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Craftsman C459-60401 Operator's Manual

Rear engine riding mower 6 speed, shift-on-the-go 30” deck
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Operator's Manual
REAR ENGINE RIDING MOWER
6 Speed, Shift-on-the-Go
30" Deck
Model No. C459-60401
This product has a low emission engine which operates differently
from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and
understand this Operator's Manual.
CAUTION
Before using this equipment,
read this manual and follow
all safety rules and operating
instructions.
Sears Canada Inc., 290 Yonge Street, Toronto, On M5B 2C3
®
Visit our web site: sears.ca
769-09687
1.24.14

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Summary of Contents for Craftsman C459-60401

  • Page 1 Operator’s Manual ® REAR ENGINE RIDING MOWER 6 Speed, Shift-on-the-Go 30” Deck Model No. C459-60401 This product has a low emission engine which operates differently from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and understand this Operator’s Manual. CAUTION...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 Warranty Statement .

  • Page 3: Safety Instructions

    SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING DANGER This symbol points out important safety instructions which, if not This machine was built to be operated according to the safe operation followed, could endanger the personal safety and/or property of practices in this manual. As with any type of power equipment, yourself and others.
  • Page 4 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Do Not: • Check overhead clearances carefully before driving under low hanging tree branches, wires, door openings etc., where the operator may be struck or • Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually pulled from the machine, which could result in serious injury. downhill, if possible. • Disengage all attachment clutches and depress the brake pedal completely • Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The mower could before attempting to start engine. suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff, ditch, or if an edge caves in. • Your machine is designed to cut normal residential grass of a height no more than 12”. Do not attempt to mow through unusually tall, dry grass (e.g., • Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground. pasture) or piles of dry leaves. Dry grass or leaves may contact the engine • Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes. exhaust and/or build up on the mower deck presenting a potential fire • Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding. hazard. • Do not attempt to coast downhill. Over-speeding may cause the operator to • Use only accessories and attachments approved for this machine by the lose control of the machine resulting in serious injury or death. machine manufacturer. Read, understand and follow all instructions provided with the approved accessory or attachment. For a list of approved • Do not tow heavy pull behind attachments (e.g. loaded dump cart, lawn accessories and attachments, call 1-888-331-4569. roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When going down hill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor and may cause you to loose control •...
  • Page 5 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS • On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and • Periodically check to make sure the blades come to complete stop within loss of control. approximately (5) five seconds after operating the blade disengagement control. If the blades do not stop within the this time frame, your machine • Always use extra caution when towing with a machine capable of making should be serviced professionally by a Sears or other qualified service dealer . tight turns (e.g. “zero-turn” ride-on mower). Make wide turns to avoid jack-knifing. • Check brake operation frequently as it is subjected to wear during normal operation. Adjust and service as required. • Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop. • Check the blade(s) and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals for • Do not coast downhill. proper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade(s) for damage (e.g., excessive SERVICE wear, bent, cracked). Replace the blade(s) with the original equipment Safe Handling of Gasoline: manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this manual. Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling improper performance and compromise safety! gasoline.
  • Page 6 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS SPARK ARRESTOR Engines which are certified to comply with California and federal EPA WARNING emission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment) are certified to operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and may include the following This machine is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should emission control systems: Engine Modification (EM), Oxidizing Catalyst (OC), not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brushcovered or...
  • Page 7 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Symbol Description BYSTANDERS Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. WARNING— SLOPE OPERATION Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 12 degrees. WARNING— HOT SURFACE Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation.
  • Page 8 SLOPE GAUGE...

