CRAFTSMAN 247.370371 Lawn Mower Instruction Manual

 247.370371 Lawn Mower

Operator’s Manual
21″ LAWN MOWER
Model No. 247.370371

CAUTION: Before using this product, read this manual and follow all safety rules and operating instructions.
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.
Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FormNo.769-07601D (March 11,2014)

WARRANTY STATEMENT

CRAFTSMAN TWO YEAR FULL WARRANTY
For two years from the date of purchase, this product is warranted against any defects in material or workmanship. Defective product will receive free repair
or free replacement if repair is unavailable.
For warranty coverage details to obtain repair or replacement, visit the web site: www.craftsman.com.
This warranty covers ONLY defects in material and workmanship. Warranty coverage does NOT include:

• Expendable items which can wear out from normal use within the warranty period, such as mower blades, blade adapters, belts, filters, or spark plugs.
• Product damage resulting from user attempts at product modification or repair or caused by product accessories.
• Repairs necessary because of accident or failure to operate or maintain the product according to all supplied instructions.
• Preventative maintenance or repairs necessary due to improper fuel mixture, contaminated or stale fuel.

This warranty is void if this product is ever used while providing commercial services or if rented to another person.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Oil: SAE 30
Fuel: Unleaded Gasoline
Engine: Briggs & Stratton
MODEL NUMBER
Model Number…………………….
Serial Number…………………..
Date of Purchase……………………..
Record the model number, serial number, and date of purchase above.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING
This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow all instructions in this manual before attempting to operate this machine. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol, HEED IT’S WARNING!
WARNING!
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
DANGER
This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation practices in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator can result in serious injury. This machine is capable of amputating fingers, hands, toes and feet and throwing debris. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING!
Your Responsibility— Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
GENERAL OPERATION

• Read this operator’s manual carefully in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manuals before operation. Keep this manual in a safe  place for future and regular reference and for ordering replacement parts

• Be completely familiar with the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it.

• his machine is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at ail times. This machine has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose.

• Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children 14 and over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the machine and should be trained and supervised by an adult.

• Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use this machine.

• Thoroughly inspect the area where the equipment is to be used. Remove all stones, sticks, wire, bones, toys and other foreign objects, which could be tripped over or picked up and thrown by the blade. Thrown objects can cause serious personal injury.

• Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward roads, sidewalks, bystanders and the like. Also, avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction, which may cause discharged material to ricochet back toward the operator.

• To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, stay in operator zone behind handles and keep children, bystanders, helpers and pets at least 75 feet from mower while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters area.

• Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation and while performing an adjustment or repair to protect your eyes. Thrown objects which ricochet can cause serious injury to the eyes.

• Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close-fitting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs and steel-toed shoes are recommended. Never operate this machine in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light-weight (e.g. canvas) shoes.

• Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with blade can amputate fingers, hands, toes and feet.

• A missing or damaged discharge cover can cause blade contact or thrown object injuries.

• Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall caused by slipping or tripping. Do not hold on to the mower if you are falling: release the handle immediately.

• Never pull the mower back toward you while you are walking. If you must back the mower away from a wall or obstruction first look down and behind to avoid tripping and then follow these steps:
  a. — Step back from mower to fully extend your arms forward.
  b. Be sure you are well balanced with sure footing.
  c. Pull the mower back slowly, no more than half way toward you.
  d. Repeat these steps as needed.

• Do not operate the mower while under the influence of akohol or drugs.

• Do not engage the self-propelled mechanism on machines so equipped while starting engine.

• The blade control handle is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation. Doing so makes the safety device inoperative and may result in personal injury through contact with the rotating blade. The blade control handle must operate easily in both directions and automatically return to the disengaged position when released.

• Never operate the mower in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your footing, release the blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three  seconds.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. Walk, never run.

• Stop the blade when crossing gravel drives, walks or roads.

• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine and check immediately for the cause. Vibration is generally a waming of trouble.

• Shut the engine off and wait until the blade comes to a complete stop before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the chute. The cutting blade continues to rotate for a few seconds after the blade control is released.

• Never place any part of the body in the blade area until you are sure the blade has stopped rotating.

• Never operate mower without proper trail shield, discharge cover, grass catcher, blade control handle or other safety protective devices in place and working. Never operate mower with damaged safety devices. Failure to do so.can result in personal injury.

• Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a burn. Do not touch.

• Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the engine is running.

• Only use parts and accessories made for this machine by the manufacturer as listed in the Parts pages of this Operator’s Manual. Failure to do so can result in personal injury.

• When starting engine, pull cord slowly until resistance is felt, then pull rapidly. Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can fet go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.

• If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgement.

SLOPE OPERATION
Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution. If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safety, use the Slope Guide included as part of this manual to Measure slopes before operating this machine on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.
Do:

• Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can cause you to slip of trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release the blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three (3) seconds.

Do Not:

• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, because you could lose your footing or balance.
• Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope guide.
• Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.

CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the mower and the mowing activity. They do not understand the dangers. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them.

• Keep children out of the mowing area and under watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
• Be alert and turn mower offif.a child enters the area.
• Before and while moving backwards, look behind and down for small children.
• Use extreme care when approaching blind comers, doorways, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure your vision of a child who may run into the mower,
• Keep children away from hot or running engines. They can suffer burns from a hot muffler.
• Never allow children under 14 years of age to operate this machine. Children 14and over should read and understand the instructions and safe operation practices in this manual and on the machine and be trained and supervised by an adult.

SERVICE
Safe Handling of Gasoline:
To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.

• Use only an approved gasoline container.
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before  filling.
• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer with a portable container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle.
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete. Do not use a nozzle lock-open device.
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
• Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in the area.
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
• Never over-fill fuel tank. To allow for expansion of the fuel, do not fill above the bottom of the fuel tank neck.
• Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting engine.
• Never store the machine or fuel container near an open flame, spark of pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
• To reduce fire hazard, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel-soaked debris.
• Allow machine to cool at least 5 minutes before storing.

General Service:

• Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas.
• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting.
• Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked, wom).
• Replace blade with the original equipment manufacture’s (0.£.M.) blade only, listed in the Parts pages of this manual. Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safe working condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.
• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating the mower.
• Never attempt to make a wheel or cutting height adjustment while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components, discharge cover, and trail shield are subject to wear and damage which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s (0.E.M.) parts only, listed in the Parts pages of this manual. Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!
• Do not change the engine’s governor setting or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
• Check fuel line, tank, cap, and fittings frequently for cracks or leaks. Replace if necessary.
• Do not crank engine with spark plug removed.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.
• Observe proper disposal laws and regulations. Improper disposal of fluids and materials can harm the environment.
• According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this product has an Average Useful Life of seven (7) years, or 140 hours of operation. At the end of the Average Useful Life have the  machine inspected annually by a Sears or other qualified service dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety systems are working properly and not worn excessively. Failure to do so can result in accidents, injuries or death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE
To avoid serious injury or death, do not modify engine in any way. Tampering with the govemor setting can lead to. a runaway engine and cause it to operate at unsafe speeds. Never tamper with factory setting of engine governor.
NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS
Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal EPA emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment) are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and may include the following emission control systems: Engine Modification (EM), Oxidizing Catalyst (0C), Secondary Air Injection (SAl) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.
SPARK ARRESTOR
WARNING
This machine is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should hot be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brushcovered or grass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrestor meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).
If a spark arrestor is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands.
Aspark arrestor for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Parts and Repair Service Center.

SAFETY SYMBOLS
Thispage depicts and describes safety symbols that may appear on this product. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine before attempting to assembleand operate.

Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manualis} 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 15”.
| WARNING— GASOLINE IS FLAMMABLE
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.

WARNING: Your Responsibility–Restrict the use of this power machine to persons who read, understand and follow the warnings and instructions in this manual and on the machine.
SAVETHESEINSTRUCTIONS!

SLOPE GAUGE

USE THIS SLOPE GAUGE TO DETERMINE
IF A SLOPE iS TOO STEEP FOR SAFE OPERATION!
To check the slope, proceed as follows:

1. Remove this page and fold along the dashed line.
2. Locate a vertical object on or behind the slope (e.g. a pole. building. fence, tree, etc.)
3. Align either side of the slope gauge with the object (See Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).
4. Adjust gauge up or down until the left corner touches the slope (See Figure 1 and Figure 2}.
5. If there is a gap below the gauge, the slope is too steep for safe operation (See Figure 2 above).

