MTD 247.38821 Owner's manual

Category
Lawnmowers
Type
Owner's manual

This manual is also suitable for

Operator's Manual
CRRFTSMRH
21" LAWN MOWER
Model No. 247.38821
CAUTION: Before using
this product, read this
manual and follow all
safety rules and operating
instructions.
o SAFETY
ASSEMBLY
OPERATION
MAINTENANCE
PARTS LIST
o ESPANOL, p. 33
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.
Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FORMNO.769-06471A
12/14/2010
WarrantyStatement..................................Page2
Safetyinstructions....................................Pages3-6
SlopeGuide..............................................Page7
SafetyLabels............................................Page9
Assembly..................................................Pages10-13
Operation..................................................Pages14-15
ServiceandMaintenance.........................Pages16-19
Off-SeasonStorage..................................Page20
Troubleshooting........................................Page21
PartsList...................................................Page22-29
Espa_ol.....................................................Page33
ServiceNumbers......................................BackCover
Craftsman TwoYearFull Warranty
FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,thisproductiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialorworkmanship.Defectiveproductwill
receivefreerepairorfreereplacementifrepairisunavailable.
Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainrepairorreplacement,visitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com.
ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsinmaterialandworkmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:
Expendableitemswhichcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchasmowerblades,bladeadapters,belts,filters,or
sparkplugs.
Productdamageresultingfromuserattemptsatproductmodificationorrepairorcausedbyproductaccessories.
Repairsnecessarybecauseofaccidentorfailuretooperateormaintaintheproductaccordingtoallsuppliedinstructions.
Preventativemaintenanceorrepairsnecessaryduetoimproperfuelmixture,contaminatedorstalefuel.
Thiswarrantyisvoidifthisproductiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesorifrentedtoanotherperson.
Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.
SearsBrandsManagementCorporation, HoffmanEstates,IL60179
EngineOilType: SAE30
EngineOilCapacity: 18ounces
Fuel: UnleadedGasoline
SparkPlug: Champion®RJ19LM
Engine: Briggs& Stratton
ModelNumber.................................................................
Serial Number.................................................................
Dateof Purchase.............................................................
Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber
anddateof purchaseabove
©SearsBrands,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
instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.
Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseofthis powermachineto
personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-
tionsin thismanualandon themachine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL OPERATION
* Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyin itsentiretybefore
attemptingtoassemblethis machine.Read,understand,and
followall instructionsonthemachineandinthemanualsbefore
operation.Keepthismanualina safeplaceforfutureand regular
referenceandfororderingreplacementparts
, Becompletelyfamiliarwiththecontrolsandtheproperuseofthis
machinebeforeoperatingit.
, Thismachineisa precisionpieceofpowerequipment,nota
plaything.Therefore,exerciseextremecautionat alltimes.This
machinehasbeendesignedto performonejob:to mowgrass.
Donotuseitforanyotherpurpose.
, Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis
machine.Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe
instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon
themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.
, Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesof
safeoperationshouldbe allowedtousethis machine.
, Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used.
Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeign
objects,whichcouldbetrippedoverorpickedupandthrownby
theblade.Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.
, Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtoward
roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg-
ingmaterialagainstawallorobstruction,whichmaycause
dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.
, Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,stayin
operatorzonebehindhandlesand keepchildren,bystanders,
helpersandpetsatleast75feetfrommowerwhileitis inopera-
tion.Stopmachineifanyoneentersarea.
Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperation
andwhileperformingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.
Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe
eyes.
Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacks
and shirts.Shirtsandpantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsand
steel-toedshoesare recommended.Neveroperatethis machine
inbarefeet,sandals,slipperyor light-weight(e.g.canvas)shoes.
Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting
deck.Contactwith bladecanamputatefingers,hands,toesand
feet.
A missingor damageddischargecovercancausebladecontact
or thrownobjectinjuries.
Manyinjuriesoccurasa resultofthemowerbeingpulledoverthe
footduringafallcausedbyslippingor tripping.Donotholdon to
themowerifyouarefalling:releasethehandleimmediately.
Neverpullthemowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.If
youmustbackthemowerawayfroma wallor obstructionfirst
lookdownandbehindtoavoidtrippingandthenfollowthese
steps:
1. Stepbackfrommowertofullyextendyourarmsforward.
2. Besureyouare wellbalancedwithsurefooting.
3. Pullthemowerbackslowly,no morethanhalfwaytoward
you.
4. Repeatthesestepsasneeded.
Donotoperatethemowerwhileundertheinfluenceofalcoholor
drugs.
Donotengagetheself-propelledmechanismon machinesso
equippedwhilestartingengine.
