Craftsman 247.887330 User manual

perator's Manual

£RnFrSMRN°

33-inch Wide Cut Mower

Model No. 247.887330

For answers to your questions about this product,

call 1-800-659-5917.

CAUTION: BEFORE USING THiS

PRODUCT, READ THiS MANUAL

AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES

AND OPERATING iNSTRUCTiONS.

,, SAFETY

,, ASSEMBLY

,, OPERATION

,, MAINTENANCE

,, PARTS LIST

,, ESPAIf,IOL R 44

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.sears.com/craftsman

FormNo.769-04610A

(December16,2009)

Warranty Statement .......................................................... 2

Safety Instructions ............................................................ 3

Slope Guide ....................................................................... 5

Safety Labels .................................................................... 6

Assembly ........................................................................... 8

Know your Lawn Mower .................................................. 10

Operation ........................................................................ 12

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

Whenoperatedand maintainedaccordingtoallsuppliedinstructions,ifthis Craftsmanproductfailsduetoa defectin materialorworkmanship

withintwoyearsfromthedateorpurchase,call1-800-4-MY-HOME®toarrangeforfreerepair(or replacementif repairprovesimpossible).

Thiswarrantyappliesforonly90 daysfromthedateof purchaseifthisproductis everusedforcommercialor rentalpurposes.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.SearswillNOTpayfor:

• Expendableitemsthatbecomewornduringnormaluse,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,sparkplugs,aircleaners,belts,andoilfilters.

Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

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

Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbyimpactingobjectsthat bendtheframeor

crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper

storage,failureto usethepropergradeandamountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe

equipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedintheoperator'smanual.

Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused

within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantyappliesonlywhilethisproductiswithinthe UnitedStates.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears, Roebuckand Co.,Hoffman Estates,IL 60179

GrossHP: 10.5

EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& StrattonPowerBuiltTM

Model Number

Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

__IL hissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructions

which,ifnotfollowed,couldendangerthepersonal

safetyand/orpropertyofyourselfandothers.Read

andfollowall instructionsinthismanualbefore

attemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywiththese

instructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,

HEEDITSWARNING!

Your Responsibility: Restricttheuseofthis powermachineto

personswhoread,understand,andfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsinthis manualandonthemachine.

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingto therulesfor

safeoperationinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment,

carelessnessorerroronthe partoftheoperatorcanresultin serious

injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatinghandsandfeetand

throwingobjects.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafetyinstructions

couldresultin seriousinjuryordeath.

__ate ofCaliforniatoI

causecancerandbirthdefectsor otherreproductiveharm.

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifoperatorisnotalertto presenceofchildren.Chil-

drenareoftenattractedto mowerandmowingactivity.Theydo notunderstand

thedangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

,, Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaand underwatchfulcareofa

responsibleadultotherthanthe operator.

,, Bealertandturnmoweroff if achildentersthe area.

,, Beforeandwhile movingbackwards,lookbehindanddownforsmall

children.

,, Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,shrubs,

trees,orotherobjectsthatmayobscureyourvisionof achildwhomay

runintothemower.

,, Keepchildrenawayfrom hotor runningengines.Theycansufferburns

fromahot muffler.

,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsoldto operateapowermower.

Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadandunderstandoperation

instructionsand safetyrulesin thismanualandshouldbetrainedand

supervisedbya parent.

GENERAL OPERATION

,, Readthisoperator'smanualcarefullyin itsentirety beforeattempting

toassemblethismachine.Read,understand,andfollowall instructions

onthe machineand inthe manual(s)beforeoperation.Becompletely

familiarwiththe controlsand the properuseofthismachinebefore

operatingit. Keepthis manualinasafeplaceforfutureandregular

referenceand for orderingreplacementparts.

,, Thismachineisaprecisionpieceof powerequipment,not aplaything.

Therefore,exerciseextremecautionatall times.Yourunithasbeen

designedto performonejob:to mowgrass.Do notuseitfor anyother

purpose.

,, Neverallow childrenunder 14yearsoldto operatethismachine.

Children14yearsoldand overshouldreadand understandthe instruc-

tionsinthis manualandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyaparent.

Onlyresponsibleindividualswhoarefamiliarwiththeserulesofsafe

operationshouldbe allowedto usethismachine.

,, Thoroughlyinspectthe areawherethe equipmentisto beused.Remove

allstones,sticks,wire,bones,toysandotherforeignobjectswhichcould

betrippedoveror pickedupandthrownbythe blade.Thrownobjects

cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.Planyourmowingpatternto avoid

dischargeof materialtowardroads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.

Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainsta wallorobstructionwhichmay

causedischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardthe operator.

,, Tohelpavoid bladecontactor athrownobject injury,stayin operator

zonebehindhandlesand keepchildren,bystanders,helpers,and petsat

least75feet frommowerwhile itis inoperation.Stopmachineifanyone

entersarea.

,, Alwayswearsafetyglassesor safetygogglesduringoperationandwhile

performingan adjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes.Thrownobjects

whichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytotheeyes.

,, Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksandshirts.

Shirtsand pantsthat coverthe armsand legsandsteel-toedshoes

arerecommended.Neveroperatethismachinein barefeet,sandals,

slipperyor lightweight(e.g.canvas)shoes.

,, Donot puthandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor undercuttingdeck.

Contactwith bladecanamputatehandsandfeet.

,, A missingor damageddischargecovercancausebladecontactor

thrownobjectinjuries.

