Craftsman 02876870-3 Owner's manual

perator's

I:RnFrSMRN°

LAWN TRACTOR

19.5 HP, Variation Speed

42" Deck

Model No. 247.288841

• Espanol, P. 59

This product has a low emission engine which operates differently

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

understand this Operator's Manual.

Before using this equipment,

read this manual and follow

all safety rules and operating

instructions.

For answers to your questions about

this product, Call:

1-800=659=5917

CraftsmanTractorHelpLine

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

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

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-06421A

(January1,2011)

Off-Season Storage ........................................................ 27

Trou bleshooting .............................................................. 28

Labels ............................................................................. 29

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

Espafiol ............................................................................ 59

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

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,all non-expendablepartsof thisridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterial

or workmanship.Adefectivenon-expendablepartwillreceivefreein-homerepairor replacementif repairisimpossible.

FORFIVEYEARSfromthedateof purchase,theframeandfrontaxleof thisridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor

workmanship.Adefectiveframeor frontaxlewillreceivefreein-homerepairor replacementif repairisimpossible.

FOR90 DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsin material

or workmanship(ourtestingprovesthat itwillnotholda charge).A defectivebatterywillreceivefreein-homereplacement.

ADDITIONALLIFETIMELIMITEDWARRANTYon CASTIRONFRONTAXLE(if equipped)

FORAS LONGASIT ISUSEDbytheoriginalownerafterthefifthyearfromthedateofpurchase,thecastironfrontaxle (ifequipped)ofthis

ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship,Withproofofpurchase,adefectivecastfrontaxlewillreceive

freein-homereplacement.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainfreerepairor replacement,call1-800-659-5917or visitthewebsite:www.craftsman.corn

Inallcasesabove,ifpartrepairor replacementisimpossible,theridingequipmentwillbereplacedfreeofchargewiththesameoranequivabntmodel.

All oftheabovewarrantycoverageisvoidifthis ridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesor ifrentedtoanother

person.

This warranty covers ONLYdefects in material and workmanship. Warrantycoverage does NOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,

sparkplugs,air cleaners,belts,andoilfilters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,ortune-ups,

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

• Tireorwheelreplacementorrepairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,or improperoperationormaintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityof

the ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyor crankshaft,or over-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedby

improperstorage,failuretousethepropergradeandamountofengineoil,failureto keepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,or

failureto maintaintheridingequipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbe

usedwithin30 daysofits purchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears BrandsManagementCor_oration, Hoffman Estates,IL60179

Model Number:

EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& StrattonIntek®

Serial Number:

Dateof Purchase:

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not

followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof

yourselfandothers.Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle

componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateofCalifornia

tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera-

tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment,

carelessnessorerroron thepartoftheoperatorcanresultin serious

injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes

andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety

instructionscouldresultinseriousinjuryor death.

Your Responsibility--Restricttheuseofthispowermachineto

personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon themachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference

andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow

tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperatethis machine.

Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadandunderstandthe

operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthismanualandshould

betrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper

instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep

bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe

machinewhileitisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used.

Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign

objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbytheblade(s).

Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtoward

roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg-

ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause

dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperation

andwhileperformingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.

Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe

eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbe caughtin movable

parts.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.

• Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand

do notpointitatanyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe

dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherinits properplace.

Donotputhandsorfeetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwiththeblade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet.

A missingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroads

andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineisnotintendedforuseonanypublicroadway.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcohol

or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.Backup slowly.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebackingtoavoida

back-overaccident.

3

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid

erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil

theblade(s)cometoa completestopbeforeremovinggrass

catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor

debris,or makinganyadjustments.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff

blade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore

dismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthemachineintoa

trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnotbedrivenupor down

ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtipover,causingserious

personalinjury.Themachinemustbe pushedmanuallyon

ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot

touch.

Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow

hangingtreebranches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe

operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould

resultinseriousinjury.

Disengageallattachmentclutchesanddepressthebrakepedal

completelybeforeattemptingtostartengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa

heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually

tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesofdryleaves.Drygrassor

leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe

mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthis machine

bythemachinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall

instructionsprovidedwiththeapprovedaccessoryorattachment.

Fora list ofapprovedaccessoriesandattachments,call 1-800-

659-5917.

Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries.

Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding

mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom

seriousinjury.

If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare

andgoodjudgment.Contact1-800-659-5917forinformationand

assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-over

accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire

extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor ifyoufeeluneasyon

it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartofthis manual

to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineona slopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe Slope

Guide,do notoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

o

Mowupanddownslopes,notacross.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingsothat

youwillnothavetostopor shiftwhileon theslope.Tiresmay

losetractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesarefunctioning

properly.Alwayskeepmachinein gearwhengoingdownslopes

totakeadvantageofenginebrakingaction.

• Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweights

or counterweightstoimprovestability.Forrecommendations,call

1-800-659-5917.

• Useextracarewithgrasscatchersor otherattachments.These

canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donotmake

suddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidengagementor

brakingcouldcausethefrontofthemachinetolift andrapidlyflip

overbackwardswhichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

• Avoidstartingorstoppingona slope.Iftireslosetraction,disen-

gagetheblade(s)andproceedslowlystraightdowntheslope.

DoNot:

• Donotturnon slopesunlessnecessary;then,turnslowlyand

graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.Themower

couldsuddenlyturnoverifa wheelisovertheedgeofa cliff,

ditch,or ifan edgecavesin.

• Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the

ground.

• Donotusea grasscatcheronsteepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donotattempttocoastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe

operatortolosecontrolofthemachineresultingin seriousinjury

or death.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,

lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5degrees.Whengoing

downhill,theextraweighttendstopushthetractorandmay

causeyoutoloosecontrol(e.g.tractormayspeedup,brakingand

steeringabilityarereduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause

tractortooverturn).

4

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresence

ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthemowing

activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat

childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaand inwatchfulcareofa

responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childentersthearea.

• Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindanddownforsmall

children.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay

falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine

operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,

shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionofa child

whomayrunintothe machine.

Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethecutting

blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.Ifequipped,the"Reverse

CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesinreverse)

shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenor othersarearound.

Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized

operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethismachine.

Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould

betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Do

notattachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor

towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.Forrecommendations,

call1-800-659-5917.

Neverallowchildrenorothersinoron towedequipment.

Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossofcontrol.

Alwaysuseextracautionwhentowingwitha machinecapableof

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

turnstoavoidjack-knifing.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

Donotcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare

explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled

on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand

changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthegroundaway

fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck

or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltankor

containeropeningatall timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuse

a nozzlelock-opendevice.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors.

Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktono morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.Move

machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany

fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlightasona waterheater,spaceheater,

furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe

blade(s)andallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark

plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended

starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocomplete

stopwithinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe

bladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthe

thistimeframe,yourmachineshouldbeservicedprofessionally

byaSearsorotherqualifiedservicedealer.

• Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyasitissubjectedtowearduring

normaloperation.Adjustandserviceasrequired.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent

intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)

fordamage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked).Replacethe

blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.)

blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonot

meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper

performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse

extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

insafeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafety

devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe

sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly

inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore

startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothemachine

whiletheengineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoverare subject

towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow

objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck

componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment

manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof

partswhichdo notmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay

leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe

engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed

oftheengine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.to

protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingtothe ConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)

andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),this product

hasanAverageUsefulLifeofseven(7)years,or 270hours

ofoperation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLife,buyanew

machineor havethemachineinspectedannuallybya Searsor

otherqualifiedservicedealerto ensurethatall mechanicaland

safetysystemsareworkingproperlyandnotwornexcessively.

Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway.

Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand

causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting

ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are

certifiedtooperateon regularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude

thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and

ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand

shouldnotbe usedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,

brushcoveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust

systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor

statelaws(ifany).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,itshouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking

orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveisrequired

bylaw(Section4442of theCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

6

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson themachine

beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

O

A

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)

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

operate

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

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

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

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

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

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

can amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS

This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS

This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

BYSTANDERS

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

operation.

WARNING-- SLOPE OPERATION

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

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

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

muffler to cool before touching.

DANGER- ROTATING BLADES

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

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

7

Sight and hold this levelwith avertical tree...

or a corner of a building...

or a fencepost

II "_""_ _ . a 15o,,,

15°

0

rrl

Use this page as a guideto determine slopes whereyou may not operate safely.

Donotoperateyourlawnmoweron suchslopes.Donotmowon inclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a riseofapproximately2ol/2feetevery10feet). A riding

mowercouldoverturnand causeseriousinjury.Operateridingmowersupanddownslopes,neveracrossthefaceofslopes.

ROTATING BLADES CAUSE

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

DONOTMOWWHENCHILDRENOROTHERSARE

AROUND

NEVERCARRYCHILDRENEVENWITHBLADE(S)OFF.

LOOKDOWNANDBEHINDBEFOREANDWHILE

BACKING.

MOWINGINREVERSEISNOTRECOMMENDED.

WARNING

Thissymbol points outimportant safety instructions

which, if notfollowed,could endangerthe personal

safety and/or property of yourselfand others. Readand

follow all instructions inthis manualbeforeattempting

to operatethis machine.Failuretocomply with these

instructions may resultin personalinjury.When yousee

this symbol HEED ITS WARNING!

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useof this powermachineto persons who

read, understand,and follow thewarningsand instruc-

tions in this manual and on the machine.