  • Page 9: Assembly

    ASSEMBLY Contents of Crate • One Riding Mower • One Seat Assembly • One Discharge Chute Assembly • One Steering Wheel/Shaft Assembly • One Rear Engine Cover • One Hardware Pack • One Rear Hitch Plate • One Oil Drain Sleeve • One Riding Mower Operator’s Manual • One Steering Pedestal Cap Contents of Hardware Pack Lower the steering wheel assembly onto the lower steering shaft (1) and secure with bolt and lock nut (2) previously removed. See Figure 2. Before beginning installation, remove all the contents from the crate and all the hardware from the pack from to make sure everything is present. Hardware is listed below. Part numbers are shown in parentheses. • Hitch Plate • Seat Mounting Bracket (with two shoulder bolts & lock nuts installed) Recommended Tools for Assembly •...
  • Page 10 ASSEMBLY Attaching The Seat Using a 1/4-inch drive ratchet with a 3/8” socket, secure the seat bracket with the self-tapping screws removed in Step 2. See Figure 6. If the seat for your tractor was not attached at the factory, follow the applicable instructions below to attach it. Remove the shoulder bolts and lock nuts from the seat mounting bracket included in your hardware pack. See Figure 4. Figure 4 Remove the two self-tapping screws factory installed on the tractor. See Figure 5. Figure 6 Position the seat assembly over the seat mounting bracket, aligning the holes provided. Install the two shoulder bolts and lock nuts removed from the seat mounting bracket in Step 1. See Figure 7. CAUTION Do not use any type of power tool (e.g. impact gun or electric drill with nut driver attached) when tightening the self-tapping bolts to attach the seat bracket.
  • Page 11 ASSEMBLY Seat Adjustment Installing The Deck Chute To adjust the position of the seat, remove the adjustment knob on the WARNING bottom of the seat. Slide the seat forward or backward as desired. Reinstall NEVER operate this tractor without either the mulch plug or deck chute the adjustment knob. Refer to Figure 9. installed. Remove the wing knobs installed on the mowing deck and retain for later installation. Install the deck chute into the deck discharge opening on the deck. The studs on the deck surface will fit through the holes on the upper portion of the deck chute. The small tab on the deck lip area will fit through the square cutout on the lower portion of the deck chute. See inset of Figure 10. Note: Make certain that the upper-rear portion of deck chute is depressing the safety switch located on the deck surface. The engine will not start without the deck chute properly in place. Secure the deck chute by tightening the wing knobs removed earlier. See Figure 10. Figure 8 Steering wheel height adjustment To adjust the height of the steering wheel, this unit is equipped with a telescoping steering column. To adjust the height of the steering wheel: Sit in the operator’s seat and place your hands on the steering wheel.
  • Page 12 ASSEMBLY Install The Rear Engine Cover Installing the Hitch Plate Remove the two factory installed hex screws located on the rear engine Remove the factory installed hitch plate mounting hardware located on the cover mounting bracket. Retain the screws for later instructions. See rear of the tractor. Figure 11. Position the hitch plate, packed with the loose parts, with the flat side up Install the rear engine cover by positioning it in place as shown in Figure 11. as shown in Figure 13. Secure using the two bolts and hex nuts previously Tip the engine cover forward to fit it into the slots provided, then rotate it removed. backwards to align the mounting holes. Figure 13 Figure 11 Secure the cover with the two hex screws previously removed. Do to Connecting the Battery Cables over-tighten. WARNING Installing the Bumper CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 Remove the two screws as shown in Figure 12. Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead Position the bumper over the mounting holes and secure using the hardware compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and...
  • Page 13 ASSEMBLY Position the red rubber boot over the positive battery terminal to help protect it from corrosion. NOTE: If the battery is put into service after the date shown on top/side of battery, charge the battery as instructed in the Maintenance section of this Operator’s Manual prior to operating the tractor. Synthetic 5W-30 10W-30 5W-30 (ºC) -30º -20º -10º 0º 10º 20º 30º 40º (ºF) -20º 0º 15º 30º 50º 70º 85º 105º Viscosity Chart Checking The Oil Level NOTE: Be sure to check the oil while on a level surface with the engine stopped. Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck. Turn the dipstick 1/4 turn into the locked position to fully seat. See Figure 15. Remove dipstick to check the oil level.
  • Page 14 Subsequent damage can spread and be ignited by a spark or flame many feet away from engine. would be covered under the Craftsman warranty. To prevent injury or death from fuel fires, follow these instructions: Use automotive gasoline (unleaded or low leaded to minimize combustion chamber •...