,, Manyinjuriesoccurasaresultofthe mowerbeingpulledoverthefoot

duringafall causedbyslippingortripping.Do notholdon tothemowerif

youarefalling;releasethe handleimmediately.

,, Neverpullthe mowerbacktowardyouwhileyouarewalking.Ifyoumust

backthe mowerawayfromawallor obstructionfirst lookdownand

behindtoavoidtrippingandthenfollowthesesteps:

a.Stepbackfrom mowertofully extendyourarms.

b.Besureyouarewellbalancedwithsurefooting.

c. Pull backslowly,nomorethanhalfwaytowardsyou.

d.Repeatthesestepsasneeded.

,, Donotoperatethe mowerwhile underthe influenceof alcoholordrugs.

,, Donotengagethe self-propelledmechanismonunitsso equippedwhile

startingengine.

,, Thebladecontrolhandleisasafetydevice.Neverattemptto bypassits

operation.Doingso makesthe safetydeviceinoperativeandmayresult

inpersonalinjurythroughcontactwiththe rotatingblade.The blade

controlhandlemustoperateeasilyinbothdirectionsandautomatically

returntothe disengagedpositionwhen released.

,, Neveroperatethe mowerin wet grass.Alwaysbesureof yourfooting. A

slip andfall cancauseseriouspersonalinjury.If youfeelyouarelosing

yourfooting, releasethe bladecontrolhandleimmediatelyandthe blade

will stoprotatingwithinthreeseconds.

,, Mowonlyin daylightor goodartificiallight.Walk,neverrun.

,, Stopthe bladewhencrossinggraveldrives,walksorroads.

3

• Iftheequipmentshouldstartto vibrateabnormally,stoptheengineand

checkimmediatelyforthe cause.Vibrationisgenerallya warningof

trouble.

• Shutthe engineoff andwait untilthe bladecomesto acompletestop

beforeremovingthe grasscatcheror uncloggingthe chute.

Thecuttingbladecontinuestorotatefora fewsecondsaftertheengine

isshut off.Neverplaceanypartofthe bodyinthe bladearea untilyou

aresurethe bladehasstoppedrotating.

• Neveroperatemowerwithoutpropertrailshield,dischargecover,grass

catcher,bladecontrolhandle,orothersafety protectivedevicesin place

andworking.Neveroperatemowerwithdamagedsafetydevices.Failure

todoso can resultinpersonalinjury.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Do nottouch.

• Onlyusepartsandaccessoriesmadefor this machinebymanufacturer.

Failureto dosocanresultin personalinjury. Forrecommendedacces-

sories,call 1-800-659-5917.

• Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecareand

goodjudgment.ContactyourSearsServiceCenterforassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesareamajorfactorrelatedto slipandfall accidentswhichcanresultin

severeinjury.Operationon slopesrequiresextracaution.Ifyoufeeluneasyon

aslope,donotmowit.Foryoursafety,usethe slopeguideincludedas partof

thismanualto measureslopesbeforeoperatingthisunitona slopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeis greaterthan15degrees,do notmowit.

Do:

• Mowacrossthefaceofslopes; neverupanddown.Exerciseextreme

cautionwhenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchfor holes,ruts,rocks,hiddenobjects,or bumpswhichcancause

youto slipor trip.Tallgrasscan hideobstacles.

• Alwaysbe sureofyourfooting.Aslip andfall cancauseseriouspersonal

injury.If youfeelyouarelosingyourbalance,releasethe bladecontrol

handleimmediately,andthe bladewill stoprotatingwithin3 seconds.

Do Not:

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments,whereyoucould

loseyourfootingor balance.

• Donotmowslopesgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe

slopegauge.

• Donotmowonwetgrass.Unstablefootingcouldcauseslipping.

SERVICE

Safe Handling Of Gasoline:

• Toavoidpersonalinjuryor propertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineis extremelyflammableandthevaporsare

explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineis spilledon

yourselfor yourclotheswhichcan ignite.

• Washyourskinandchangeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfill containersinsidea vehicleoron atruckor trailerbedwith a

plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainersonthe groundawayfromyour

vehiclebeforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruckortrailerand refueliton

theground.Ifthisisnot possible,thenrefuelsuchequipmentonatrailer

witha portablecontainer,ratherthanfromagasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthe nozzlein contactwiththe rimofthefueltank orcontainer

openingatalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot usea nozzle

lock-opendevice.

• Extinguishallcigarettes,cigars,pipesand othersources

ofignition.

• Neverfuel machineindoorsbecauseflammablevaporswillaccumulate

inthe area.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhile engineis hotor running.

Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfillfuel tank.Fill tanktono morethanV2inch belowbottom

offiller neckto provideforfuel expansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeit offthe engineand equipment.Moveunit

toanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestarting engine.

• Neverstorethe machineorfuelcontainernearan openflame,spark

or pilotlightason awaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryer,

or othergasappliances.

• Toreducefire hazard,keepmowerfreeofgrass,leaves,or other

debrisbuild-up.Cleanupoilor fuelspillageandremoveanyfuel

soakeddebris.

• Allowamowerto coolatleast5 minutesbeforestoring.

General Service:

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorin a poorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbon monoxide,anodorlessand deadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe bladeand

all movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthe sparkplugwireand

groundagainsttheenginetopreventunintendedstarting.

