Craftsman 37031 User manual

Operator's Manual

CRRFTSMRH

21" LAWN MOWER

Model No. 247.37031

CAUTION: Before using

this product, read this

manual and follow all

safety rules and operating

instructions.

o SAFETY

ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

PARTS LIST

o ESPArqOL, p. 33

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

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FORMNO.769-07574

12/5/2011

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

SafetyInstructions....................................Pages3-6

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

Assembly..................................................Pages8-11

Operation..................................................Pages12-13

ServiceandMaintenance.........................Pages14-17

Off-SeasonStorage..................................Page18

Troubleshooting........................................Page19

PartsList...................................................Page20-28

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,IL 60179

EngineOilType: SAE30

EngineOilCapacity: 18ounces

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: Champion®RJ2YXLE

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--Restricttheuseofthispowermachineto

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

themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyanadult.

, 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.

, Tohelpavoidbladecontactora thrownobjectinjury,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.

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,do notmowit. Foryoursafety,usethe

SlopeGuideincludedaspartof thismanualto measureslopesbefore

operatingthis machineon a slopedor 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

®

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

(OK)

15° Slope

X

(TOO STEEP)

15° Slope

_- _. Figure1

USETHiSSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

iFA SLOPEiSTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfold alongthe dashedline.

2. Locateaverticalobjecton or behindthe slope(e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree, etc.)

3. Aligneithersideoftheslopegaugewith theobject(SeeFigure1 andFigure2 ).

4. Adjust gaugeup or downuntil theleft cornertouchestheslope(SeeFigure1 andFigure2).

5.

_O._daShed._fine

If thereis agap belowthe gauge,theslopeistoo steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2 above).

Figure2

Slopes area majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-over accidentswhich can resultin severe injury or death. Donot operate machineon slopes

in excessof 15degrees. Allslopes requireextra caution.Always mowacrossthe face of slopes, nevermowup and down slopes.

IMPORTANT:Thisunitisshippedwithoutgasolineoroil intheengine.

Becertaintoserviceenginewithgasolineandoilasinstructedinthe

Operationsectionbeforestartingor runningyourmachine.

NOTE:Referenceto rightandlefthandsideoftheLawnMoweris

observedfromtheoperatingposition.

OPENING CARTON

1. Cuteachcornerofthecartonverticallyfromtopto bottom.

2. Removeall looseparts.

3. Removeloosepackingmaterial.

REMOVING UNIT FROM CARTON

1. Liftunitfromthereartodetachitfromunderlyingcartonmaterial

androllunitoutofcarton.

2. Checkcartonthoroughlyforanyotherlooseparts.

f

LOOSE PARTS IN CARTON

• GrassCatcher

• SideDischargeCover

• EngineOil

Figure2

J

ASSEMBLY

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

Figure1

Figure3

.

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.

Attaching the Grass Catcher

1. Followstepsbelowto assemblethegrasscatcher.Makecertain

bagisturnedrightsideoutbeforeassembling(warninglabelwill

beon theoutside).

A. Placebagoverframesothatits blackplasticsideisatthe

bottom.

B. Slipplasticchannelofgrassbagoverhooksontheframe.

SeeFigure7.

2. Followstepsbelowto attachgrasscatcher:

A. Lift reardischargedoor.SeeFigure8.

Figure4

J

Figure5

Figure7

9

Figure6

B, Placegrasscatcherintotheslotsinthehandlebracketsas

showninFigure8.Letgoofdischargedoorsothatitrests

onthegrasscatcher.

Toremovegrasscatcher,liftreardischargedooron themower.Lift

grasscatcherupandoff theslotsinthe handlebrackets.Releaserear

dischargedoortoallowittoclose rearopeningofmower,

Attaching Side Discharge Cover

Yourmowerisshippedasa mulcher.Toconverttosidedischarge,

makesuregrasscatcherisoff oftheunitand reardischargedooris

closed.

