineisrunning.

Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadeforthismachinebythemanufactureras

listedinthePartspagesofthisOperator'sManual.Failuretodosocanresult

inpersonalinjury.

Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,thenpull

rapidly.Rapidretractionofstartercord(kickback)willpullhandandarm

towardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Brokenbones,fractures,bruisesor

sprainscouldresult.

Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecareandgood

judgement.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedtoslipandfall accidents,whichcanresultinsevere

injury.Operationonslopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoufeeluneasyonaslope,do

notmowit.Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartofthismanualto

measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineonaslopedor hillyarea.Iftheslope

isgreaterthan15degrees,donotmowit.

Do:

Mowacrossthefaceofslopes;neverupanddown.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectiononslopes.

Watchforholes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,orbumpswhichcancauseyou

tosliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.

Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.Aslipandfallcancauseseriouspersonal

injury.If youfeelyouarelosingyourbalance,releasethebladecontrol

handleimmediatelyandthebladewill stoprotatingwithinthree(3)

seconds.

Do Not:

Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,becauseyoucould

loseyourfootingor balance.

Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesasshownontheslopeguide.

Donotmowonwetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresenceofchildren.

Childrenareoftenattractedtothemowerandthemowingactivity.Theydonot

understandthedangers.Neverassumethatchildrenwill remainwhereyoulastsaw

them.

Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderwatchfulcareofa

responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

Bealertandturnmoweroff ifachildentersthearea.

Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddownforsmall

children.

Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,trees,

orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionofachildwhomayrunintothe

mower.

Keepchildrenawayfromhotorrunningengines.Theycansufferburnsfrom

ahotmuffler.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine.Children

14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsandsafeoperation

practicesinthismanualandonthemachineandbetrainedandsupervised

byanadult.

SERVICE

Safe Handling of Gasoline:

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecareinhandling

gasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthe vaporsareexplosive.

Seriouspersonalinjury canoccurwhengasolineisspilledonyourselfor your

clotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

Neverfill containersinsideavehicleoronatruckortrailerbedwith aplastic

liner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthegroundawayfromyourvehiclebefore

filling.

Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailerandrefuelit on

theground.Ifthisisnotpossible,thenrefuelsuchequipmentonatrailer

with aportablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.

Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltankorcontaineropening

atalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuseanozzlelock-opendevice.

Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill accumulatein

thearea.

Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhileengineishotorrunning.Allow

enginetocoolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

Neverover-fillfueltank.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,donotfill above

thebottomofthefueltankneck.

Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offtheengineandequipment.Movemachineto

anotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.

Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainernearanopenflame,sparkorpilot

lightasonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryerorothergas

appliances.

Toreducefire hazard,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,orotherdebris

build-up.Cleanupoilorfuelspillageandremoveanyfuel-soakeddebris.

Allowmachinetocoolatleast5minutesbeforestoring.

General Service:

Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engineexhaust

containscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.

Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthebladeandall

movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthesparkplugwireandground

againsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.

Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervalsforproper

tightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g.,bent,cracked,worn).

Replacebladewith theoriginalequipmentmanufacture's(O.EM.)blade

only,listedinthe Partspagesofthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeet

theoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproperperformance

andcompromisesafety!

Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse

extracautionwhenservicingthem.

Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstightto besuretheequipmentisin safe

workingcondition.

Nevertamperwith safetydevices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthesparkplug

wireandgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthemowerforany

damage.Repairthedamagebeforestartingandoperatingthe mower.

Neverattempttomakeawheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe

engineisrunning.

Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldaresubjectto

wearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsorallowobjectstobe

thrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheckcomponentsandreplace

immediatelywithoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.EM.)partsonly,

listedinthePartspagesofthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeetthe

originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand

compromisesafety!

Donotchangetheengine'sgovernorsettingorover-speedtheengine.The

governorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeedoftheengine.

Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyfor cracksor leaks.Replace

if necessary.

Donotcrankenginewith sparkplugremoved.

Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

Observeproperdisposallawsandregulations.Improperdisposaloffluids

andmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.

AccordingtotheConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)andtheU.S.

EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproducthasanAverageUseful

Lifeofseven(7)years,or140hoursofoperation.AttheendoftheAverage

UsefulLifehavethemachineinspectedannuallybyaSearsorotherqualified

servicedealertoensurethatallmechanicalandsafetysystemsareworking

properlyandnotwornexcessively.Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,

injuriesordeath.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryordeath,do notmodifyengineinanyway.Tampering

with thegovernorsettingcanleadto a runawayengineandcauseitto

operateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwith factory settingof engine

governor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhkh arecertified to complywith CaliforniaandfederalEPA

emissionregulationsfor SORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)arecertified

to operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayincludethefollowing

emissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM),OxidizingCatalyst(OC),

SecondaryAirInjection(SAI)andThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwith aninternalcombustionengineandshould

not beusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,brusbcoveredor

grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaustsystemisequippedwith a

sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifasparkarrestorisused,itshouldbemaintained ineffectiveworkingorder

bythe operator.Inthe Stateof Californiathe aboveisrequiredby law(Section

4442ofthe CaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Otherstatesmayhavesimilar

laws.Federallawsapply onfederallands.

Asparkarrestorfor the muffler isavailablethrough yournearestSearsParts

andRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispage depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read,understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before

attempting toassembleand operate.

• ®

imI

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)

Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and

operate

DANGER -- ROTATING BLADES

To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass

catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.

DANGER -- BYSTANDERS

Do not mow when children or others are around.

DANGER -- HAND/FOOT CUT

Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.

DANGER-- THROWNDEBRIS

Remove objects that can be thrown by the blade in any direction. Wear safety glasses.

DANGER -- SLOPES

Use extra caution on slopes. Do not mow slopes greater than 15°.

WARNING--GASOLINE ISFLAMMABLE

Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.

WARNING-- CARBON MONOXIDE

Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon

monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and

muffler to cool before touching.

WARNING: Your Responsibility--Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow

the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.

SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!

(OK)

15° Slope

(TOO STEEP)

15° Slope

_- _. Figure1

USETHiSSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

iFA SLOPEiSTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfold alongthe dashedline.

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

3. Aligneithersideoftheslopegaugewith theobject(SeeFigure1 andFigure2 ).

4. Adjustgaugeup or downuntil theleft cornertouchestheslope(SeeFigure1 andFigure2).

_O._daShed._fine

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

Figure2

Slopesare a major factor relatedto tip-over and roll-overaccidentswhich can resultin severeinjuryordeath. Do not operate machine onslopes

in excessof 15degrees.All slopesrequireextracaution.Always mowacrosstheface of slopes, nevermow upand downslopes.

IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithout gasolineoroil intheengine.Becertainto

serviceenginewithgasolineandoil asinstructedintheOperationsectionbefore

startingorrunningyourmachine.

NOTE:Referencetorightandlefthandsideofthe LawnMowerisobservedfromthe

operatingposition.

OPENINGCARTON

1. Cuteachcornerofthecartonverticallyfromtoptobottom.

2. Removealllooseparts.

3. Removeloosepackingmaterial.

REMOVINGUNITFROMCARTON

1. Liftunitfromthereartodetachit fromunderlyingcartonmaterialandroll

unitoutofcarton.

2. Checkcartonthoroughlyforanyotherlooseparts.

LoosePartsIn Carton

SideDischargeCover

GrassCatcher

EngineOil

Assembly

Attaching TheHandle

I. Removeanypackingmaterialwhichmaybebetweenupperandlower

handles.

a. Removewingnutsandcarriageboltshandleasshownin FigureI.

Donotloosenor removeadjacenthexheadscrews.

b. Whilestabilizingmowersoit doesn'tmove,pivotupperhandleupas

showninFigure2.Donotcrimpcablewhileliftingthehandleup.

2. RemoveT-boltsfromthehandlebracketsasshowninFigure3.

Figure1

Figure2

Figure3

,,J

3. Followthestepsbelowtocompletehandleassembly:

a. Pullupwardonthehandleuntilholesinlowerhandle(shownin

Figure3deckcutaway)lineupwithholesinhandlebracket.See

Figure4.

NOTE:Whenpullingupwardonhandle,makesuretonotpullhandleallthe

wayout.

b. InserttheT-boltsremovedinstepearlierthroughthehandle

bracketsandlowerhandleandtightensecurelytosecurethehandle

inplace.SeeFigure4.

c. Reattachwingnutsandcarriageboltsremovedearlierintolower

holesofhandleasshownin Figure5.