WARNING
Slopes are a major factor related to tip-over and roll-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. Do not operate machine on slopes in excess of 15 degrees. All slopes require extra caution. Always mow across the face of slopes, never mow up and down slopes.

ASSEMBLY

IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed in the Operation section of the Engine Manual before starting or running your machine.
NOTE: Reference to right and left hand side of the Lawn Mower is observed from the operating position.
OPENING CARTON

1. Cut each comer of the carton vertically from top to bottom.
2. Remove all loose parts.
3. Remove loose packing material.

REMOVING UNIT FROM CARTON

1. Lif tunit from the rear to detach it from underlying carton material and roll unit out of carton.
2. Check carton thoroughly for any other loose parts.

Loose Parts In Carton

• Grass Catcher
• Side Discharge Cover
• Engine Oil

Assembly
Attaching The Handle

1. Remove any packing material which may be between upper and lower handles.
   a. — Remove wing nuts and carriage bolts handle as shown in Figure 1.Do not loosen or remove adjacent hex head screws.
   b. While stabilizing mower so it doesn’t move, pivot upper handle up as shown in Figure 2. Do not crimp cable while lifting the handle up.
   

2. Remove T-bolts from the handle brackets as shown in Figure 3.

3. Follow the steps below to complete handle assembly:
   a. Pull upward on the handle until holes in lower handle (shown in Figure 3 deck cutaway) line up with holes in handle bracket. See Figure 4.
   NOTE: When pulling upward on handle, make sure to not pull handle all the way out.
   b. Insert the T-bolts removed in step earlier through the handle brackets and lower handle and tighten securely to secure the handle in place. See Figure 4.
   c. Reattach wing nuts and carriage bolts removed earlier into lower holes of handle as shown in Figure 5.

4. The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. Loosen the wing knob which secures the rope quide. Refer to Figure 6.
   a. Hold blade control against upper handle.
   b. Slowly pull starter rope handle from engine and slip starter rope into the rope guide. See Figure 6.
   «Tighten rope guide wing knob.
   d. Use cable ties to secure blade control cable to lower handle.

Attaching the Grass Catcher

1. Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher. Make certain bag is turned
   tight side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside).
   a. Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side is at the bottom.
   b. Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the frame. See Figure 7.

2. Followsteps below to attach grass catcher:
   a. Lift rear discharge door.
   b. Place grass catcher into the slots in the handle brackets as shown in Figure 8. Let go of discharge door so that it rests on the grass catcher.

To remove grass catcher, lift rear discharge door on the mower. Lift grass catcher up and off the slots in the handle brackets. Release rear discharge door to allow it to close rear opening of mower.
Attaching Side Discharge Cover
Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To convert to side discharge, make sure grass catcher is off of the unit and rear discharge door is closed.

1. Onthe side of the mower, lift the mulching cover. See Figure 9.
2. Side two hooks of side discharge cover under hinge pin on mulching cover assembly. Lower mulching cover. Do not remove side mulching cover at any time, even when you are not mulching.

Adjustments
Cutting Height
There is a cutting height adjustment lever located above the front and rear right wheel.

1. Pull the height adjustment lever outward towards wheel (unit will tend to fall when lever is moved outward). See Figure 10,
   

2. Move lever to desired position for a change in cutting height. See Figure 10.

3. Release lever towards deck.

IMPORTANT: Ail wheels must be placed in the same position. For rough or uneven lawns, move each height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will prevent you from cutting the grass too close to the ground.
Handle Pitch
For convenience of operation, you may adjust the pitch of the handle as follows:

1. Remove wing nuts and carriage bolts from handle. See Figure 11.
2. Position the handle in one of the three positions that is most comfortable. See Figure 11 inset.
3. Secure into position with wing nuts and carriage bolts removed earlier.