1. Onthesideof themower,lift themulchingcover.See Figure9.

2, Slidetwo hooksofsidedischargecoverunderhingepinon

mulchingcoverassembly.Lowermulchingcover.Donotremove

sidemulchingcoveratanytime,evenwhenyouarenotmulching.

f

ADJUSTMENTS

Cutting Height

Thereisa cuttingheightadjustmentleverlocatedabovethefrontand

rearrightwheel,

1. Pulltheheightadjustmentleveroutwardtowardswheel(unitwill

tendtofallwhenleverismovedoutward).See Figure10,

2. Movelevertodesiredpositionfora changeincuttingheight.See

Figure10.

3, Releaselevertowardsdeck.

IMPORTANT:Allwheelsmustbeplacedinthe sameposition.For

roughor unevenlawns,moveeachheightadjustmentlevertoa higher

position.Thiswillpreventyoufromcuttingthegrasstooclosetothe

ground,

Handle Pitch

Forconvenienceofoperation,youmayadjustthepitchofthehandle

asfollows:

1, Removewingnutsandcarriageboltsfromhandle,SeeFigure11,

2. Positionthehandlein oneofthethreepositionsthatis most

comfortable,SeeFigure11inset,

3. Secureintopositionwithwingnutsandcarriageboltsremoved

earlier,

Figure11

f

10

Cover

Figure8

Side Mulching

Cover

\

Figure9

\

Figure10

J

,J

Recoil Starter

Grass Catcher

Deck Wash

Cutting Height

Adjustment

Lever

Cutting Height

Adjustment

Lever

TrailShield

/

GasCap

Nulch Cover

Spark Plug

Figure12

BLADE CONTROL

Thebladecontrolisattachedtotheupperhandleofthemower.

Depressandsqueezeit againsttheupperhandletooperatetheunit.

Releaseittostopengineandblade.

Thisbladecontrolisa safetydevice.Neverattempttobypassits

operation.

CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Oneadjustmentleverislocatedon therightrearwheelandoneis

locatedontherightfrontwheel.Bothlevershaveto beatthesame

positiontoensurea uniformcut.Toadjustthecuttingheight,referto

theAssemblySection.

DECK WASH

Yourmower'sdeckis equippedwitha waterportonitssurfaceas part

ofits deckwashsystem.Usethedeckwashto rinsegrassclippings

fromthedeck'sunderside.

MULCH COVER

Themulchcoverisusedformulchingpurposes.Insteadofcollecting

thegrassclippingsin agrasscatcheror usingthesidedischarge

chute,somemowermodelshavetheoptionofrecirculatingthe

clippingsbacktothelawn.Thisiscalledmulching.

SIDE DISCHARGE COVER

Yourmowerisshippedasa mulcher.Todischargethegrassclippings

tothesideinstead,followtheinstructionsin theAssemblysectionto

attachthesidedischargecover.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthechuteareaon cuttingdeck.Refer

towarninglabelonthe unit.

RECOIL STARTER

Therecoilstarterisattachedtotherightupperhandle.Standbehind

theunitandpulltherecoilstarterropeto starttheunit.

OIL CAP/DIPSTICK

Referto theMaintenancesectionforinstructionsoncheckingtheoil.

TRAIL SHIELD

Thetrailshieldis attachedtotherearofthemowerand isthereto

protecttheoperatorfromflyingdebris.Donotusethemowerunless

theshieldisfullyfunctionalandin place.

Meets ANSi Safety Standards

CraftsmanLawnMowersconformto thesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

11

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).SeeFigure13.

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.SeeFigure13.

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.

Figure13

• A minimumof87 octane/87AKI(91RON).

• Gasolinewith upto 10%ethanol(gasohol)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,

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/

sourceandsitebeforestartingtheengine.

Besurenooneotherthantheoperatorisstandingnearthelawn

mowerwhilestartingengineoroperatingmower.Neverrunengine

indoorsorin enclosed,poorlyventilatedareas.Engineexhaust

containscarbonmonoxide,an odorlessanddeadlygas.Keephands,

feet,hairand looseclothingawayfromanymovingpartson engine

andlawnmower.

12

TO START ENGINE

1. Standingbehindthemower,squeezethebladecontrolhandle

againstupperhandle.SeeFigure14.