  • Page 15: Operation

    Clutch/Brake Pedal Speed Control & Parking Brake Lever Fuel Level Indicator Ignition Switch Shift Lever Fuel Fill Cap Throttle/Choke Lever Deck Lift Lever Cup Holder PTO (Blade Engage) Lever Oil Fill Cap Figure 17 NOTE: Any reference in this manual to the RIGHT or LEFT side of the tractor is observed from operator’s seat position facing forward towards the front of tractor. Meets ANSI Safety Standards Craftsman Tractors conform to the safety standard of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
  • Page 16 OPERATION Throttle / Choke Control Shift Lever The throttle control lever is located on the left fender of the tractor as seen from the The shift lever is located on the control panel just below the seat, in the center of the tractor. It has three positions, FORWARD, NEUTRAL and REVERSE. The brake operator’s position, see Figure 17. This lever controls the speed of the engine, as well pedal must be completely depressed and the tractor must not be in motion as the choke when it is pushed all the way forward. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed. when moving the shift lever. See Figure 19. IMPORTANT: When operating the tractor with the cutting deck engaged, be certain IMPORTANT: Never force the shift lever. Doing so may result in serious damage to that the throttle lever is always in the FAST (rabbit) position. the tractor’s transmission. Moving the throttle lever all the way forward activates the engine’s choke control. Activating the choke control closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine. Refer to Starting The Engine in the Operation section of this manual for detailed starting instructions. Ignition Switch The ignition switch is located on the left fender of the tractor as seen from the operator’s position, adjacent to the Throttle/Choke Control. Activate the Ignition Switch to start the engine by inserting the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the key into the ON position once engine has fired. See Figure 18. Start Figure 19 Speed Control Lever The speed control lever, located on the right side of the tractor’s steering console,...
  • Page 17 OPERATION Safety Interlock Switches The safety interlock system is designed for safe operation of the tractor. If this system should ever malfunction, do not operate the tractor. Contact a Service Centre. • The safety interlock system prevents the engine from starting unless the parking brake is engaged and the PTO (Blade Engage) lever is in the disengaged (OFF) position. • The safety interlock system will automatically shut off the engine if the operator leaves the seat before engaging the parking brake. • The safety interlock system will automatically shut off the engine if the operator leaves the tractor’s seat with the PTO (Blade Engage) lever engaged, regardless of whether the parking brake is engaged. • The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO (Blade Engage)lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with the shift lever in Reverse. WARNING Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This Figure 20 system was designed for your safety and protection. Deck Lift Lever Ignition Switch Found on your tractor’s right fender, the deck lift lever is used to change the height...
  • Page 18 OPERATION Starting the Engine WARNING Avoid Serious Injury or Death WARNING Do not operate the tractor if the interlock system is malfunctioning. This • Know location and function of all controls. system was designed for your safety and protection. • Remove objects which could be thrown by the blades. NOTE: Refer to the Assembly section of this manual for gasoline and oil fill-up • Go up and down slopes, not across. instructions. • Use extra caution on slopes. Do not mow slopes greater than 12 degrees.
  • Page 19 OPERATION Driving The Tractor Place speed control lever in desired position. Place shift lever in either FORWARD or REVERSE, and follow normal operating WARNING procedures. Avoid sudden starts, excessive speed and sudden stops. Driving On Slopes WARNING Refer to the SLOPE GAUGE in the Safety Instructions section of the manual to help Do not leave the seat of the tractor without first placing the PTO (Blade determine slopes where you may operate this tractor safely. Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position, depressing the brake pedal WARNING and engaging the parking brake.
  • Page 20 OPERATION Engaging the Blades Mowing Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck. To engage WARNING the blades, proceed as follows: To help avoid blade contact or a thrown object injury, keep bystanders, Move the throttle/choke control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position. helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in operation. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.