KNOW YOUR MOWER

Blade Control
The blade control is attached to the upper handle of the mower. Depress and squeeze it against the upper handle to operate the tnit, Release it to stop engine and blade.
WARNING
This blade control is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operation.
Cutting Height Adjustment Lever
One adjustment fever is located on the right rear wheel and one is located on the right front wheel. Both levers have to be at the same position to ensure a uniform cut. To adjust the cutting height, refer to the Assembly Section.
Deck Wash
Your mower’s deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck wash system. Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside.
Mulch Cover
The mulch cover is used for mulching purposes. Instead of collecting the grass clippings in a grass catcher or using the side discharge chute, some mower models have the option of recirculating the clippings back fo the lawn. This is called mulching.
Side Discharge Cover
Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To discharge the grass clippings to the side instead, follow the instructions in the Assembly section to attach the side discharge cover.
WARNING
Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on cutting deck. Refer to warning label on the unit.
Trail Shield
The trail shield is attached to the rear of the mower and is there to protect the operator from flying debris. Do not use the mower unless the shield is fully functional and in place.
Recoil Starter
The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to start the unit.
Oil Fill Cap/Dipstick
Refer to the Maintenance section for instructions on checking the oil.
Meets ANSI Safety Standards
Craftsman Lawn Mowers conform to the safety standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

OPERATION

WARNING
Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose dothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.
To Start Engine

1. Standing behind the mower, squeeze the blade control handle against upper handle.
2. Holding these two handles together firmly, grasp recoil starter handle and pult rope slowly until resistance is felt, then pull with arapid, continuous, full arm stroke. See Figure 13. Keeping a firm grip on the starter cord handle, let the rope rewind slowly. Repeat until engine cranks. Let the rope rewind each time slowly.

WARNING
Rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback) will pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go. Broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains could result.
To Stop Engine

1. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.

WARNING
Wait for the blade to stop completely before performing any work on the mower or to remove the grass catcher.
Using Your Lawn Mower
Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine. Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.
WARNING
The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the eyes, which can damage your eyes severely. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any adjustments or repairs on it. Using as Mulcher
For muiching grass, remove the grass catcher and side discharge chute from the mower. For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of four inches, mulching is not recommended. Use the grass catcher to bag clippings instead.
Using Grass Catcher
You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while you are operating the mower.

1. Attach grass catcher following instructions in the “Assembly” section. Grass clippings will automatically collect in bag as you run mower. Operate mower until grass bag is full.
2. Stop engine completely by releasing the blade control. Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop.
3. Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away from the mower to remove the bag. Dispose of the grass clippings and reinstall the bag when complete.

WARNING
Ifyou strike a foreign object, stop the engine. Disconnect the spark plug wire, thoroughly inspect mower for any damage, and repair damage before restarting and operating. Extensive vibration of mower during operation is an indication of damage. The unit should be promptly inspected and repaired.

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

WARNING
Before performing anytype of maintenance/service,disengageall controls and stoptheengine.Wait until all moving parts havecometo acomplete stop. Disconnectsparkplugwire and groundit againstthe engineto prevent unintended starting.
Fotlow the maintenance schedule given betow. This chart describes service guidelines only. Use the Service Log column to keep track of completed maintenance tasks. To locate the nearest Sears Service Center or to schedule service, call the following tall free number:1-888-331-4569.

2. Loose or missing hardware
3. Air cleaner
4. Unit and engine| 1. Check
2. Tighten or replace
3. Check
4. Clean|
1st Month or 5 hours| 1. Engine oil| 1. Change|
Annually or 25 hours| 1. Aircleaner
2. Controt linkages/pivots and wheels
3. ‘Underside of mower deck| 1. Clean
2. Lube with light oil
3. Clean|
Annually or 50 hours| 1. Engine oil| 1. Change|
Annually| 1. Spark plug
2. Air Cleaner| 1. Replace
2. Replace|
Before Storage| 1. Fuel system| 1. Run engine until it stops from lack of fuel, or add stabilizer to a full tank of fresh fuel prior to storage.|

Clean more often under dusty conditions or when airbome debris is present. Replace air cleaner if very dirty.
Change oil every 25 hours when operating the engine under heavy load or in high temperatures.

WARNING
Always stop engine, disconnect spark plug wire, and ground against engine before performing any type of maintenance on your machine.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance.
• The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain the equipment as instructed here.
• Changing of engine-governed speed will void engine warranty.
• All adjustments should be checked at least once each season.
• Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight.

