Craftsman 247.388240 Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual CRAFTSMRN 19" Mulching/Rear Discharge PUSH LAWN MOWER Model No. 247.388240 CAUTION: Before using this product, read this manual and follow all Safety Rules and Operating Instructions. Sears, Roebuck & Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A. Printed in U.S.A. 770-10185A (1/99)
Content Page Warranty Information ................................... 2 Safe Operation Practices ........................... ,3 Slope Gauge ................................................ 6 Assembly ..................................................... 7 Operation ..................................................... 9 Maintenance .................................................. 12 Content Page Service & Adjustment ..................................... 15 Storage .......................................................... 17 Trouble-Shooting ........................................... 19 Parts List ........................................................ 20 Espan61 .......................................................... 26 Two-Year Warranty on Craftsman Lawn Mower For two years from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman lawn mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair, free of charge, any defects in material or workmanship. If this lawn mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover: 1. Expendable items which become worn dudng normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug. 2. Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual. WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN LAWN MOWER TO THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN USE IN THE UNITED STATES. This warranty gives you specific legal dghts, and you may also have other dghts which vary from state to state. Sears, Roebuck And Co., D/817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 These accessories were _ % kJ(_ _'° available when the lawn mower was purchased. They t_'_ j_ are also available at most Sears retail outlets, and Spark Plug Muffler - Safety Wheels service centers. MostSears _ _ {_ S stores can order repair parts Glasses for you when you provide the model number of your lawn mower. Engine Oil Stabilizer Gas Can Blade Grass Catcher PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Horsepower: Engine Oil Fuel Capacity: Spark Plug 4.0 21 oz. SAE 30 oil 1.5 quarts J19LM Gap .030 inches Please record model number, serial number, and date of purchase here for future reference. You will find this information on the model plate located on the cutting deck of your mower. Model Number ......................................................... Sedal Number ........................................................... Date of Pumhase ......................................................
This symbol points out important safety Instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the per- sonal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow ell instructions in this manuel before attempting to operate your lawn mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol--heed Its warning. 1 _D Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation In this ANnER manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator "'_ "': can result in serious injury. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourse f or others. This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with e spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester 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. A spark an'ester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center (See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual.) WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. | GENERAL OPERATION Read this owner's guide carefully in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely familiar With the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference, and for ordering replacement pads. Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at ell times. Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower. Children 14 years old and over should only operate mower under close parental supervision. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your mower. Keep the area of operation clear of ell persons, particularly small children and pets. Stop engine when they ere in the vicinity of your mower to help prevent blade contact or thrown object injury. Although the area of operation should be completely cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator or any others allowed in the area. 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 picked up and thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator or any others ellowed in the area. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward reads, sidewalks, bystanders end the like. To help avoid a thrown object's injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine in any direction. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- titting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs end steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating pads. Keep clear of discharge opening at ell times as the rotating blade can cause injury. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang on to the mower if you are fairing; release the handle immediately. Never pull the mower toward you while you are walking. If you must back the mower away from a 3
wall Or obstruction first look down and behind, and- then follow these steps: a. Step back from the mower to fully extand your arms, b. Be sure you are well balancod 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 alcohol or drugs. Do not engage the self-propened mechanism on units 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 sedous personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. If you feel you are losing your footing, RELEASE THE BLADE CONTROL HANDLE IMMEDIATLEY and the blade will stop rotating within three seconds. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. 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 warning 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 alter the engine is shut off. 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 guards, grass catcher, plates or other safety protective devices in place. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a bum. Do not touch. Do not adjust the throttle control with the engine running. Only use accessories approved for this machine by the manufacturer. Read, understand, and follow all instructions provided with the approved acCessory. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for assistance. Slope Operation For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a slope or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees as shown on the elope gauge (page 6), do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result. DO: Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tag grass can hide obstacles. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. (f you feel you are losing your balance release the blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop in less than 3 seconds. ON MODELS WiTH CASTER WHEELS: Lock both front wheels so they do not pivot while mowing on the face of slopes. To turn the mower, depress the handle and raise the front wheels s(ightiy. DO NOT: Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The operator could lose footing or balance. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause slipping. ON MOWERS WITH CASTER WHEELS: Do Not mow on slopes with casters unlocked since the mower has a tendency to drift down hill. 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. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. ⢠Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. ⢠Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area. Before and while moving rpackwards, look behind and down for small children or other objects. Never allow children under age 14 to operate the mower. Children 14 years of age and above should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obssure your vision of a child or hazard. Service Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Use only an approved gasoline container. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
⢠Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. ⢠Never refuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in the area. ⢠Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame or spark such as a gas water heater, space heater, or furnace. Never run an engine inside a closed area. ⢠To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage⢠Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing. ⢠Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked or worn). Replace with blade which meets original equipment specifications listed in th_s manual. ⢠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 stdking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug, and 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 are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when necessary. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous. 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. Following are representations of the safety labels on your lawn mower. Maintain safety while operating the mower. Please have the part number ready when re-ordering safety labels. DANGER SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 5
' ; SI HTANOHOLO IS AVERTIC TREApo RPOLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING _" _- ... _. _. _'_ i _ OR A FENCE POST | , law _ _ , -- _o_â¬_,_ ' J. ,<,,< a. t_ Do not mow on inclines w th a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). _-- _- A r d ng mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it _ is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. "1 '" Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. (/)o. O Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes. cO
Removing Unit From Carton Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., owner's manual, etc,). Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat. Remove packing material. Roll unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts. Note: Make sure not to crimp the cable while removing loose parts or the unit from the carton. IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil In the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil before operating your mower. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower and/or front or behind the mower is observed from the operating position. Loose Pads a. Owner's Manual b. A Bottle of Engine Oil c. Parts for Grass Bag: Frame, Bag d. Discharge Chute Tools Required a. Pairof Pliers b. Funnel Disconnecting Spark Plug Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it against the engine. See Figure 1. Attach rubber boot to a bolt on the engine to ground as shown below. Spark Plug Wire 'Spark Plug Figure 1 Assembling Handle Raise lower handle in direction A shown in Figure 2. it should snap into place. Note: Make sure to route the cable inside the lower handle. Also do not crimp the cable while lifting the handle up B Upper Handle Figure 2 For shipping purposes, the hairpin clip is placed in the outer hole of the weld pin on the lower handle. Remove the hairpin clip from the outer hole of the weld pin. See Figure 3. c% p' ,/ \ .on ;ire WE'd P'm _0 "e_r Hole on Weld Pin Figure 3 Using a pair of pliers, insert the hairpin clip into the inner hole in the weld pin. See Figure 3. Repeat on other side. Raise the upper handle in the direction B shown in Figure 2. Tighten the wing nuts which are already on the handle. Attach control cable to the lower handle with the cable tie already on the lower handle. Pull tight the cable tie and cut off extra. See Figure 4. Cable Tie \ Figure 4 !
Attaching Starter Rope The rope guide is already attached to the dght side of the upper handle of your mower. See Figure 5. ⢠With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pug starter rope out of the engine. ⢠Slip the rope through the rope guide as shown in Figure 5. Tighten the wing nut holding the rope guide to the upper handle. Recoil ⢠Nut Guide Figure 5 Attaching Discharge Chute ⢠There is a groove 2" from the left end of the rod. Bend and Snap off approximately 2" of the rod with a pair of vise gdps. See Figure 6. ⢠Insert push cap, provided with the chute rod, onto the end of the rod which you just snapped off. Tap on with a hammer. See Figure 6. I__ Rear Discharge / Door _Chute _/Ro d ;u;, \Discharge Chute Figure 6 To attach dlscharge chute: Lift the discharge door and place the ends of the chute rod into the slot on each handle bracket assembly. Release the rear discharge door. To remove discharge chute: Lift the rear discharge door of the mower. Lift the discharge chute up and outwards and pull it out of the slots on the handle bracket assemblies. Release the rear discharge door. Assembling Grass Catcher NOTE: Make certain bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside). Place bag over frame (black plastic side is the bottom of bag). Slip the openings in the side of the plastic channel on bag over the hooks on the grass catcher frame. Secure bag to frame by working the plastic channels on bag over frame as shown in Figure 7. All of the plastic channels except center top of bag attach from the outside of bag. Center top of bag attaches from the inside of bag, Hook Frame Grass Bag Figure 7 Plastic Channels Attaching Grass Catcher to Mower ⢠Lift the chute door on the mower. Remove the mulching plug or the discharge chute. See Figure 8. Mulchlng-_, Plug Figure 8 Holding the grass bag firmly, place the bag on the mower as shown in Figure 9. Grass Catcher J Hook _Slot Figure 9 Place hooks, located on two sides of the grass catcher frame, in the slots on the handle brackets. See Figure 9. Release the -chute door. A Warning: Never operate the mower unless the grass catcher frame is firmly seated on the chute door pivot rod, and the rear discharge door rests firmly on top of the grass catcher.
