Craftsman 12A948J099 Owner's manual

Brand: Craftsman

Model: 12A948J099

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: Owner's manual

This manual is also suitable for

Operator's Manual

PRO E S S I 0 N A

21" SELF=PROPELLED MOWER

Model No. 247.381091

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. 37

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

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FORMNO.769-06851

6/22/2011

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

Safetyinstructions....................................Pages3-6

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

SafetyLabels............................................Page9

Assembly..................................................Pages10-13

Operation..................................................Pages14-15

ServiceandMaintenance.........................Pages16-19

Off-SeasonStorage..................................Page20

TroubleShooting.......................................Page21

PartsList...................................................Page22-32

Espa_ol.....................................................Page37

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

Craftsman Professional Two Year Full Warranty

FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,this productiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor workmanship.Defectiveproductwill

receivefreerepairor freereplacementifrepairisunavailable.

Forwarranty coveragedetails to obtain repairor replacement,visit the website: www.craftsman.com.

This warranty covers ONLYdefects in material andworkmanship. Warrantycoverage does NOTinclude:

• Expendableitemswhichcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,suchas mowerblades,bladeadapters,belts,filters,or

sparkplugs.

• Productdamageresultingfromuserattemptsat productmodificationor repairorcausedbyproductaccessories.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof accidentorfailuretooperateor maintaintheproductaccordingtoallsuppliedinstructions.

• Preventativemaintenanceor repairsnecessarydueto improperfuelmixture,contaminatedorstalefuel.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Bears BrandsManagementCorporation, Noffman Estates,IL 60179

EngineOilType: SAE30

EngineOilCapacity: 18ounces

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& Stratton

ModelNumber.................................................................

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

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.

, Tohelpavoidbladecontactorathrownobjectinjury,stayin

operatorzonebehindhandlesand keepchildren,bystanders,

helpersandpetsatleast75feetfrommowerwhileitis inopera-

tion.Stopmachineifanyoneentersarea.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperation

andwhileperformingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.

Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe

eyes.

Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacks

and shirts.Shirtsand pantsthatcoverthearmsandlegsand

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.

• 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.Failuretodosocanresultinpersonalinjury.

• Whenstartingengine,pullcordslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,then

pullrapidly.Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpull

handandarmtowardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Broken

bones,fractures,bruisesor sprainscouldresult.

• If situationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare

andgoodjudgement.Contact1-800-4MY-HOME®forinformation

andassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesare amajorfactorrelatedto slipandfallaccidents,whichcan

resultinsevereinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.If

youfeeluneasyona slope,do notmowit. Foryoursafety,usethe

SlopeGuideincludedaspartof thismanualto measureslopesbefore

operatingthis machineon a slopedor hillyarea.Iftheslopeisgreater

than15degrees,donotmowit.

Do:

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.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersources

ofignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswill

accumulateinthearea.

• Neverremovegascaporaddfuelwhileengineis hotor running.

Allowenginetocoolat leasttwo minutesbeforerefueling.

• Neverover-fillfueltank.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,donot

fillabovethebottomofthefueltankneck.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• If gasolineisspilled,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.

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.

or acornerof a building...

15°

Use this pageas a guide to determine slopes where you maynot operate safely.

Donotoperateyourlawnmoweronsuchslopes.Donotmowoninclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a riseofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Operatewalk-

behindmowersacrossthefaceofslopes,neverup anddownslopes.

This pageleft intentionallyblank.

READOPERATOR'SMANUAL. KEEPSAFETYDEVICES(BLADECONTRDL,TRAILINGSHIELD,

DISCHARGECOVER,ETC.)INPLACEAND WORKING. IF DAMAGED,REPLACEiMMEDiATELY.

Operation Of This Equipment May Create Sparks

That Can Start Fires Around Dry Vegetation,

A Spark Arrestor May Be Required.The Operator Should Contact Local Fire

Agencies For Laws Or Regulations To Fire Prevention Requirements.

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

• GrassCatcherAdapter

• SideDischargeCover

• EngineOil

ASSEMBLY

Attaching The Handle

1. Removeanypackingmaterialwhichmaybebetweenupperand

lowerhandles.

A. PullupandbackonupperhandleasshowninFigure1.

Makecertainthe lowerhandleisseatedsecurelyintothe

handlemountingbrackets.Donotcrimpcableswhilelifting

thehandleup.

B. Tightenstarknobstosecureupperhandletolowerhandle.

Makesurethateachcarriageboltisseatedproperlyinthe

handle.