3
Thebladecontrolhandleisa safetydevice.Neverattemptto
bypassits operation.Doingsomakesthesafetydeviceinopera-
tiveandmayresultin personalinjurythroughcontactwiththe
rotatingblade.Thebladecontrolhandlemustoperateeasily
in bothdirectionsandautomaticallyreturntothedisengaged
positionwhenreleased.
Neveroperatethemowerinwetgrass.Alwaysbe sureofyour
footing.A slipandfallcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Ifyou
feelyouarelosingyourfooting,releasethebladecontrolhandle
immediatelyandthebladewillstop rotatingwithinthreeseconds.
Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.
Stopthebladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksor roads.
Iftheequipmentshouldstarttovibrateabnormally,stopthe
engineandcheckimmediatelyforthecause.Vibrationis gener-
allya warningoftrouble.
Shuttheengineoff andwaituntilthebladecomestoa complete
stopbeforeremovingthegrasscatcheror uncloggingthechute.
Thecuttingbladecontinuesto rotateforafewsecondsafterthe
bladecontrolisreleased.Neverplaceanypartofthebodyinthe
bladeareauntilyouaresurethebladehasstoppedrotating.
Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover,
grasscatcher,bladecontrolhandleor othersafetyprotectivede-
vicesin placeandworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamaged
safetydevices.Failuretodo socan resultinpersonalinjury.
Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot
touch.
Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile
theengineisrunning.
Onlyusepartsand accessoriesmadeforthis machinebythe
manufactureraslistedin thePartspagesofthisOperator's
Manual.Failuretodosocanresultin personalinjury.
Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,then
pullrapidly.Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpull
handandarmtowardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Broken
bones,fractures,bruisesor sprainscouldresult.
Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare
andgoodjudgement.Contact1-800-4MY-HOME®forinformation
andassistance.
SLOPE OPERATION
Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,whichcan
resultinsevereinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.If
youfeeluneasyona slope,donotmowit. Foryoursafety,usethe
SlopeGuideincludedaspartof thismanualto measureslopesbefore
operatingthis machineon aslopedor hillyarea.Iftheslopeisgreater
than15degrees,donotmowit.
Do:
o
Mowacrossthefaced slopes;neverupanddown.Exercise
extremecautionwhenchangingdirectiononslopes.
Watchforholes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcan
causeyoutosliportrip.Tallgrasscanhideobstacles.
Alwaysbesureofyourfooting.A slipandfallcancauseserious
personalinjury.Ifyoufeelyouarelosingyourbalance,release
thebladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthebladewillstop
rotatingwithinthree(3) seconds.
DoNot:
Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments,because
youcouldloseyourfootingorbalance.
Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesas shownon the
slopeguide.
Donotmowon wetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.
CHILDREN
Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresence
ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themowerandthemowing
activity.Theydonotunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat
childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.
Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaandunderwatchfulcareof
a responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.
Bealertandturnmoweroffif achildentersthearea.
Beforeandwhilemovingbackwards,lookbehindanddownfor
smallchildren.
Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,
shrubs,trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionofa
childwhomayrunintothemower.
Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer
burnsfroma hotmuffler.
Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis
machine.Children14andovershouldreadand understandthe
instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesinthis manualandon
themachineand betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.
SERVICE
SafeHandlingOf Gasoline:
Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecare
in handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthe
vaporsareexplosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhen
gasolineisspilledon yourselfor yourclothes,whichcanignite.
Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.
Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.
Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron atruckortrailerbed
witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway
fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.
Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailerand
refueliton theground.Ifthisis notpossible,thenrefuelsuch
equipmenton atrailerwitha portablecontainer,ratherthanfrom
a gasolinedispensernozzle.
Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthefueltankor
containeropeningatall timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuse
a nozzlelock-opendevice.
4
Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources
ofignition.
Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill
accumulateinthearea.
Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhileengineis hotor running.
Allowenginetocoolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.
Neverover-fillfueltank.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,donot
fillabovethebottomofthefueltankneck.
Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.
Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitofftheengineandequipment.Move
machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingengine.
Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainernearanopenflame,
sparkor pilotlightasona waterheater,spaceheater,furnace,
clothesdryerorothergasappliances.
Toreducefirehazard,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or
otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanupoil orfuelspillageand removeany
fuel-soakeddebris.
Allowmachinetocoolatleast5 minutesbeforestoring.
GeneralService:
Neverrunanengineindoorsor ina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine
exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas.
Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe
bladeandall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark
plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended
starting.
Checkthebladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervals
forpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g.,
bent,cracked,worn).Replacebladewiththeoriginalequipment
manufacture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listedinthePartspagesofthis
manual.Useofpartswhichdonotmeettheoriginalequipment
specificationsmayleadto improperperformanceandcompro-
misesafety!