Know Your Lawn Mower Read this owner's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustrations in Figure 10 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. ,i_ WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the operator's eyes and causing severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any adjustments or repairs on it. Recoil Starter Handle OII Fill Ptug_ Front Height Adjustment Lever --... Height Adjustment Lever Spark Plug Wire Primer Throttle Control Lever Figure 10 Reeon Starter The recoil starter is attached to the handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter to start the unit. Primer The primer is used to pump gas into the carburetor. Use it to start a cold engine, but do not use it to restart a warm engine after short shutdown. Blade Control Handle The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. The blade control handle must be depressed in order to operate the unit. Release blade control handle to stop engine and blade. ,_ WARNING: This blade control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. Height Adjustment Lever These levers are located on each wheel and are used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers have to be at the same relative position to ensure uniform cut. Meets CPSC Blade Safety Standards Craftsman Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers conform to the safety standards of the Ams_fcan National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 9
Stopping Engine ⢠Release blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade. ⢠Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting. WARNING: Before using your lawn mower, again refer to the safety rules on pages 3-5 of this manual. Always be careful. Gas And Oil Fill-Up Engine Oil Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG or SH. Select the oil's viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. Follow the chart below. Colder _ 3_ :°F" _ Warmer "_- 5W30 |l SAE30 --- b. C. d. e. Oil Viscosity Grade Chart Use SAE3O oU; do not use 10W40 oil. Fill oil sump and check the oil level as follows: a. Position the mower on level ground. Clean area around oil fill plug. Remove oil fill plug and dipstick. Wipe dipstick clean, insert it into oil fill hole and tighten securely. Remove dipstick and check oil level. If the oil is not upto FULL mark on the dipstick, pour recommended oil through the oil fill and check the level again. Install oil fill plug and dipstick, tighten securely. NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30, etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multiviscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°F. Check the oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil. Gasoline WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or when engine is running or hot. Do not smoke when filling fuel tank. ⢠Clean area around gas tank cap. For location, see Figure 10. Remove cap. ⢠Use a funnel to prevent spillage. ⢠Pour approximately 1.5 quads of fresh, regular grade, unleaded gasoline slowly to the fuel tank. IMPORTANT: Never mix engine oil with gasoline. Fill tank to 1/2" below the bottom of the filler neck. Wipe any fuel spillage. Do not fill fuel tank completely. Provide space for fuel expansion. Starting Engine (Refer to Figure 11.) WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting or operating. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug. & WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an ododass and deadly gas. WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower. Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds between each push. In cold weather around 55 ° F or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown. Hold control handle against the upper handle. Grasp recoil starter and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches the start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). See Figure 11 inset. Let the rope rewind slowly. Hold handles firmly Check/fill_ Pull recoil starter Fill gasoline Attach s plug wire 3 times Figure 11 10
Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm gdp on the recoil starter, let the rope return to the starter slowly. Using Your Lawn Mower Your mower is designed to operate as a mulching or a side discharge unit. ⢠For converting from a mulcher to a side discharge unit, refer to instructions on page 8. Do not operate mower without the mulching deflector or the grass catcher properly installed and tightly secured. ⢠Be sure that 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. ⢠Forbestresults, donotcut wetgrassbecause it tends to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass, thick grass or wet grass may require a narrower cut. Blade speed should be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. ⢠Thebestmowingpattemisonethatallowsthe clippings to discharge towards the uncut part of the lawn. This permits rscutting of the clippings to further pulverize them. When cutting high weeds, discharge towards cut portion, then recut at right angles to first direction. ⢠For a healthylawn, always cut off one-third or less of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth. ⢠This mower is designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the bestcut and do the most effective job of bagging the clippings. A WARNING: If the mower strikes a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from_park plug and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting the mower. Extensive vibration dudng operation is an indication of equipment damage. Using Grass Catcher You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings while operating the mower. ⢠Attach the grass catcher to the mower following instructions on page 8 of this manual. Operate the mower till the greys catcher bag is full, or theiob has been completed whichever is eadier. Stop the engine completely by releasing the blade control handle. Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop and the blade has stopped rotating. Empty the grass catcher bag as follows. Lift the discharge door and pull the grass bag away from the mower as shown in Figure 12. Holding the bag firmly, carry the bag away from the mower. Dispose off the clippings appropriately. Chute Door Bag Handle Hold bag with Figure 12 Height Adjustment Refer to height adjustments section of this manual on page 16 for instruction on how to adjust the cuffing height and the handle height. For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height position high until it is determined which height is best for your lawn. 11
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 the warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed in this manual. Changing of engine governed speed will void engine warranty. Some adjustments will have to be made periodically to maintain your unit properly. All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season. Follow the maintenance schedule given below. Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight. WARNING: Always stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before performing any maintenance or adjustments. Cleaning The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned after each use to prevent any buildup of grass clippings, leaves, dirt, or other debris. If this debds is allowed to accumulate, it will result in rust and corrosion. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain the gasoline from the lawn mower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap. Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold it firmly. Scrape clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had put plastic under the gas cap, make sure to remove it now. & WARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90 degrees and do not leave the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem. NOTE: We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean mower unless the muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can shorten engine life. Engine Maintenance & WARNING: Always stop englne, disconnect spark plug wire, and move it away from spark plug before performing any adjustments or repairs. .'ustomer Responsibilities MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Lubricate wheels Lubricate casters <_ 0 Lubricate blade control D. Clean deck _/_ Blade care <_ Change oil _;_ <_ UJ Replace air filter _:_ z _z Clean engine _/_ uJ Check spark plug <_ Check spark arrester (if any) <_ SERVICE DATES 12
Engine OII Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG or SH. Select the oil's viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. Refer to page 10 of this manual for viscosity chad. Stop engine and wait several minutes before checking oil level. With engine on level ground, the oil must be to FULL mark on dipstick. Change engine oil after the first five hours of operation, and every twenty-five hours thereafter. To Change Engine Oil Change oil after first two operating hotJrs and every 25 operating hours thereafter. Drain oil while engine is warm. Follow the instructions given below. Tip the mower with the spark plug facing up. Place a container under the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out of oil fill. Drain the oil sump empty, collecting oil in an approved container. Fill oil sump with 21 ounces of fresh SAE 30 oil. Refer to page 10 of this manual for oil fill-up instructions. Air Cleaner The air cleaner prevents damaging dirt, dust, etc., from entering the carburetor and being forced into the engine and is important to engine life and performance. Replace filter once a year or every 100 operating hours, more often if used in extremely dusty conditions. To Service Air Cleaner: Turn air filter cover counterclockwise and remove the cover and filter from the flange. See Figure 13. Discard filter. Clean cover and flange thoroughly. Insert the new filter into the cover. Place the cover and the filter against flange with tab on the cover inserted into lower left corner of slot in flange. See Figure 13. Push cover firmly against flange and turn it clockwise as far as it will go. Make sure that the retainers are locked around the flange. See Figure 13. ,_ WARNING: Never run the engine without air cleaner completely assembled. Clean Engine Clean engine periodically. Remove dirt and debris with a cloth or brush. Frequently remove grass clippings, dirt and debris from cooling fins, air intake screen and levers and linkage. This will help ensure adequate cooling and correct engine speed. NOTE: Do not clean with a forceful spray of water as water could contaminate the fuel system. Spark Plug Clean spark plug and reset gap to .030" at least once a season or every 50 hours of operation. See Figure 14. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each season. Refer to engine parts list for correct spark plug type. NOTE: Do not sandblast spark plug. Spark p/ug should be cleaned by scraping or wire brushing and washing with a commercial solvent. Feeler gap .030" Spark Plug r Cleaner Filter Retainer Figure 13 Muffler & Figure 14 WARNING: Do not operate the lawn mower without a muffler, or tamper with the exhaust system. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters could create afire hazard. Temperature of muffler and nearby areas may exceed 150 ° F(65°C). 13