2. Locatethehairpinclipontheweldpinon eachsideof lower

handle.

A. Removehairpinclipfromweldpin.Usinga pairofpliers,

inserthairpinclipintotheholeonpinclosestto thebracket.

SeeFigure2. Repeaton otherside.

B. Insertacarriageboltfromthemanualbagintotheupper

holeonthehandlemountingbracket.Securewithone plastic

wingnut,alsoincludedin themanualbag.Repeatonother

sidewith remaininghardware.

Figure1

Figure2

NOTE:Makecertainthedrivecableisroutedaroundtheoutsideand

abovethelowerhandlesoitdoesnotinterferewithattachingthegrass

bag.Thechutedoorhasbeendesignedtomovethestarterropeoutof

thewayofthebagwhenthechutedoorisopened.

3. Theropeguide,whichisconnectedtothesupportrod,islocated

onthe rightsideofthelowerhandle.See Figure3 below.

A. Holdbladecontrolagainstupperhandle.

B. Pullstarterropeoutoftheengine.Releasebladecontrol.

C. Slipstarterropeintoropeguide.

D. Usecabletiestosecurecableto lowerhandle.

Attaching the Grass Catcher

Themowerwasshippedwiththemulchingbaffleinstalledontheunit.

Forbaggingpurposes,youwillhavetoattachthegrassbagandits

adapterin placeofthemulchingbaffle.

1. Removethreewingnutsholdingthemulchingbafflein placeand

removefromunit.

2. Replacewithgrassbagadapter,whilemakingsurethefrontlipof

adaptergoesundertheedgeofthedeck.See Figure4.Secure

withwingnutspreviouslyremoved.

3. Liftchutedooronthegrassbagadapterand slidegrassbagonto

theadapter.SeeFigure5.

Figure4

Figure3

Figure5

Attaching Side Discharge Cover

Followstepsbelowtoinstallthesidedischargecover:

1. Removemulchingbaffleor grassbagadapterfromunitby

disconnectingwingnuts.

2. Attachsidedischargecovertounitand securewiththethreewing

nuts.SeeFigure6.

ADJUSTMENTS

Cutting Height

Thereisa cuttingheightadjustmentleverlocatedabovethe rearleft

wheel.

1. Pulltheheightadjustmentlevertowardswheel.

2. Movelevertodesiredpositionfora changeincuttingheight.See

Figure7.

3. Releaselevertowardsdeck.

Drive Control

Theadjustmentwheelislocatedin thedrivecontrolhandlehousing

andisusedtotightenor loosenthedrivebelt.Youwillhaveto adjust

thedrivecontrolifanyofthefollowinghappens:

1. Themowerdoesnotpropelitselfwiththedrivecontrolengaged.

2. Themower'sdrivewheelshesitatewiththedrivecontrolengaged.

Ifeitheroftheseconditionsoccur,rotatetheadjustmentwheel

clockwisetotightenandcounter-clockwiseto loosencabletoadjust

thedrivecontrol.SeeFigure8.

NOTE:Forsomepeoplethedrivecontrolmaynotbeina comfortable

position.Youcanadjustthehandlepositionbytighteningtheadjust-

mentwheel.

Figure6

Figure7

Figure8

Recoil Startel

Cutting Height

Adjustment Lever

Gas Cap

Oil Cap/Di!

Side Discharge

Cover

Figure9

BLADE CONTROL SIDE DISCHARGE COVER

Thebladecontrolisattachedtotheupperhandleofthemower.See

Figure9. Depressand squeezeitagainsttheupperhandletooperate

theunit.Releaseitto stopengineand blade.

Yourmoweris shippedasa mulcher.Todischargethegrassclippings

tothesideinstead,followtheinstructionsin theAssemblysectionto

attachthesidedischargecover.

Thisbladecontrolisa safetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits

operations.

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

LEVER

Thecuttingheightadjustmentleverislocatedabovethe

left rearwheel.Toadjustthecuttingheight,referto the

Assemblysection.

DRIVE CONTROL

Thedrivecontrolislocatedontheupperhandle.Squeezethedrive

controltoengagethedrivesystem.Releaseittodisengagethedrive

system.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthechuteareaon cuttingdeck.Refer

towarninglabelonthe unit.

RECOIL STARTER

Therecoilstarterisconnectedtothesupportrodandislocatedonthe

rightsideofthelowerhandle.Standbehindtheunitandpulltherecoil

starterropetostarttheunit.

GAS CAP

Removethegascaptoaddfueltothefueltank.Useclean,fresh,

regularunleadedgasolinewitha minimumof87 octane.