Mowerbladesare sharpandcancut.Wrapthe bladeor wear
gloves,anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.
Keepall nuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobe suretheequipmentis
insafeworkingcondition.
Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproperoperation
regularly.
Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe
sparkplugwireand groundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly
inspectthemowerforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore
startingandoperatingthemower.
Neverattempttomakea wheelorcuttingheightadjustmentwhile
theengineisrunning.
Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,and trailshieldare
subjectto wearand damagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor
allowobjectstobethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck
componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment
manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthePartspages
ofthismanual.Useof partswhichdo notmeettheoriginal
equipmentspecificationsmayleadto improperperformanceand
compromisesafety!
Donotchangetheengine'sgovernorsettingor over-speedthe
engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed
oftheengine.
Checkfuelline,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor
leaks.Replaceifnecessary.
Donotcrankenginewith sparkplugremoved.
Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.
Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improperdisposal
offluidsandmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.
Accordingto theConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)
andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),this product
hasanAverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or 140hoursof
operation.AttheendoftheAverageUsefulLifehavethemachine
inspectedannuallybya Searsorotherqualifiedservicedealer
toensurethatallmechanicalandsafetysystemsareworking
properlyand notwornexcessively.Failuretodosocanresultin
accidents,injuriesor death.
DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE
Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway.
Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand
causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting
ofenginegovernor.Doingsowillvoidtheproductwarranty.
NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS
EngineswhicharecertifiedtocomplywithCaliforniaandfederal
EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOff RoadEquipment)are
certifiedtooperateon regularunleadedgasoline,and mayinclude
thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and
ThreeWayCatalyst(TWC)ifsoequipped.
SPARK ARRESTOR
Thismachineisequippedwithaninternalcombustionengineand
shouldnotbe usedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,
brush-coveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust
systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor
statelaws(ifany).
Ifa sparkarrestorisused,itshouldbe maintainedineffectiveworking
orderbytheoperator.IntheStateofCaliforniatheaboveisrequired
bylaw(Section4442oftheCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other
statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.
A sparkarrestor(PartNo.398067)forthemufflerisavailablethrough
yournearestSearsPartsandRepairServiceCenter.
SAFETY SYMBOLS
Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct. Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachine
beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.
i
i
®
J
READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S)
Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and
operate
DANGER -- ROTATING BLADES
To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass
catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.
DANGER -- BYSTANDERS
Do not mow when children or others are around.
DANGER-- HAND/FOOT CUT
Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts.
DANGER -- THROWN DEBRIS
Remove objects that can be thrown by the blade in any direction. Wear safety glasses.
DANGER -- SLOPES
Use extra caution on slopes. Do not mow slopes greater than 150.
WARNING--GASOLINE ISFLAMMABLE
Allow the engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
WARNING-- CARBON MONOXIDE
Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
WARNING-- HOT SURFACE
Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and
muffler to cool before touching.
6
|
|
or acornerof a building...
15°
Use this pageas a guide to determine slopes where you maynot operate safely.
Donotoperateyourlawnmoweronsuchslopes.Donotmowon inclineswithaslopeinexcessof 15degrees(a riseofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Operatewalk-
behindmowersacrossthefaceofslopes,neverup anddownslopes.
This pageleft intentionallyblank.
8
IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroil intheengine.
Becertaintoserviceenginewithgasolineandoilasinstructedinthe
Operationsectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.
NOTE:Referenceto rightand lefthandsideoftheLawnMoweris
observedfromtheoperatingposition.
OPENING CARTON
1. Cuteachcornerofthecartonverticallyfromtopto bottom.
2. Removeall looseparts.
3. Removeloosepackingmaterial.
REMOVING UNIT FROM CARTON
1. Liftunitfromthereartodetachitfromunderlyingcartonmaterial
androllunitoutofcarton.
2. Checkcartonthoroughlyforanyotherlooseparts.
LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON
GrassCatcher
EngineOil
f
Figure2
J
ASSEMBLY f" -'_
Attaching The Handle
1. Removeanypackingmaterialwhichmaybebetweenupperand
lowerhandles.
A. Removewingnutsandcarriageboltshandleasshown
in Figure1.Donotloosenor removeadjacenthexhead
screws.
B. Whilestabilizingmowersoitdoesn'tmove,pivotupper
handleupas showninFigure2.Donotcrimpcablewhile
liftingthehandleup.
2. RemoveT-boltsfromthehandlebracketsasshownin Figure3.
E
Figure3
Figure1
.
Followthestepsbelowtocompletehandleassembly:
A. Pullupwardonthehandleuntilholesin lowerhandle(shown
in Figure3 deckcutaway)lineupwith holesinhandle
bracket.SeeFigure4.