2. Holdingthesetwohandlestogetherfirmly,grasprecoilstarter

handleandpull ropeslowlyuntilresistanceisfelt,thenpullwitha

rapid,continuous,fullarmstroke.SeeFigure14.Keepingafirm

griponthestartercordhandle,lettheroperewindslowly.Repeat

untilenginecranks.Lettheroperewindeachtimeslowly.

Rapidretractionof startercord(kickback)willpullhandandarm

towardenginefasterthanyoucanletgo.Brokenbones,fractures,

bruisesorsprainscouldresult.

TO STOP ENGINE

1. Releasebladecontroltostoptheengineandblade.

Waitforthebladetostopcompletelybeforeperforminganyworkon

themowerorto removethegrasscatcher.

USING YOUR LAWN MOWER

Besurelawnisclearofstones,sticks,wire,orotherobjectswhich

coulddamagelawnmoweror engine.Suchobjectscouldbeaccidently

thrownbythemowerin anydirectionandcauseseriouspersonalinjury

totheoperatorandothers.

Theoperationofanylawnmowercanresultinforeignobjectsbeing

thrownintotheeyes,whichcandamageyoureyesseverely.Always

wearsafetyglasseswhileoperatingthemower,or whileperforming

anyadjustmentsor repairsonit.

USING AS MULCHER

Formulchinggrass,removethegrasscatcherandsidedischarge

chutefromthemower.Foreffectivemulching,donotcutwetgrass.If

thegrasshasbeenallowedtogrowinexcessoffourinches,mulching

isnotrecommended.Usethegrasscatchertobagclippingsinstead.

Figure14

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.

13

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall

controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo

acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe

enginetopreventunintendedstarting.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes

serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackof

completedmaintenancetasks.Tolocate the nearest SearsService

Centeror toscheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

EachUse

1st5 hours

Annuallyor 25hours

Annuallyor 50hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

=

.

2.

3.

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

1.

Engineoillevel

Looseormissinghardware

Unitandengine.

Engineoil

Aircleanert

Controllinkages/pivotsandwheels

Undersideofmowerdeck

Engineoil

Sparkplug

AirCleaner

Fuelsystem

Cleanmoreoftenunderdustyconditionsor whenairbornedebrisis

1. Check

2. Tightenor replace

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Lubewithlightoil

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Replace

2. Replace

1. Runengineuntilitstopsfromlackof

fuel,oraddstabilizertoa fulltankof

freshfuelpriortostorage.

_resent.Replaceaircleanerifverydirty.

14

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

Figure15

NOTE:Replacewitha Champion®RJ2YXLEsparkplug.

3. Checkthegapwitha wiregauge.SeeFigure15.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 cleanerevery25hoursofoperationoroncea season.

Replacetheaircleanerannually.

Neverstartor runtheenginewiththeaircleanerassemblyor theair

filterremoved.

Figure16

NOTE:Donotusepressurizedairor solventstocleanthefilter.Pres-

surizedair candamagethefilterandsolventswilldissolvethefilter.

1. Loosenthefastenerthatholdsthecoverandtilt plastichousing

coveron sideofenginedown.SeeFigure16.

2. Removeairfilterfromplastichousingcover.

3. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthefilterona hardsurface,ifthefilter

isexcessivelydirty,replacewitha newfilter.

4. insertcover'stabsintoslotsin bottomofbase.

5. Tiltcoverupintoplaceand securewithfastener.

15

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 Figure17.

Usedoilisa hazardouswasteproduct.Disposeofusedoil properly.

IDonotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyourlocalauthori-

_tiesor SearsServiceCenterforsafedisposal/recyclingfacilities.

4. Withtheengineina levelposition,filltotheupperlimitmarkon the

dipstickwiththerecommendedoil.

Runningtheenginewitha lowoil levelcancauseenginedamage.

5. Reinstalltheoilfilldipsticksecurely.

Clean Engine

• Dailyorbeforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chaffor accumulated

debrisfromengine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean.

Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeofanycombustible

debris.

• Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine.

• Enginepartsshouldbe keptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheat-

ingandignitionofaccumulateddebris.

Figure17

J

Figure18

LUBRICATION

Blade Control

Lubricatepivotpointsonthebladecontrolat leastoncea seasonwith

lightoil.Thiscontrolmustoperatefreelyinbothdirections.SeeFigure

18.

Donotusewatertocleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel

system.Usea brushor drycloth.

16

DECK WASH

Yourmower'sdeckisequippedwitha waterporton itssurfaceaspart

ofits deckwashsystem.

Usethedeckwashtorinsegrassclippingsfromthedeck'sunderside

andpreventthe buildupofcorrosivechemicals.Completethefollowing

stepsAFTEREACHMOWING:

1. Pushthemowertoa level,clearspotonyourlawn,nearenough

foryourgardenhoseto reach.Removethegrassbagifattached.

house,garage,parkedcars,etc.

2. Threadthehosecoupler(packagedwithyourmower'sOperator's

Manual)ontotheendofyourgardenhose.

3. Attachthehosecouplertothewaterporton yourdeck'ssurface.

SeeFigure19.

4. Turnthewateron.

5. StarttheengineasdescribedintheOperationsection.

6. Runtheenginefora minimumoftwominutes,allowingthe

undersideofthecuttingdecktothoroughlyrinse.

7. Releasebladecontrolto stoptheengineandblade.

8. Turnthewateroff anddetachthehosecouplerfromthewater

portonyourdeck'ssurface.

Aftercleaningyourdeck,restartthemower.Keeptheengineand

bladerunningfora minimumoftwominutes,allowingthe undersideof

thecuttingdecktothoroughlydry.

BLADE CARE

Whenremovingthecuttingbladeforsharpeningor replacement,

protectyourhandswitha pairofheavyglovesor usea heavyragto

holdtheblade.

Periodicallyinspectthebladeadapterforcracks,especiallyifyou

strikea foreignobject.Replacewhennecessary.Followthesteps

belowforbladeservice.

1. Disconnectsparkplugbootfromsparkplug.Turnmoweronitsside

makingsurethattheairfilterandthecarburetorarefacingup.

2. Removetheboltandthebladebellsupportwhichholdtheblade

andthebladeadapterto theenginecrankshaft.SeeFigure20.

3. Removebladeandadapterfromthecrankshaft.

4. Removebladefromtheadapterfortestingbalance.Balancethe

bladeon a roundshaftscrewdrivertocheck.Removemetalfrom

theheavysideuntilit balancesevenly.Whensharpeningthe

blade,followtheoriginalangleof grind.Grindeachcuttingedge

equallyto keepthebladebalanced.

An unbalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibrationwhenrotatingat

highspeeds.It maycausedamagetomowerandcouldbreakcausing

personalinjury.

Figure19

f

_ ........ Bolt

J

Figure20

5. Lubricatetheenginecrankshaftandtheinnersurfaceoftheblade

adapterwithlightoil.Slidethebladeadapterontotheengine

crankshaft.Placethebladeon theadaptersuchthatthesideof

theblademarked"Bottom"(orwithpartnumber)facestheground

whenthemowerisin theoperatingposition.Makesurethatthe

bladeisalignedandseatedon thebladeadapterflanges.See

Figure19inset.

6. Placebladebellsupporton theblade.Alignnotchesontheblade

bellsupportwithsmallholesin blade.

7. Replacehexboltandtightenhexbolttotorque:450in.Ibs.rain.,600

in.Ibs.max.

Toensuresafeoperationof yourmower,periodicallychecktheblade

boltforcorrecttorque.

17

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.

18

Beforeperforminganytyped maintenance/service,disengageall

controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo

a completestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe

enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring

operationorwhileperforminganyadjustmentsorrepairs.

Enginefailstostart

Enginerunserratic

1. Bladecontroldisengaged.

2. Sparkplugbootdisconnected.

3. Fueltankemptyor stalefuel.

4. Faultysparkplug.

5. Engineflooded.

6. 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. Clean,adjustgap,or replace.

5. Waita fewminutesto restart.

6. 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

at desiredheightor makea narrowercuttingpath.

3. Sharpenor replaceblade.

1. Adjustcuttingheightleveron rightfrontandright

rearwheelto sameposition.

2. Sharpenor replaceblade.

NEED MORE HELP?

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19

Craftsman Mower B Model No. 247.37031

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