Product Spec I Fi Ca Tions; Assembly/Pre-Operation - Craftsman 944.365450 Owner's Manual

V. GENERAL SERVICE
• Never run machine inside a closed area.
• Never make adjustments or repairs with
the engine (motor) running. Dis con nect the
spark plug wire, and keep the wire away
from the plug to prevent ac ci den tal starting.
• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade
attachment bolts, tight and keep equip-
ment in good condition.
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check
their proper operation reg u lar ly.
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel spill-
age. Allow machine to cool before storing.
• Stop and inspect the equipment if you
strike an object. Repair, if nec es sary,
before restarting.
WARNING: This lawn mower is equipped with an internal com bus tion engine and
should not be used on or near any un im proved forest-covered, brush-covered or
grass-cov ered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a 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.
A spark arrester for the muffl er is available through your nearest Sears Service Centre
(See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).
Read these instructions and this manual in
its entirety before you attempt to assemble
or operate your new lawn mower.
IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped
WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the
engine.
Your new lawn mower has been as sem -
bled at the factory with the exception of
those parts left unassembled for shipping
purposes. All parts such as nuts, wash-
ers, bolts, etc., nec es sary to complete the
as sem bly have been placed in the parts
bag. To ensure safe and proper opera-
tion of your lawn mower, all parts and
hard ware you assemble must be tightened
securely. Use the correct tools as neces-
sary to ensure proper tightness.
TO REMOVE MOWER FROM
CAR TON
1. Remove loose parts included with
mower.
2. Cut down two end corners of carton
and lay end panel down fl at.
3. Remove all packing materials except
padding between upper and lower
handle and padding holding operator
presence control bar to upper handle.
4. Roll mower out of carton and check
carton thor ough ly for additional loose
parts.
ASSEMBLY / PRE-OPERATION
• Never attempt to make wheel height
adjustments while the engine is running.
• Grass catcher components are sub ject
to wear, dam age, and de te ri o ra tion,
which could expose moving parts or
allow objects to be thrown. Frequently
check com po nents and replace with
man u fac tur er's recommended parts,
when necessary.
• Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and
use extra caution when ser vic ing them.
• Do not change the engine governor set-
ting or overspeed the engine.
• Maintain or replace safety and instruc-
tion labels, as necessary.
HOW TO SET UP YOUR LAWN
MOW ER
TO UNFOLD HANDLE
IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so
as not to pinch or damage control cables.
1. Raise lower handle section to operat-
ing position and align hole in handle
with one of three height positioning
holes.
2. Insert handle bolt through handle and
bracket and secure with knob.
3. Repeat for opposite side of handle.
4. Remove protective padding, raise up-
per handle section into place on lower
handle and tighten both handle knobs.
5. Remove any packing material from
around control bar.
Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted
for your mowing comfort. Refer to "AD-
JUST HANDLE" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual.
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