• Checkthe bladeandenginemountingboltsatfrequentintervalsfor

propertightness.Also,visuallyinspectbladefordamage(e.g.,bent,

cracked,worn)Replacebladewith theoriginalequipmentmanufac-

ture's(O.E.M.)bladeonly,listedin this manual.Useofpartswhichdo

notmeetthe originalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper

performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharpandcancut.Wrapthe bladeorweargloves,

anduseextracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts, bolts,andscrewstightto besurethe equipmentis in

safeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwithsafetydevices.Checktheirproper

operationregularly.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe spark

plugwireand groundagainstthe engine.Thoroughlyinspectthe

mowerfor anydamage.Repairthe damagebeforestartingand

operatingthe mower.

• Neverattempttomakea wheelor cuttingheightadjustmentwhilethe

engineisrunning.

• Grasscatchercomponents,dischargecover,andtrailshieldare

subjecttowearanddamagewhichcould exposemovingpartsor

allowobjectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck

componentsandreplaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment

manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedin thismanual.Use ofparts

whichdonotmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadto

improperperformanceand compromisesafety!

• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingoroverspeedthe engine.

Thegovernorcontrolsthe maximumsafeoperatingspeedofthe

engine.

• Maintainorreplacesafetylabels,as necessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsand regulations.Improperdisposalof

fluidsandmaterialscanharmtheenvironment.

4

Usethispageasa guidetodetermineslopeswhereyoumaynotoperatesafely.Donot operatethelawnmoweron suchslopes.

!

l

I

!

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,ifnotfollowed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyofyourselfand

others.Readandfollowallinstructionsinthis manualbeforeattemptingtooperatethis machine.Failureto complywiththeseinstructionsmay

resultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethissymbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

WARNING

Thissymbol pointsout importantsafety instructions

which,if not followed,could endangerthe personal

safetyand/or property ofyourself and others.Readand

followall instructionsin this manualbeforeattempting

to operatethis machine. Failureto comply with these

instructionsmayresult inpersonalinjury.Whenyou see

thissymbol HEED ITS WARNING!

Your Responsibility

Restrictthe useof this power machineto personswho

read, understand,and followthe warningsand instruc-

tionsin this manualand on the machine.

6

Thispageleftintentionallyblank.

7

IMPORTANT:Thisunitis shippedwithoilin theengine.After

assembly,seepage12forfuelandoil details.

IMPORTANT:Referencetorightor leftsideofthemowerisobserved

fromtheoperatingposition.

Themowingdeckiscapableofthrowingobjects.Failuretooperate

themowerwithoutthedischargechuteintheproperoperatingposi-

tioncouldresultinseriouspersonalinjuryand/orpropertydamage.

Disconnectthesparkplugwireandgrounditagainsttheengineto

preventunintendedstarting.

LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON

Thefollowingitemsare packagedina bag:

Operator'sManual,Oildrainhose,Waterhosecoupler,EngineManual

TOOLS NEEDED FOR ASSEMBLY

A setofadjustablewrenchesandtiregauge

REMOVING THE UNIT FROM THE CRATE

1. Cutstraps,ifpresent,securingunittopallet.Leaveuniton pallet

duringhandleassembly.

2. Removeanyprotectivepackagingandplastictiestraps.

3. Usethedeckheightlever(see"KnowyourMower"section)to

raisethecuttingdeckto itshighestposition.

ASSEMBLING THE HANDLE

1. Removelowerstar knobsandcarriagescrewsfromlowerhandle,

Figure1.

Figure1

2. Pivotupperhandleintooperatingposition,Figure2. Becareful

nottobendorkinkthecableswhenpivotingthehandle.

J

Figure2

3. Installcarriagescrewsand knobsremovedearlier.

4. Tightentheupperandlowerstarknobsandcarriagescrewsto

securetheupperhandletothelowerhandle,Figure2.

5. Afterassemblingthehandle,to safelyremoveunitfrompallet,first

cut offcardboardandremovescrewstofreethemowerfromthe

crate.

REMOVING THE CHUTE HOLDER

Thechuteholdermustbe removedanddiscardedbeforeoperating

themower.

1. Locatethechuteholderwhichsecuresthedischargechutein a

verticalposition,Figure3.

f

8

Figure3

2. Pullchutebacktowardstheengine.Whileholdingthechutewith

onehand,removethechuteholderusingyourotherhand.

3. Carefullylowerthechuteagainstthedeckanddiscardtheholder.

INSTALLING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER

1. Removethe5/16-18screwandthelock nutthatholdtheshift

levertotheshiftleverplate,Figure4.

f

4

/

Figure4

J

2. Removetheremainingscrewandnutfromthelowershiftlever

plate,Figure4.

3. Positiontheuppershiftleverintoa verticalpositionaligningthe

holesin thelevertotheholesin theshiftplate,Figure5.

4. Securethelevertotheplateusingthetwoscrewsandtwonuts

removedearlier,Figure5.

FINAL ADJUSTMENTS

Rear Tire Pressure

Neverexceedthemaximuminflationpressureshownon thesidewall

oftire.

Therecommendedoperatingreartirepressureisapproximately20

psiforthereartires.Checkthetirepressureperiodicallyand maintain

equalpressurein bothreartiresatall times.

IMPORTANT:Refertothetiresidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's

recommendedormaximumpsi.Donotoverinflate.Uneventirepres-

surecouldcausethecuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

/

Figure5

9

f

Throttle/Choke Blade

ControlLever Control

GasCap

_--. Deck

Height

Lever

DriveControl

GearShiftLever

Figure6

Befamiliarwithall thecontrolsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow

to stopthemachineand disengagethecontrols.

