Service And Adjustments - Craftsman 944.361420 Owner's Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM CAUSE
Poor cut – 1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
uneven
2. Wheel heights uneven.
3. Buildup of grass, leaves
and trash under mower.
Excessive 1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
vibration
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
Starter rope 1. Engine flywheel brake is
hard to pull on when control bar is
released.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
3. Blade adapter broken.
4. Blade dragging in grass.
Loss of drive 1. Drive wheels not turning
with drive control engaged.
2. Belt not driving.
Grass catcher 1. Cutting height too low.
not filling (if so 2. Lift on blade worn off.
equipped) 3. Catcher not venting air.
Hard to push 1. Grass is too high or wheel
height is too low.
2. Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in grass.
3. Grass catcher too full.
4. Handle height position not
right for you.
CORRECTION
1. Replace blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
2. Set all wheels at same
height.
3. Clean underside of
mower housing.
1. Replace blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
1. Depress control bar to
upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surface.
1. Adjust or replace drive
control cable.
2. Put belt on pulleys or
replace belts if broken.
1. Raise cutting height.
2. Replace blade.
3. Clean grass catcher.
1. Raise cutting height.
2. Raise rear of lawn mower
housing one (1) setting
higher.
3. Empty grass catcher.
4. Adjust handle height to
suit.
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SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

CAUTION: Before performing any
service and adjustments:
1. Release control bar and stop engine.
2. Make sure the blade and all moving
parts have completely stopped.
3. 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 lawn mower, is
provided to minimize the possibility that
objects will be thrown out the rear of the
lawn mower into the operator's mowing
position. If the rear deflector becomes
damaged, it should be replaced.
TO REMOVE/REPLACE DRIVE BELT
1. Remove drive cover. Remove belt
from gearcase pulley by pushing
down on pulley and rolling belt off it.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side with air
filter and carburetor up.
3. Remove blade.
4. Remove debris shield.
5. Remove belt from engine pulley on
crankshaft.
6. Install new belt by reversing above
steps.
7. Always use factory approved belt to
assure fit and long life.
Belt
Drive cover Push down
TO ADJUST HANDLE
The handle can be mounted in a high or
low position. The mounting holes in the
bottom of lower handle are off center for
raising or lowering the handle.
1. Remove upper handle and all parts
attached to lower handle.
2. Remove hairpin cotters from lower
handle bracket mounting pin.
3. Squeeze lower handle in to remove it
from mounting pins.
4. Turn lower handle over to raise or
lower handle.
5. Squeeze lower handle in and position
holes onto mounting pins on handle
bracket.
6. Reassemble upper handle and all
parts removed from lower handle.
Lower
handle
Rotate
ENGINE
ENGINE SPEED
Your engine speed has been factory set.
Do not attempt to increase engine speed
or it may result in personal injury. If you
believe that the engine is running too fast
or too slow, take your lawn mower to a
Sears or other qualified service center for
repair and adjustment.
CARBURETOR
Your carburetor is not adjustable. If your
engine does not operate properly due to
suspected carburetor problems, take your
lawn mower to a Sears or other qualified
service center for repair and/or adjust-
ment.
IMPORTANT: Never tamper with the
engine governor, which is factory set for
proper engine speed. Overspeeding the
engine above the factory high speed
setting can be dangerous. If you think the
engine-governed high speed needs
adjusting, contact a Sears or other
qualified service center, which has proper
equipment and experience to make any
necessary adjustments.
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