NOTE:Whenpullingupwardonhandle,makesuretonotpullhandle
allthewayout.
B. InserttheT-boltsremovedin stepearlierthroughthehandle
bracketsandlowerhandleandtightensecurelyto securethe
handlein place.SeeFigure4.
C. Reattachwingnutsandcarriageboltsremovedearlierinto
lowerholesofhandleasshownin Figure5.
4. Theropeguideisattachedtotherightsideoftheupperhandle.
Loosenthewingknobwhichsecurestheropeguide.Referto
Figure6.
A. Holdbladecontrolagainstupperhandle.
B. Slowlypullstarterropehandlefromengineandslipstarter
ropeintotheropeguide.SeeFigure6.
C. Tightenropeguidewingknob.
D. Usecabletiestosecurebladecontrolcabletolowerhandle.
... J
Figure5
f
J
Figure4 Figure6
11
Attaching the Grass Catcher
1. Followstepsbelowtoassemblethegrasscatcher.Makecertain
bagisturnedrightsideoutbeforeassembling(warninglabelwill
beon theoutside).
A. Placebagoverframesothatits blackplasticsideisatthe
bottom.
B. Slipplasticchannelofgrassbagoverhooksontheframe.
SeeFigure7.
2. Followstepsbelowtoattachgrasscatcher:
A. Lift reardischargedoor.
B. Placegrasscatcherintotheslotsin thehandlebracketsas
shownin Figure8. Letgoofdischargedoorsothatit rests
onthegrasscatcher.
Toremovegrasscatcher,lift reardischargedooron themower.Lift
grasscatcherupandoff theslotsinthe handlebrackets.Releaserear
dischargedoortoallowittoclose rearopeningofmower.
ADJUSTMENTS
Cutting Height
Thereisa cuttingheightadjustmentleverlocatedabovethefrontand
rearrightwheel.
1. Pulltheheightadjustmentleveroutwardtowardswheel(unitwill
tendtofallwhenleverismovedoutward).See Figure9.
2. Movelevertodesiredpositionfora changeincuttingheight.See
Figure9.
3. Releaselevertowardsdeck.
IMPORTANT:Allwheelsmustbeplacedinthe sameposition.For
roughor unevenlawns,moveeachheightadjustmentlevertoa higher
position.Thiswillpreventyoufromcuttingthegrasstooclosetothe
ground.
Figure7
f
Figure8
J
12
Figure9
Recoil Starter
Oil Fill
GrassCatcher !
Cutting Height
Cutting Height Adjustment
Adjustment Lever
Lever
Trail Shield
Gas Cap
Primer
Spark Plug
Figure10
BLADE CONTROL TRAIL SHIELD
Thebladecontrolisattachedtotheupperhandleofthemower.
Depressandsqueezeit againsttheupperhandletooperatetheunit.
Releaseittostopengineandblade.
Thisbladecontrolisa safetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits
operation.
CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER
Oneadjustmentleverislocatedon therightrearwheelandoneis
locatedontherightfrontwheel.Bothlevershaveto beatthesame
positiontoensurea uniformcut.Toadjustthecuttingheight,referto
theAssemblySection.
GRASS CATCHER
Thegrasscatcher,locatedattherearofthemower,is usedtobag
thegrassclippingsfordisposalatanothersite.Oncethebagisfull,
removeitupthroughthe handlesusingthestrapprovidedandemptyit
beforeanyfurthermowing.
Thetrailshieldis attachedtotherearofthemowerand isthereto
protecttheoperatorfromflyingdebris.Donotusethemowerunless
theshieldisfullyfunctionalandin place.
RECOIL STARTER
Therecoilstarterisattachedtotherightupperhandle.Standbehind
theunitandpulltherecoilstarterropeto starttheunit.
PRIMER
Theprimerisusedtopumpgasintothecarburetorandaidin starting
theengine.Useittostarta coldengine,butdonotuseittorestarta
warmengineaftera shortshutdown.
GAS CAP
Removethegascaptoaddfueltothefueltank.Useclean,fresh,
regularunleadedgasoline.
OIL FILL CAP/DIPSTICK
Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.
SPARK PLUG
Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsonsparkplug
replacement.
Meets ANSi Safety Standards
CraftsmanLawnMowersconformto thesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).
13
GAS AND OiL FILL-UP f "_
IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroil intheengine.
Becertaintoserviceenginewithgasolineandoilasinstructedinthis
sectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.
Oil (one 18 ounce bottle shipped with unit)
FirstTime Use
1. Removeoil filldipstick(G).SeeFigure11.
2. Withthe moweron levelground,emptyentirecontentsofoil bottle
providedintotheengineoil fill(H).
