Maintenance Schedule; Maintenance; Troubleshooting - Craftsman 944.363420 Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE

BEFORE
EACH
USE
Check for Loose Fasteners
Clean / Inspect Grass Catcher *
Check Tires
Check Drive Wheels ***
Clean Lawn Mower ****
Clean under Drive Cover ***
Check Drive Belt / Pulleys ***
Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade
Lubrication
Clean and Recharge Battery **
Check Engine Oil level
Change Engine Oil
Clean Air Filter
Inspect Muffler
Replace Spark Plug
Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge
Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer
(if so equipped) 1 - Change more often if operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures.
*
2 - Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions.
Electric-Start mowers
**
3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil.
Power-Propelled mowers
***
4 - Charge 48 hours at end of season.
Use a scraper
****
to clean under deck 5 - And after each 5 hours of use.
GENERAL REC OM MEN DA TIONS
The warranty on this lawn mower does not
cover items that have been sub ject ed to
operator abuse or negligence. To receive
full value from the warranty, operator must
maintain unit as in struct ed in this manual.
Some adjustments will need to be made
periodically to properly maintain your unit.
At least once a season, check to see if
you should make any of the adjustments
described in the Service and Ad just ments
section of this manual.
• At least once a year, replace the spark
plug, clean or replace air fi lter element
and check blade for wear. A new spark
plug and clean/new air fi lter element
assure proper air-fuel mix ture and help
your engine run bet ter 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 "LU BRI CA TION CHART").
AFTER EVERY EVERY EVERY
EACH 10 25 HOURS 100
USE HOURS OR SEASON HOURS
LUBRICATION CHART
adjuster (on
each wheel)
door hinge
door hinge
Handle bracket mounting pins
Spray lubricant
See "ENGINE" in Maintenance section.
IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic
wheel bearings. Viscous lu bri cants will
attract dust and dirt that will short en the life of
the self-lu bri cat ing bearings. If you feel they
must be lu bri cated, use only a dry, pow dered
graphite type lubricant spar ingly.
12
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to a Sears Parts & Repair Centre.
PROBLEM
BEFORE
Loss of power
STORAGE
Poor cut –
uneven
Excessive
vibration
Starter rope
hard to pull
Wheel
Grass catcher
Engine oil
not fi lling
(If so equipped)
Mulcher
Hard to push
pin
Rear
Loss of drive
or slowing of
drive speed
CAUSE CORRECTION
1. Rear of lawn mower 1. Raise cutting height.
housing or cutting blade
dragging in heavy grass.
2. Cutting too much grass. 2. Raise cutting height.
3. Dirty air fi lter. 3. Clean/replace air fi lter.
4. Buildup of grass, leaves, 4. Clean underside of mower
and trash under mower.
5. Too much oil in engine. 5. Check oil level.
6. Walking speed too fast. 6. Cut at slower walking speed.
1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten
2. Wheel heights uneven. 2. Set all wheels at same
3. Buildup of grass, leaves 3. Clean underside of
and trash under mower.
1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten
2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. Contact a Sears or other
1. Engine fl ywheel brake is on 1. Depress control bar to
when control bar is released.
2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. Contact a Sears or other
3. Blade adapter broken. 3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Blade dragging in grass. 4. Move lawn mower to cut
1. Cutting height too low. 1. Raise cutting height.
2. Lift on blade worn off. 2. Replace blade.
3. Catcher not venting air. 3. Clean grass catcher.
1. Grass is too high or wheel 1. Raise cutting height.
height is too low.
2. Rear of lawn mower 2. Raise rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in grass.
3. Grass catcher too full. 3. Empty grass catcher.
4. Handle height position not 4. Adjust handle height to suit.
right for you.
1. Belt wear. 1. Check/replace drive belt.
2. Belt off of pulley. 2. Check/reinstall drive belt.
3. Drive cable worn or broken. 3. Replace drive cable.
4. "Loose" drive control system. 4. Adjust drive control.
21
housing.
blade bolt.
height.
mower housing.
blade bolt.
qualifi ed service centre.
upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
qualifi ed service centre.
grass or to hard surface.
housing one (1) setting
higher.