9

IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroil in theengine.

However,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.Refertothe

Service& Maintenancesectionforinstructionson checkingtheoil

level.

Attaching the Battery Cables

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)

wiretoits terminalfirst,followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmenthave

beenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsatthefactory.Toconnect

thebatterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative

batteryterminalis markedNeg.(i).

1. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe positivebattery

terminaland attachthe redcableto thepositivebatteryterminal

(+)withtheboltandhexnut.See Figure1.

2. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe negativebattery

terminaland attachtheblackcabletothenegativebattery

terminal(-) withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure1.

f

J

Figure1

3. Positionthe redrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminalto

helpprotectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:If thebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownon topof

battery,chargethebatteryas instructedintheService& Maintenance

sectionofthis manualpriortooperatingthetractor.

Shipping Brace Removal

Makesuretheridingmower'sengineisoff,removetheignitionkey,

andset theparkingbrakebeforeremovingtheshippingbrace.Refer

ItotheOperationsectionforinstructionsonhowto settheparking

lbrake.

• Locatetheshippingbrace,ifpresent,andaccompanyingwarning

tagfoundonthe rightsideofthemower,betweenthedischarge

chutedeflectorandthecuttingdeck.SeeFig.2.

Figure2

Placethedecklift leverinthehighestcuttingposition.Referto

SettingtheCuttingHeightin theOperationsectionofthismanual.

Whilepushingthedischargechuteddlectortowardsthemachinewith

yourlefthand,removetheshippingbracewithyourrighthandbygrasp-

ingitbetweenyourthumbandindexfingerandrotatingitclockwise.

Theshippingbrace,usedforpackagingpurposesonly,mustbe

removedand discardedbeforeoperatingyourridingmower.

Themowingdeck iscapableofthrowingobjects.Failureto operate

the ridingmowerwithoutthedischargecoverin theproperoperating

Ipositioncouldresultin seriouspersonalinjuryand/orproperty

ldamage.

Attaching The Steering Wheel

Ifthesteeringwheelforyourtractordid notcomeattached,the

hardwareforattachingithasbeenpackedwithinthesteeringwheel,

beneaththesteeringwheelcap.Carefullypryoff thesteeringwheel

capandremovethe hardware.

1. Withthewheelsofthetractorpointingstraightforward,placethe

steeringwheeloverthesteeringshaft.

2. Placethewasher(withthecuppedsidedown)overthesteering

wheeland securewiththehexbolt.SeeFig.3.

10

f..-

\

Figure3

3. Placethe steeringwheelcap overthecenterofthe steering

wheeland pushdownwarduntilit"clicks"intoplace.

Attaching The Seat

NOTE:Forshippingreasons,theseatiseitherfastenedtothetractor

seat'spivotbracketwitha plastictie,or mountedbackwardtothepivot

bracket.Ineithercase,freetheseatfromits shippingpositionbeing

carefulnotto bendor kinkthewiringharnessandfollowtheinstruc-

tionsbelowtoattachit.

1. Removethetwohexscrewsandnutsfromtheseatpivotbracket.

2. Alignthefrontholesoftheseatmountingbracketwiththeholesin

theseatpivotbracketon yourtractorand securewith previously

removedhexscrewsandnuts. SeeA in Figure4.

3. Plugthewiringharnessintotheseatsafetyswitchinthebottomof

theseat,asshownin Bof Figure4.

NOTE:Thetractorwillnotoperatewiththewiringharness

disconnected.

Adjusting the Seat

Toadjustthepositionof theseat,pullupandholdtheseatadjustment

lever.Slidetheseatforwardor rearwardtothedesiredposition;then

releasetheadjustmentlever.Makesureseatis lockedintopositionin

a seat-stopbeforeoperatingthetractor.SeeFigure5.

Beforeoperatingthetractor,makesuretheseatisengagedina

seat-stop.Engagetheparkingbrake.Standbehindthemachineand

pull backon seatuntilitclicksintoplace.

Figure5

Tire Pressure

Maximumtire pressureunderanycircumstancesis30 psi.Equal

tirepressureshouldbe maintainedatall times.Neverexceedthe

_maxmum nfatonpressureshownonthesdewa of thet re.

Therecommendedoperatingtirepressureis:

Approximately10psiforthe reartires

Approximately14psiforthefronttires

iMPORTANT:Refertothetiresidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's

recommendedormaximumpsi.Donotoverinfiate.Uneventirepres-

surecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

Figure4

11

B

C

D

E

G

Figure6

F

J

A ParkingBrakeLever

B Throttle/ChokeControlLever

C IgnitionSwitchModule

D Auto-drivePedal

E DeckLiftLever

F PTOLever(BladeEngage)

G CupHolder

H ShiftLever

I SeatAdjustmentLever

J BrakePedal

NOTE: Anyreferencein thismanualtotheRIGHTor LEFTsideofthetractorisobservedfromoperator'sseat

positionfacingforwardtowardsthefrontof tractor.