Blade Care Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. WARNING: When inspecting the cutting _lk lade, protect hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up to check the blade. If the blade needs to be serviced, refer to the instructions on blade care in the "Service & Adjustments" section of this manual. Lubrication Wheels Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil or engine oil. Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and the inner surface of the wheel with light oil. Blade Control Handle ⢠Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil. The blade control handle must operate freely in both directions. For complete lubrication chart, see Figure 15. Chute Deflector ⢠Lubricate the torsion spring and the pivot point on each end of the chute deflector using a light oil. This will prevent rusting and ensure that the deflector, which is a safety device, can always work properly. NOTE: For sake of ctadty, illustrations in the insets represent view from another perspective rather than from the operating position. Figure 15: Lubrication Chart 14
Servicing Blade To Remove Blade Remove the bolt and blade bell support which hold the blade and adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 16. Remove the blade and adapter from the crankshaft. To Replace Blade: Before reinstalling the blade andthe blade adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Install the blade adapter on the crankshaft with the "star" away from the engine. See Figure 16. Blade Adapts, Crankshaft Blade To Sharpen Blade: The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not aftempt to sharpen while on the mower, Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make sure that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. NOTE: An unba/anced blade wi/I cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds, may cause damage to the mower and could break, causing personal injury. Test the blade by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver or a blade balancer. See Figure 17. If the blade is not balanced, remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. 1. Insert screw driver through hole O" 2. Blade should be parallel to ground Screw Driver _. Blade Ground Blade Bell Hex Bolt Support Figure 16 Place the new blade with the side marked bottom (or with part number) facing away from the adapter. Place the bell support next. Make sure to align the tabs in the holes of the blade with the hole in the bell support. Insert the hex bolt through the blade assembly. Figure 16 shows the correct order of assembly. Use block of wood to hold blade again while you tighten the bolt clockwise. Follow the recommended torque for the bolt which is 450- 600 in.-Ibs. IMPORTANT: The bolt, used to secure the blade to the engine, is specially heat-treated. Do not substitute. To order replacement bolt, refer to the Repair Parts section of this manual. WARNING: To ensure safe operation of your unit, all nuts and bolts must be checked periodically for correct tightness. Figure 17 Engine Adjustments WARNING: Do not make unnecessary adjustments on the engine. Factory settings are satisfactory for most conditions. If any adjustments are made to the engine while the engine is running, keep clear of all moving parts. Be careful of heated surfaces and muffler. Keep your hands away from these parts. Carburetor The carburetor has been pre-set at the factory and should not require adjustment, If the engine on your mower does not operate properly due to suspected carburetor problems, take your lawn mower to your nearest SEARS service center. Engine performance may be affected in altitudes above 4000 feet. To improve engine performance, install a high altitude adjustment kit, available at the SEARS service center. NOTE: A dirty air cleaner will cause an engine to run rough. Be certain air cleaner is clean and attached to the carburetor. 15
Engine Speed WARNING: Overspeedlng engine above the factory setting can be dangerous. Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may result in personal injury. Changing of engine governed speed will void engine warranty. If you believe the engine is running too fast or too slow, take your lawn mower to the nearest SEARS service center. Adjusting Handle Height Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the handle height, proceed as follows. ⢠Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. ⢠Remove the upper handle by removing the hand knobs and cardage bolts. Lay the upper handle out of the way, being careful not to bend or kink the cable. ⢠Remove the hairpin clip from the weld pin on the handle bracket on each side of the lower handle. See Figure 18 inset. Press out on the legs of the lower handle. Remove lower handle from the mower. ⢠Turn the lower handle around so the notch on the bottom of the lower handle is facing forward as shown in Figure 18. Reassemble, placing the bottom hole on the handle over the weld pin in the handle mounting bracket. ⢠Reassemble the upper handle to the lower handle. ⢠Place the hairpin clips in the inner holes in the weld pins and attach the starter rope as instructed in the Assembly section. See Figure 18 inset. Notch Handle Hairpin Clip Handle Adjusting Cutting Height IMPORTANT: All wheels must be placed in the same relative position. ⢠Raise the mower wheels for low cut and lower the wheels for high cut. For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop scalping of the grass. There is an adjusting plate and thumb lever at each wheel position to adjust the cutting height. Each adjusting plate has nine height positions. Height of cut will change if you move the thumb lever from one hole to another. ⢠Simply depress the lever towards wheel and move the wheel and lever assembly to the desired position. See Figure 19. All wheels must be placed in the same relative position for uniform cutting height. ⢠For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment handles to positions which will give a higher cutting height. Both front and rear handles must be placed in the same relative position. Height Adjustment Lever / Figure 19 Figure 18 16
Prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or If the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. Store the mower in a clean, dry area. Mower Clean underside of the mower following instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual. Inspect and replace/sharpen blade, if required. Refer to the Maintenance section of this manual for blade care instructions. Lubricate mower following the lubrication chart on page 14 of this manual. You can fold your mower's handle for convenient storage as shown in Figure 20. Follow the steps below to fold the handle. Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. Loosen the two hand knobs on the sides of the handle, and let the upper handle fold down to the rear. Move the hairpin clips to the outer hole in the weld pins on the handle mounting brackets. Spread the sides of the lower handle, and push it forward and down. Upper Handle Lower Handle / Figure 20 NOTE: When folding the handle for storage or transportation, be careful not to bend or kink the cable. Engine IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel filter, fuel hose, or tank during storage. Also, experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. Drainfuelsystem& carburetor WARNING: Drain fuel into approved container outdoors away from open flame, Be sure engine is cool. Do not smoke. Drain the fuel tank. Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Drain carburetor by removing bowl drain screw which is located below the carburetor. See Figure 21. BowlreD_ln _carburet°r Figure 21 Note: Do not drain carburetor ff using fuel stabilizer. WARNING: Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. Use fresh fuel next season. Use fuel stabilizer NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage, Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer. Drain all the oil from the crankcase (This should be done after the engine has been operated and is still warm) and refill the crankcase with fresh oil. 17
011 cylinder bore After you have drained the fuel tank, protect the inside of the engine as follows: ⢠Remove spark plug, pour approximately one ounce (30 ml) of engine oil into spark plug hole, and crank slowly to distdbute oil. WARNING: Avoid spray from spark plug hole when cranking the engine slowly. ⢠Replace spark plug; do not connect spark plug wire. Change oil ⢠Change oil if it has not been changed in the last three months. For instructions on how to change oil refer to the Maintenance section of this manual. Clean engine ⢠Clean engine and remove any grass clippings, dirt, or chaff from the exterior of the engine. ⢠Remove any dirt or debris from cooling fins, air intake screen, levers, and linkage. ⢠OTHER Do not store gasoline from one season to another. Replace your gasoline can if it starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in the gasoline will cause problems. Store unit in a clean, dry area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer. NOTE: ff storing in an unventi/atad or metal storage shed, be certain to rustproof the equipment by coating with a light oil or silicone. 18
PROBLEM Engine fails to start Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Occasional skip (hesitates) at high speed i Idles poorly Excessive vibration Mower will not mulch grass POSSIBLE CAUSE 1. Blade control handle disengaged 2. Spark plug wire disconnected 3. Throttle control lever not in starting position 4. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel 5. Blocked fuel line 6. Faulty spark plug 1. Spark plug wire loose 2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel 3. Vent in gas cap plugged 4.Water or dirt in fuel system 5. Dirty air cleaner 1. Engine oil level low 2. Air flow restricted 1. Spark plug gap too close 1. Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide 2. Dirty air cleaner 1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced 2. Bent cutting blade 3. Bent engine crankshaft 1. Wet grass 2. Excessively high grass 3. Dull blade Uneven cut 1. Wheels not in same height position 2. Dull blade CORRECTIVE ACTION 1. Engage blade control handle. 2. Connect wire to spark plug. 3. Move throttle lever to starting position. 4. Fill tank with fresh, clean fuel. 5,Clean fuel line. 6, Clean, adjust gap or replace. 1, Connect and tighten spark plug wire. 2, Clean fuel line, fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 3, Clear vent. 4, Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel. 5. Clean air cleaner. Refer to Maintenance section of this manual. 1, Fill crankcase with proper oil. 2. Clean lawn mower engine. 1. Adjust gap to .630 inches. 1. Reset gap to .030 inches or replace spark plug. 2. Clean air cleaner following instructions on page 13. 1. Tighten blade and adapter, balance blade. 2. Replace blade. 3. Contact your SEARS Service Center. 1. Wait until later to cut. 2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height. Make a narrower cutting swath (1/2) width. Do not cut off more than 1/3 of the total length. 3. Sharpen or replace blade, 1. Place all four wheels in same relative height position. 2. Sharpen or replace blade. For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed above, please contact your nearest SEARS Service Center. 19