3. Replaceoil filldipstickandtighten.
Subsequent Uses
Use4-strokemotoroil thatmeetsor exceedstherequirementsfor
APIservicecategorySF,SG,SH,SJorhigher.AlwayschecktheAPI
servicelabelon theoilcontainerto besureitincludesthelettersSF,
SG,SH,SJor higher.
Outdoortemperaturesdeterminetheproperoilviscosityfortheengine.
Usethechartto selectthebestviscosityfortheoutdoortemperature
rangeexpected.
f
40
30
20
10
°30
"h
* Below40°F(4°C)theuseofSAE30 willresultin hardstarting.
**Above80°F(27°C)theuseof 10W-30maycauseincreasedoil
consumption.Checkoil levelmorefrequently.
1. Checktheoil withtheenginestoppedand level.
2. Removetheoil filldipstickandwipeit clean.
3. Insertandtightentheoilfilldipstick.Removeittochecktheoil
level.SeeFigure11.
4. Iftheoil levelisnearor belowthelowerlimitmarkonthedipstick,
removetheoil filldipstick,andfillwiththe recommendedoil tothe
upperlimitmark(J). Donotoverfill.
5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipstick.
Gasoline
Donotuseunapprovedgasolines,suchasE85.Donotmixoil in
gasolineor modifyengineto runonalternatefuels.Thiswilldamage
theenginecomponentsandvoid the engine warranty.
Fuelmustmeet theserequirements:
Clean,fresh,unleadedgasoline.
Figure11
A minimumof87 octane/87AKI(91RON).
Gasolinewith upto 10%ethanol(gasohol)or upto 15%MTBE
(methyltertiarybutylether)isacceptable.
Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththeenginestopped.Iftheengine
hasbeenrunning,allowittocoolfirst.Neverrefueltheengineinsidea
buildingwheregasolinefumesmayreachflamesor sparks.
e
Gasolineishighlyflammableandexplosive,andyoucanbe
burnedor seriouslyinjuredwhenrefueling.Stopengineand keep
heat,sparks,and flameaway.Refuelonlyoutdoors.Wipeupspills
immediately.
ifyourequipmentwillbe usedonan infrequentorintermittentbasis,
pleaserefertotheOff SeasonStoragesectionforadditionalinforma-
tion regardingfueldeterioration.
NOTE:Fuelcandamagepaintand sometypesof plastic.Becareful
nottospillfuelwhenfillingyourfueltank.
Neverusestaleorcontaminatedgasolineoranoil/gasolinemixture.
Avoidgettingdirt orwaterin thefueltank.
1. Removethefueltankcap.
2. Fillthefueltankwithfuel.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,do
notfillabovethebottomofthefueltankneck.Donotoverfill.
Wipeupspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.
3. Installthefueltankcapandtightenituntilitclicks.
4. Movelawnmoweratleast10feet awayfromthefuelcontainer/
sourceandsitebeforestartin{ me.
Besurenooneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn
mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine
indoorsorin enclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust
containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands,
feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine
andlawnmower.
14
TO START ENGINE
1. Whenstartingtheengineforthefirsttime,pushprimerfivetimes.
Forall futurestarts,pushtheprimerthreetimes.Waitabouttwo
secondsbetweeneachpush.See Figure12.Donotprimeto
restarta warmengine.
2. Standingbehindthemower,squeezethebladecontrolhandle
againstupperhandle.
3. Holdingthesetwohandlestogetherfirmly,grasprecoilstarter
handleandpull ropeslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,thenpullwitha
rapid,continuous,fullarmstroke.SeeFigure12.Keepinga firm
griponthestartercordhandle,lettheroperewindslowly.Repeat
untilenginecranks.Lettheroperewindeachtimeslowly.
Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpullhandandarm
towardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Brokenbones,fractures,
bruisesorsprainscouldresult.
NOTE:Ifenginefloods,waita fewminutesto restart,butdo notprime.
TO STOP ENGINE
1. Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.
... J
Figure12
Waitforthebladeto stopcompletelybeforeperforminganyworkon
themoweror toremovethegrasscatcher.
USING YOUR LAWN MOWER
Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhich
coulddamagelawnmoweror engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidently
thrownbythemowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjury
totheoperatorandothers.
Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultinforeignobjectsbeing
thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always
wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,or whileperforming
anyadjustmentsor repairson it.
USING AS MULCHER
Formulchinggrass,removethegrasscatcherandallowtherear
dischargedoor toclosetherearopeningof mower.Foreffective
mulching,donotcutwetgrass.If thegrasshasbeenallowedtogrow
in excessoffourinches,mulchingisnotrecommended.Usethegrass
catcherto bagclippingsinstead.