OIL CAP/DIPSTICK

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

TRAIL SHIELD

Thetrailshieldis attachedtotherearofthemowerand isthereto

protecttheoperatorfromflyingdebris.Donotusethemowerunless

theshieldisfullyfunctionalandin place.

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanLawnMowersconformto thesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

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).SeeFigure10.

2. Withthe moweron levelground,emptyentirecontentsofoil bottle

providedintotheengineoil fill(H).

3. Replaceoil filldipstickandtighten.

Subsequent Uses

Use4-strokemotoroil thatmeetsor exceedstherequirementsforAPI

servicecategorySF,SG,SH,SJor later.AlwayschecktheAPIservice

labelontheoilcontainertobe sureitincludesthelettersSF,SG,SH,

SJor higher.

Outdoortemperaturesdeterminetheproperoilviscosityfortheengine.

Usethechartto selectthebestviscosityfortheoutdoortemperature

rangeexpected.

f "h

16so4s6 o** " 2

°30

* Below40°F(4°C)theuseofSAE30willresultin hardstarting.

**Above80°F(27°C)theuseof 10W-30maycauseincreasedoil

consumption.Checkoil levelmorefrequently.

1. Checktheoil withtheenginestoppedand level.

2. Removetheoil filldipstickandwipeit clean.

3. Insertandtightentheoilfilldipstick.Removeittochecktheoil

level.SeeFigure10.

4. Iftheoil levelisnearor belowthelowerlimitmarkonthedipstick,

removetheoil filldipstick,andfillwiththe recommendedoil tothe

upperlimitmark(J). Donotoverfill.

5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipstick.

Gasoline

Donotuseunapprovedgasolines,suchasE85.Donotmixoil in

Igasolineor modifyengineto runonalternatefuels.Thiswilldamage

_theenginecomponentsandvoid the engine warranty.

Fuelmustmeet these requirements:

• Clean,fresh,unleadedgasoline.

Figure10

• 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.

Gasolineishighlyflammableandexplosive,andyoucanbe

burnedor seriouslyinjuredwhenrefueling.Stopengineand keep

heat,sparks,and flameaway.Refuelonlyoutdoors.Wipeupspills

immediately.

Ifyourequipmentwillbe usedonan infrequentorintermittentbasis,

pleaserefertotheOffSeasonStoragesectionforadditionalinforma-

tion regardingfueldeterioration.

NOTE:Fuelcandamagepaintand sometypesof plastic.Becareful

nottospillfuelwhenfillingyourfueltank.

Neverusestaleorcontaminatedgasolineoroil/gasolinemixture.

Avoidgettingdirt orwaterin thefueltank.

1. Removethefueltankcap.

2. Fillthefueltankwithfuel.Toallowforexpansionofthefuel,do

notfillabovethebottomofthefueltankneck.Donotoverfill.

Wipeupspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.

3. Installthefueltankcapandtightenituntilitclicks.

4. Movelawnmoweratleast10feet awayfromthefuelcontainer/

sourceandsitebeforestartingtheengine.

Besurenooneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn

mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine

indoorsorin enclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust

containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands,

feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine

andlawnmower.

TO START ENGINE

1. Standingbehindthemower,squeezethebladecontrolhandle

againstupperhandle.SeeFigure11.

2. Holdingthesetwohandlestogetherfirmly,grasprecoilstarter

handleandpull ropeslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,thenpullwitha

rapid,continuous,fullarmstroke.SeeFigure11.Keepinga firm

griponthestartercordhandle,lettheroperewindslowly.Repeat

untilenginecranks.Lettheroperewindeachtimeslowly.

Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpullhandandarm

towardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Brokenbones,fractures,

bruisesorsprainscouldresult.

NOTE:Ifenginefloods,waita fewminutesto restart.

TO STOP ENGINE

1. Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.

Waitforthebladeto stopcompletelybeforeperforminganyworkon

themoweror toremovethegrasscatcher.

Figure11

USING YOUR LAWN MOWER

Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhich

coulddamagelawnmoweror engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidently

thrownbythemowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjury

totheoperatorandothers.

Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultinforeignobjectsbeing

thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always

wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,or whileperforming

anyadjustmentsor repairson it.

1. Oncetheengineis running,squeezethedrivecontrolagainstthe

upperhandleto propelmower.Releaseittodisengagethedrive.