LUBRICATION
Blade Control
Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least once a season with light oil. This control must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 14. Clean Engine

• Daily or before every use, clean grass, chaff or accumulated debris from engine. Keep linkage, spring, and controls clean. Keep area around and behind muffler free of any combustible debris.
• Keeping engine clean allows air movement around engine.
• Engine parts should be kept clean to reduce the risk of overheating and ignition of accumulated debris.

CAUTION
Do not use water to clean engine parts. Water could contaminate fuel system. Use a brush or dry cloth.
Deck Wash
Your mower’s deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck wash system.
Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following steps AFTER EACH MOWING:

1. Push the mower to a level, clear spot on your lawn, near enough for your garden hose to reach. Remove the grass bag if attached.
   CAUTION
   Make certain the mower’s discharge chute is directed AWAY from your house, garage, parked cars, etc.

2. Thread the hose coupler (packaged with your mower’s Operator’s Manual) onto the end of your garden hose.

3. Attach the hose coupler to the water port on your deck’s surface. See Figure 15.

4. Turn the water on.

5. Start the engine as described in the Operation section.

6. Run the engine for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the  cutting deck to thoroughly rinse.

7. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.

8. Turnthe water off and detach the hose coupler from the water port on your deck’s surface.

After cleaning your deck, restart the mower. Keep the engine and blade running for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the cutting deck to thoroughly dry.

Blade Care
WARNING
When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect  your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service.

1. Disconnect spark plug boot from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.

2. Remove the boit and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 16.

3. Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.

4. Remove blade from the adapter for testing balance. Balance the blade ona round shaft screwdriver to check. Remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of grind. Grind each cutting edge equally to keep the blade balanced.
   WARNING
   An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It may cause damage to mower and could break causing personal  injury.

5. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade on the adapter such that the side of the blade marked “Bottom” (or with part number} faces the ground when the mower is in the operating position. Make sure that the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges. See Figure 16 inset.

6. Place blade bell support on the blade. Align notches on the blade bell support with small holes in blade.

7. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex boit to torque: 450 in. Ibs. min., 600 in. tbs. max.

To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque.

OFF- SEASON STORAGE

WARNING
Never store lawn mower with fuel in tank indoors or in poorly ventilated areas where fuel fumes may reach an open flame, spark, or pilot light as on a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, or gas appliance.
Preparing The Engine
For engines stored over 30 days:

• To prevent gum from forming in fuel system or on carburetor parts, run engine until it stops from lack of fuel or add a gasoline additive to the gas in the tank. If you use a gas additive, run the engine for severat minutes to circulate the additive through the carburetor—after which the engine and fuel can be stored up to 24 months.
• While engine is still warm, change the oil.
• Clean engine of surface debris.

Preparing The Lawn Mower

• Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions.
• Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.
• Coat mower’s cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting.
• Refer to Preparing the Engine for correct engine storage instructions.
• Store mower Ina dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertitizer.

When storing any type of power equipment in a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care should be taken to rust-proof the equipment. Using a tight oil or silicone, coat the equipment, especially cables and alt moving parts of your lawn mower before storage.

TROUBLESHOOTING

WARNING
Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent unintended starting. Before performing any type of maintenance/service, disengage all controls and stop the engine. Wait until all moving parts have come to a complete stop. Always wear safety glasses during operation or while performing any adjustments or repairs.
This section addresses minor service issues. To locate the nearest Sears Service Center or to schedule service, call the following toll free number: 1-888- 331-4569.