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanTractorsconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

12

PARKING BRAKE LEVER

Toset the parkingbrake: Fullydepressthebrakepedal.Movethe

parkingbrakeleverintotheparkingbrakeposition.Releasethebrake

pedaltoallowtheparkingbraketo engage.

Toreleasetheparkingbrake: Depressthebrakepedalandthepark-

ingbrakeleverwillmoveoutofthe parkingbrakepositionon itsown.

Theparkingbrakewillthenbereleased.Releasethebrakepedal.

NOTE:Theparkingbrakemustbesetiftheoperatorleavestheseat

withtheenginerunningor theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL LEVER

Thethrottle/chokecontrolleveris

locatedontherightsideofthetrac-

tor'sdashpanel.This levercontrols

thespeedoftheengineand when

pushedall thewayforward,the

chokecontrolalso.Whensetin

a givenposition,thethrottlewill

maintaina uniformenginespeed.

IMPORTANT: Whenoperating

thetractorwiththecuttingdeck

engaged,thethrottle/chokecontrol

levermustalwaysbeintheFAST

(rabbit)position.

IGNITION SWITCH

Thekeyswitchmoduleisusedto

startand stoptheengine.Insert

keyintothekeyswitchmodule

andturnclockwiseto theSTART

position.Releasethe keyintothe

normalmowingpositiononceen-

ginehasstarted.Theheadlights

willbeactivatedautomatically.

Tostoptheengine,turnthe

ignitionkeycounterclockwiseto

theSTOPposition.

CHOKE

FAST

SLOW

l=, m

IMPORTANT:Priortooperatingthetractor,refertoboththe"Safety

InterlockSystem"and"StartingTheEngine"laterinthissectionofthis

manualfordetailedinstructionsregardingtheIgnitionSwitchModule.

Neverleavearunningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO

(BladeEngageLever),moveshiftleverintoneutralposition,setpark-

ingbrake,stopengineandremovekeyto preventunintendedstarting.

SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Theseatadjustmentleverislocatedbelowthefront/leftoftheseat.The

leverallowsforadjustmentoftheforeandaft positionoftheseat.Refer

totheAssemblysectionof themanual formoredetailedinstructionsfor

adjustingtheseatposition.

AUTO-DRIVE PEDAL

Thedrivepedalislocatedontherightsideofthetractor,alongthe

runningboard.Depressthedrivepedalforwardandthetractorwill

moveinthedirectionthattheshiftleverisengagedin.Tocausethe

tractortotravelforward,whileat acompletestop,movetheshiftlever

intotheForwardposition.Graduallysteponthedrivepedalandthe

tractorwillbeginto moveforward.Tomovein Reverse,followthesame

procedureonlymovetheshiftleverintothereverseposition.

Thegroundspeediscontrolledwiththedrivepedal.Thefurther

forwardthatthepedalispivoted,thefasterthetractorwilltravel.

Thepedalwill returntoits originalpositionwhenit'snotdepressed.

Referto theOperationsectionofthismanualfordetailedinstructions

regardingthedrivepedal.

IMPORTANT=Alwayssettheparkingbrakewhenleavingthetractor

unattended.

DECK LIFT LEVER

Foundonyourtractor'srightfender,thedeckliftleverisused

tochangetheheightofthecuttingdeck.Touse,movethe

levertotheleft,thenplaceinthenotchbestsuitedforyour

application.

PTO (BLADE ENGAGE) LEVER

Foundonthetractor'srightfender,the PTO(bladeengage)

leverisusedtoengagepowertothecuttingdeckorother

(separatelyavailable)attachments.Tooperate,movethe

leverallthewayforward.Movingtheleveralltheway

rearwardintothePTOOFFpositiondisengagespowertothe

cuttingdeck/attachment.

NOTE=ThePTO(bladeengage)levermustbe inthe

disengaged(PTOOFF)positionwhenstartingtheengine.

CUP HOLDER

Thetractor'scupholderis locatedon thefendertotheleft of

theseat.

SHIFT LEVER

Theshiftleverislocatedontheleft

sideofthefenderandhasthree

positions,FORWARD,NEUTRAL

and REVERSE.The brakepedal

mustbedepressedandthetractor

mustnotbe in motionwhenthe

movingshiftlever.

IMPORTANT: Neverforcethe

shiftlever.Doingsomayresultin

seriousdamagetothetractor's

transmission.

REVERSE

_J

BRAKE PEDAL

Thebrakepedalis locatedon theleftsideofthelawntractor,alongthe

runningboard.Depressthebrakepedaltoengagethediscbrakeand

bringthetractortoa completestop.