USING AS MULCHER

Formulchinggrass,removethegrasscatcherorthesidedischarge

chutefromthemower,and reattachthemulchingbaffle.Foreffective

mulching,donotcutwetgrass.If thegrasshasbeenallowedtogrow

in excessoffourinches,mulchingisnotrecommended.Usethegrass

catcherto bagclippingsinstead.

USING GRASS CATCHER

Youcanusethegrasscatchertocollectclippingswhileyouare

operatingthemower.

1. AttachgrasscatcherfollowinginstructionsintheAssembly

section.Grassclippingswillautomaticallycollectinthebagas

yourunthemower.

2. Operatethemowertillthegrassbagisfull.

3. Stopenginecompletelybyreleasingthebladecontrol.Makesure

thattheunithascometoa completestop.

4. Whileholdingthegrassbagbyboththerearhandleandthelower

handle,liftthegrassbagstraightup offtheadapter.Thechute

doorwillmovetheropeoutofthewayofthebag.

5. Continuingtoholdthelowerhandle,raisethe rearofthegrass

bagand releasethelowerhandleovera properreceptacle.The

grassbagwillopenandthegrassclippingswilldisperse.When

replacingthegrassbag,be surethetopofthebagrestsonthe

wiresupportbetweenthehandles.

If youstrikea foreignobject,stoptheengine.Disconnectthespark

plugwire,thoroughlyinspectmowerforanydamage,and repair

damagebeforerestartingandoperating.Extensivevibrationof mower

duringoperationisan indicationofdamage.Theunitshouldbe

promptlyinspectedandrepaired.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall

controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo

acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe

enginetopreventunintendedstarting.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes

serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackof

completedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearest SearsService

Centeror to scheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

EachUse

1st5 hours

Annuallyor 50hours

Annuallyor 200hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

Cleanmoreoftenunderdustyconditionsor whenairbornedebrisis

1. Engineoillevel

2. Looseormissinghardware

3. Unitandengine.

1. Engineoil

1. Airfilter& Pre-Cleaner

2. Controllinkages/pivotsandwheels

3. Undersideofmowerdeck

4. EngineOil

1. Airfilter& Pre-Cleaner

1. Sparkplug

1. Fuelsystem

1. Check

2. Tightenor replace

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Lubewithlightoil

3. Clean

4. Change

1. Change

1. Replace

1. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlackof

fuel,oraddstabilizertoa fulltankof

freshfuelpriortostorage.

)resent.

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.

NOTE:Replacewitha Champion®RC12YCsparkplug.

3. Checkthegapwitha wiregauge.SeeFigure12.Sparkpluggap

shouldbe0.020in(0.51ram).If necessary,resetthegap.

4. installandtightenthesparkplugtotherecommendedtorque(180

Ib-in[20 Nm]).

5. Attachthesparkplugcapto thesparkplug.

Air Cleaner

A dirtyaircleanerwillrestrictairflowtothecarburetorandcausepoor

engineperformance,inspectthefiltereachtimetheengineisoper-

ated.Youwillneedtocleanthefiltermorefrequentlyifyouoperatethe

enginein verydustyareas.

Cleantheair cleanerevery50hoursofoperationoroncea season.

Replacetheaircleanerannually.

Electrode

Porcelain

Figure12

Fastener

Cover

Air Filter

Neverstartor runtheenginewiththeaircleanerassemblyor theair

filterremoved.

NOTE:Donotusepressurizedairor solventstocleanthefilter.Pres-

surizedair candamagethefilterandsolventswilldissolvethefilter.

1. Removethefastenerandair cleanercover.See Figure13.

2. Removethepre-cleanerandfilter.

3. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthefilterona hardsurface,iffilteris

excessivelydirty,replacewitha newfilter.

Figure13

4. Washthe pre-cleanerin liquiddetergentandwaterandallowit to

thoroughlyair dry.Donot oilthe pre-cleaner.

5. Assemblethedrypre-cleanertothefilter.

6. installthefilterandpre-cleanerintothebase.Makesurefilterfits

securelyin thebase.

7. installair filtercoverand securewithfastener.Makesurethe

fasteneristight.

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 Figure14.

Usedoilisa hazardouswasteproduct.Disposeofusedoil properly.

IDonotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyourlocalauthori-

_tiesor SearsServiceCenterforsafedisposal/recyclingfacilities.

4. Withtheengineina levelposition,filltotheupperlimitmarkon

thedipstickwiththerecommendedoil.

DU Fill/Dipstick

AirFilter

Figure14

Runningtheenginewithalowoil levelcancauseenginedamage.

