Owner's Manual

Table of Contents

• Warranty: 2
• Safety Rules: 2
• Assembly: 4
• Operation: 5
• Maintenance Schedule: 8
• Maintenance: 8
• Product Specifications: 9
• Service and Adjustments: 11
• Storage: 12
• Troubleshooting: 13
• Repair Parts: 28
• Parts Ordering: Back Cover

Warranty

LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN POWER MOWER

For one year from date of purchase, when this Craftsman Lawn Mower is maintained, lubricated, and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship. If this Craftsman 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:

• Expendable items which become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.
• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crankshafts and the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner's manual.

Warranty service is available by returning the Craftsman power mower to the nearest Sears Service Center/Department in the United States. This warranty applies only while this product is in use in the United States.

This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., D/817 WA, HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILLINOIS 60179

Safety Rules

Training

• Read this operator's manual carefully. Become familiar with the controls and know how to operate your mower properly. Learn how to quickly stop mower.
• Do not allow children to use your mower. Never allow adults to use mower without proper instructions.
• Keep the area of operation clear of all persons, especially small children and pets.
• Use mower only as the manufacturer intended and as described in this manual.
• Do not operate mower if it has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Always have damage repaired before using your mower.
• Do not use accessory attachments that are not recommended by the manufacturer. Use of such attachments may be hazardous.
• The blade turns when the engine is running.

Preparation

• Always thoroughly check the area to be mowed and clear it of all stones, sticks, wires, bones, and other foreign objects. These objects will be thrown by the blade and can cause severe injury.
• Always wear safety glasses or eye shields when starting and while using your mower.
• Dress properly. Do not operate mower when barefoot or wearing open sandals. Wear only solid shoes with good traction when mowing.
• Check fuel tank before starting engine. Do not fill gas tank indoors, when the engine is running or when the engine is hot. Allow the engine to cool for several minutes before filling the gas tank. Clean off any spilled gasoline before starting the engine.
• Always make wheel height adjustments before starting your mower. Never attempt to do this while the engine is running.
• Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

Operation

Know Your Lawn Mower

READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR LAWN MOWER. Compare the illustrations with your lawn mower to familiarize yourself with the location of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning:

• [Caution symbol]
• [Engine On/Off symbol]
• [Fast symbol]
• [Slow symbol]
• [Choke symbol]
• [Fuel symbol]
• [Oil symbol]
• [Danger: Keep Hands and Feet Away symbol]

Diagram: Lawn mower controls and parts. Identifies: Operator presence control bar, Upper handle, Lower handle, Mowing position, Engine zone control cable, Starter handle, Handle knob, Engine oil filler plug, Discharge guard, Gasoline filler cap, Air filter, Housing, Wheel adjuster (on each wheel).

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns when the engine is running.

Operator presence control bar - must be held down to the handle to start the engine. Release to stop the engine.

Primer - pumps additional fuel from the carburetor to the cylinder for use when starting a cold engine.

Starter handle - used for starting the engine.

How to Use Your Lawn Mower

Engine Speed

The engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance. Speed is not adjustable.

Engine Zone Control

CAUTION: Federal regulations require an engine control to be installed on this lawn mower in order to minimize the risk of blade contact injury. Do not under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of the operator control. The blade turns when the engine is running.

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator presence control bar which requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start and operate the lawn mower.

To Adjust Cutting Height

• Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut.
• Adjust cutting height to suit your requirements. Medium position is best for most lawns.
• To change cutting height, squeeze adjuster lever toward wheel. Move wheel up or down to suit your requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same setting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts between tabs in lever. Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs.

Diagram: Wheel height adjustment. Shows how to raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut using the lever and plate tab.

Before Starting Engine

Oil

Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in the engine.

• Be sure mower is level and area around oil fill is clean.
• Remove engine oil plug and fill to the top of slot in filler hole.
• Use 20 ozs. of oil. For type and grade of oil to use, see "ENGINE" in Customer Responsibilities section of this manual.
• Pour oil slowly. Do not over fill.
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed.
• Reinstall engine oil plug and tighten.
• Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season. You may need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions.

Gas

• Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

Diagram: Shows gasoline filler cap and oil filler plug.

To Start Engine

• To start a cold engine, push primer five (5) times before trying to start. Use a firm push. This step is not usually necessary when starting an engine which has already run for a few minutes.
• Hold operator presence control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. DO NOT allow starter rope to snap back.
• To STOP engine, release operator presence control bar.