USING GRASS CATCHER
Youcanusethegrasscatchertocollectclippingswhileyouare
operatingthemower.
1. Attachgrasscatcherfollowinginstructionsinthe"Assembly"
section.Grassclippingswillautomaticallycollectinbagasyou
runmower.Operatemoweruntilgrassbagisfull.
2. Stopenginecompletelybyreleasingthebladecontrol.Makesure
thattheunithascometoa completestop.
3. Liftdischargedoorandpullgrassbagupandawayfromthe
mowerto removethebag.Disposeofthegrassclippingsand
reinstallthebagwhencomplete.
Ifyoustrikeaforeignobject,stoptheengine.Disconnectthespark
plugwire,thoroughlyinspectmowerforanydamage,and repair
damagebeforerestartingandoperating.Extensivevibrationofmower
duringoperationisan indicationofdamage.Theunitshouldbe
promptlyinspectedandrepaired.
15
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall
controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo
acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe
enginetopreventunintendedstarting.
Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes
serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackof
completedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearestSearsService
Centeror to scheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat
1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
EachUse
1stMonthor 5hours
Annuallyor 25hours
Annuallyor 50hours
Annually
BeforeStorage
.
2.
3.
4.
1.
1.
2.
3.
1.
1.
2.
1.
Engineoillevel
Looseormissinghardware
Aircleaner
Unitandengine.
Engineoil
Aircleaner1
Controllinkages/pivotsandwheels
Undersided mowerdeck
Engineoil ff
Sparkplug
AirCleaner
Fuelsystem
Cleanmoreoftenunderdustyconditionsor whenairbornedebrisis
1. Check
2. Tightenor replace
3. Check
4. Clean
1. Change
1. Clean
2. Lubewithlightoil
3. Clean
1. Change
1. Replace
2. Replace
1. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlackof
fuel,oraddstabilizertoa fulltankof
freshfuelpriortostorage.
_resent.Replaceaircleanerifverydirty.
11Changeoil every25 hourswhenoperatingtheengineunderheavyloador inhightemperatures.
16
Alwaysstopengine,disconnectsparkplugwire,andgroundagainst
enginebeforeperforminganytypeofmaintenanceon yourmachine.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganymaintenance.
Thewarrantyon thislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathave
beensubjectedtooperatorabuseor negligence.Toreceivefull
valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintaintheequipmentas
instructedhere.
Changingofengine-governedspeedwillvoidenginewarranty.
Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedat leastonceeachseason.
Periodicallycheckall fastenersandmakesurethesearetight.
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
Spark Plug
Forgoodperformance,thesparkplugmustbeproperlygappedand
freeofdeposits.Replacethesparkplugannually.
1. Disconnectthecapfromthesparkplug,andremoveanydirtfrom
thesparkplugarea.
2. Usethepropersizesparkplugwrenchtoremovethesparkplug.
f
Electrode
Figure13
NOTE:Replacewitha ChampionRJ19LMsparkplug.
3. Checkthegapwitha wiregauge.SeeFigure13.Sparkpluggap
shouldbe0.030in (0.76ram).If necessary,resetthegap.
4. installandtightenthesparkplugtotherecommendedtorque(180
Ib-in[20 Nm]).
5. Attachthesparkplugcapto thesparkplug.
Air Cleaner
A dirtyaircleanerwillrestrictairflowtothecarburetorandcausepoor
engineperformance,inspectthefiltereachtimetheengineisoper-
ated.Youwillneedtocleanthefiltermorefrequentlyif youoperatethe
enginein verydustyareas.
Cleantheair cleanerevery25hoursofoperationoroncea season.
Replacetheaircleanerannually.
Neverstartor runtheenginewiththeaircleanerassemblyor theair
filterremoved.
NOTE:Donotusepressurizedairor solventstocleanthefilter.Pres-
surizedair candamagethefilterandsolventswilldissolvethefilter.
1. Removethescrew(A)fromthetopoftheairfiltercover(B).See
Figure14.
2. Topreventdebrisfromfallingintothecarburetor,carefullyremove
theairfiltercover.
3. Removethefoamelement(C)fromtheairfilter base.
Figure14
4. Washthefoamelementinliquiddetergentandwater.Squeeze
drythefoamelementin acleancloth.
5. Saturatethefoamelementwithcleanengineoil.Toremovethe
excessengineoil,squeezethefoamelementina cleancloth.
6. installthefoamelementintotheair filterbase.
7. installtheairfiltercoverontotheair filterbaseandsecurewith
screw.