Theoperationofanylawnmowercan resultinforeignobjectsbeing

thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always

wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,orwhileperforming

anyadjustmentsor repairson it.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL LEVER

iMPORTANT:Whenoperatingthemowerwiththe

cuttingdeckengaged,becertainthatthethrottle/

chokecontrolleverisalwaysinthefastposition.

Thisleverisusedtoadjustenginespeeds,toapply

theenginechoke,andtostoptheengine.Always

runengineatfastspeedsettingforbestmower

performance.

CHOKE:Usewhenstartinga coldengine

FAST:Useduringmoweroperation.

SLOW:Usewhenidlingengine.

STOP:Stopstheengine.

Choke Fast Slow/Idle

EngineOff

Besurenooneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn

mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine

indoorsorin enclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust

containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands,

feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine

andlawnmower.

GAS CAP

Removethegascaptoaddfueltothefueltank.

Useclean,fresh,regularunleadedgasolinewitha minimumof85

octane.

Turntheengineoffandlettheenginecoolatleasttwo minutes

beforeremovingthegascap.

DECK HEIGHT LEVER

Usethis levertoadjustthecuttingheight.Touse,move

thelevertotheleft,thenplacetheleverinthenotchbest

suitedforyourapplication.

10

BLADE CONTROL

Thebladecontrolis usedto engagethe

mowerdeck.Toengagethiscontrol,press

andholdtheleveragainstthehandlebar

grip.Tostoptheblades,releasetheblade

control.Alwaysdisengagetheblade

controlbeforestartingtheengine.This

helpstoensurethatthebladeswillnot

startturningwhentheenginestarts.

DRIVE CONTROL

Thedrivecontrolisusedtoengage

anddisengagedriveto thewheels.To

engagethiscontrol,squeezethedrive

controlagainstthehandlebargrip.To

stopthedrive,releasethedrivecontrol.

IMPORTANT:Alwaysreleasethedrive

controlbeforechangingspeeds.

GEAR SHIFT LEVER

Usethislevertoselectanyoffourforwardgroundspeeds,neutral,or

reverse.

Oil Cap/

Dipstick

RecoilStarter

Cleaner

Handle

OilDrain

Valve Mufflerand SparkPlug

MufflerGuard

SparkPlug

Wire

Figure7

ENGINE CONTROLS

RefertoFigure7forlocationsoftheenginecontrols.

Recoil Starter

Therecoilstarteris usedto pull-starttheengine.

Oil Drain Valve

Usetheoil drainvalvetodrainoil fromtheengine.Refertothe

Maintenancesectionforinstructions.

Air Cleaner Handle

Theaircleanerhandleisusedtogainaccesstotheair cleaner.Theair

cleanercartridgecanberemovedandcleanedor replaced.Referto

theMaintenancesectionfordetails.

Forward

Therearefourforwardspeeds.Positionone(1)istheslowestand

positionfour(4) isthefastest.

Reverse

Toselectreverse,puttheleverin theReverse(R)position.

Neutral

Placetheleverinneutral(N)beforestartingthemower,andwhenthe

mowerisnotinuse.Inaddition,themowercanbe manuallypushed

orpulledbyplacingthegearshiftleverintoN(neutral)positionand

pressingthedrivecontrolagainstthehandlebargrip.

Ifcartridgeor coverareinstalledincorrectly,seriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Donotattempttostartyourenginewith

them removed.

Spark Plug/Spark Plug Wire

RefertotheMaintenancesectionforinstructionson sparkplug

replacement.

Oil Cap/Dipstick

RefertotheMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

Toavoiddamagingthetransmission,do notshiftgearswhenthe

mowerismoving.Releasedrivecontrolbeforeshiftinggears.

Lookbehindthemowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation.Stop

the mowerbladesbeforeoperatingin reverse.

11

Theoperationofanylawnmowercan resultinforeignobjectsbeing

thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always

wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,orwhileperforming

anyadjustmentsor repairson it.

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely

flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelmachineindoors

orwhiletheengineis hotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,cigars,

pipes,andothersourcesof ignition.

GAS AND OIL FILL-UP

Gas Fill

Useof Alcoholblendedfuels(calledgasoholor usingethanolor

methanol)canattractmoisturewhichleadsto separationandforma-

tionofacidsduringstorage.Acidicgascandamagethefuelsystem

ofanenginewhilein storage.

Toavoidengineproblems,thefuelsystemshouldbeemptiedbefore

storagefor30 daysor longer.Drainthegastank,starttheengine

and letitrununtilthefuellinesandcarburetorareempty.Usefresh

Ifuelnextseason.SeeSTORAGEInstructionsforadditionalinforma-

[tion.

)ermanentdamagemayoccur.

IMPORTANT:Themowerisshippedwithoutgasinthefueltank.

• Neverfillthefueltankcompletely.Fillthetankto nomorethan

1/2-inchbelowbottomoffillernecktoprovidespaceforfuel

expansion.

• Alwaysuseclean,fresh,unleadedgradeautomotivegasoline.

Fillthefueltankoutdoorsand usea funnelor spouttoprevent

spilling.Makesurethatthecontainerfromwhichyoupourthe

gasolineiscleanandfreefromrustorotherforeignparticles.

Makesuretowipeoffanyspilledfuelbeforestartingtheengine.