4. Theropeguideisattachedtotherightsideoftheupperhandle.Loosenthe

wingknobwhichsecurestheropeguide.Referto Figure6.

a. Holdbladecontrolagainstupperhandle.

b. Slowlypullstarterropehandlefromengineandslipstarterropeinto

theropeguide.SeeFigure6.

c. Tightenropeguidewingknob.

d. Usecableclipsprovidedtosecurebladecontrolanddrivecablesto

lowerhandleasshownin Figure6.

IMPORTANT:Toreducewearandallowforproperoperation,makesureto

leavesomeslackintheupperportionofthecable(s).

Figure5

Figure4

Figure6

Attaching the GrassCatcher

I. Followstepsbelowtoassemblethegrasscatcher.Makecertainbagisturned

rightsideout beforeassembling(warninglabelwill beontheoutside).

a. Placebagoverframesothat itsblackplasticsideisatthebottom.

b. Slipplasticchannelofgrassbagoverhooksontheframe.SeeFigure7.

2. Followstepsbelowtoattachgrasscatcher:

a. Liftreardischargedoor.

b. Placegrasscatcherintotheslotsinthehandlebracketsasshownin

Figure8.Letgoofdischargedoorsothatit restsonthegrasscatcher.

Toremovegrasscatcher,lift reardischargedooronthemower.Liftgrasscatcherup

andoff theslotsinthehandlebrackets.Releasereardischargedoortoallowit to

closerearopeningofmower.

Attaching SideDischargeCover

Yourmowerisshippedasamulcher.Toconverttosidedischarge,makesuregrass

catcherisoff oftheunitandreardischargedoorisclosed.

I. Onthesideofthemower,lift themulchingcover.SeeFigure9.

2. Slidetwo hooksofsidedischargecoverunderhingepinonmulchingcover

assembly.SeeFigure9.Lowermulchingcover.Donotremovesidemulching

coveratanytime,evenwhenyouarenotmulching.

Figure8

SideMulchingCover

Figure9

Figure7

Adjustments

CuttingHeight

Thereisacuttingheightadjustmentleverlocatedabovetherearleftwheel.

1. Pulltheheightadjustmentleveroutwardtowardswheel(unitwill tendto

fallwhenleverismovedoutward).SeeFigure10.

2. Movelevertodesiredpositionforachangeincuttingheight.SeeFigure10.

3. Releaselevertowardsdeck.

HandlePitch

Forconvenienceofoperation,youmayadjustthepitchofthehandleasfollows:

I. Removestarknobsandcarriageboltsfrom handle.SeeFigure11.

2. Positionthehandlein oneofthethreepositionsthat ismostcomfortable.

SeeFigure11inset.

3. Secureintopositionwithstarknobsandcarriageboltsremovedearlier.

Lower

Figure10

Figure11

Premium Control

Drive

Recoil Starter ........................

Cutting Height

Adjustment

Lever

Deck Wash

Side Discharge

Chute

Mulching Cover

Figure12

BladeControl

Mulching(:over

Thebladecontrolisattachedtothe upperhandleofthemower.Depressand

squeezeitagainstthedrivecontroltooperatetheunit.Releaseittostopengine

andblade.

Thisbladecontrolisasafety device.Neverattempt to bypassitsoperation.

PremiumDriveControl

Thepremiumdrivecontrolislocatedontheupperhandleandisusedtoengagethe

drive.Pushingthecontrolforwardwill engagethedrive.Thefartherthecontrolis

pushedforward,thefasterthemowerwill propel.Oncepressureisreleasedfrom

thecontrolitwill returntotheneutralpositionandthedrivewill bedisengaged.

Cutting HeightAdjustmentLever

Thecuttingheightadjustmentleverislocatedabovetheleft rearwheel.Toadjust

thecuttingheight,refertotheAssemblySection.

DeckWash

Themulchingcoverisusedformulchingpurposes.Insteadofcollectingthegrass

clippingsinagrasscatcherorusingthesidedischargechute,somemowermodels

havetheoptionofrecirculatingtheclippingsbacktothelawn.Thisiscalled

mulching.

SideDischargeCover

Yourmowerisshippedasamulcher.Todischargethegrassclippingstotheside

instead,followtheinstructionsintheAssemblysectiontoattachthesidedischarge

cover.