  • Page 21: Service And Maintenance

    SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WARNING Before performing any type of maintenance/service, disengage all controls Follow the maintenance schedule given below. This chart describes service and stop the engine. Wait until all moving parts have come to a complete guidelines only. Use the Service Log column to keep track of completed stop. Disconnect spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent maintenance tasks.
  • Page 22 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Engine Maintenance 10. Start the engine. Allow it to run for a few seconds and then shut down the engine. WARNING 11. Check the oil level. Shut off the engine before performing any maintenance. To prevent IMPORTANT: Used motor oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly left in contact with accidental start-up, disconnect the spark plug boot. the skin for prolonged periods. Although this is unlikely unless you handle used oil on a daily basis, it is still advisable to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and IMPORTANT: If engine must be tipped to transport equipment or to inspect or water as soon as possible after handling used oil. remove grass, keep spark plug side of engine up. Transporting or tipping engine spark plug down may cause smoking, hard starting, spark plug fouling, or oil NOTE: Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that is compatible with the saturation of air cleaner. environment. We suggest you take it in a sealed container to your local service station for reclamation. Do not throw it in the trash, pour it down a drain or on the Periodic inspection and adjustment of the engine is essential if high level...
  • Page 23 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Air Filter Service Paper filters cannot be cleaned and should be replaced every 100 operating hours; more often if used in extremely dusty conditions. WARNING Never use gasoline or low flash point solvents for cleaning the air filter element. A fire or explosion could result. WARNING Do not use pressurized air or solvents to clean the air cleaner cartridge.
  • Page 24 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Remove the air filter. See Figure 26. Intake Manifold Figure 28 Attach the air filter cover, making sure to align plastic rib features on the Figure 26 shroud to the plastic features on the air filter cover. See Figure 29. Turn thumb screws clockwise until snug. Check for any misalignment. Remove the foam pre-filter from around the paper air filter. See Figure 27. Replace paper element when dirty or damaged. Clean foam element or Air Filter replace when damaged. Cover Plastic Feature Air Filter Pre-Filter Shroud Plastic Rib Feature Figure 29 Spark Plug Service Figure 27 WARNING To clean foam element, wash in a mild liquid detergent and water. Squeeze DO NOT check for spark with spark plug removed. DO NOT crank engine with or press the foam element to rinse out dirt and water. Do not twist; this spark plug removed.
  • Page 25 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Fuel Filter Service WARNING WARNING If the engine has been running, the muffler will be very hot. Be careful not to touch the muffler. Gasoline and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive. Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death. •...
  • Page 26 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Fuel Filter Fuel Line Clamp Figure 33 Remove the bow-tie cotter pin and flat washer from the deck lift assembly, Figure 32 and retain for reinstallation later. See Figure 34. Clean Engine If the engine has been running, allow it to cool for at least half an hour before cleaning. Periodically remove dirt build-up from engine. Clean the engine cooling fins every 25 hours. Clean with a brush or compressed air. IMPORTANT: Do not spray engine with water to clean because water could contaminate fuel. Using a garden hose or pressure washing equipment can also force water into the air cleaner or muffler opening. Water in the air cleaner will soak the paper element, and water that passes through the element or muffler can enter the cylinder, causing damage. WARNING Accumulation of debris around muffler could cause a fire. Inspect and clean before every use. Cutting Deck Removal To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows: Place the PTO (Blade Engage) lever in the disengaged (OFF) position and...
  • Page 27 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Remove the remaining bow-tie cotter pins securing the deck to the unit, as It is easiest to change the deck belt by first removing the cutting deck as shown in Figure 35. instructed earlier in this section. Skip this step if deciding to change the deck belt with the mowing deck still installed on the unit. Otherwise, remove the cutting deck now. If changing the deck belt with the cutting deck still installed on the unit, lower the cutting deck to the lowest cutting position. Remove the deck belt from around the unit’s PTO drive pulley as shown in Figure 33. Simply roll one side of the belt off of the pulley and then work it off the pulley by continuing around the pulley until the belt is off of the pulley. Pull the belt towards the front of the unit, pulling it through and out of the belt keeper bracket, shown in Figure 33. Remove the deck belt cover by removing the three hex bolts that secure it. See Figure 37. Figure 35 NOTE: The bow-tie clips should be re-installed from the top down. Move the deck lift lever into the top notch on the right fender to raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way. Unplug the wiring pigtail from the deck safety switch. Carefully remove the PTO cable from the rear of the cutting deck by removing the bow-tie cotter pin which secures it. Remove the spring from the deck idler bracket. See Figure 36. Figure 37 Remove the belt keeping spacer by removing the hex bolt that secures it. See Figure 38. Figure 36 Gently slide the cutting deck (from the left side) out from underneath the tractor. Changing the Deck Belt NOTE: It is possible to change the deck belt with the cutting deck still installed on Belt Keeper Hex bolt the tractor, however it is much easier to remove the deck first, change the deck belt,...
  • Page 28 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Feed the deck belt through the belt keeper bracket and work it around and onto the PTO drive pulley as shown in Figure 33. Tires WARNING Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure shown on the sidewall of tire. The recommended operating tire pressure is: • Approximately 10 psi for the rear tires • Approximately 14 psi for the front tires IMPORTANT: Refer to the tire sidewall for exact tire manufacturer’s recommended or maximum psi. Do not overinflate. Uneven tire pressure could cause the cutting deck to mow unevenly. Cutting Blade Figure 39 To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal amounts of metal WARNING from both ends of the blades along the cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a 25°- to 30° angle. Always grind each cutting blade edge equally to Shut the engine off and remove ignition key before removing the cutting maintain proper blade balance. See Figure 40.
  • Page 29 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Adjustments Parking Brake Adjustment WARNING WARNING Never attempt to adjust the brakes while the engine is running. Always Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running, except disengage PTO (Blade Engage Lever), move shift lever into neutral position, where specified in the operator’s manual.
  • Page 30 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Charging The battery is sealed and is maintenance-free. Acid levels cannot be checked. • Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of WARNING corrosive build-up. Batteries give off an explosive gas while charging. Charge the battery in • After cleaning the battery and terminals, apply a light coat of a well ventilated area and keep away from an open flame or pilot light petroleum jelly or grease to both terminals. as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas •...
  • Page 31 SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Figure 42 Figure 43 Cleaning the Engine And Deck Turn the water on. Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off promptly. Do NOT allow While sitting in the operator’s position on the tractor, start the engine and debris to accumulate around the engine cooling fins of the engine or on any other place the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position. part of the machine. Move the tractor’s PTO (Blade Engage) into the ON position. IMPORTANT: The use of a pressure washer to clean your tractor is NOT recommended. It may cause damage to electrical components, spindles, pulleys, Remain in the operator’s position with the cutting deck engaged for a bearings or the engine. minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the cutting deck to thoroughly rinse. Deck Wash System Move the tractor’s PTO (Blade Engage) into the OFF position. Your tractor’s deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck 10. Turn the ignition key to the STOP position to turn the tractor’s engine off. wash system. 11. Turn the water off and detach the hose coupler from the water port on your Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent deck’s surface. the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following steps AFTER EACH MOWING: After cleaning your deck, return to the operator’s position and engage the PTO. Keep the cutting deck running for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of Drive the tractor to a level, clear spot on your lawn, near enough for your...