SEARS CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 7 17 6 / 21 34 35 9__2_. 4j23 0 ,13 15 37 18 39 \ 45 _-0 2O
SEARS CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Key Part No. No. 1, 747-0824 2. 749-0538D- 0637 3. 749-0928- 0637 4. 710-1270 5, 712-0324 6. 746-0883 7, 710-1205 8. 720-0241 9. 736-0451 10. 710-0450 11. 720-0279 12. 746-0737 13. 726-O24O 14. 714-0104 15. 782-7025 16. 764-0447 17, 764-O325 18. 19, 732-0678 20. 732-0677 21. 732-0712 22, 731-1261 23. 726-0201 24. 731-1405 25. Z82-5007A Deecrlptlon Blade Control Handle Upper Handle Lower Handle Oval C-Sunk Scr. 1/4-20 x 1.3 _ Hex Lock Nut 1/4-20 Cable Housing Eye Bolt: Rope Guide Wing Nut 5116-18 Saddle Washer Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 3.0" Handle Knob 1/4-20 Control Cable: 51" Cable Tie Hairpin Clip Chute Door: RD Grass Catcher Grass Catcher Frame Engine, Tecumseh model 143.994002 Torsion Spring, RH Torsion Spring, LH Wire: Trail Shield Trail Shield Speed Nut SD Chute: Kit Mulch Plug Key No. 28. 29, 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50, Part No. 782-0054A- 0689 682-0516 682-0515 710-1248 720-0190 732-0404 710-0654A 14765 738-0507B 734-1841 738-0102 782-5004 782-5025 736-0356 712-0798 15261A 736-0105 15262B 710-1044 736-0524A 742-0739 748-0376C 711-0996 732-0417A Description Cuffing Deck Height Adj. Bracket Assy. RH Height Adj. Bracket Assy. LH (not shown) Weld Pin Height Adjustment Knob Spring Lever: Front Wheel Seres Screw TT 3/8-16 x 1.0" Pivot Bar: 9 Position Shoulder Screw Wheel 8 x 1.7 Aero Gray Shoulder Scr. 3/8-16 x 1.445" Rear Baffle RH Front Baffle Beg Washer Hex Nut 3/8-16 Height Adj. Plate Spring Washer Pivot Bar: Front Wheel Hex Bolt 3/8-24 x 1.5" Gr.8 Special Blade Bell Support Blade: Mulching Blade Adapter SD Chute Rod Spring Lever: Rear Wheel 21
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO. 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H-P- LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 O-37OK 298 300 4OO 130 416 135 120 119 125 370C 262' _ 110_ ,285 126 182 185 / ,s- 178 7 46 22
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO, 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Key No,J Part No. 1 37280 2 26727 6 33734 7 36557 12 36775 12A 36558 12B 36694 14 28277 15 30589 16 34839A 17 31335 18 651018 19 36281 20 32600 30 36797 40 35544A 40 35545A 40 35546 41 35541 41 35542 41 35543 42 35547A 42 35548A 42 35549 43 20381 45 36777 46 32610A 48 27241 50 37032 52 29914 69 35261 70 34311E 72 75 80 81 82 83 86 89 90 92 93 100 101 103 110 119 120 125 126 * This en 36083 27897 30574A 30590A 30591 30588A 650488 611004 611112 650815 650816 34443B 610118 651007 37047 37028 36825 37288 37289 Descdption Cylinder (IncL 2,20 & 150) Dowel Pin Breather Element Breather Ass'y. (Incl. 6 & 12A) Breather Tube Breather Cover & Tubs (Incl. 12B) Breather Tube Elbow Washer Governor Rod (Incl. 14) Governor Lever Governor Lever Clamp Screw, Torx T-15, 8-32x 19/64" Extension Spring Oil Seal Crankshaft Piston, Pin & Ring Set (Std.) Piston, Pin & Ring Set (.010" OS) Piston, Pin & Ring Set (.020' OS) Piston & Pin Ass',/. (Std.) (Incl. 43) Piston & Pin Ass'y. (.010" OS) (Incl. 43) Piston & Pin Ass'y. (.020" OS) (IncL 43) Ring Set (Std,) Ring Set (.010' OS) Ring Set (.020 GS) Piston Pin Retaining Ring Connecting Rod Ass'y. (Incl. 46) Connecting Rod Bolt Vatve Lifter Camshaft (NCR) Oil Pump Ass'y. Mounting Flange Gasket Mounting Flange (Incl, 72 thru 83,306) Oil Drain Plug Oil Seal Governor Shaft Washer Governor Gear Ass'y. (Incl, 81 ) Governor Spool Screw, 1/4-20 x 1-1/4" Flywheel Key Flywheel Belleville Washer Flywheel Nut Solid State Ignition Spark Plug Cover Screw, Torx"1"-15, 10-24 x 15/16" Ground Wire Cylinder Head Gasket Cylinder Head Exhaust Valve (Std.) (Inct. 151) Intake Valve (Std.) (Incl. 151) Key No, Part No, 130 6021A 135 35395 150 31672 151 31673 151A 40017 169 36783 172 36784 174 30200 178 29752 182 6201 184 26756 185 36785 186 32653 189 650839 191 36559A 195 610973 207 34336 216 33086 223 650461 224 36786 238 65O932 239 34338 241 35797 245 35066 250 35065 260 36980 261 30200 262 650831 275 36790A 277 650988 285 35000A 287 650926 290 29774 292 26460 298 28763 300 36916 301 36246 305 35647 306 36996 307 35499 309 650562 310 35648 313 34060 370A 36261 370C 37199 370K 36695 360 640173 390 59O737 400 37029A 416 36085 417 650821 900 0 9OO Description Screw, 5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Resistor Spark Plug (RJ19LM) Valve Spring Valve Spdng Cap Intake Valve Seal Valve Cover Gasket Valve Cover Screw, 10-24 x 9116' Nut & Lock Washer, 1/4-28 Screw, 1/4-28 x 7/8" Carburetor - Intake Pipe Gasket Intake Pipe Governor Link Screw, 1/4-20 x 3/8" S.E. Brake Bracket (Incl. 195) Terminal Throttle Link R.P.M. Adjusting Lever Screw, 1/4-20 x 1" Intake Pipe Gasket Screw, 10-32 x 49/64" Air Cleaner Gasket Air Cleaner Collar Air Cleaner Filter Air Cleaner Cover Blower Housing Screw, 10-24 x 9/16" Screw, 1/4-20 x 1/2" Muffler Screw, 1/4-20 x 2-5/16" Starter Cup Screw, 8-32 x 21164" Fuel Line Fuel Line Clamp Screw, 10-32 x 35/64" Fuel Tank (incl. 292 & 301) Fuel Cap Oil Fill Tube "O'-Ring "O'-Ring Screw, 10-32 x 1/2" Dipstick Spacer Lubrication Decal Primer Decal Starter Decal Carburetor (Incl. 184) Rewind Starter* Gasket Set Spark Arrestor Kit (Optional) Screw, 10-32 x 1/2" (Optional) Replacement Engine NONE, ordel from 71-9990 Replacement Short Block 750836 ine could have been buitt with 590694 starter 23
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO. 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.05 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Carburetor No. 640173 I I 30 31 Kay No. 1 2 4 5 6 7 16 25 27 28 29 3O 31 35 40 44 48 60 Part No. Description 631615 631767 631184 631183 631616 650506 631807 631700 631024 632019 631028 631021 631022 632047A 631937A 631334 631027 632760 Throttle Shaft & Lever Assembly Throttle Retum Spring Dust Seal Washer (Throttle) Dust Seal (Throttle) Throttle Shutter Shutter Screw Fuel Fitting Float Bowl Float Shaft Float Float Bowl 'O" Ring Inlet Needle, Seat & Clip (Incl. 31 ) Spring Clip Primer Bulb/Retaining Ring High Speed Bowl Nut Bowl Nut Washer Welch Plug, Atmospheric Vent Repair kit 6O 24
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO. 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Recoil Starter 590694 12 J 13 6 6 O_2 Key No. Pad No. - 590694 1 590599A 2 590600 3 590696 4 590601 5 590697 6 590698 7 590699 8 590700 11 590695 12 590535 13 590701 Description Recoil Stader Spring Pin Washer Retainer Washer Brake Spdng Starter Dog Dog Spring Pulley & Rewind Spring Ass'y. Starter Housing Ass'y, (40 degree grommet) Starter Rope 96" x 9/64" dia.) Starter Handle Recoil Starter 590737 _ -,,------ 14 13 _ 8 7-----_11 i1',---_- 7 3 Key No. Pad No. -- 590737 3 590740 6 590616 7 590617 8 590618A 11 590567A 12 590535 13 590701 14 590760 Descdption Rewind Stader Retainer Starter Dog Dog Spring Pulley & Rewind Spdng Ass'y. Starter Housing A_'y (40 Degree Grommet) Starter Rope ( 98" X 9/e4") Starter Handle Spdng Clip 25
For in-home major brand repair service: Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 1-800-4-MY-HOME s" (1-800-469-4663) Para pedir servicio de reparaci6n a domicillio -- 1-800-676-5811 In Canada for all your service and parts needs, call Au Canada pour tout le service ou les pi_ces --1-800-665-4455 For the repair or replacement parts you need: Call 7 am -- 7 pm, 7 days a week 1-800-366-PART (1-800-366-7278) Para ordenar piezas con entrega a domicillio -- 1-800-659-7084 For the location of a Sears Parts and Repair Center in your area: Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 1-800-488-1222 For information on purchasing a Sears Maintenance Agreement or to inquire about an existing Agreement: Call 9 am -- 5 pm, Monday -- Saturday 1-800-827-6655 ,SEARS HomeCentral TM ⢠-.# The Service Side of Sears sM
Content Page Warranty Information ................................... 2 Safe Operation Practices ........................... ,3 Slope Gauge ................................................ 6 Assembly ..................................................... 7 Operation ..................................................... 9 Maintenance .................................................. 12 Content Page Service & Adjustment ..................................... 15 Storage .......................................................... 17 Trouble-Shooting ........................................... 19 Parts List ........................................................ 20 Espan61 .......................................................... 26 Two-Year Warranty on Craftsman Lawn Mower For two years from the date of purchase, when this Craftsman lawn mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair, free of charge, any defects in material or workmanship. If this lawn mower is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase. This warranty does not cover: 1. Expendable items which become worn dudng normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug. 2. Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual. WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY RETURNING THE CRAFTSMAN LAWN MOWER TO THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS WARRANTY APPLIES ONLY WHILE THIS PRODUCT IS IN USE IN THE UNITED STATES. This warranty gives you specific legal dghts, and you may also have other dghts which vary from state to state. Sears, Roebuck And Co., D/817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 These accessories were _ % kJ(_ _'° available when the lawn mower was purchased. They t_'_ j_ are also available at most Sears retail outlets, and Spark Plug Muffler - Safety Wheels service centers. MostSears _ _ {_ S stores can order repair parts Glasses for you when you provide the model number of your lawn mower. Engine Oil Stabilizer Gas Can Blade Grass Catcher PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Horsepower: Engine Oil Fuel Capacity: Spark Plug 4.0 21 oz. SAE 30 oil 1.5 quarts J19LM Gap .030 inches Please record model number, serial number, and date of purchase here for future reference. You will find this information on the model plate located on the cutting deck of your mower. Model Number ......................................................... Sedal Number ........................................................... Date of Pumhase ......................................................