• Attheendofthejob,emptythefueltankifthe mowerisnot

goingto beusedfor30daysor longer.Storegasolineina clean

containerandkeepthecapin placeon thecontainer.SeeSTOR-

AGEinstructionsforadditionalinformation.

Besurenooneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn

mowerwhilestartingengineor operatingmower.Neverrunengine

indoorsor inenclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust

containscarbonmonoxide,anodorlessanddeadlygas. Keephands,

feet,hair,andlooseclothingawayfromanymovingparts

Oil Fill

IMPORTANT:Themowerisshippedwithmotoroil intheengine;

however,youMUSTchecktheoil levelbeforeoperating.Oil shouldbe

changedonceafterthefirsttwohoursofoperationandevery25 hours

ofoperationthereafter.Usethegradeofengineoil specifiedinthe

Maintenancesection.

.

2.

Removetheoilfillcap/dipstickfromtheoil filltube.

Checkthatthelevelofoil isuptotheFULLmarkonthedipstick.

Ifneeded,pouroil slowlyintotheoilfilltubeuntila FULLoil level

is achieved.

3. Replacetheoilfillcap/dipstick.

STARTING THE MOWER

1. Releaseallcontrolsonthemowertopreventwheelsor blades

fromrotating.

2. Movegearshiftlevertoneutral(N)position.

3. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverfullyupwardtochokesetting

I',1tostarta coldengineortofast(rabbit)setting_ to starta

warmengine.

4. Tostartengineusingrecoilstarter:

a. Standon leftside(asviewedfrombehindhandlebars)of ma-

chine.Besureyourfeetare safelyawayfromtheunderside

ofthemowerdeckandall mowercontrolsarereleased.

b. Graspstarterropehandleandpullslowlyuntilropepulls

slightlyharder.Letroperewindslowly.Thenpullropewitha

rapid,fullarmstroke.Letropereturnslowly.Ifenginefailsto

startafterthreepulls,repeatinstructions(try settingthrottle

atfastsetting).

c. Whenenginestarts,operateinfastthrottlesetting_lf

(movethrottle/chokecontrolleverfromchokesettingtofast

setting).

Lookbehindthemowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation.Stop

themowerbladesbeforeoperatingin reverse.

Ifyoustrikea foreignobject,stoptheengine.Removewirefromthe

sparkplug,thoroughlyinspectmowerforanydamage,and repair

damagebeforerestartingandoperating.Extensivevibrationof

mowerduringoperationisanindicationofdamage.Theunitshould

bepromptlyinspectedandrepaired.

12

Lookbehindthemowerbeforeandduringreverseoperation.Stop

themowerbladesbeforeoperatingin reverse.

USING THE MOWER

IMPORTANT:Alwaysreleasethedrivecontrolbeforechanging

speeds.Referto"KnowyourMower"sectionformowercontroldetails.

Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhich

coulddamagelawnmoweror engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidently

thrownbythemowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjury

totheoperatorandothers.Forbestresults,do notcutwetgrassand

nevercut off morethanone-thirdofthetotallengthofthegrass.

1. Oncetheengineis running,slowlysqueezethedrivecontrol

againsttheupperhandletopropeltheunit.Toactivatethecutting

blades,squeezethebladecontrolagainsttheupperhandle.

2. Tochangegears,releasethedrivecontrolleverandmovethe

gearshiftlevertothedesiredsetting.Whenfirstpracticingwith

themower,puttheleverin No.1position.Selectforwardspeeds

accordingtomowingconditionsand terrain.Useslowerspeeds

on roughterrainor whengrassisheavyor thick.Theforward

speedcanbe increasedon smoothterrainor ifthegrasscoveris

light.Allowthewheelsto stopcompletelybeforeshiftingfromone

speedintoanother.

IMPORTANT:Beawarethatwhenengagingthedrivecontrol

leverwiththegearshiftleverin3rd or4thgear,thepowerand

torquegeneratedmaycausetheunitto lurchforward.Toavoid

this,slowlysqueezethedrivecontrolleveragainsttheupper

handle.

.

Tostoptheblades,releasethebladecontrol.Tostopthedrive

controltothewheels,releasethedrivecontrol.

STOPPING THE MOWER

.

2.

Releasebladeanddrivecontrolto stopwheelsanddeckblades.

Movethrottle/chokecontrolleverdowntoslow(turtle)

position.Wheneverpossible,graduallyreduceenginespeed

beforestoppingengine.

3. Movethrottle/chokecontrolleverallthewaydowntostop

position.

4. Disconnectsparkplugwirefromsparkplugandgroundagainst

theengine.

MOVING THE MOWER WITHOUT

ENGINE POWER

Themowercanbemanuallypushedor pulledbyplacingthegearshift

leverintoN(neutral)positionandpressingthedrivecontrolagainstthe

handlebargrip.

MULCHING OR SIDE-DISCHARGE MOWING

Youcanusethemowereitherasa mulchingmoweror asa side-

dischargemower.Tousethemulchingfeature,insertthemulchplug

asdescribedbelow.Removethemulchplugtoside-dischargegrass

clippings.

Themulchplugisdesignedto keepthedischargechuteraisedup

whilemowing.Whentheplugis removed,thedischargechutewill

loweritselfforside-dischargemowing.

Beforeinstallingor removingmulchplug,stopengine,waitforparts

to stopmoving,anddisconnectsparkplugwire.