Keephandsandfeet awayfrom the chuteareaoncutting deck.Referto

warning labelonthe unit.

Recoil Starter

Therecoilstarterisattachedtothe rightupperhandle.Standbehindthe unitand

pulltherecoilstarterropetostarttheunit.

Yourmower'sdeckisequippedwith a waterportonitssurfaceaspartofitsdeck

washsystem.Usethedeckwashtorinsegrassclippingsfromthedeck'sunderside.

MeetsANSISafety Standards

CraftsmanLawnMowersconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

GASANDOILFEL-UP

IMPORTAfl#Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroilintheengine.Becertainto

serviceenginewith gasolineandoilasinstructedinthissectionbeforestartingor

runningyourmachine.

Alwayskeephandsandfeet dearof equipment movingparts. Donotusea

pressurizedstarting fluid. Vaporsareflammable.

CheckingOil Level

NOTE:Besuretochecktheoilwhileonalevelsurfacewith theenginestopped.

1. Removetheoilfillercap/dipstickandwipethedipstickclean.

2. Insertthedipstickintotheoilfiller neck.Turnthedipsticka 1/4turnintothe

lockedpositiontofullyseat.

3. Removedipstick.Ifthelevelislow,slowlyaddoiltotheupperlimitonthe

dipstick.SeeFigure13inset.

OU (one 20ouncebottleshippedwith unit)

Beforestartingengine,fill with motoroil,capacityis600ml/20oz.Referto

viscositychartbelowforoilrecommendations.Donotover-fill.Useasyntheticor

non-synthetk4-stroke,oranequivalenthighdetergent,premiumqualitymotor

oilcertifiedtomeetorexceedU.S.automobilemanufacturer'srequirementsfor

serviceclassificationSG,SEMotoroilsclassifiedSG,SFwill showthisdesignation

onthecontainer.

SAE30isrecommendedforgeneral,alltemperatureuse.Ifsingleviscosityoil is

used,selecttheappropriateviscosityfortheaveragetemperatureinyourareafrom

thechartbelow.

illlll III1_

m3o

20w40, 20w50 _____

15w40, 15w50 ______h.

®,

I v

10w30 _____m

(°C)-300 -200 -10° 0° 10° 200 300 400

(°F)-20 ° 0° 200 400 600 800 1000

SingleViscosity

MultiViscosity

Oil Filler/Y

Cap/Dipstick

Figure13

Reinsertthedipstickintothelockedpositionbeforestartingtheengine.

NOTE:Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoil maycausesmoking,hardstarting,

sparkplugfouling,oroilsaturationofaircleaner.

Donotusenon-detergentoil or 2-strokeengineoil. Itcouldshortenthe

engine'sservicelife.

NOTE:A5w30syntheticoil maybeusedtoimprovestartabilityforcoldweather

(temperaturesbelow400F).

FuelRequirements

Operatingthe enginewith EISor Egsfuel, anoil/gasolinemixture, dirty

gasoline,or gasoline over 30 days old without fuel stabilizingadditive

mayresultindamagetoyourengine'scarburetor.Subsequentdamage

would not becoveredunder the manufacturer'swarranty.

Useautomotivegasoline(unleadedorlowleadedtominimizecombustionchamber

deposits)withaminimumof87octane.Gasolinewith upto10%ethanol(EIO)

or15%MTBE(MethylTertiaryButylEther)canbeused.Neveruseanoil/gasoline

mixtureordirtygasoline.Avoidgettingdirt,dust,orwaterinthefueltank.DO

NOT use E15 or E85 gasoline.

Gasolineisextremelyflammableand isexplosiveundercertainconditions.

Refuelin awell-ventilatedareawith theenginestopped.Donotsmokeor

allowflamesorsparksin theareawheretheengineisrefueledorwhere

gasolineisstored.

Donotoverfillthefueltank.Afterrefueling,makesurethetankcapisclosed

properlyandsecurely.

Becarefulnottospillfuelwhenrefueling.Spilledfuelorfuelvapormay

ignite.Ifanyfuelisspilled,makesuretheareaisdrybeforestartingthe

engine.

Adding Fuel

Anadult shouldfuelthis engine.NEVERallowchildren torefuel theengine.