This symbol points out important safety Instructions which, if not followed, could endanger the per- sonal safety and/or property of yourself and others. Read and follow ell instructions in this manuel before attempting to operate your lawn mower. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in personal injury. When you see this symbol--heed Its warning. 1 _D Your lawn mower was built to be operated according to the rules for safe operation In this ANnER manual. As with any type of power equipment, carelessness or error on the part of the operator "'_ "': can result in serious injury. If you violate any of these rules, you may cause serious injury to yourse f or others. This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with e spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester 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. A spark an'ester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center (See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual.) WARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. | GENERAL OPERATION Read this owner's guide carefully in its entirety before attempting to assemble this machine. Read, understand, and follow all instructions on the machine and in the manual(s) before operation. Be completely familiar With the controls and the proper use of this machine before operating it. Keep this manual in a safe place for future and regular reference, and for ordering replacement pads. Your rotary mower is a precision piece of power equipment, not a plaything. Therefore, exercise extreme caution at ell times. Your unit has been designed to perform one job: to mow grass. Do not use it for any other purpose. Never allow children under 14 years old to operate a power mower. Children 14 years old and over should only operate mower under close parental supervision. Only responsible individuals who are familiar with these rules of safe operation should be allowed to use your mower. Keep the area of operation clear of ell persons, particularly small children and pets. Stop engine when they ere in the vicinity of your mower to help prevent blade contact or thrown object injury. Although the area of operation should be completely cleared of foreign objects, an object may have been overlooked and could be accidentally thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator or any others allowed in the area. 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 picked up and thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator or any others ellowed in the area. Plan your mowing pattern to avoid discharge of material toward reads, sidewalks, bystanders end the like. To help avoid a thrown object's injury, keep children, bystanders and helpers at least 75 feet from the mower while it is in operation. Always wear safety glasses or safety goggles during operation or while performing an adjustment or repair, to protect eyes from foreign objects that may be thrown from the machine in any direction. Wear sturdy, rough-soled work shoes and close- titting slacks and shirts. Shirts and pants that cover the arms and legs end steel-toed shoes are recommended. Do not wear loose fitting clothes or jewelry. They can be caught in moving parts. Never operate a unit in bare feet, sandals, slippery or light weight (e.g. canvas) shoes. Do not put hands or feet near or under rotating pads. Keep clear of discharge opening at ell times as the rotating blade can cause injury. Many injuries occur as a result of the mower being pulled over the foot during a fall. Do not hang on to the mower if you are fairing; release the handle immediately. Never pull the mower toward you while you are walking. If you must back the mower away from a 3
wall Or obstruction first look down and behind, and- then follow these steps: a. Step back from the mower to fully extand your arms, b. Be sure you are well balancod 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 alcohol or drugs. Do not engage the self-propened mechanism on units 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 sedous personal injury. Keep a firm hold on the handle and walk, never run. If you feel you are losing your footing, RELEASE THE BLADE CONTROL HANDLE IMMEDIATLEY and the blade will stop rotating within three seconds. Mow only in daylight or good artificial light. 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 warning 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 alter the engine is shut off. 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 guards, grass catcher, plates or other safety protective devices in place. Muffler and engine become hot and can cause a bum. Do not touch. Do not adjust the throttle control with the engine running. Only use accessories approved for this machine by the manufacturer. Read, understand, and follow all instructions provided with the approved acCessory. If situations occur which are not covered in this manual, use care and good judgment. Contact your dealer for assistance. Slope Operation For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this unit on a slope or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees as shown on the elope gauge (page 6), do not operate this unit on that area or serious injury could result. DO: Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes. Watch for holes, ruts, hidden objects, or bumps. Tag grass can hide obstacles. Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. (f you feel you are losing your balance release the blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop in less than 3 seconds. ON MODELS WiTH CASTER WHEELS: Lock both front wheels so they do not pivot while mowing on the face of slopes. To turn the mower, depress the handle and raise the front wheels s(ightiy. DO NOT: Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The operator could lose footing or balance. Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope gauge. Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced footing could cause slipping. ON MOWERS WITH CASTER WHEELS: Do Not mow on slopes with casters unlocked since the mower has a tendency to drift down hill. 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. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. ⢠Keep children out of the mowing area and under the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator. ⢠Be alert and turn mower off if a child enters the area. Before and while moving rpackwards, look behind and down for small children or other objects. Never allow children under age 14 to operate the mower. Children 14 years of age and above should read and understand the operation instructions and safety rules in this manual. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obssure your vision of a child or hazard. Service Use extreme care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Use only an approved gasoline container. Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
⢠Replace gasoline cap securely and wipe off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine as it may cause a fire or explosion. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition. ⢠Never refuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in the area. ⢠Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an open flame or spark such as a gas water heater, space heater, or furnace. Never run an engine inside a closed area. ⢠To reduce fire hazard, keep mower free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage⢠Allow mower to cool at least 5 minutes before storing. ⢠Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade and all moving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire, and keep the wire away from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Check the blade and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade for damage (e.g., bent, cracked or worn). Replace with blade which meets original equipment specifications listed in th_s manual. ⢠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 stdking a foreign object, stop the engine, remove the wire from the spark plug, and 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 are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and replace with manufacturer's recommended parts, when necessary. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them. Do not change the engine governor setting or overspeed the engine. Excessive engine speeds are dangerous. 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. Following are representations of the safety labels on your lawn mower. Maintain safety while operating the mower. Please have the part number ready when re-ordering safety labels. DANGER SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. 5
' ; SI HTANOHOLO IS AVERTIC TREApo RPOLE A CORNER OF A BUILDING _" _- ... _. _. _'_ i _ OR A FENCE POST | , law _ _ , -- _o_â¬_,_ ' J. ,<,,< a. t_ Do not mow on inclines w th a slope in excess of 15 degrees (a rise of approximately 2-1/2 feet every 10 feet). _-- _- A r d ng mower could overturn and cause serious injury. If operating a walk-behind mower on such a slope, it _ is extremely difficult to maintain your footing and you could slip, resulting in serious injury. "1 '" Operate RIDING mowers up and down slopes, never across the face of slopes. (/)o. O Operate WALK-BEHIND mowers across the face of slopes, never up and down slopes. cO
Removing Unit From Carton Remove staples, break glue on top flaps, or cut tape at carton end and peel along top flap to open carton. Remove loose parts if included with unit (i.e., owner's manual, etc,). Cut along dotted lines and lay carton down flat. Remove packing material. Roll unit out of carton. Check carton thoroughly for loose parts. Note: Make sure not to crimp the cable while removing loose parts or the unit from the carton. IMPORTANT: This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil In the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil before operating your mower. NOTE: Reference to right or left hand side of the mower and/or front or behind the mower is observed from the operating position. Loose Pads a. Owner's Manual b. A Bottle of Engine Oil c. Parts for Grass Bag: Frame, Bag d. Discharge Chute Tools Required a. Pairof Pliers b. Funnel Disconnecting Spark Plug Before setting up your lawn mower, disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug, and ground it against the engine. See Figure 1. Attach rubber boot to a bolt on the engine to ground as shown below. Spark Plug Wire 'Spark Plug Figure 1 Assembling Handle Raise lower handle in direction A shown in Figure 2. it should snap into place. Note: Make sure to route the cable inside the lower handle. Also do not crimp the cable while lifting the handle up B Upper Handle Figure 2 For shipping purposes, the hairpin clip is placed in the outer hole of the weld pin on the lower handle. Remove the hairpin clip from the outer hole of the weld pin. See Figure 3. c% p' ,/ \ .on ;ire WE'd P'm _0 "e_r Hole on Weld Pin Figure 3 Using a pair of pliers, insert the hairpin clip into the inner hole in the weld pin. See Figure 3. Repeat on other side. Raise the upper handle in the direction B shown in Figure 2. Tighten the wing nuts which are already on the handle. Attach control cable to the lower handle with the cable tie already on the lower handle. Pull tight the cable tie and cut off extra. See Figure 4. Cable Tie \ Figure 4 !
Attaching Starter Rope The rope guide is already attached to the dght side of the upper handle of your mower. See Figure 5. ⢠With the spark plug wire disconnected and grounded, hold the blade control handle against the upper handle, and pug starter rope out of the engine. ⢠Slip the rope through the rope guide as shown in Figure 5. Tighten the wing nut holding the rope guide to the upper handle. Recoil ⢠Nut Guide Figure 5 Attaching Discharge Chute ⢠There is a groove 2" from the left end of the rod. Bend and Snap off approximately 2" of the rod with a pair of vise gdps. See Figure 6. ⢠Insert push cap, provided with the chute rod, onto the end of the rod which you just snapped off. Tap on with a hammer. See Figure 6. I__ Rear Discharge / Door _Chute _/Ro d ;u;, \Discharge Chute Figure 6 To attach dlscharge chute: Lift the discharge door and place the ends of the chute rod into the slot on each handle bracket assembly. Release the rear discharge door. To remove discharge chute: Lift the rear discharge door of the mower. Lift the discharge chute up and outwards and pull it out of the slots on the handle bracket assemblies. Release the rear discharge door. Assembling Grass Catcher NOTE: Make certain bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside). Place bag over frame (black plastic side is the bottom of bag). Slip the openings in the side of the plastic channel on bag over the hooks on the grass catcher frame. Secure bag to frame by working the plastic channels on bag over frame as shown in Figure 7. All of the plastic channels except center top of bag attach from the outside of bag. Center top of bag attaches from the inside of bag, Hook Frame Grass Bag Figure 7 Plastic Channels Attaching Grass Catcher to Mower ⢠Lift the chute door on the mower. Remove the mulching plug or the discharge chute. See Figure 8. Mulchlng-_, Plug Figure 8 Holding the grass bag firmly, place the bag on the mower as shown in Figure 9. Grass Catcher J Hook _Slot Figure 9 Place hooks, located on two sides of the grass catcher frame, in the slots on the handle brackets. See Figure 9. Release the -chute door. A Warning: Never operate the mower unless the grass catcher frame is firmly seated on the chute door pivot rod, and the rear discharge door rests firmly on top of the grass catcher.