Toinstallor removemulchplug:

1. Stoptheengineandwaitforall partstostopmoving.

2. Disconnectthesparkplugwirefromthesparkplug.

Figure8

3. Toinstallthemulchplug,inserttheright-sidetab(A)oftheplug

intothebracketonthedeck,Figure8.

4. Insertthecoverintothedischargeopening(B), Figure8.

5. Afterthemulchplughasbeenplacedintothedeckopening,push

theplugtowardstherearofthemower(C)tofit theplugproperly

intotheopening,Figure8.

6. Toremovetheplug,slidethecovertothe right(frontof mower)to

disengagetheslotfromthemowerdeckandthenprytheleft-side

ofthecoveroutandoff.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningofthecutting

deck.

13

Alwaysstopengine,disconnectsparkplug,andgroundagainst

enginebeforeperforminganytypeof maintenanceonthemower.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Alwaysobservesafetyruleswhenperforminganytypeof

maintenanceon themower.

Thewarrantyon thislawnmowerdoesnotcoveritemsthathave

beensubjectedtooperatorabuseor negligence.Toreceivefull

valuefromwarranty,operatormustmaintainthelawnmoweras

instructedin thismanual.

• Changingof engine-governedspeedwillvoidenginewarranty.

• Alladjustmentsshouldbecheckedatleastonceeachseason.

• Periodicallycheckall fastenersand makesuretheyare tight.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Spark Plug

Cleansparkplugandresettheelectrodegapto0.030"atleastoncea

season;replaceevery100hoursofoperation.

1. Cleanareaaroundthesparkplugbase.Donotsandblastspark

plug.Sparkplugshouldbecleanedbyscrapingorwirebrushing

andwashingwitha commercialsolvent

2. Removeand inspectthesparkplug.Checkgapto makesureit is

setat .030".SeeFigure9.

3. Replacethesparkplugifelectrodesarepitted,burned,or the

porcelainiscracked.

Electrode

l

Porcelain

.030inch(.76ram)gap

Figure9

J

Servicing the Air Cleaner

Iffilters,or coversare notinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Donotattemptto starttheenginewith

themremoved.

Donotusepressurizedairor solventsto cleantheair cleaner

cartridge.

Cleanor replacetheaircleanerevery25 hoursof operation.

1. Pulluponair cleanerhandle,Figure10,andpullbacktowardsthe

engine.

Removetheaircleanercover,Figure10.

.

f

Air CleanerCover Air CleanerCartridge

\

AirCleanerHandle

Figure10

3. Carefullyremoveaircleanercartridgeandpre-cleaner(if

equipped)fromtheblowerhousing.

4. Cleanthebaseoftheaircleanercartridgecarefullytoprevent

debrisfromenteringtheengine.

5. Placethepre-cleaner,ifequipped,andcartridgebackintothe

blowerhousing.Thecartridgemustbeplacedsecurelyinto

position.

6. Aligntabsoncoverwithslotsin blowerhousingand replacethe

cover.

14

Changing the Engine Oil

Theoil intheengineshouldbe changedevery25 hoursofoperation.

1. Togainaccesstotheoildrainvalveon theengine,theright

handlebracetubeshouldbe pivotedforward.

a. Removetheupperstarknobandcarriagescrewonthe right

sideofthehandle,Figure11.

b. Pivotthebracetubetowardsthefrontofthemowertoallow

roomtoconnecttheoil drainhosetotheoil drainvalve,

Figure11.

\\

DrainValve

Figure

2. Popofftheprotectivecapontheendoftheoil drainvalveto

exposethedrainport, Figure12.

F

OilFillCap/

_':.............Dipstick

_::;> Protective

......DrainCap

drainport. Routetheoppositeendofthehoseintoan appropriate

oil collectioncontainerwitha capacitygreatenoughtocollectthe

usedoil.

5. Releasethevalvebypressingthetwotabsinwardwhilepulling

thevalveout.Theoil willbegintodrainoutoftheengine.

6. Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pressthetwotabsinwardand

pushtheoil drainvalvebackintolockthevalveclosed.Remove

thehose,and re-captheendoftheoil drainvalvetokeepdebris

fromenteringthedrainport.

7. Refilltheenginewithnewmotoroil untiltheoil levelonthe

dipstickreadsFULL.Replacetheoil fillcap/dipstick.

8. Pivottherighthandlebracetubebackintoposition.Alignthe

middleholein thebracetubewiththeholeinthehandle.Secure

withthestarknobandcarriagescrewremovedearlier.

Onlyusehighqualitydetergentoil ratedwithAPIserviceclas-

sificationSForSG.Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccording

toyourexpectedoperatingtemperature,Figure13.Although

multi-viscosityoils(5W30,10W30etc.)improvestartingincold

weather,thesemulti-viscosityoilswillresultinincreasedoilcon-

sumptionwhenusedabove32°ECheckyourengineoillevelmore

frequentlytoavoidpossibleenginedamagefromrunninglowonoil.

I

Colder <------_ 32°F > Warmer

Oil Viscosity Chart

Figure 13

1

................::_

Figure12

J

3. Removetheoil fillcap/dipstickfromtheoil filltube,Figure12.

4. Pushtheoil drainhose(packedwiththismanual)ontotheoil

15

Beforeperforminganytype ofmaintenanceon themachine,waitfor

allpartstostopmovinganddisconnectthesparkplugwire.Failure

Itofollowthisinstructioncouldresultin personalinjuryor property

[damage.