Gasoline(fuel)vaporsarehighlyflammableand canexplode.Fuelvapors

canspreadandbeignited bya sparkor flamemanyfeet awayfrom engine.

Topreventinjury or deathfrom fuelfires, follow theseinstructions:

DONOTuseleadedfuel.

Fuelmustbefreshandclean.NEVERusefuelleftoverfromlastseasonor

storedforlongperiods.

NEVERmixoilwith fuel.

DONOTusefuelcontainingMethanol(WoodAlcohol)

NOTE:Beforerefueling,allowenginetocooltwo minutes.

1. Cleanaroundfuelfill beforeremovingcaptofuel.

2. Filltankuntilfuelreaches1/2inchbelowthebottomofthefiller neckto

allowspaceforfuelexpansion.Becarefulnottooverfill.

3. Replacethegasolinecapandtightensecurely.Wipeupspilledfuelbefore

startingengine.IffuelisspilledDONOTstartengine.Movemachineaway

fromareaofspillage.Avoidcreatinganysourceofignitionuntilfuelvapors

aregone.

Figure14

Besurenooneotherthanthe operatorisstandingnearthe lawn mower

while starting engineor operatingmower.Neverrunengineindoorsor

in enclosed,poorlyventilated areas.Engineexhaustcontainscarbon

monoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands,feet,hairandloose

clothingawayfrom anymovingpartsonengineand lawnmower.

TOSTARTENGINE

Standingbehindthemower,pullthebladecontrolhandlebackagainstthe

drivecontrol.

2. Whileholdingthebladeanddrivecontrolstogetherfirmly,grasptherecoil

starterhandleandpull ropeoutwith arapid,continuous,full armstroke.

SeeFigure14.Keepingafirm griponthestarterhandle,lettheroperewind

slowly.Repeatuntilenginecranks.Lettheroperewindeachtimeslowly.

Keepafirm gripon the startercordhandletopreventrapidretraction of

startercord(kickback).Rapidretractioncanpull handandarmtoward

enginefaster thanyoucanlet go,and resultinbrokenbones,fractures,

bruisesor sprains.

TOSTOPENGINE

1. Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.

Waitforthe bladeto stopcompletelybeforeperforming anyworkonthe

mowerorto removethe grasscatcher.

UsingYourLawnMower

Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhichcoulddamage

lawnmowerorengine.Suchobjectscouldbeacddentlythrownbythemowerin

anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjurytotheoperatorandothers.

Oncetheengineisrunningandwhilecontinuingtoholdthebladeanddrive

controlstogether,pushthedrivecontrolforwardtopropelmower.Thefarther

thecontrolispushedforward,thefasterthemowerwill propel.Oncepressureis

releasedfromthecontrolit will returnto theneutralpositionandthedrivewill be

disengaged.Referto Figure15.

NOTE:Foreaseofuse,whilegrippingthecontrols,simplylockyourwristand

elbowsandwalk-theunitwill automaticallyadjusttoyourspeed.

Theoperationof anylawnmowercanresultinforeignobjects being

thrown intothe eyes,which candamageyoureyesseverely.Always

wearsafety glasseswhile operating the mower,orwhile performingany

adjustmentsor repairson it.

UsingasMulcher

Formulchinggrass,removethegrasscatcherorsidedischargechutefromthe

mower.Whenyouremovethegrasscatcherfromthemower,the reardischarge

doorwill close.Whenyouremovethesidedischargechute,themulchingcoverwill

close.Foreffectivemulching,donotcutwet grass.Ifthegrasshasbeenallowedto

growinexcessoffourinches,mulchingisnotrecommended.Usethegrasscatcher

tobagclippingsinstead.

Figure15

UsingGrassCatcher

Youcanusethegrasscatchertocollectclippingswhileyouareoperatingthe

mower.

1. Attachgrasscatcherfollowinginstructionsinthe"Assembly"section.Grass

clippingswill automaticallycollectinbagasyourunmower.Operatemower

untilgrassbagisfull.

2. Stopenginecompletelybyreleasingthe bladecontrol.Makesurethatthe

unit hascometoacompletestop.

3. Liftdischargedoorandpullgrassbagupandawayfromthemowerto

removethebag.Disposeofthegrassclippingsandreinstallthebagwhen

complete.