Know Your Lawn Mower Read this owner's manual and safety rules before operating your lawn mower. Compare the illustrations in Figure 10 with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. ,i_ WARNING: The operation of any lawn mower can result in foreign objects being thrown into the operator's eyes and causing severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses while operating the mower, or while performing any adjustments or repairs on it. Recoil Starter Handle OII Fill Ptug_ Front Height Adjustment Lever --... Height Adjustment Lever Spark Plug Wire Primer Throttle Control Lever Figure 10 Reeon Starter The recoil starter is attached to the handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter to start the unit. Primer The primer is used to pump gas into the carburetor. Use it to start a cold engine, but do not use it to restart a warm engine after short shutdown. Blade Control Handle The blade control handle is located on the upper handle of the mower. The blade control handle must be depressed in order to operate the unit. Release blade control handle to stop engine and blade. ,_ WARNING: This blade control mechanism is a safety device. Never attempt to bypass its operations. Height Adjustment Lever These levers are located on each wheel and are used to adjust the cutting height. All four levers have to be at the same relative position to ensure uniform cut. Meets CPSC Blade Safety Standards Craftsman Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers conform to the safety standards of the Ams_fcan National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 9
Stopping Engine ⢠Release blade control handle to stop the engine and the blade. ⢠Disconnect spark plug wire and move away from spark plug to prevent accidental starting. WARNING: Before using your lawn mower, again refer to the safety rules on pages 3-5 of this manual. Always be careful. Gas And Oil Fill-Up Engine Oil Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG or SH. Select the oil's viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. Follow the chart below. Colder _ 3_ :°F" _ Warmer "_- 5W30 |l SAE30 --- b. C. d. e. Oil Viscosity Grade Chart Use SAE3O oU; do not use 10W40 oil. Fill oil sump and check the oil level as follows: a. Position the mower on level ground. Clean area around oil fill plug. Remove oil fill plug and dipstick. Wipe dipstick clean, insert it into oil fill hole and tighten securely. Remove dipstick and check oil level. If the oil is not upto FULL mark on the dipstick, pour recommended oil through the oil fill and check the level again. Install oil fill plug and dipstick, tighten securely. NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30, etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multiviscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°F. Check the oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil. Gasoline WARNING: Never fill fuel tank indoors, or when engine is running or hot. Do not smoke when filling fuel tank. ⢠Clean area around gas tank cap. For location, see Figure 10. Remove cap. ⢠Use a funnel to prevent spillage. ⢠Pour approximately 1.5 quads of fresh, regular grade, unleaded gasoline slowly to the fuel tank. IMPORTANT: Never mix engine oil with gasoline. Fill tank to 1/2" below the bottom of the filler neck. Wipe any fuel spillage. Do not fill fuel tank completely. Provide space for fuel expansion. Starting Engine (Refer to Figure 11.) WARNING: Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting or operating. Attach spark plug wire to spark plug. Make certain the metal cap on the end of the spark plug wire is fastened securely over the metal tip on the spark plug. & WARNING: Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an ododass and deadly gas. WARNING: Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower. Push primer three times. Wait about two seconds between each push. In cold weather around 55 ° F or below, prime five times. Do not prime to restart a warm engine after a short shutdown. Hold control handle against the upper handle. Grasp recoil starter and pull rope out slowly until engine reaches the start of compression cycle (rope will pull slightly harder at this point). See Figure 11 inset. Let the rope rewind slowly. Hold handles firmly Check/fill_ Pull recoil starter Fill gasoline Attach s plug wire 3 times Figure 11 10
Pull rope with a rapid, continuous, full arm stroke. Keeping a firm gdp on the recoil starter, let the rope return to the starter slowly. Using Your Lawn Mower Your mower is designed to operate as a mulching or a side discharge unit. ⢠For converting from a mulcher to a side discharge unit, refer to instructions on page 8. Do not operate mower without the mulching deflector or the grass catcher properly installed and tightly secured. ⢠Be sure that 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. ⢠Forbestresults, donotcut wetgrassbecause it tends to stick to the underside of the mower, preventing proper discharge of grass clippings, and could cause you to slip and fall. New grass, thick grass or wet grass may require a narrower cut. Blade speed should be adjusted to the condition of the lawn. ⢠Thebestmowingpattemisonethatallowsthe clippings to discharge towards the uncut part of the lawn. This permits rscutting of the clippings to further pulverize them. When cutting high weeds, discharge towards cut portion, then recut at right angles to first direction. ⢠For a healthylawn, always cut off one-third or less of the total length of the grass. Lawn should be cut in the fall as long as there is growth. ⢠This mower is designed to be operated at full throttle to give you the bestcut and do the most effective job of bagging the clippings. A WARNING: If the mower strikes a foreign object, stop the engine. Remove spark plug wire from_park plug and thoroughly inspect the mower for any damage. Repair the damage before restarting the mower. Extensive vibration dudng operation is an indication of equipment damage. Using Grass Catcher You can use the grass catcher bag to collect clippings while operating the mower. ⢠Attach the grass catcher to the mower following instructions on page 8 of this manual. Operate the mower till the greys catcher bag is full, or theiob has been completed whichever is eadier. Stop the engine completely by releasing the blade control handle. Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop and the blade has stopped rotating. Empty the grass catcher bag as follows. Lift the discharge door and pull the grass bag away from the mower as shown in Figure 12. Holding the bag firmly, carry the bag away from the mower. Dispose off the clippings appropriately. Chute Door Bag Handle Hold bag with Figure 12 Height Adjustment Refer to height adjustments section of this manual on page 16 for instruction on how to adjust the cuffing height and the handle height. For best results in mowing, keep the cutting height position high until it is determined which height is best for your lawn. 11
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 the warranty, operator must maintain the lawn mower as instructed in this manual. Changing of engine governed speed will void engine warranty. Some adjustments will have to be made periodically to maintain your unit properly. All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season. Follow the maintenance schedule given below. Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight. WARNING: Always stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire before performing any maintenance or adjustments. Cleaning The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned after each use to prevent any buildup of grass clippings, leaves, dirt, or other debris. If this debds is allowed to accumulate, it will result in rust and corrosion. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain the gasoline from the lawn mower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap. Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold it firmly. Scrape clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had put plastic under the gas cap, make sure to remove it now. & WARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90 degrees and do not leave the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem. NOTE: We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean mower unless the muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can shorten engine life. Engine Maintenance & WARNING: Always stop englne, disconnect spark plug wire, and move it away from spark plug before performing any adjustments or repairs. .'ustomer Responsibilities MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Lubricate wheels Lubricate casters <_ 0 Lubricate blade control D. Clean deck _/_ Blade care <_ Change oil _;_ <_ UJ Replace air filter _:_ z _z Clean engine _/_ uJ Check spark plug <_ Check spark arrester (if any) <_ SERVICE DATES 12
Engine OII Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG or SH. Select the oil's viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. Refer to page 10 of this manual for viscosity chad. Stop engine and wait several minutes before checking oil level. With engine on level ground, the oil must be to FULL mark on dipstick. Change engine oil after the first five hours of operation, and every twenty-five hours thereafter. To Change Engine Oil Change oil after first two operating hotJrs and every 25 operating hours thereafter. Drain oil while engine is warm. Follow the instructions given below. Tip the mower with the spark plug facing up. Place a container under the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out of oil fill. Drain the oil sump empty, collecting oil in an approved container. Fill oil sump with 21 ounces of fresh SAE 30 oil. Refer to page 10 of this manual for oil fill-up instructions. Air Cleaner The air cleaner prevents damaging dirt, dust, etc., from entering the carburetor and being forced into the engine and is important to engine life and performance. Replace filter once a year or every 100 operating hours, more often if used in extremely dusty conditions. To Service Air Cleaner: Turn air filter cover counterclockwise and remove the cover and filter from the flange. See Figure 13. Discard filter. Clean cover and flange thoroughly. Insert the new filter into the cover. Place the cover and the filter against flange with tab on the cover inserted into lower left corner of slot in flange. See Figure 13. Push cover firmly against flange and turn it clockwise as far as it will go. Make sure that the retainers are locked around the flange. See Figure 13. ,_ WARNING: Never run the engine without air cleaner completely assembled. Clean Engine Clean engine periodically. Remove dirt and debris with a cloth or brush. Frequently remove grass clippings, dirt and debris from cooling fins, air intake screen and levers and linkage. This will help ensure adequate cooling and correct engine speed. NOTE: Do not clean with a forceful spray of water as water could contaminate the fuel system. Spark Plug Clean spark plug and reset gap to .030" at least once a season or every 50 hours of operation. See Figure 14. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each season. Refer to engine parts list for correct spark plug type. NOTE: Do not sandblast spark plug. Spark p/ug should be cleaned by scraping or wire brushing and washing with a commercial solvent. Feeler gap .030" Spark Plug r Cleaner Filter Retainer Figure 13 Muffler & Figure 14 WARNING: Do not operate the lawn mower without a muffler, or tamper with the exhaust system. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters could create afire hazard. Temperature of muffler and nearby areas may exceed 150 ° F(65°C). 13
