Craftsman 944.601280 Owner's Manual

Craftsman 944.601280 Owner's Manual

24.0 hp electric start 46" mower automatic transmission lawn tractor

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OWNER'S
MANUAL
MODEL NO.
944.601280
Important:
Read and fol low
all Safety Rules
and In struc tions
Be fore Op er at ing
This Equip ment
Gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol (E10) is acceptable for use in this machine.
The use of any gasoline exceeding 10% ethanol (E10) will void the product warranty.
442276 Rev. 1
24.0 HP
ELECTRIC START
46" MOWER
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LAWN TRACTOR
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Service and Adjustments
• Repair Parts
Sears Canada, Inc., Toronto, Ontario M5B 2B8
*
*As rated by the engine manufacturer

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Summary of Contents for Craftsman 944.601280

  • Page 1 OWNER’S MANUAL MODEL NO. 944.601280 24.0 HP ELECTRIC START Important: 46" MOWER Read and fol low all Safety Rules AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and In struc tions Be fore Op er at ing LAWN TRACTOR This Equip ment • Assembly • Operation •...
  • Page 2: Safety Rules

    SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers DANGER: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROW ING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. • Slow down before turning. WARNING: In order to prevent ac ci den tal •...
  • Page 3 SAFETY RULES Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers III. CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to GENERAL SERVICE the presence of children. Children are often attracted to • Never operate machine in a closed area. the ma chine and the mowing activity.
  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tractor. It has been designed, engineered and manu fac tured to give you the best possible dependability and performance. GASOLINE CAPACITY 3.0 Gallons AND TYPE: UNLEADED REGULAR Should you experience any problem you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest authorized service OIL TYPE (API: SG-SL): SAE 10W30 (above 32°F)
  • Page 5: Assembly

    UNASSEMBLED PARTS Slope Sheet (1) Oil Drain Tube (2) Keys ASSEMBLY Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Stan dard LABEL wrench sizes are listed.
  • Page 6: Assembly

    ASSEMBLY ✓ CHECKLIST NOTE: You may now roll your tractor off the skid. Follow BEFORE YOU OPERATE YOUR NEW TRAC TOR, WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST the instructions below to remove the tractor from the skid. PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS WARNING: Before start ing, read, un der stand and fol low QUALITY PRODUCT.
  • Page 7: Operation

    OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. FAST REVERSE HIGH SLOW NEUTRAL CHOKE IGNITION SWITCH ENGINE START ENGINE ON PARKING BRAKE MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT ENGINE OFF REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS)
  • Page 8 OPERATION KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and ad just ments. Save this manual for future reference. Fig.
  • Page 9 OPERATION The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while operating your tractor or per form ing any ad just ments or repairs. We rec om mend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.
  • Page 10 OPERATION TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS (See Fig. 9) Gauge wheels are prop er ly ad just ed when they are slight ly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in prop- er position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.
  • Page 11 OPERATION REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) TO TRANSPORT (See Fig. 12) Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse Operation System When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure to disengage (ROS). Any attempt by the operator to travel in the reverse transmission by placing freewheel control in free wheel ing direction with the attachment clutch engaged will shut off po si tion.
  • Page 12: Before Starting The Engine

    OPERATION BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below. • Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL “START” position and release key as soon as engine The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the starts.
  • Page 13 OPERATION • If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to 1. Place tractor safely on a level surface - that is clear and open - with engine off and parking brake set. reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clip- pings.
  • Page 14: Maintenance Schedule

    MAINTENANCE BEFORE EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY BEFORE MAINTENANCE EACH SEASON STORAGE SCHEDULE HOURS HOURS HOURS HOURS Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence & ROS Systems Check for Loose Fasteners Check/Replace Mower Blades Lubrication Chart Check Battery Level Clean Battery and Terminals Clean Debris Off Steering Plate ck Transaxle Cooling...
  • Page 15: Maintenance

    MAINTENANCE TRACTOR CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade ap- Always observe safety rules when per form ing any proved by the manufacturer of your tractor. Using a blade not approved by the manu- main te nance. facturer of your tractor is hazardous, could BRAKE OPERATION damage your tractor and void your warranty.
  • Page 16: Clean Air Screen

    MAINTENANCE TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE • Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil. The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean • Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve and install to ensure proper cooling.
  • Page 17 MAINTENANCE SPARK PLUGS DECK WASHOUT PORT (See Fig. 20) Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing Your tractor’s deck is equipped with a washout port on season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever its surface as part of its deck wash system. It should be occurs first.
  • Page 18: Service And Adjustments

    SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SER VICE OR AD JUST MENTS: • Depress brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position. • Turn ignition key to “STOP” and remove key. •...
  • Page 19: Service And Adjustments

    SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS • ATTACH MOWER SIDE SUSPENSION ARMS (A) TO • ATTACH FRONT LINK (E) - Work from left side of trac- CHASSIS - Position hole in arm over pin (B) on outside tor. Insert rod end of link assembly through front hole of tractor chassis and secure with retainer spring.
  • Page 20 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO LEVEL MOWER • If adjustment is necessary, see step in Visual Adjust- ment instructions above. Make sure tires are properly inflated to the PSI shown on • Recheck measurements, adjust if necessary until both tires. If tires are over or under inflated, it may affect the sides are equal.
  • Page 21 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT (See Fig. 32) (See Fig. 31) Park the tractor on level surface. En gage parking brake. MOWER DRIVE BELT REMOVAL For as sis tance, there is a belt installation guide decal on •...
  • Page 22 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO REMOVE CABLES, REVERSE ORDER - TO REMOVE WHEEL (See Fig. 33) • BLACK cable first from chassis and then from the fully • Block up axle securely. charged battery. • Remove axle cover, retaining ring and washers to allow •...
  • Page 23 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS TRANSMISSION INTERLOCKS AND RELAYS Loose or damaged wiring may cause your tractor to run REMOVAL/RE PLACE MENT poorly, stop running, or prevent it from starting. • Check wiring. See electrical wiring diagram in the Should your transmission require removal for service or Repair Parts section.
  • Page 24: Storage

    STORAGE Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end ENGINE of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM DEPOSITS WARNING: Never store the trac tor with FROM FORMING IN ES SEN TIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH gas o line in the tank inside a building AS CARBURETOR, FUEL FIL TER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK...
  • Page 25: Troubleshooting

    TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank. Will not start 2. Engine not “CHOKED” properly. 2. See “TO START ENGINE” in Operation section. 3. Engine flooded. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. 4. Bad spark plug. 4.
  • Page 26 TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Engine continues 1. Faulty operator-safety presence control 1. Check wiring, switches and connections. If not system. corrected, contact an authorized service center/ to run when oper- department. ator leaves seat with attachment clutch engaged 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1.
  • Page 27: Repair Parts

    TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 SCHEMATIC SCH13 BATTERY SOLENOID STARTER FUSE AMMETER BLACK (OPTIONAL) ELECTRIC CLUTCH WHITE PTO SWITCH BLACK WHITE (DISENGAGED) WHITE BLACK GRAY CLUTCH/BRAKE (PEDAL UP) BLUE REVERSE SWITCH (NOT IN REVERSE) BLACK BLACK BLACK SEAT SWITCH...
  • Page 28 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 ELECTRICAL T27S With 12V Outlet Option...
  • Page 29 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 ELECTRICAL PART DESCRIPTION 163465 Battery 74760412 Bolt Hex Hd 1/4-20 unc x 3/4 186491 Box Battery 176138 Switch Interlock Push-In 400252 Harness Socket Light w/4152J 4152J Bulb Light 400253 Cable Btry. 412895 Cable Starter...
  • Page 30 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 CHASSIS chassis-tex_PRED II PRO_9...
  • Page 31 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 CHASSIS PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 74520520 Bolt Fin Hex 5/16-18 x 1-1/4 421813X428 Dash 17000512 Screw 5/16 - 18 x 3/4 421154X428 Hood 73900500 Nut Lock Hex Flange 5/16-18 421493X599 Lens LH 401556X428 Plug Hole Dash 12V Adapter...
  • Page 32 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 DRIVE drive-tex_K46_pedal_79_r1...
  • Page 33: Transaxle Breakdown

    TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 DRIVE PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION – – – – Transaxle, Tufftorq K46BT (426120) 72110616 Bolt 3/8-16 unc (See Transaxle Breakdown) 137057 Spacer Axle 123583X 196439X667 Handle Parking Brake 19131316 Washer 13/32 x 13/16 x 16 Ga.
  • Page 34 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 ENGINE SPARK ARRESTER KIT engine-tex_Kohl-2cyl_8 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION – – – – Engine Kohler Model No. SV725 – – – – Gasket -3025 (442195) (See Engine (Order from Eng. Mfgr. 24-041-49) Breakdown) 146699...
  • Page 35: Steering Assembly

    TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 STEERING ASSEMBLY steering-tex_TTR_4 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 407465 Bracket Upstop 414851X421 Wheel, Steering 194747 Bolt Shoulder Sector Pivot CFM 436870 Axle Asm., Front 194748 Washer Thrust Sector Steering 436873 Spindle Asm., LH 73971000 Nut Flange Lock 5/8-11 436874 Spindle Asm., RH...
  • Page 36: Mower Deck

    TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 MOWER DECK mower_deck 46-tex_elect_3...
  • Page 37 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 MOWER DECK PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 441623X421 Mower Housing 72140505 Bolt 195186 Arm Suspension 406581 Cover Mulch 46" 193003 Bolt/Washer Asm. 7/16-20 unf 4898H Bolt, Shoulder 403107 Blade Mulching 188606 Wheel, Gauge 192872 Shaft Assembly, Mandrel 19121414 Washer 13/32 x 1-1/4 x 12 Ga.
  • Page 38: Mower Lift

    TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 MOWER LIFT 101* lift-tex_27 *Key 91 may be substituted for Key 101 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 422027 Shaft Asm., Lift 195181 Link Lift Susp Mower Rear 195231 Lever Asm., Lift RH 17000612 Screw 3/8-16 x .75...
  • Page 39 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 SEAT ASSEMBLY seat-tex_6.5SL_3 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 73800500 Nut, Lock 5/16-18 unc 423647 Seat 197661 Handle Slide Seat 180166 Bracket Pivot Fender 198200 Spring Latch Seat 140675 Strap, Asm Fender 74760612 Bolt 3/8-16 x 3/4 73800600 Nut, Lock W/Ins.
  • Page 40: Wheels And Tires

    TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 DECALS KEY PART KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 435286 Decal, Warning 426593 Decal, MWR 442517 Label EPA 166960 Decal Bypass 441122 Decal, Fender 400981X428 Pad Footrest RH 441124 Decal, Hood 193226X428...
  • Page 41: Engine Breakdown

    TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 KOHLER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER SV725, TYPE NUMBER 3025 BLOWER HOUSING & BAFFLES 32 096 09-S 32 314 05-S 32 027 08-S 32 027 15-S 32 096 08-S M-545016-S 32 096 14-S 32 027 03-S M-645016-S...
  • Page 42 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 KOHLER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER SV725, TYPE NUMBER 3025 25 237 14-S HEAD/VALVE/BREATHER 32 318 08-S 32 326 06-S 32 318 13-S 32 326 07-S 32 318 01-S 32 318 05-S M-547050-S 25 237 01-S 12 755 03-S...
  • Page 43 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 KOHLER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER SV725, TYPE NUMBER 3025 OIL PAN/LUBRICATION 24 043 12-S 12 380 01-S 32 086 01-S 32 393 10-S 25 139 57-S 32 199 02-S 32 199 09-S 32 199 04-S 24 448 02-S...
  • Page 44 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 KOHLER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER SV725, TYPE NUMBER 3025 CRANKCASE FUEL SYSTEM 32 755 04-S 32 853 18-S 32 853 17-S 32 853 15-S 32 853 12-S 32 853 11-S 32 853 03-S 32 853 04-S...
  • Page 45 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 KOHLER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER SV725, TYPE NUMBER 3025 ENGINE CONTROLS 25 158 08-S 24 089 01-S 24 079 04-S M-641060-S 24 090 33-S 24 090 51-S 24 211 03-S 24 089 03-S 25 158 11-S...
  • Page 46 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 KOHLER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER SV725, TYPE NUMBER 3025 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION FUEL SYSTEM GROUP 8-32-35 HEAD/VALVE/BREATHER 4-32-4 32 853 25-S KIT, CARBURETOR 12 755 03-S KIT, RETAINER M-629105-S STUD, M6X1.0X106 USE 25 072 25-S 1...
  • Page 47 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 KOHLER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER SV725, TYPE NUMBER 3025 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION ENGINE CONTROLS GROUP 9-32-1 IGNITION/ELECTRICAL 5-32-34 24 211 03-S BOLT, RD HD SQ NECK M6X1.0X25 25 132 16-S PLUG, SPARK 24 090 51-S...
  • Page 48 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 TUFFTORQ TRANSAXLE - - MODEL NUMBER K46BT MODEL K46BT 7A646084180 ACTUAL PARTS MAY NOT APPEAR AS SHOWN...
  • Page 49 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.601280 TUFFTORQ TRANSAXLE - - MODEL NUMBER K46BT PART DESCRIPTION 414395 VENT VALVE 15 414396 MAGNET 414397 MAGNET HOLDER 415923 PUMP SHAFT/BEARING KIT 414398 BYPASS LEVER 414399 SEALING CAP 30 414400 SNAP RING C 35...
  • Page 50: Warranty

    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. The relevant Warranty Period commences on the original date of purchase.
  • Page 52 07.26.11 BD Printed in the U.S.A.

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