REMOVING THE BELT COVER

Thebeltcovermustbe removedtoperformseveralmaintenanceand

serviceprocedures.Followtheinstructionsbelowto removethebelt

cover.

1. Stopengine,waitforall partsto stopmoving,anddisconnect

sparkplugwire.

2. Removethethreescrewsandwashersholdingthecovertothe

frame,Figure14.

Figure14

3. Removethe beltcover.

4. Toreinstallthebeltcover,placethecoverinpositionandfasten

usingthreescrewsandwashersremovedearlier.

Donotoperateunitwithoutbeltcoverinstalled.Failureto followthis

instructioncouldresultinpersonalinjuryor propertydamage.

REMOVING THE MOWER DECK

Whenservicingtheundersideofthe mowerdeckforanyreason,the

cuttingdeckshouldfirstbe removed.Followtheinstructionsbelowto

removethecuttingdeck:

1. Stoptheengine,waitforall partsto stopmoving,anddisconnect

sparkplugwire.

2. Releaseall mowercontrols.

3. Removebeltcoveras instructedunder"Removingthe

BeltCover."

4. Usethedeckheightlevertomovethecuttingdecktoits

highestposition.

5. Placesmallwoodenblocksunderthedeck.

6. Usethedeckheightlevertolowerthedecksothat itrestsupon

thewoodenblocks.

7. Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromtheleftsideofthemower,locate

thehairpinclipthatsecuresthedecksupportrodon therearIdt

sideofthedeck,Figure15.

8. Removethehairpinclipthatsecuresthesupportrod,andcare-

fully removethedeck supportfromthedecklift arm,Figure15.

Figure15

9. Repeatsteps7 and8 onthemower'srightside.Whencomplete,

all fourhairpinclipsshouldbe removed.

10. Pushthecuttingdecktothelefttounhooktheliftassemblyfrom

thedeck.

11.

12.

13.

Usethedeckheightleverto raisethecuttingdeckto itshighest

position.

Removethewoodenblocksfromunderthedeck.

Removethedrivebeltasinstructedunder"ReplacingtheDrive

Belt"instructions.

14. Slidethecuttingdecktowardstherearoftheunit.

15. Unhookthedrivespringcablefromtheidlerarmassembly,

Figure16.

f

16.

17.

16

J

Figure16

Removethecuttingdeck.

Toinstallthecuttingdeck,followtheabovestepsin reverseorder.

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenanceonthemachine,waitfor

allpartstostopmovinganddisconnectthesparkplugwire.Failure

tofollowthisinstructioncouldresultinpersonalinjuryorproperty

damage.

LUBRICATION

Pivot Points & Linkage

Lubricateall thepivotpointson thedrivesystemandlift linkageat

leastoncea season,orevery25hoursofoperation,withlightoil.

Rear Wheels

Therearwheelsshouldbe removedfromtheaxlesoncea season.

Lubricatetheaxlesandtherimswellwithanall-purposegreasebefore

reinstallingthem.

Front Wheel Bearings

Greasefittingsarelocatedoneachcasterwheelandontheframe

aboveeachfrontcasterwheel,Figure17.Lubricatetheseareasusing

a greasegunafterevery50 hoursofmoweroperation.

F

Grease

fittingon

wheel

/

Aligngreasefittingwith

notchinwheelbracket

Figure17

Tolubricateacasterwheelbearing,rotatethewheelsothatthegrease

fittingis inalignmentwiththenotchinthebracket,Figure17- doing 3.

thiswillallowroomtoconnectthegreaseguncouplerontothegrease 4.

fitting.Youwillnotneedtousethegreasefittingontheoppositeside

ofthewheel. 5.

CLEANING THE ENGINE AND DECK

Donotusea pressurewashertocleanthemower.It maycause

damagetoelectricalcomponents,spindles,pulleys,bearings,orthe

engine.

Anyfuelor oil spilledon themachineshouldbewipedoff promptly.Do

notallowdebristoaccumulatearoundanycomponentson themower.

Cleaning the Engine

Enginepartsshouldbekeptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheating

and ignitionofdebris.Thisisespeciallyimportantif cuttingtallgrass.

Cleaning the Cutting Deck

DeckWash System

Usethe DeckWashSystemto rinsegrassclippingsfromtheunder-

sideofthedeckandtopreventthebuildupofcorrosivechemicals.

1. Threadthehosecoupler(packagedin a bagwiththeOperator's

Manual)ontotheendofyourgardenhose,Figure18.

GardenHose_

HoseCoupler

WaterPort

/y

Figure18

Attachthehoseandcouplerto thewaterporton thedecksurface,

Figure18.

Turnthewateron.

Pointthedischargechuteawayfromanyobjectsorpersons.

Startthemowerandengagetheblades(pressandholdtheblade

controlagainstthehandlebargrip)fora minimumof twominutes.

Donotengagethedrivecontrol.

Whencomplete,disengagethebladecontrol(releasetheblade

control)andturntheengineoff.

Turnthewateroffanddetachthehosecouplerfromthewater

port.

17

Neverexceedthemaximuminflationpressureshownon thesidewall

oftire.

REAR TIRE PRESSURE

Therecommendedoperatingreartirepressureisapproximately20

psiforthe reartires.Checkthetirepressureperiodicallyandmaintain

equalpressurein bothreartiresatall times.

IMPORTANT:Refertothetiresidewallforexacttiremanufacturer's

recommendedor maximumpsi.Donotoverinflate.Uneventirepres-

surecouldcausethecuttingdecktomowunevenly.