Blade Care Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. WARNING: When inspecting the cutting _lk lade, protect hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up to check the blade. If the blade needs to be serviced, refer to the instructions on blade care in the "Service & Adjustments" section of this manual. Lubrication Wheels Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil or engine oil. Also, if the wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and the inner surface of the wheel with light oil. Blade Control Handle ⢠Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle and the brake cable at least once a season with light oil. The blade control handle must operate freely in both directions. For complete lubrication chart, see Figure 15. Chute Deflector ⢠Lubricate the torsion spring and the pivot point on each end of the chute deflector using a light oil. This will prevent rusting and ensure that the deflector, which is a safety device, can always work properly. NOTE: For sake of ctadty, illustrations in the insets represent view from another perspective rather than from the operating position. Figure 15: Lubrication Chart 14
Servicing Blade To Remove Blade Remove the bolt and blade bell support which hold the blade and adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 16. Remove the blade and adapter from the crankshaft. To Replace Blade: Before reinstalling the blade andthe blade adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Install the blade adapter on the crankshaft with the "star" away from the engine. See Figure 16. Blade Adapts, Crankshaft Blade To Sharpen Blade: The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not aftempt to sharpen while on the mower, Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make sure that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. NOTE: An unba/anced blade wi/I cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds, may cause damage to the mower and could break, causing personal injury. Test the blade by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver or a blade balancer. See Figure 17. If the blade is not balanced, remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. 1. Insert screw driver through hole O" 2. Blade should be parallel to ground Screw Driver _. Blade Ground Blade Bell Hex Bolt Support Figure 16 Place the new blade with the side marked bottom (or with part number) facing away from the adapter. Place the bell support next. Make sure to align the tabs in the holes of the blade with the hole in the bell support. Insert the hex bolt through the blade assembly. Figure 16 shows the correct order of assembly. Use block of wood to hold blade again while you tighten the bolt clockwise. Follow the recommended torque for the bolt which is 450- 600 in.-Ibs. IMPORTANT: The bolt, used to secure the blade to the engine, is specially heat-treated. Do not substitute. To order replacement bolt, refer to the Repair Parts section of this manual. WARNING: To ensure safe operation of your unit, all nuts and bolts must be checked periodically for correct tightness. Figure 17 Engine Adjustments WARNING: Do not make unnecessary adjustments on the engine. Factory settings are satisfactory for most conditions. If any adjustments are made to the engine while the engine is running, keep clear of all moving parts. Be careful of heated surfaces and muffler. Keep your hands away from these parts. Carburetor The carburetor has been pre-set at the factory and should not require adjustment, If the engine on your mower does not operate properly due to suspected carburetor problems, take your lawn mower to your nearest SEARS service center. Engine performance may be affected in altitudes above 4000 feet. To improve engine performance, install a high altitude adjustment kit, available at the SEARS service center. NOTE: A dirty air cleaner will cause an engine to run rough. Be certain air cleaner is clean and attached to the carburetor. 15
Engine Speed WARNING: Overspeedlng engine above the factory setting can be dangerous. Do not attempt to increase engine speed or it may result in personal injury. Changing of engine governed speed will void engine warranty. If you believe the engine is running too fast or too slow, take your lawn mower to the nearest SEARS service center. Adjusting Handle Height Your mower is shipped with the handle in the higher height position. To lower the handle height, proceed as follows. ⢠Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. ⢠Remove the upper handle by removing the hand knobs and cardage bolts. Lay the upper handle out of the way, being careful not to bend or kink the cable. ⢠Remove the hairpin clip from the weld pin on the handle bracket on each side of the lower handle. See Figure 18 inset. Press out on the legs of the lower handle. Remove lower handle from the mower. ⢠Turn the lower handle around so the notch on the bottom of the lower handle is facing forward as shown in Figure 18. Reassemble, placing the bottom hole on the handle over the weld pin in the handle mounting bracket. ⢠Reassemble the upper handle to the lower handle. ⢠Place the hairpin clips in the inner holes in the weld pins and attach the starter rope as instructed in the Assembly section. See Figure 18 inset. Notch Handle Hairpin Clip Handle Adjusting Cutting Height IMPORTANT: All wheels must be placed in the same relative position. ⢠Raise the mower wheels for low cut and lower the wheels for high cut. For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will help stop scalping of the grass. There is an adjusting plate and thumb lever at each wheel position to adjust the cutting height. Each adjusting plate has nine height positions. Height of cut will change if you move the thumb lever from one hole to another. ⢠Simply depress the lever towards wheel and move the wheel and lever assembly to the desired position. See Figure 19. All wheels must be placed in the same relative position for uniform cutting height. ⢠For rough or uneven lawns, move the height adjustment handles to positions which will give a higher cutting height. Both front and rear handles must be placed in the same relative position. Height Adjustment Lever / Figure 19 Figure 18 16
Prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or If the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. Store the mower in a clean, dry area. Mower Clean underside of the mower following instructions in the Maintenance section of this manual. Inspect and replace/sharpen blade, if required. Refer to the Maintenance section of this manual for blade care instructions. Lubricate mower following the lubrication chart on page 14 of this manual. You can fold your mower's handle for convenient storage as shown in Figure 20. Follow the steps below to fold the handle. Remove the starter rope from the rope guide. Loosen the two hand knobs on the sides of the handle, and let the upper handle fold down to the rear. Move the hairpin clips to the outer hole in the weld pins on the handle mounting brackets. Spread the sides of the lower handle, and push it forward and down. Upper Handle Lower Handle / Figure 20 NOTE: When folding the handle for storage or transportation, be careful not to bend or kink the cable. Engine IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel filter, fuel hose, or tank during storage. Also, experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. Drainfuelsystem& carburetor WARNING: Drain fuel into approved container outdoors away from open flame, Be sure engine is cool. Do not smoke. Drain the fuel tank. Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Drain carburetor by removing bowl drain screw which is located below the carburetor. See Figure 21. BowlreD_ln _carburet°r Figure 21 Note: Do not drain carburetor ff using fuel stabilizer. WARNING: Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. Use fresh fuel next season. Use fuel stabilizer NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage, Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container. Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container. Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor. Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using fuel stabilizer. Drain all the oil from the crankcase (This should be done after the engine has been operated and is still warm) and refill the crankcase with fresh oil. 17
011 cylinder bore After you have drained the fuel tank, protect the inside of the engine as follows: ⢠Remove spark plug, pour approximately one ounce (30 ml) of engine oil into spark plug hole, and crank slowly to distdbute oil. WARNING: Avoid spray from spark plug hole when cranking the engine slowly. ⢠Replace spark plug; do not connect spark plug wire. Change oil ⢠Change oil if it has not been changed in the last three months. For instructions on how to change oil refer to the Maintenance section of this manual. Clean engine ⢠Clean engine and remove any grass clippings, dirt, or chaff from the exterior of the engine. ⢠Remove any dirt or debris from cooling fins, air intake screen, levers, and linkage. ⢠OTHER Do not store gasoline from one season to another. Replace your gasoline can if it starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in the gasoline will cause problems. Store unit in a clean, dry area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer. NOTE: ff storing in an unventi/atad or metal storage shed, be certain to rustproof the equipment by coating with a light oil or silicone. 18