NOTE: In cooler weather it may be necessary to repeat priming steps. In warmer weather over priming may cause flooding and engine will not start. If you do flood engine wait a few minutes before attempting to start and DO NOT repeat priming steps.

Mowing Tips

• Under certain conditions, such as very tall grass, it may be necessary to raise the height of cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of grass clippings.
• For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the width of cut and raise the rear of the lawn mower housing one (1) wheel adjuster setting higher than the front for better discharge of grass.
• For better grass bagging and most cutting conditions, the engine speed should be set in the fast position.
• For side discharge lawn mowers, cutting in a counter-clockwise direction, starting at the outside of the area to be cut, spreads grass clippings more evenly and puts less load on the engine. To keep clippings off of walkways, flower beds, etc., make the first cuts in a clockwise direction.
• Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass. To prevent this, regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before using.
• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff. This will help engine air flow and extend engine life.

Maintenance and Storage

Maintenance Schedule

Notes for Schedule:

• 1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures.
• 2 - Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions.
• 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil.
• 4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.

General Recommendations

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 mower as instructed in this manual.

Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit. All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season.

• Once a year, replace the spark plug, clean or replace air filter element and check blade for wear. A new spark plug and clean/new air filter element assures proper air-fuel mixture and helps your engine run better and last longer.
• Follow the maintenance schedule in this manual.

Before Each Use

• Check engine oil level.
• Check for loose fasteners.

Lubrication

Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICATION CHART").

Diagram: Lubrication Chart. Shows points for Wheel adjuster [1], Engine oil [2], Handle bracket mounting pin [1], Spray lubricant [2], Brake spring, Discharge bracket hinge pin [1].

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic wheel bearings. Viscous lubricants will attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the self-lubricating bearings. If you feel they must be lubricated, use only a dry, powered graphite type lubricant sparingly.

Cleaning

IMPORTANT: FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, KEEP MOWER HOUSING FREE OF BUILT-UP GRASS AND TRASH. Clean the underside of your mower after each use.

CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with the spark plug.

• Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up. Clean the underside of your lawn mower by scraping to remove build-up of grass and trash.
• Clean engine often to keep trash from accumulating. A clogged engine runs hotter and shortens engine life.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc.
• We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean lawn mower unless the electrical system, muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can result in shortened engine life.

Service and Adjustments

CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS:

• Release control bar.
• Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place where it cannot come in contact with plug.

Lawn Mower

To Adjust Cutting Height

See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section of this manual.

Rear Deflector

The rear deflector, attached between the rear wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will be thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position. If the deflector becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

Discharge Guard

The discharge guard attached to the discharge opening of your lawn mower, is provided to prevent the possibility of injury resulting from objects being thrown out of the discharge opening into the operator mowing position. If the discharge guard becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

To Adjust Handle

Your lawn mower handle can be raised or lowered for your mowing comfort. Four (4) positions are available: high, medium high, medium low and low. Handles are shipped mounted in the medium low position.

• To change from medium low to medium high position, the upper and lower handle sections will have to be turned over.
• Remove the controls and operator presence control bar from the upper handle.
• Remove the starter rope guide from the lower handle.
• Remove hairpin cotters.
• Disconnect the lower handle from the handle brackets.
• Turn the handle over and reassemble the hairpin cotters that have been removed.
• Reassemble the starter rope guide.
• Reassemble the controls and the operator presence control bar to the upper handle.

CAUTION: The operator presence control bar must pivot freely to permit blade brake engagement when control bar is released. Do not overtighten the fasteners holding the controls to the upper handle.

• To change from medium low to high position, only the upper handle section will have to be turned over.
• To change from medium low to low position, only the lower handle section will have to be turned over.

Diagrams: Handle adjustment positions (Medium high, Medium low, High, Low) and mechanism for folding the handle. Shows squeezing to remove/fold, mounting bracket, hairpin clip, lower handle, upper handle, operator presence control bar, and mowing position.

Storage

Immediately 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.

Lawn Mower

When lawn mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area.

• Clean entire lawn mower (See "CLEANING" in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).
• Lubricate as shown in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual.
• Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened. Inspect moving parts for damage, breakage and wear. Replace if necessary.
• Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces; sand lightly before painting.