17
Check Engine Oil
Checkoil levelbeforeeachoperation.Besureoil levelismaintained.
1. Checktheoil withtheenginestoppedand level.
2. Removetheoil filldipstickandwipeitclean.
3. Insertandtightendipstick.Removeittochecktheoillevel.
4. Iftheoil levelisnearor belowthelowerlimitmarkonthedipstick,
removetheoil fillercap/dipstick,andfillwiththerecommendedoil
totheupperlimitmark.Donotoverfill.
5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipstick.
Change Engine Oil
Gasolineand itsvaporsareextremelyflammableandexplosive.
Fireor explosioncancausesevereburnsor death.
Changeengineoil afterthefirstfivehoursofoperation,andeveryfifty
hoursoroncea seasonthereafter.
lWhen draintheoil fromthe oil fill thefueltankmustbe
you top
tube,
emptyor fuelcanleakoutand resultinafireor explosion.Toempty
thefueltank,runtheengineuntilitstopsfromlackoffuel.
1. Withengineoff butstillwarm,disconnectthesparkplugwireand
keepitawayfromthesparkplug.
2. Placea suitablecontainernextto theenginetocatchtheusedoil.
3. Removetheoil filldipstickanddraintheoil intothecontainerby
tippingtheenginetowardtheoil fillerneck.See Figure15.
Usedoilisa hazardouswasteproduct.Disposeofusedoil properly.
IDonotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyourlocalauthori-
_tiesor SearsServiceCenterforsafedisposal/recyclingfacilities.
4. Withtheengineina levelposition,filltotheupperlimitmarkon
thedipstickwiththerecommendedoil.
Runningtheenginewitha lowoil levelcancauseenginedamage.
5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipsticksecurely.
Clean Engine
Dailyorbeforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chaffor accumulated
debrisfromengine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean.
Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeofanycombustible
debris.
Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine.
Enginepartsshouldbe keptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheat-
ingandignitionofaccumulateddebris.
OU Fill/Dipstick
Air Filter_
Figure15
J
Figure16
LUBRICATION
Blade Control
Lubricatepivotpointsonthebladecontrolat leastoncea seasonwith
lightoil.Thiscontrolmustoperatefreelyinbothdirections.SeeFigure
16.
Donotusewatertocleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel
system.Usea brushor drycloth.
18
CLEANING DECK
Cleanundersideofthemowerdeckonceaseasonto preventbuild-up
ofgrassclippingsor otherdebris.Followstepsbelowforthisjob.
1. Runengineuntilit stopsfromlackoffuel.Disconnectsparkplug
wire.
2. Tipmowersothat it restson thehousing,keepingthemufflerside
down.Referbackto Figure15.Holdmowerfirmly.
Nevertip themowermorethan900inanydirectionanddo notleave
the mowertippedforanylengthoftime.Oilcandrainintotheupper
partoftheenginecausinga startingproblem.
3. Scrapeandcleantheundersideof thedeckwitha suitabletool.
Donotspraywithwater.
IMPORTANT:Donotusea pressurewasheror gardenhosetoclean
yourunit.Thesemaycausedamageto bearings,ortheengine.The
useof waterwillresultin shortenedlifeandreduceserviceability.
4. Putthemowerbackon itswheelsontheground.
f
............................................Support
_J
Figure17
BLADE CARE
Whenremovingthecuttingbladeforsharpeningor replacement,
protectyourhandswitha pairofheavyglovesorusea heavyragto
holdtheblade.
Periodicallyinspectthebladeadapterforcracks,especiallyifyou
strikea foreignobject.Replacewhennecessary.Followthesteps
belowforbladeservice.
1. Disconnectsparkplugbootfromsparkplug.Turnmoweron its
sidemakingsurethattheair filterandthecarburetorarefacing
up.
2. Removetheboltandthebladebellsupportwhichholdtheblade
andthebladeadapterto theenginecrankshaft.SeeFigure17.
3. Removebladeandadapterfromthecrankshaft.
4. Removebladefromtheadapterfortestingbalance.Balancethe
bladeon aroundshaftscrewdrivertocheck.Removemetalfrom
theheavysideuntilitbalancesevenly.Whensharpeningthe
blade,followtheoriginalangleof grind.Grindeachcuttingedge
equallyto keepthebladebalanced.
An unbalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibrationwhenrotatingat
highspeeds.Itmaycausedamageto mowerandcouldbreakcausin(
personalinjury.
5. Lubricatetheenginecrankshaftandtheinnersurfaceoftheblade
adapterwithlightoil.Slidethebladeadapterontotheengine
crankshaft.Placethebladeon theadaptersuchthatthesideof
theblademarked"Bottom"(orwithpartnumber)facestheground
whenthemowerisin theoperatingposition.Makesurethatthe
bladeisalignedandseatedon thebladeadapterflanges.See
Figure17inset.