NOTE=Thepedalmustbe depressedtostarttheengine.Referto

SafetyInterlockSwitcheslaterin thissectionof thismanual.

13

GAS AND OiL FILL-UP

0il

IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroil intheengine.

However,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.Becareful

notto overfill.

Forinstructionsonhowtochecktheengineoil, referto CheckingThe

EngineOilin theServiceandMaintenancesectionofthis manual.

Gasoline

Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthehood.Donotoverfill.

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely

flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelmachineindoors

orwhiletheengineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,

_ppes,andothersourcesof gn ton.

NOTE : Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Donotusegasolineleft

overfromthe previousseason,tominimizegumdepositsin thefuel

system.

• Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonunleadedgasoline.Forbest

results,fillthefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasoline

witha pumpstickeroctaneratingof87or higher.

• Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolineby

volume)isanapprovedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblends,such

asE85,arenotapproved.

• MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends

(uptoa maximumof 15%MTBEbyvolume)are approvedfuels.

Othergasoline/etherblendsarenotapproved.

• Fillfueltankoutdoorsorin well-ventilatedarea.

• Donotoverfillfueltank.Filltanktono morethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishotor run-

ning.Allowenginetocoolatleasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.Move

machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

To Add Gasoline

1. Turntheengineoff andletenginecoolatleast2 minutesbefore

removingthefuelcap.Thegasolinetankislocatedunderthe

hood.Removethefuelcapbyturningitcounterclockwise.

2. Fillthefueltankwithgasoline.Useonlyclean,fresh(nomore

than30 daysold),unleadedgasoline.Filltankto nomore

than1/2inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuel

expansion.

3. Reinstallthefuelcap.

IMPORTANT: Donotoverfillthetank.Filltanktono morethan1/2

inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.See

Fig.7.

Figure7

Avoid Serious Injury or Death

• Go upanddownslopes,notacross.

• Avoidsuddenturns.

• Donotoperatetheunitwhereitcouldslipor tip.

• Ifmachinestopsgoinguphill,stopbladesandbackdownhill

slowly.

• Donotmowwhenchildrenorothersare around.

• Nevercarrychildren,evenwith bladesoff.

• Lookdownand behindbeforeandwhilebacking.

• Keepsafetydevices(guards,shields,andswitches)inplace

andworking.

• Removeobjectsthatcouldbethrownbytheblades.

• Knowlocationandfunctionofall controls.

• Besurebladesandenginearestoppedbeforeplacinghandsor

feetnearblades.

• Beforeleavingoperator'sposition,stoptractor,disengage

blades,engageparkingbrake,shutengineoff,and removekey.

Read Operator's Manual

14

SAFETY iNTERLOCK SYSTEM

Thesafetyinterlocksystemisdesignedforsafeoperationofthetrac-

tor.Ifthis systemshouldevermalfunction,do notoperatethetractor,

Immediatelycontact1-800-4-MY-HOMEto havethesystemserviced.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromstarting

unlesstheparkingbrakeisengagedandthePTO(BladeEngage)

leverisin thedisengaged(OFF)position.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutofftheengineif

theoperatorleavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutofftheengine

iftheoperatorleavesthetractor'sseatwiththePTO(Blade

Engage)leverengaged,regardlessofwhethertheparkingbrake

isengaged.

IGNITION SWITCH

Theignitionswitchisactivatedtostarttheengine,insertkeyintothe

ignitionswitchandturnclockwisetotheSTARTposition.Releasethe

keyintotheONpositiononceenginehasfired.

Tostoptheengine,turntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheOFF

position.

On

Start

off

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO,

moveshiftleverintoneutralposition,setparkingbrake,stopengine

andremovekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE

To engage the parking brake:

1. Fullydepressthebrakepedalandholdit downwithyourfoot.

2. Movethespeedcontrolleverallthewaydownandintothe

parkingbrakeposition.

3. Releasethebrakepedaltoallowtheparkingbraketoengage.

To release the parking brake:

1. Depressthebrakepedalandmovethespeedcontrolleveroutof

theparkingbrakepositionandintoa desiredspeed.

SETTING THE CUTTING HEIGHT

1. Selecttheheightpositionofthecuttingdeckbyplacingthedeck

liftleverinanyofthedifferentcuttingheightnotcheson theright

sideofthefender.

2. Adjustthedeck wheelssothattheyarebetween1A-inchand

Y2-inchabovethegroundwhenthetractorisona smooth,fiat

surfacesuchasa driveway.

To adjust Deck Wheels:

1. Removetheflangelocknuton theshoulderboltsecuringthe

deckwheel.

2. Positionthewheelto thedesiredheightaslistedabove.SeeFig.

8.

3. Securetheshoulderboltwiththeflangelocknut.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningofthecutting

deck.