NOTE:Makesuretocleananyexcessgrassfromaroundtherearopeningof

themower,especiallybetweenthetransmissioncoverandsidewallonthe

left handsideandalongthebottom,toensuretight fit ofbagontomower.

Ifyoustrikeaforeignobject,stoptheengine.Disconnectthe sparkplug

wire,thoroughly inspectmowerfor anydamage,andrepairdamage

beforerestartingandoperating.Extensivevibrationofmowerduring

operationisanindicationof damage.Theunit shouldbepromptly

inspectedandrepaired.

MAINTENANCESCHEDULE

EachUse

Beforeperforming anytypeof maintenance/service,disengageall controls

andstopthe engine.Wait until all movingpartshavecometo acomplete

stop.Disconnectsparkplug wireand grounditagainstthe engineto

preventunintendedstarting.

IstMonthor5hours

Annuallyor25hours

Annuallyor50hours

Annuallyor100hours

BeforeStorage

1. Engineoil level

2. Looseormissinghardware

3. Aircleaner

4. Unitandengine

1. Engineoil

1. SparkPlug

2. Controllinkages/pivotsandwheels

3. UndersideofmowerdeckA

1. Engineoil ff

1. Sparkplug

2. AirCleanerf

3. FuelFilter

4. CarbonCanisterFilterf

1. Fuelsystem

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribesservice

guidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackofcompleted

maintenancetasks.TolocatethenearestSearsServiceCenterortoscheduleservice,

simplycontactSearsat1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

1. Check

2. Tightenorreplace

3. Check

4. Clean

1. Change

I. Check

2. Lubewith lightoii

3. Clean

I. Change

I. Replace

2. Replace

3. Replace

4. Replace

1. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlackoffuel,or

addstabilizertoafull tankoffreshfuelprior

tostorage.

Cleanmoreoftenunderdustyconditionsorwhenairbornedebrisispresent.Replaceaircleanerifverydirty.

ff Changeoilevery25hourswhenoperatingtheengineunderheavyloadorinhightemperatures.

A Checkandcleanmoreoftenif moweristypicallyusedinthemulchingconfiguration.

Alwaysstopengine,allowenginetocool,disconnectsparkplugwire, and

groundagainstenginebeforeperforming anytype ofmaintenanceonyour

machine.

GENERALEECOMMENDATIONS

Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganymaintenance.

Thewarrantyonthislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathavebeen

subjectedtooperatorabuseornegligence.Toreceivefull valuefrom

warranty,operatormustmaintaintheequipmentas

instructedhere.

Changingofengine-governedspeedwill voidenginewarranty.

Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedatleastonceeachseason.

Periodicallycheckallfastenersandmakesurethesearetight.

Electrode

Porcelain

ENGINEMAINTENANCE

SparkPlug

Forgoodperformance,thesparkplugmustbeproperlygappedandfreeof

deposits.Replacethesparkplugannually.

1. Disconnectthecapfromthesparkplug,andremoveanydirt fromthespark

plugarea.

2. Usethe propersizesparkplugwrenchtoremovethesparkplug.

3. Visuallyinspectthesparkplug.Discardthesparkplugif thereisapparent

wear,orif theinsulatoriscrackedorchipped.Cleanthesparkplugwith a

wirebrushifit istobereused.

4. Checkthegapwithawiregauge.SeeFigure16.Sparkpluggapshouldbe

0.030in(0.76ram).If necessary,resetthegap.

5. Checkthatthesparkplugwasherisin goodconditionandthreadthespark

pluginbyhandtopreventcross-threading.

6. Afterthesparkplugisseated,tightenwith asparkplugwrenchtocompress

thewasher.

NOTE:Wheninstallinganewsparkplug,tighten1/2turnafterthespark

plugseatstocompressthewasher.Whenreinstallingausedsparkplug,

tighten1/8-1/4turnafterthesparkplugseatstocompressthewasher.

IMPORTANT:Thesparkplugmustbesecurelytightened.Animproperly

tightenedsparkplugcanbecomeveryhotandmaydamagetheengine.

Attachthesparkplugcaptothesparkplug.

AirFilter

Paperfilterscannotbecleanedandmustbereplacedonceayearorevery100

operatinghours;moreoftenif usedinextremelydustyconditions.

Neverusegasolineor lowflash point solventsforcleaningthe air filter

element.Afire or explosioncouldresult.