REPLACING THE TRAILING SHIELD

.

Ifa screwis presentateachsideofthetrailingshield,removethe

twoscrews.

Bend(bow)thetrailingshieldinwardon eachsidetoreleasetabs

fromtheholesin themowerframe,Figure19.

.

\_ ii

Figure19

Replacewith newtrailingshieldbybendingtheshieldtoallow

eachtabtofit intoholesin mowerframe.

Replacethetwo screws(ifscrewswereusedtoholdthetrailing

shieldtothemowerframe).

SERVICING THE CUTTING BLADES

Besuretoshuttheengineoff anddisconnectthesparkplugwire

andgroundagainsttheengineto preventunintendedstartingbefore

removingthecuttingblade(s)forsharpeningor replacement.Protect

yourhandsbyusingheavyglovesora ragtograspthecuttingblade.

Periodicallyinspectthebladespindlesforcracksordamage,espe-

ciallyifyoustrikeaforeignobject.Replaceimmediatelyifdamaged.

Mowerbladesaresharp.Whenworkingnearblades,wearheavy

leatherglovesorwrapbladesin thickragsto protectyourselffrom

thesharpedges.

Blade Removal

F

.

Removethedeckfrombeneaththemowerandgentlyflipthe

deckovertoexposeits underside.Referto"RemovingtheMower

Deck"forinstructions.

Placea 2x4blockofwoodapproximately8.5"longbetweenthe

deckhousingandthecuttingbladetoactasa stabilizer,

Figure20.

\

Removeflangenuttoreleaseblade

Useblockofwoodtostabilizeblade.

Figure20

J

3. Removethehexflangenutthatsecuresthebladetothespindle

assembly,Figure20.

18

Blade Sharpening

iMPORTANT:Ifanymetalseparationispresent,replacetheblades

withnewones.

Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamountsof

metalfrombothendsofthebladesalongthecuttingedges,parallelto

thetrailingedge,ata 250to 300angle,Figure21.

J

Figure21

It isimportantthateachcuttingbladeedge begroundequallyto

maintainproperbladebalance.A poorlybalancedbladewillcause

excessivevibrationandmaycausedamagetothemowerandresult

in personalinjury.Thebladecan betestedbybalancingit ona round

shaftscrewdriver.Grindmetalfromtheheavysideuntilit balances

evenly.

Blade Installation

1. Wheninstallinga blade,placethesideofthebladewitha part

numberstampedin itfacingthegroundwhenthemowerisin the

operatingposition.

2. Useatorquewrenchtotightenthespindleflangenutto between

70-90foot-pounds.

REPLACING BELTS

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenanceonthemachine,waitfor

allpartsto stopmovinganddisconnectthesparkplugwire.Failureto

followthisinstructioncouldresultinpersonalinjuryorpropertydamage

Avoidthepossibilityofa pinchinginjury.Donotplaceyourfingers

betweenbeltsand pulleys.

Themowerusesthreebelts:1)drivebelt,2)deckengagementbelt,3)

bladetimingbelt.Beforereplacinga belt,observehowthebeltis routed

aroundthepulleysandbracketstohelpwheninstallinga replacement.

IMPORTANT:Thebeltson themowerare speciallydesignedto

engageanddisengagesafely.Fora properworkingmachine,use

factoryapprovedbelts.

Replacing the Drive Belt

1. Stopengine,waitforall partstostopmoving,anddisconnect

sparkplugwire.

Releaseall mowercontrols..

3.

4.

Removebeltcoverasinstructedearlierinthissection.

Loosenbeltkeeper(A).Thebeltkeeperisattachedto the

undersideofthemowerframe,Figure22.

Figure22

5. Loosentheidlerpulley(B) bylooseningboltandnut, Figure22.

6. Removebelt(C)fromaroundpulleys,Figure22.

7. Routenewbeltaroundthepulleysmakingsuretotightennuts,

bolts,and beltkeeper.

8. Replacethebeltcover.

19

Replacing the Deck Engagement Belt

1, Stopengine,waitforall partsto stopmoving,anddisconnect

sparkplugwire,

2. Releaseallmowercontrols,

3. Removebeltcoveras instructedearlierinthis section,

4. Loosentheboltandnutholdingbeltkeeperrodtoframe,

Figure23.

f

.

6.

7.

\

i!

/

Figure23

Loosenidlerpulley(A)bylooseningthenutand bolt,Figure24.

Loosenidlerpulley(B) bylooseningnut, Figure24.

Removebelt(C)fromaroundpulleys,Figure24.

0

Figure24

8. Routenewbeltaroundthepulleysmakingsuretotightennuts,

bolts,andbeltkeeper.

Replacing the Blade Timing Belt

1. Stopengine,waitforall partstostopmoving,anddisconnect

sparkplugwire.

2. Releaseall mowercontrols.

3. Removebeltcoverasinstructedearlierin thissection.

RemovingtheTimingBelt

4. Removespring(A)fromtimingbracketand deck,Figure25.

f

\

.

f

Figure25

Loosen3/8-16screwandnutattachedtodeckmount,Figure26.

Figure26

6. Pivottheidlertimingbracket(B) toroutebeltaroundidlerpulley,

Figure25.

7. Pivotidlerarmassembly(C)andremovebelt(D)fromspindle

assemblies,Figure25.

9. Replacethebeltcover.

2O

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