NOTE:Thedeckwheelsarean anti-scalpfeatureofthedeckand

are notdesignedtosupporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.Referto

LevelingintheMaintenance& Servicesectionofthismanualformore

detailedinstructionsregardingvariousdeckadjustments.

Figure8

STARTING THE ENGINE

Donotoperatethetractoriftheinterlocksystemismalfunctioning.

Thissystemwasdesignedforyoursafetyand protection.

NOTE:RefertotheGasolineandOilfill-upinstructionsearlierin this

section.

1. Insertthetractorkeyintotheignitionswitch.

2. PlacethePTO(BladeEngage)leverin thedisengaged(OFF)

position.

3. Engagethetractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Activatethechokecontrolbymovingthethrottle/chokeleverall

thewayupintothechokeposition.

15

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTARTposition.Afterthe

enginestarts,releasethekey.It willreturntotheON(orNormal

Mowing)position.

DoNOTholdthekeyintheSTARTpositionforlongerthanten

secondsata time.Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine's

electricstarter.

6. Aftertheenginestarts,deactivatethechokecontroland placethe

throttlecontrolinthe FASTposition.

NOTE: DoNOTleavethechokecontrolonwhileoperatingthetractor.

Doingsowillresultina "rich"fuelmixtureandcausetheengineto run

poorly.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

If youstrikea foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthespark

plugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughlyinspectthe

machineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebeforerestartingand

operating

1. Ifthe bladesareengaged,placethePTO(BladeEngage)leverin

thedisengaged(OFF)position.

2. TurntheignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheSTOPposition.

3. Removethe keyfromtheignitionswitchto preventunintended

starting.

DRIVING THE TRACTOR

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsuddenstops.

DonotleavetheseatofthetractorwithoutfirstplacingthePTO

(BladeEngage)leverin thedisengaged(OFF)position,depressing

thebrakepedalandengagingtheparkingbrake.If leavingthetractor

unattended,alsoturntheignitionkeyoff andremovethe key.

Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebackinguptoavoida

back-overaccident.

1. Depressthebrakepedalto releasetheparkingbrakeandthenlet

thepedalup.

2. Movethethrottleleverintothe FAST(rabbit)position.

3. PlacetheshiftleverineithertheFORWARDorREVERSE

position.

IMPORTANT: DoNOTusetheshiftlevertochangethedirection

oftravelwhenthetractorisin motion.Alwaysusethebrakepedalto

bringthetractorto acompletestopbeforeshifting.

4. Graduallybeginto applypressuretothedrivepedal.Thefurther

downthepedalispushed,thefasterthetractorwilltravelinthe

desireddirectionbasedon thepositionoftheshiftlever.

5. Thelawntractorisbroughttoa stopbyreleasingthedrivepedal

andthendepressingthe brakepedal.

Beforeleavingtheoperator'spositionforanyreason,disengagethe

blades,placetheshiftleverinneutral,engagetheparkingbrake,

shutengineoff andremovethekey.

Whenstoppingthetractorforanyreasonwhileon agrasssurface,

always:

1. Placetheshiftleverinneutral,

2. Engagetheparkingbrake,

3. Shutengineoffand removethekey.Doingsowillminimizethe

possibilityofhavingyourlawn"browned"byhotexhaustfrom

yourtractor'srunningengine.

16

DRiViNG ON SLOPES

RefertotheSLOPEGAUGEintheSafetyInstructionssectionof the

manualto helpdetermineslopeswhereyoumayoperatethis tractor

safely.

Donotmowon inclineswitha slopein excessof15degrees(a rise

ofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Thetractorcouldoverturn

andcauseseriousinjury.

• Mowupanddownslopes,NEVERacross.

Exerciseextremecautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.

Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,or otherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Avoidturnswhendrivingona slope.Ifa turnmustbemade,turn

downtheslope.Turningupa slopegreatlyincreasesthechance

ofa rollover.

Avoidstoppingwhendrivingupa slope.Ifit isnecessaryto stop

whiledrivingupa slope,startup smoothlyandcarefullytoreduce

thepossibilityofflippingthetractoroverbackward.

ENGAGING THE BLADES

EngagingthePTO(BladeEngage)transferspowertothecuttingdeck

orother(separatelyavailable)attachments.Toengagetheblades,

proceedasfollows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverto theFAST(rabbit)position.

2. GraspthePTO(BladeEngage)leverandpivotitall theway

forwardintotheengaged(ON)position.

3. KeepthethrottleleverintheFAST(rabbit)positionforthemost

efficientuseof thecuttingdeckor other(separatelyavailable)

attachments.

NOTE:Theenginewillautomaticallyshutoff ifthePTOisengaged

withtheshiftleverin positionforreversetravelwiththeignitionkeyin

theONposition.

MULCHING

A mulchkit isavailableasan attachment.Mulchingisa processof

recirculatinggrassclippingsrepeatedlybeneaththecuttingdeck.The

ultra-fineclippingsarethenforcedbackintothelawnwheretheyact as

a naturalfertilizer.