  • Page 32: Off-Season Storage

    OFF-SEASON STORAGE WARNING Never store lawn tractor with fuel in tank indoors or in poorly ventilated areas where fuel fumes may reach an open flame, spark, or pilot light as on a furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, or gas appliance. PREPARING THE ENGINE WARNING Gasoline is a toxic substance.

  • Page 33: Troubleshooting

    TROUBLESHOOTING WARNING Before performing any type of maintenance/service, disengage all controls and stop the engine. Wait until all moving parts have come to a complete stop. Disconnect spark plug wire and ground it against the engine to prevent unintended starting. Always wear safety glasses during operation or while performing any adjustments or repairs.

  • Page 34: Warranty Statement

    WARRANTY STATEMENT General: Craftsman products are warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for a specific time period as set-out below (the “Warranty Period”). Warranties extend to the original purchaser of a Craftsman product only. Purchases made through an online auction or through any website other than www.sears.ca are excluded.

  • Page 35: Repair Protection Agreement

    REPAIR PROTECTION AGREEMENT Congratulations on making a smart purchase. Your new Craftsman® Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all that it product is designed and manufactured for years of dependable opera- takes for you to schedule service. You can call anytime day or night, or tion.

  • Page 36: Statement

    FEDERAL and/or CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL WARRANTY STATEMENT YOUR WARRANTY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS MTD Consumer Group Inc, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and for those products certified for sale in the state of California, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are pleased to explain the emission control system (ECS) warranty on your 2013- 2014 small off-road spark-ignited engine and equipment (outdoor equipment).
  • Page 37 Add-on or modified parts that are not exempted by the Air Resources Board may not be used. The use of any non-exempted add-on or modified parts by the ultimate purchaser will be grounds for disallowing a warranty claim. MTD Consumer Group Inc will not be liable to warrant failures of warranted parts caused by the use of a non-exempted add-on or modified part.
  • Page 38 02488 Trademarks of Sears Brands Management Corp. used under license by Sears Canada Marque déposée / Marque de commerce de Sears Brands Management Corp. utilisée en vertu d’une licence de Sears Canada...

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