IMPORTANT:Neverruntheenginewithouttheairfilter. Rapidenginewearwill

result.

Figure16

Tab

Paper

Element

Flange

Figure17

1. Turncovertoleft(counterclockwise)andremoveit andpaperelementfrom

flange.SeeFigure17.

2. Discardpaperelement.

3. Cleancoverandflangethoroughly.

4. Installnewpaperelementintocover.

5. Positioncoverandelementagainstflangewith tabonthecoverinsertedinto

thelowerleft cornerofslotinflange.

6. Pushcoverfirmlyagainstflangeandturntoright(clockwise)asfarasit will

gountilit locks.

Oil f

Checkoillevelregularly.

Besurecorrectoillevelismaintained.Checkeveryfivehoursordailybefore

startingengine.Seeoil checkingprocedureintheOperationsection.

ChangeEngineOil

Gasolineanditsvaporsareextremelyflammableandexplosive.Fireor

explosioncancausesevereburnsor death.

Changeengineoilafterthefirstfivehoursofoperation,andeveryfiftyhoursor

onceaseasonthereafter.

Air Filter

Beforetipping the unit to drainthe oil, the fueltank mustbeemptyor fuel

canleakout andresultin a fire or explosion.Toemptythe fueltank, run

the engineuntil it stopsfrom lackoffuel.

IMPORTANT:Besuretocheckengineonalevelsurfacewith theenginestopped.

Draintheoilwhiletheengineisstillwarmtoassurerapidandcompletedraining.

1. Withengineoff butstillwarm,disconnectthesparkplugwireandkeepit

awayfromthesparkplug.

2. Placeasuitablecontainernexttotheenginetocatchtheusedoil.

3. Removethedrainpluganddraintheoil intothecontainerbytippingthe

enginetowardtheoil fill/dipstick.SeeFigure18.

Usedoil isahazardouswasteproduct. Disposeofusedoil properly. Donot

discardwith householdwaste.Checkwithyourlocalauthoritiesor Sears

ServiceCenterfor safedisposal/recyclingfacilities,

4. Reinstallthedrainplugandtightenit securely.

5. Refillwith therecommendedoilandchecktheoil level.Refertothe

OperationSection.

Runningthe enginewith alowoil levelcancauseenginedamage.

6. Reinstalltheoilfill dipsticksecurely.

CarbonCanisterFilter

Thefoamcarboncanisterfilter mustbecleanedorreplacedonceayearorevery100

operatinghours.

1. Afterremovingtheouterengineshroud,removethenutssecuringtheinner

shroudasshownin Figure19.

2. Liftupinnerengineshroudandcarefullypulloutcarboncanisterfilter

assemblyfromundershroudasshownin Figure20.

3. Removecapfromendofcanisterandpulloutroundfoamfilterfrominside

theassembly.SeeFigure20.Cleanelementor replacewhendamaged.

Nut

Figure18

Figure19

Figure20

4. Tocleanfoamelement,washin mildliquiddetergentandwater.Squeezeor

pressthefoamelementto rinseoutdirt andwater.Donottwist,thiscould

damageortearthefoamelement.Allowtodrythoroughlybeforeusing.Oil

thefoamelementwithalightengineoil.

5. Carefullyplacefoamfilter backintocanisterassemblyandreattachthe

rubbercapremovedearlier.

6. Snapthecarboncanisterfilter assemblybackintoplaceundertheinner

engineshroud.SeeFigure21inset.

IMPORTANT:Besuretheanglednipplepointsupwardsintotheshroudto

avoidinterferencewiththeautochokelinkage.

7. Placethe innerengineshroudbackontotheengineandfastenbackdown

with nutsremovedearlier.

8. Reattachtheouterengineshroud.

FuelFilter

Thefuelfilter cannotbecleanedandmustbereplacedonceayearorevery100

operatinghours;moreoftenif runwith oldgasoline.

1. Removeallfuelfromtankbyrunningengineuntilit stopsfromlackoffuel.

2. Removehoseclampfromfuellineandremovefuellinefromtankoutlet.See

Figure22.

3. Pulloutoldfuelfilter fromtankoutlet.Replacewhendirtyordamaged.

4. Graspnewfuelfilter fromshoulderedendandinsertit completelytothe

shoulderintothetankoutlet.