Handle

You can fold your lawn mower handle for storage.

• Squeeze the bottom ends of the lower handle toward each other until the lower handle clears the handle bracket, then move handle forward.
• Loosen upper handle mounting bolts enough to allow upper handle to be folded back.

IMPORTANT: When folding the handle for storage or transportation, be sure to fold the handle as shown or you may damage the control cables.

When setting up your handle from the storage position, the lower handle will automatically lock into the mowing position.

Diagram: Shows folding the handle for storage, with labels for lower handle, mounting pin, hairpin cotter, operator presence control bar, upper handle, and mowing position.

Engine

Fuel System

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.

• Drain the fuel tank.
• Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty.
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.
• Use fresh fuel next season.

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.

Engine Oil

Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace with clean engine oil. (See "ENGINE" in the Customer Responsibilities section of this manual).

Cylinder

• Remove spark plug.
• Pour one ounce (29 ml) of oil through spark plug hole into cylinder.
• Pull starter handle slowly a few times to distribute oil.
• Replace with new spark plug.

Other

• Do not store gasoline from one season to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your gasoline will cause problems.
• If possible, store your unit indoors and cover it to give protection from dust and dirt.
• Cover your unit with a suitable protective cover that does not retain moisture. Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot breathe which allows condensation to form and will cause your unit to rust.

IMPORTANT: Never cover mower while engine and exhaust areas are still warm.

CAUTION: Never store the lawn mower with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.

Air Filter

Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter. Clean the element after every 25 hours of operation, more often if mower is used in very dusty, dirty conditions.

To Clean Air Filter Element

• Remove the air filter by turning counter-clockwise to the stop and pull away from collar.
• Remove filter from inside of cover.
• Clean the inside of the cover and the collar to remove any dirt accumulation.
• Insert new filter into cover.
• Put air filter cover and filter into collar aligning the tab with the slot.
• Push in on cover and turn clockwise to tighten.

Diagram: Air filter components. Shows collar, clip, air filter, air filter cover, and direction of turn (counter-clockwise to remove, clockwise to tighten).

Muffler

Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage.

Spark Plug

Change your spark plug each year to make your engine start easier and run better. Set spark plug gap at .030 inch.

Product Specifications

The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal attached to the rear of the lawn mower housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.

Lawn Mower

Tires

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

Blade Care

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace bent or damaged blades.

To Remove Blade

• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug.
• Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up.
• Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt.
• Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
• Remove blade bolt by turning counter-clockwise. Use a 9/16" box or open-end wrench.
• Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock washer and hardened washer).

NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter. The key must be in good condition to work properly. Replace adapter if damaged.

Diagram: Blade removal components. Shows Blade adapter, Crankshaft, Keyway, Blade bolt, Lock washer, Hardened washer, Trailing edge of blade.

To Replace Blade

• Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.
• Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.
• Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine.
• Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.
• Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise.

The recommended tightening torque is 35-40 ft. lbs. IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat treated.

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced.

To Sharpen Blade

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.

• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed. Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail. If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal position. If either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.

Grass Catcher

(If purchased as an accessory)

• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for damage or deterioration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.

Troubleshooting Chart

Accessories and Parts

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers. Most Sears stores can also order repair parts for you, when you provide the model number of your lawn mower. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower.

Lawn Mower Performance Accessories

• Clipping Deflector for Rear Discharge Lawn Mowers
• Mulcher Kits
• Grass Catchers for Rear Discharge Lawn Mowers
• Grass Catchers for Side Discharge Lawn Mowers
• Stabilizer
• Gas Cans

Lawn Mower Maintenance Parts

• Mufflers
• Air Filters
• Spark Plugs
• Belts
• Blades
• Blade Adapters
• Wheels
• Engine Oil

Assembly

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble or operate your new lawn mower. Your new lawn mower has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc., necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag. To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to ensure proper tightness.

To Remove Lawn Mower From Carton

• Remove loose parts included with mower.
• Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat.
• Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.
• Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thoroughly for additional loose parts.

How to Set Up Your Lawn Mower

To Unfold Handle

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so as not to pinch or damage control cables.

• Raise handles until lower handle section locks into place in mowing position.
• Remove protective padding, raise upper handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both handle knobs.
• Remove handle padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.
• Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort. Refer to "Adjust Handle" in the Service and Adjustment section of this manual.