5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipsticksecurely.

Clean Engine

• Dailyor beforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chaffor accumulated

debrisfromengine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean.

Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeofanycombustible

debris.

• Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine.

• Enginepartsshouldbe keptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheat-

ingandignitionofaccumulateddebris.

Donotusewatertocleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel

system.Usea brushor drycloth.

Figure15

LUBRICATION

Blade Control

Lubricatepivotpointsonthebladecontrolat leastoncea seasonwith

lightoil.Thiscontrolmustoperatefreelyinbothdirections.SeeFigure

15.

Wheels

Lubricatethewheelsat leastoncea seasonwithlightoil (ormotoroil).

Ifwheelsare removedforanyreason,lubricatetheaxleboltandinner

surfaceofthewheelwithlightoil.SeeFigure15.

Grass Catcher Adapter

Lubricatethetorsionspringand pivotpointon eachendofthegrass

catcheradapterdooratleastoncea seasonwith lightoil toprevent

rust.SeeFigure15.

Transmission

Thetransmissionispre-lubricatedandsealedatthefactoryanddoes

notrequirelubrication.

CLEANING DECK

Cleanundersideofthemowerdeckonceaseasonto preventbuild-up

ofgrassclippingsor otherdebris.Followstepsbelowforthisjob.

1. Disconnectsparkplugwire.Draingasolinefromlawnmoweror

placea pieceofplasticunderthegascap.

2. Tipmowersothat it restson thehousing,keepingthemufflerside

down.Referto Figure14.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.Ifyouhadput

plasticunderthegascapearlier,makesuretoremoveitnow.

REPLACING REAR FLAP

Toreplacerearflap,proceedasfollows:

1. Toremoverearflap,lift reardoor,removescrew,andpressflapin

oneithersideto removefromhole.SeeFigure16.

2. Removescrewandflapfromoppositeholeandreplacewithnew

flapintheoppositeorderand mannerofremoval.

BLADE CARE

Whenremovingthecuttingbladeforsharpeningor replacement,

protectyourhandswitha pairofheavyglovesor usea heavyragto

holdthe blade.

Periodicallyinspectthebladeadapterforcracks,especiallyifyou

strikea foreignobject.Replacewhennecessary.Followthesteps

belowforbladeservice.

1. Disconnectsparkplugbootfromsparkplug.Turnmoweronitsside

makingsurethattheairfilterandthecarburetorarefacingup.

2. Removetheboltandthebladebellsupportwhichholdtheblade

andthebladeadapterto theenginecrankshaft.SeeFigure17.

3. Removebladeandadapterfromthecrankshaft.

4. Removebladefromtheadapterfortestingbalance.Balancethe

bladeon a roundshaftscrewdrivertocheck.Removemetalfrom

theheavysideuntilit balancesevenly.Whensharpeningthe

blade,followtheoriginalangleof grind.Grindeachcuttingedge

equallyto keepthebladebalanced.

Anunbalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibrationwhenrotatingat

highspeeds.It maycausedamagetomowerandcouldbreakcausing

personalinjury.

5. Lubricatetheenginecrankshaftandtheinnersurfaceoftheblade

adapterwithlightoil.Slidethebladeadapterontotheengine

crankshaft.Placethebladeon theadaptersuchthatthesideof

Figure16

Blade

8_- ....... Bolt

Figure17

theblademarked"Bottom"(orwithpartnumber)facestheground

whenthemowerisin theoperatingposition.Makesurethatthe

bladeisalignedandseatedon thebladeadapterflanges.

6. Placebladebellsupporton theblade.Alignnotchesontheblade

bellsupportwithsmallholesin blade.

7. Replacehexboltandtightenhexbolttotorque:450in.Ibs.rain.,

600 in.Ibs.max.

Toensuresafeoperationof yourmower,periodicallychecktheblade

boltforcorrecttorque.

BELT CARE

NOTE:Severalcomponentsmustbe removedinordertochangethe

mower'sself-propulsiondrivebelt.Seean authorizedSearsService

Centerto haveyourbeltreplaced.

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 a dry,cleanarea.Donotstorenexttocorrosive

materials,suchasfertilizer.

Whenstoringanytypeofpowerequipmentina poorlyventilatedor

metalstorageshed,careshouldbetakentorust-prooftheequipment.

Usinga lightoil orsilicone,coattheequipment,especiallycablesand

all movingpartsof yourlawnmowerbeforestorage.

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Craftsman 12A948J099 Owner's manual

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Model: 12A948J099

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: Owner's manual

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