2.Spark plug boot disconnected.
3.Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
4.Engine not primed (If equipped with primer).
5.Faulty spark plug.
6.Engine flooded.
7.Blocked fuel line.| 1.Engage blade control.
2.Connect wire to spark boot.
3.Fill tank with dean, fresh gasoline.
4.Prime engine as instructed in the Operation section.
5.Clean, adjust gap, or replace.
6.Wait a few minutes to restart.
7.Contact your Sears Parts & Repair Center to have fuel line cleaned.
Engine runs erratic| 1.Spark plug boot loose.
2.Stale fuel.
3.Vent in gas cap plugged.
4.Water or dirt in fuel system.
5.Dirty air cleaner.
6.Blocked fuel line.| 1.Connect and tighten spark plug boot.
2.Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
3.Clear vent.
4.Run engine until it stops from lack of fuel. Refill with fresh fuel.
5.Refer to Air Cleaner Maintenance in the Engine Manual.
6.Contact your Sears Parts & Repair Center to have fuel line cleaned.
Engine overheats| 1.Engine oil level low.
2.Air flow restricted.| 1.Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2.Clean area around and on top of engine.
Occasional skips (hesitates)| 1. Spark plug gap too close.| 1. Adjust gap. Refer to Spark Plug Maintenance in Engine Manual.
Idles poorly| 1.Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide.
2.Dirty air cleaner.| 1.Reset gap or replace spark plug.
2.Refer to Air Cleaner Maintenance in the Engine Manual.
Excessive vibration| 1.Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.
2.Bent cutting blade.| 1.Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.
2.Replace blade.
Mower will not mulch grass| 1.Wet grass.
2.Excessively high grass.
3.Dull blade.| 1.Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until later to cut
2.Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting path.
3.Sharpen or replace blade.
Uneven cut| 1.Wheels not positioned correctly.
2.Dull blade.| 1.Adjust cutting height lever on right front and right rear wheel to same position.
2.Sharpen or replace blade.

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Drought to yor Sy Sears

(This page applicable in the U.S.A. and Canada only.)
Sears Brands Management Corporation (Sears), the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
Emission Control System Warranty Statement (Owner’s Defect Warranty Rights and Obligations}
EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY COVERAGE IS APPLICABLE TO CERTIFIED ENGINES PURCHASED IN CALIFORNIA IN 1995 AND THEREAFTER, WHICH ARE USED IN CALIFORNIA, ANB TO CERTIFIED MODEL YEAR 1997 AND LATER ENGINES WHICH ARE PURCHASED AND USED ELSEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES (AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2001 IN CANADA).
California and United States Emission Control Defects Warranty Statement
The California Air Resources Board (CARB), U.S. EPA and Sears are pleased to explain the Emission Control System Warranty on your mode! year 2000 and later small off-road engine (SORE). In Califomia, new smail off-road engines must be designed, built and equipped to meet the State’s stringent anti-smog standards. Elsewhere in the United States, new non-road, spark-ignition engines certified for model year 1997 and later must meet similar standards set forth by the U.S. EPA. Sears must warrant the emission
control system on your engine for the periods of time listed below, provided there has been no abuse, neglect or improper maintenance of your small offroad engine. Your emission control system includes parts such as the carburetor, air cleaner, ignition system, muffler and catalytic converter. Also included may be connectors and other emission related assemblies. Where a warrantable condition exists, Sears will repair your small off-road engine at no cost to you including diagnosis, parts and labor.
Sears Emission Control Defects Warranty Coverage
Smail off-road engines are warranted relative to emission control parts defects for a period of one year, subject to provisions set forth below. If any covered pari on your engine is defective, the part will be repaired or replaced by Sears.
Owner’s Warranty Responsibilities
As the small off-road engine owner, you are responsible for the performance of the required maintenance listed in your Operating and Maintenance Instructions. Sears recommends that you retain all your receipts covering maintenance on your small off-road engine, but Sears cannot deny warranty solely for the lack of receipts or for your failure to ensure the performance of aii scheduled maintenance. As the smail off-road engine owner, you should however be aware that Sears may deny you warranty coverage if your small off- road engine or a part has failed due to abuse, neglect, improper maintenance or unapproved modifications. You are responsible for presenting your small off-road engine to an Authorized Sears Service Dealer as soon as a problem exists. The undisputed warranty repairs should be completed in a reasonable amount of time, not to exceed 36 days. If you have any questions regarding your warranty rights and responsibilities, you should contact a Sears Service Representative at 1-800-469- 4663. The emission warranty is a defects warranty. Defects are judged on normal engine performance. The warranty is not related to am ii-use emission test.
Sears Emission Control Defects Warranty Provisions
The following are specific provisions relative to your Emission Control Defects Warranty Coverage. It is in addition to the Sears engine warranty for non-regulated engines found in the Operating and Maintenance Instructions.
The following are specific provisions relative to your Emission Control Defects Warranty Coverage. It is in addition to the Sears engine warranty for non-regulated engines found in the Operating and Maintenance Instructions.

