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.
© KCDIP,LLC 2
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
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
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