5. Replacefuellineandhoseclamp.

Clean Engine

Dailyorbeforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chafforaccumulateddebrisfrom

engine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsdean.Keepareaaroundand

behindmufflerfreeofanycombustibledebris.

Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine.

Enginepartsshouldbekeptdeantoreducetheriskofoverheatingand

ignitionofaccumulateddebris.

Donotusewater todean engineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel

system.Useabrushor drycloth.

LUBRICATION

BladeControl

Lubricatepivotpointsonthebladeanddrivecontrolatleastonceaseasonwith

lightoil.Thesecontrolsmustoperatefreelyin bothdirections.SeeFigure23.

BeltCare

NOTE:Severalcomponentsmustberemovedinordertochangethemower's

self-propulsiondrivebelt.SeeanauthorizedSearsServiceCenterto haveyourbelt

replaced.

Figure21

Figure22

Figure23

DeckWash "I

Yourmower'sdeckisequippedwith a waterportonitssurfaceaspartofitsdeck

washsystem.

Usethedeckwashtorinsegrassclippingsfromthedeck'sundersideandprevent

thebuildupofcorrosivechemicals.CompletethefollowingstepsAFTEREACH

MOWING:

Pushthemowerto alevel,clearspotonyourlawn,nearenoughforyour

gardenhoseto reach.Removethegrassbagif attached.

Makecertainthe mower'sdischargechuteisdirectedAWAYfromyour

house,garage,parkedcars,etc.

2. Threadthehosecoupler(packagedwithyourmower'sOperator'sManual)

ontotheendofyourgardenhose.

3. Attachthehosecouplertothewaterportonyourdeck'ssurface.SeeFigure

24.

Turnthewateron.

Starttheengineasdescribedinthe Operationsection.

Runtheengineforaminimumoftwominutes,allowingtheundersideofthe

cuttingdecktothoroughlyrinse.

Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.

Turnthewateroffanddetachthehosecouplerfromthewaterportonyour

deck'ssurface.

Aftercleaningyourdeck,restartthemower.Keeptheengineandbladerunning

fora minimumoftwominutes,allowingtheundersideofthecuttingdeckto

thoroughlydry.

BladeCare

Whenremovingthe cutting bladefor sharpeningorreplacement,protect

yourhandswith apair of heavyglovesor useaheavyragto holdthe blade.

Periodicallyinspectthebladeadapterforcracks,especiallyif youstrikeaforeign

object.Replacewhennecessary.Followthestepsbelowforbladeservice.

1. Disconnectsparkplugbootfromsparkplug.Turnmoweronitssidemaking

surethattheairfilter andthecarburetorarefacingup.

2. Removetheboltandthe bladebellsupportwhichholdthebladeandthe

bladeadaptertotheenginecrankshaft.SeeFigure25.

3. Removebladeandadapterfromthecrankshaft.

4. Removebladefromtheadapterfortestingbalance.Balancethebladeona

roundshaftscrewdrivertocheck.Removemetalfromtheheavysideuntil

it balancesevenly.Whensharpeningtheblade,followtheoriginalangleof

grind.Grindeachcuttingedgeequallytokeepthebladebalanced.

Anunbalancedbladewill causeexcessivevibration when rotatingat high

speeds.It maycausedamageto mowerandcouldbreakcausingpersonal

injury.

,J/

Figure24

Blade

Blade_

BladeBellSuppert_

......... Bolt

Figure25

5. Lubricatetheenginecrankshaftandtheinnersurfaceofthebladeadapter

with lightoil.Slidethebladeadapterontotheenginecrankshaft.Placethe

bladeontheadaptersuchthatthesideoftheblademarked"Bottom"(or

with partnumber)facesthegroundwhenthemowerisin theoperating

position.Makesurethatthebladeisalignedandseatedonthebladeadapter

flanges.SeeFigure25inset.

6. Placebladebellsupportontheblade.Alignnotchesonthebladebell

supportwith smallholesin blade.

7. Replacehexboltandtightenhexbolttotorque:450in. Ibs.min.,600in.Ibs.

max.

Toensuresafeoperationofyourmower,periodicallycheckthebladeboltforcorrect

torque.

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MTD 12ABC32J799 Owner's manual

Brand: MTD

Model: 12ABC32J799

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: Owner's manual

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