1. Warranted Parts
   Coverage under this warranty extends only to the parts listed below (the emission control systems parts) to the extent these parts were present on the engine purchased.
   a. Fuel Metering System
   Cold start enrichment system
   Carburetor and internal parts
   Fuel Pump
   b. Air induction System
   Airdeaner
   Intake manifold
   c. Ignition System
   Spark plug(s)
   Magneto ignition system
   d. Catalyst System
   Catalytic converter
   Exhaust manifold
   Air injection system or pulse valve
   e. Miscellaneous ltems Used in Above Systems Vacuum, temperature, position, time sensitive valves and switches Connectors and assemblies

2. Length of Coverage
   Sears warrants to the initial owner and each subsequent purchaser that the Warranted Parts shai! be free from defects in materials and workmanship which caused the failure of the Warranted Parts for a period of one year from the date the engine is delivered to a retail purchaser.

3. No Charge
   Repair or replacement of any Warranted Part will be performed at no charge to the owner, including diagnostic labor which leads to the determination that a Warranted Part is defective, if the diagnostic work is performed at an Authorized Sears Service Dealer. For emissions warranty service contact your nearest Authorized Sears Service Dealer as listed in the “Yellow Pages” under “Engines, Gasoline,” “Gasoline Engines,” “Lawn Mowers,” or similar category.

4. Claims and Coverage Exclusions
   Warranty claims shali be filed in accordance with the provisions of the Sears Engine Warranty Policy, Warranty coverage shall be excluded for failures of Warranted Parts which are not original Sears parts or because of abuse, neglect or improper maintenance as set forth in the Sears Engine Warranty Policy. Sears is not liable to cover failures of Warranted Parts caused by the use of add-on, non-original, or modified parts.

5. Maintenance
   Any Warranted Part which is not scheduled for replacement as required maintenance or whichis scheduled only for regular inspection io the effect of “repair or replace as necessary” shall be warranted as to defects for the warranty period. Any Warranted Part which is scheduled for replacement as required maintenance shal! be warranted as to defects only for the period of time up to the first scheduled replacement for that part. Any replacement part that is equivalent in performance and durability may be used in the performance of any maintenance or repairs. The owner is responsible for the performance of all required maintenance, as defined in the Sears Operating and Maintenance Instructions.

6. Consequential Coverage
   Coverage hereunder shall extend to the failure of any engine components caused by the failure of any Warranted Part still under warranty.

In the USA and Canada, a 24 hour hot line, 1-800-469-4663, has a menu of pre- recorded messages offering you engine maintenance information.

REPAIR PROTECTION AGREEMENT

Congratulations en making a smart purchase. Your new Craftsman® product is designed and manufactured for years of  dependable operation. But like all products, it may require repair from time to time. That’s when having a Repair Protection Agreement can save you money and aggravation.
Here’s what the Repair Protection Agreement* includes:
** Expert service by our 10,000 professional repair specialists
Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor on all covered repairs
Product replacement up to $1500 if your covered product can’t be fixed
Discount of 25% from regular price of service and related installed parts not covered by the agreement; also, 25% off regular price of preventive maintenance check
Fast help by phone — we call it Rapid Resolution — phone support from a Sears representative. Think of us as a “talking owner’s manual.”
Once you purchase the Repair Protection Agreement, a simple phone call is all that it takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytime day or night, or schedule a service appointment online.
The Repair Protection Agreement is a risk-free purchase. If you cancel for any reason during the product warranty period, we will provide a full refund. Or, a prorated refund anytime after the product warranty period expires. Purchase your Repair
Protection Agreement today!
Some limitations and exclusions apply. For prices and additional information in the U.S.A. call 1-800-827-6655.
*Coverage in Canada varies on some items. For full details call Sears Canada at 1-800-361-6665.**
Sears Installation Service
For Sears professional installation of home appliances, garage door openers, water heaters, and other major home items, in the U.S.A. or Canada call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

Product questions or problems?
1-888-331-4569
Customer Care Hot Line
Get answers to questions, troubleshoot problems, order parts, or schedule repair service.
To help us help you, register your product at www.craftsman.com/registration
Join the Craftsman Club today!www.craftsman.com/signup
Receive exclusive member benefits including special pricing and offers
project sharing, expert advice, and SHOP YOUR WAY REWARDS!
® Registered Trademark / ™ Trademark of KCD IP
LLC in the United States, or Sears Brands, LLC in other countries

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