Craftsman 944.364150 Owner's Manual page 14

NOTE: Multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30
etc.) improve starting in cold weather, and
you should check your engine oil level fre-
quently to avoid possible engine damage
from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in
one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before
starting the engine and after each fi ve (5)
hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug
securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain
oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until
fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitable container.
Rock lawn mower back and forth to re-
move any oil trapped inside of engine.
Container
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Fill engine with oil. The engine oil
capacity is 18.5 oz. If oil is not com-
plete ly drained from engine, you may
not need the entire container of a 20
oz. bottle of oil. Slowly pour 3/4 of the
oil from the container down the oil fi ll
spout into the engine.
6. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle.
Use guage on oil fi ll cap/dipstick for
checking level. Insert dipstick into the
tube and rest the oil fi ll cap on the tube.
DO NOT thread the cap into the tube
when taking reading.
7. Continue adding small amounts of
oil and rechecking the dipstick until it
reads full. DO NOT overfi ll, or engine
will smoke on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick
before starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.
Oil fi ll cap /
dipstick
Upper
mark
Lower
mark
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air fi lter.
Replace the air fi lter every 100 hours of
operation or every season, whichever oc-
curs fi rst. Service air cleaner more often
under dusty conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER
1. Remove cover.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a fl at sur-
face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.
CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as
ker o sene, are not to be used to clean car-
tridge. They may cause de te ri o ra tion of the
cartridge. Do not oil car tridge. Do not use
pres sur ized air to clean or dry car tridge.
4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.
Slot
Cartridge
Filter cover
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffl er as it
could create a fi re hazard and/or dam age.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs
fi rst. Spark plug type and gap setting
are shown in the "PROD UCT SPEC I FI C-
A TIONS" section of this manual.
14
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to a Sears Parts & Repair Centre.
PROBLEM
Loss of power
Poor cut –
uneven
Excessive
vibration
Starter rope
hard to pull
Grass catcher
not fi lling
(If so equipped)
Hard to push
Tab
CAUSE CORRECTION
1. Rear of mower housing or 1. Raise cutting height.
blade dragging in 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 mower housing or 2. Raise rear of mower housing
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.
19
housing.
blade bolt.
height.
mower housing.
blade bolt.
qualifi ed service centre.
upper handle before
pulling the starter rope.
qualifi ed service centre.
grass or to hard surface.
one (1) setting higher.