A mulchkit canbe purchasedthroughtheretaillocationinwhichyou

purchasedthistractor.Formore information, simply contact Sears

at 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

USING THE DECK LIFT LEVER

Toraisethecuttingdeck,movethedecklift levertothe left,thenplace

itin thenotchbestsuitedforyourapplication.RefertoSettingThe

CuttingHeightearlierinthis section.

MOWING

Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,keepbystand-

ers,helpers,childrenandpetsat least75feetfromthemachine

whileitisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.

Thefollowinginformationwillbe helpfulwhenusingthecuttingdeck

withyourtractor:

Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialstoward

roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarging

materialagainstawallor obstructionwhichmaycausedischarged

materialtoricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

Donotmowat highgroundspeed,especiallyifa mulchkit or

grasscollectorisinstalled.

• Forbestresultsitisrecommendedthatthefirsttwolapsbecut

withthedischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirsttwo

laps,reversethedirectiontothrowthedischargetotheoutside

forthebalanceofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearancetothe

lawn.

• Donotcutthegrasstooshort.Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowth

andyellowsquicklyin dryweather.

• Mowingshouldalwaysbedonewiththeengineatfullthrottle.

• Underheavierconditionsit maybe necessarytogo backoverthe

cut areaa secondtimetogeta cleancut.

• DoNOTattemptto mowheavybrushandweedsandextremely

tallgrass.Yourtractorisdesignedtomowlawns,NOTclear

brush.

• Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.Refer

to CuttingBladesintheServicesectionofthismanualforproper

bladesharpeninginstructions.

HEADLIGHTS

• ThelampsareONwheneverthetractor'sengineis running.

• ThelampsturnOFFwhentheignitionkeyismovedtotheSTOP

position.

17

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall

controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo

acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe

enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring

operationorwhileperforminganyadjustmentsor repairs.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes

serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrack

ofcompletedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearest Parts&

RepairService Centeror to scheduleservice,simplycontact

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

BeforeEachUse

IntheFirstFiveHours

Every10Hours

Every25 hours

Every50 hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

1. Engineoil level

2. Mufflerareaandcontrols

3. Fingerguard

1. EngineOil

1. Hood/Dashairvents

2. Batteryterminals

3. Deckspindlesand idler

bracket

1. Air filter'sprecleaner*

2. Air filter*

3. Midsteeringarms,pivot

shafts,andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

1. Engineoil/Oil filter

2. Muffler

1. Air filter

2. Air filter'spre-cleaner

3. Sparkplug

4. Air coolingsystem*

5. Fuelfilter

6. SteeringGears

7. RearWheels

1. Hood/Dashairvents

2. Batteryterminals

3. Midsteeringarms,pivot

shafts,andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

6. Deckspindlesand idler

bracket

7. Pedalpivotpoints

1. Check

2. Clean

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

1. Change/Replace

2. Check

1. Replace

2. Replace

3. Replace

4. Clean

5. Replace

6. Clean

7. Removeandgreaseaxles

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

6. Lubricate

7. Lubricate

*Servicemorefrequentlyunderdustyconditions.

Beforeperforminganymaintenanceor repairs,disengagethePTO

(BladeEngageLever),engagetheparkingbrake,stoptheengine

and removethekeytopreventunintendedstarting.

Iftheenginehasbeen recentlyrun,theengine,mufflerandsur-

roundingmetalsurfaceswillbehotand cancauseburnsto theskin.

Exercisecautiontoavoidburns.

18

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Engine Oil

Onlyusehighqualitydetergentoil ratedwithAPIserviceclassification

SF,SG,SH,or SJ, Selecttheoil's SAEviscositygradeaccordingto

theexpectedoperatingtemperature.Followthechartbelow.

Althoughmulti-viscosityoils(5W20,10W30,etc.)improvestarting

in coldweather,theywillresultinincreasedoil consumptionwhen

usedabove32°ECheckyourengineoillevelmorefrequentlytoavoid

possibleenginedamagefromrunninglowonoil.

('_older _ 32°F _War me'_r

Oil Viscosity Chart

Tochecktheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

• Ensurethatthetractorisona levelsurface.

• Cleantheoil fillareaofanydebris.

1. Removethedipstickandwipewithacleancloth.

2. Insertandtightendipstick.

3. Removethedipstickandchecktheoil level.It shouldbeatthe

Fullmarkonthedipstick.SeeFigure9.

f

Dipstick-_

OilDrain

Valve

Oil Drain

Sleeve

J

Figure9

If low,addoil slowlyintotheengineoilfill. Donotoverfill.After

addingoil,waitoneminuteand thenrechecktheoil level.

Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoil maycausetheenginetonotstart,

hardstarting,orenginesmoking.If overtheFULLmarkonthe

dipstick,drainoil toreduceoil leveltoFULLmarkondipstick.

5. Replaceandtightendipstick.

Changing Engine Oil

Theengineoil shouldbechangedinthefirst5 hoursand thenevery

50 hoursoroncea season.Tochangetheengineoil,proceedas

follows:

1. WithengineOFFbutstillwarm,disconnectsparkplugwireandkeep

itawayfromsparkplug.

2. Removetheoilfillcap/dipstickfromtheoilfilltube.SeeFigure9.

3. Turnthesteeringwheelallthewaytotherighttobetterexposethe

drainplug.

4. Cliptheoildrainsleeve(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoildrain

port.Routetheoppositeendofthesleeveintoanappropriateoil

collectioncontainerwithacapacitygreatenoughtocollecttheused

oil.

5. Removetheoildrainplug,Theoilwillbegintodrainoutoftheengine.

6. Aftertheoilhasfinisheddraining,replacetheoildrainplugand

tighten.Becarefulnottoovertighten.

7. Removetheoildrainsleeveandstoreforlateruse.

8. Refilltheenginewithnewmotoroiluntiltheoillevelonthedipstick

readsFULL.Replacetheoilfillcap/dipstick.

Usedoil isa hazardouswasteproduct.Disposeofusedoil properly.

Donotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyourlocalauthori-

ties oror contact1-800-4-MY-HOMEforalist ofsafedisposal/

recyclingfacilities.

Changing the Oil Filter

1. Draintheoil fromtheengineasdescribedabove.

2. Removetheoilfilteranddisposeofproperly.See Figure10.

3. Beforeyou installthenewoil filter,lightlylubricatetheoil filter

Figure10

gasketwithfresh,cleanoil.

4. Installtheoil filterbyhanduntilthegasketcontactstheoilfilter

adapter,thentightentheoilfilter 1/2to3/4 turns.

5. Addoil asdescribedabove.

6. Startandruntheengine.Astheenginewarmsup,checkforoil

leaks.

7. Stoptheengineandchecktheoil level.It shouldbeattheFULL

19

markon thedipstick.

Fuel Filter

31osioncancausesevereburnsor death.

Air Cleaner

Iffilters,or coversarenotinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Donotattemptto starttheenginewith

themremoved.

• Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat,

andotherignitionsources.

• Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor

leaks.Replaceif necessary.

• Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltankasperthe

instructionsbelow.

• Donotdrainfuelwhentheengineishot.Allowtheengine

adequatetimetocool. Drainfuelintoan approvedcontainer

outdoors,awayfromopenflame.

• Drainanylargevolumeoffuelfromthetankbydisconnectingthe

fuellinefromthein-linefuelfilterneartheengine.

• RemovethefuellinefromtheIn-lineside(sidetowardsthefuel

tank)of thefuelfilter.

• Replacementpartsmustbethesameand installedin thesame

positionastheoriginalparts.

• Iffuelspills,waituntilitevaporatesbeforestartingengine.

• Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltank.Otherwisefuel

canleakoutandcausea fireor explosion.

ToDrainthe fuel:

1. Locatethefuelfilter,whichis routedontheleftsideoftheeng=ne

betweenthefueltankandthecarburetor,andmaybeattachedto

theenginewitha tiestrap.Cutthetiestrap,ifpresent,thenpinch

thein-lineclamponthefuelfilterwitha pairofpliers,slidethe

clampupthefuelline.Pullthefuellinefreefromthefilterandplace

theopenendofthelineintoanapprovedcontainertodrainthefuel.

Tochangethe fuel filter:

1. Useplierstosqueezethetabsontheotherclamp(theout-line

sideofthefuelfilter),thenslidetheclampawayfromthefuelfilter.

Twistandpullthefuellineoff ofthefuelfilter.SeeFigure11.

2. Checkthefuellinesforcracksor leaks.Replaceifnecessary.

3. Replacethefuelfilterwithan originalequipmentreplacement

filter.Call1-800-4-MY-HOME®topurchasetheoriginalequip-

mentreplacementfilter.

4. Securethefuellineswiththeclamps.

f

Donotusepressurizedairor solventstocleantheaircleaner

cartridge.

Theairfiltersystemusesa cylindricalcartridge.

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

12.

2. Toremovethefilter(C),lifttheendofthefilterandthenpullthe

filteroff theintake(D).

3. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthefilteron a hardsurface,ifthefilter

isexcessivelydirty,replacewitha newfilter.

4. installthefilterontheintake.Pushtheendofthefilterintothe

f -,

Figure12

baseas shown.Makesurefilterfitssecurelyin thebase.

5. installairfiltercoverandsecurewithfasteners.

Clamp

Fuel

Line

Tab

... J

Figure11

2O

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