6. Placebladebellsupporton theblade.Alignnotchesontheblade
bellsupportwithsmallholesin blade.
7. Replacehexboltandtightenhexbolttotorque:450in.Ibs.rain.,
600 in.Ibs.max.
Toensuresafeoperationof yourmower,periodicallychecktheblade
boltforcorrecttorque.
19
Neverstorelawnmowerwithfuelintankindoorsorin poorly
ventilatedareaswherefuelfumesmayreachan openflame,spark,
or pilotlightasona furnace,waterheater,clothesdryer,or gas
appliance.
PREPARING THE ENGINE
Forenginesstoredover30days:
1. Topreventgumfromforminginfuelsystemoron carburetor
parts,runengineuntilitstopsfromlackoffueloradda gasoline
additiveto thegasin thetank.If youuseagasadditive,runthe
engineforseveralminutesto circulatetheadditivethroughthe
carburetor--afterwhichtheengineandfuelcanbe storedupto
24months.
2. Whileengineisstillwarm,changetheoil.
3. Cleanengineofsurfacedebris.
PREPARING THE LAWN MOWER
Cleanandlubricatemowerthoroughlyasdescribedinthe lubrica-
tioninstructions.
Donotusea pressurewasheror gardenhosetocleanyourunit.
Coatmower'scuttingbladewithchassisgreaseto prevent
rusting.
RefertoPREPARINGTHE ENGINEforcorrectenginestorage
instructions.
Storemowerin adry,cleanarea.Donotstorenexttocorrosive
materials,suchasfertilizer.
Whenstoringanytypeofpowerequipmentina poorlyventilatedor
metalstorageshed,careshouldbetakentorust-prooftheequipment.
Usinga lightoil orsilicone,coattheequipment,especiallycablesand
all movingpartsof yourlawnmowerbeforestorage.
20
Beforeperforminganytyped maintenance/service,disengageall
controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo
a completestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe
enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring
operationorwhileperforminganyadjustmentsorrepairs.
Enginefailstostart
Enginerunserratic
1. Bladecontroldisengaged.
2. Sparkplugbootdisconnected.
3. Fueltankemptyor stalefuel.
4. Enginenotprimed.
5. Faultysparkplug.
6. Engineflooded.
7. Blockedfuelline.
1. Sparkplugbootloose.
2. Stalefuel.
3. Ventingascapplugged.
4. Waterordirtinfuel system.
5. Dirtyair cleaner.
6. BIockedfuelline.
Engineoverheats 1. Engineoillevellow.
2. Air flowrestricted.
Occasionalskips(hesitates) 1. Sparkpluggaptooclose.
Idlespoorly 1. Sparkplugfouled,faulty,or gaptoowide.
2. Dirtyair cleaner.
Excessivevibration 1. Cuttingbladelooseor unbalanced.
2. Bentcuttingblade.
Mowerwillnotmulchgrass 1. Wetgrass.
Unevencut
2. Excessivelyhighgrass.
3. Dullblade.
1. Wheelsnotpositionedcorrectly.
2. Dullblade.
1. Engagebladecontrol.
2. Connectwiretosparkboot.
3. Filltankwithclean,freshgasoline.
4. Primeengineas instructedintheOperationsection.
5. Clean,adjustgap,or replace.
6. Waita fewminutesto restart,butdo notprime.
7. ContactyourSearsParts& RepairCenterto have
fuellinecleaned.
1. Connectandtightensparkplugboot.
2. Filltankwithclean,freshgasoline.
3. Clearvent.
4. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlackoffuel.Refillwith
freshfuel.
5. RefertoAirCleanerinEngineMaintenancesection.
6. ContactyourSearsParts& RepairCenterto have
fuellinecleaned.
1. Fillcrankcasewith properoil.
2. Cleanareaaroundandontopofengine.
1. Adjustgapto.030".
1. Resetgapto .030"or replacesparkplug.
7. RefertoAirCleanerinEngineMaintenancesection.
1. Tightenbladeandadapter.Balanceblade.
2. Replaceblade.
1. Donotmowwhengrassiswet;waituntil
laterto cut.
2. Mowonceata highcuttingheight,thenmowagain
atdesiredheightor makeanarrowercuttingpath.
3. Sharpenor replaceblade.
1. Adjustcuttingheightleveron rightfrontandright
rearwheelto sameposition.
2. Sharpenor replaceblade.
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21
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MTD 247.38821 Owner's manual

Category
Lawnmowers
Type
Owner's manual
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