PROBLEM Engine fails to start Engine runs erratic Engine overheats Occasional skip (hesitates) at high speed i Idles poorly Excessive vibration Mower will not mulch grass POSSIBLE CAUSE 1. Blade control handle disengaged 2. Spark plug wire disconnected 3. Throttle control lever not in starting position 4. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel 5. Blocked fuel line 6. Faulty spark plug 1. Spark plug wire loose 2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel 3. Vent in gas cap plugged 4.Water or dirt in fuel system 5. Dirty air cleaner 1. Engine oil level low 2. Air flow restricted 1. Spark plug gap too close 1. Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide 2. Dirty air cleaner 1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced 2. Bent cutting blade 3. Bent engine crankshaft 1. Wet grass 2. Excessively high grass 3. Dull blade Uneven cut 1. Wheels not in same height position 2. Dull blade CORRECTIVE ACTION 1. Engage blade control handle. 2. Connect wire to spark plug. 3. Move throttle lever to starting position. 4. Fill tank with fresh, clean fuel. 5,Clean fuel line. 6, Clean, adjust gap or replace. 1, Connect and tighten spark plug wire. 2, Clean fuel line, fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline. 3, Clear vent. 4, Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel. 5. Clean air cleaner. Refer to Maintenance section of this manual. 1, Fill crankcase with proper oil. 2. Clean lawn mower engine. 1. Adjust gap to .630 inches. 1. Reset gap to .030 inches or replace spark plug. 2. Clean air cleaner following instructions on page 13. 1. Tighten blade and adapter, balance blade. 2. Replace blade. 3. Contact your SEARS Service Center. 1. Wait until later to cut. 2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height. Make a narrower cutting swath (1/2) width. Do not cut off more than 1/3 of the total length. 3. Sharpen or replace blade, 1. Place all four wheels in same relative height position. 2. Sharpen or replace blade. For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed above, please contact your nearest SEARS Service Center. 19
SEARS CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 7 17 6 / 21 34 35 9__2_. 4j23 0 ,13 15 37 18 39 \ 45 _-0 2O
SEARS CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Key Part No. No. 1, 747-0824 2. 749-0538D- 0637 3. 749-0928- 0637 4. 710-1270 5, 712-0324 6. 746-0883 7, 710-1205 8. 720-0241 9. 736-0451 10. 710-0450 11. 720-0279 12. 746-0737 13. 726-O24O 14. 714-0104 15. 782-7025 16. 764-0447 17, 764-O325 18. 19, 732-0678 20. 732-0677 21. 732-0712 22, 731-1261 23. 726-0201 24. 731-1405 25. Z82-5007A Deecrlptlon Blade Control Handle Upper Handle Lower Handle Oval C-Sunk Scr. 1/4-20 x 1.3 _ Hex Lock Nut 1/4-20 Cable Housing Eye Bolt: Rope Guide Wing Nut 5116-18 Saddle Washer Carriage Bolt 5/16-18 x 3.0" Handle Knob 1/4-20 Control Cable: 51" Cable Tie Hairpin Clip Chute Door: RD Grass Catcher Grass Catcher Frame Engine, Tecumseh model 143.994002 Torsion Spring, RH Torsion Spring, LH Wire: Trail Shield Trail Shield Speed Nut SD Chute: Kit Mulch Plug Key No. 28. 29, 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50, Part No. 782-0054A- 0689 682-0516 682-0515 710-1248 720-0190 732-0404 710-0654A 14765 738-0507B 734-1841 738-0102 782-5004 782-5025 736-0356 712-0798 15261A 736-0105 15262B 710-1044 736-0524A 742-0739 748-0376C 711-0996 732-0417A Description Cuffing Deck Height Adj. Bracket Assy. RH Height Adj. Bracket Assy. LH (not shown) Weld Pin Height Adjustment Knob Spring Lever: Front Wheel Seres Screw TT 3/8-16 x 1.0" Pivot Bar: 9 Position Shoulder Screw Wheel 8 x 1.7 Aero Gray Shoulder Scr. 3/8-16 x 1.445" Rear Baffle RH Front Baffle Beg Washer Hex Nut 3/8-16 Height Adj. Plate Spring Washer Pivot Bar: Front Wheel Hex Bolt 3/8-24 x 1.5" Gr.8 Special Blade Bell Support Blade: Mulching Blade Adapter SD Chute Rod Spring Lever: Rear Wheel 21
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO. 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H-P- LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 O-37OK 298 300 4OO 130 416 135 120 119 125 370C 262' _ 110_ ,285 126 182 185 / ,s- 178 7 46 22
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO, 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Key No,J Part No. 1 37280 2 26727 6 33734 7 36557 12 36775 12A 36558 12B 36694 14 28277 15 30589 16 34839A 17 31335 18 651018 19 36281 20 32600 30 36797 40 35544A 40 35545A 40 35546 41 35541 41 35542 41 35543 42 35547A 42 35548A 42 35549 43 20381 45 36777 46 32610A 48 27241 50 37032 52 29914 69 35261 70 34311E 72 75 80 81 82 83 86 89 90 92 93 100 101 103 110 119 120 125 126 * This en 36083 27897 30574A 30590A 30591 30588A 650488 611004 611112 650815 650816 34443B 610118 651007 37047 37028 36825 37288 37289 Descdption Cylinder (IncL 2,20 & 150) Dowel Pin Breather Element Breather Ass'y. (Incl. 6 & 12A) Breather Tube Breather Cover & Tubs (Incl. 12B) Breather Tube Elbow Washer Governor Rod (Incl. 14) Governor Lever Governor Lever Clamp Screw, Torx T-15, 8-32x 19/64" Extension Spring Oil Seal Crankshaft Piston, Pin & Ring Set (Std.) Piston, Pin & Ring Set (.010" OS) Piston, Pin & Ring Set (.020' OS) Piston & Pin Ass',/. (Std.) (Incl. 43) Piston & Pin Ass'y. (.010" OS) (Incl. 43) Piston & Pin Ass'y. (.020" OS) (IncL 43) Ring Set (Std,) Ring Set (.010' OS) Ring Set (.020 GS) Piston Pin Retaining Ring Connecting Rod Ass'y. (Incl. 46) Connecting Rod Bolt Vatve Lifter Camshaft (NCR) Oil Pump Ass'y. Mounting Flange Gasket Mounting Flange (Incl, 72 thru 83,306) Oil Drain Plug Oil Seal Governor Shaft Washer Governor Gear Ass'y. (Incl, 81 ) Governor Spool Screw, 1/4-20 x 1-1/4" Flywheel Key Flywheel Belleville Washer Flywheel Nut Solid State Ignition Spark Plug Cover Screw, Torx"1"-15, 10-24 x 15/16" Ground Wire Cylinder Head Gasket Cylinder Head Exhaust Valve (Std.) (Inct. 151) Intake Valve (Std.) (Incl. 151) Key No, Part No, 130 6021A 135 35395 150 31672 151 31673 151A 40017 169 36783 172 36784 174 30200 178 29752 182 6201 184 26756 185 36785 186 32653 189 650839 191 36559A 195 610973 207 34336 216 33086 223 650461 224 36786 238 65O932 239 34338 241 35797 245 35066 250 35065 260 36980 261 30200 262 650831 275 36790A 277 650988 285 35000A 287 650926 290 29774 292 26460 298 28763 300 36916 301 36246 305 35647 306 36996 307 35499 309 650562 310 35648 313 34060 370A 36261 370C 37199 370K 36695 360 640173 390 59O737 400 37029A 416 36085 417 650821 900 0 9OO Description Screw, 5/16-18 x 1-1/2" Resistor Spark Plug (RJ19LM) Valve Spring Valve Spdng Cap Intake Valve Seal Valve Cover Gasket Valve Cover Screw, 10-24 x 9116' Nut & Lock Washer, 1/4-28 Screw, 1/4-28 x 7/8" Carburetor - Intake Pipe Gasket Intake Pipe Governor Link Screw, 1/4-20 x 3/8" S.E. Brake Bracket (Incl. 195) Terminal Throttle Link R.P.M. Adjusting Lever Screw, 1/4-20 x 1" Intake Pipe Gasket Screw, 10-32 x 49/64" Air Cleaner Gasket Air Cleaner Collar Air Cleaner Filter Air Cleaner Cover Blower Housing Screw, 10-24 x 9/16" Screw, 1/4-20 x 1/2" Muffler Screw, 1/4-20 x 2-5/16" Starter Cup Screw, 8-32 x 21164" Fuel Line Fuel Line Clamp Screw, 10-32 x 35/64" Fuel Tank (incl. 292 & 301) Fuel Cap Oil Fill Tube "O'-Ring "O'-Ring Screw, 10-32 x 1/2" Dipstick Spacer Lubrication Decal Primer Decal Starter Decal Carburetor (Incl. 184) Rewind Starter* Gasket Set Spark Arrestor Kit (Optional) Screw, 10-32 x 1/2" (Optional) Replacement Engine NONE, ordel from 71-9990 Replacement Short Block 750836 ine could have been buitt with 590694 starter 23
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO. 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.05 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Carburetor No. 640173 I I 30 31 Kay No. 1 2 4 5 6 7 16 25 27 28 29 3O 31 35 40 44 48 60 Part No. Description 631615 631767 631184 631183 631616 650506 631807 631700 631024 632019 631028 631021 631022 632047A 631937A 631334 631027 632760 Throttle Shaft & Lever Assembly Throttle Retum Spring Dust Seal Washer (Throttle) Dust Seal (Throttle) Throttle Shutter Shutter Screw Fuel Fitting Float Bowl Float Shaft Float Float Bowl 'O" Ring Inlet Needle, Seat & Clip (Incl. 31 ) Spring Clip Primer Bulb/Retaining Ring High Speed Bowl Nut Bowl Nut Washer Welch Plug, Atmospheric Vent Repair kit 6O 24
CRAFTSMAN ENGINE NO. 143.994002 FOR CRAFTSMAN 4.0 H.P. LAWN MOWER MODEL 247.388240 Recoil Starter 590694 12 J 13 6 6 O_2 Key No. Pad No. - 590694 1 590599A 2 590600 3 590696 4 590601 5 590697 6 590698 7 590699 8 590700 11 590695 12 590535 13 590701 Description Recoil Stader Spring Pin Washer Retainer Washer Brake Spdng Starter Dog Dog Spring Pulley & Rewind Spring Ass'y. Starter Housing Ass'y, (40 degree grommet) Starter Rope 96" x 9/64" dia.) Starter Handle Recoil Starter 590737 _ -,,------ 14 13 _ 8 7-----_11 i1',---_- 7 3 Key No. Pad No. -- 590737 3 590740 6 590616 7 590617 8 590618A 11 590567A 12 590535 13 590701 14 590760 Descdption Rewind Stader Retainer Starter Dog Dog Spring Pulley & Rewind Spdng Ass'y. Starter Housing A_'y (40 Degree Grommet) Starter Rope ( 98" X 9/e4") Starter Handle Spdng Clip 25
For in-home major brand repair service: Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 1-800-4-MY-HOME s" (1-800-469-4663) Para pedir servicio de reparaci6n a domicillio -- 1-800-676-5811 In Canada for all your service and parts needs, call Au Canada pour tout le service ou les pi_ces --1-800-665-4455 For the repair or replacement parts you need: Call 7 am -- 7 pm, 7 days a week 1-800-366-PART (1-800-366-7278) Para ordenar piezas con entrega a domicillio -- 1-800-659-7084 For the location of a Sears Parts and Repair Center in your area: Call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 1-800-488-1222 For information on purchasing a Sears Maintenance Agreement or to inquire about an existing Agreement: Call 9 am -- 5 pm, Monday -- Saturday 1-800-827-6655 ,SEARS HomeCentral TM ⢠-.# The Service Side of Sears sM