10
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20
0
30
40
80
100
-30
-20
0
20
30
40
F
C
32
-10
10
60
5W-30
SAE 30
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE
: We do not recommend
sharp en ing blade - but if you do, be sure
the blade is balanced.
Care should be taken to keep the blade
balanced. An un bal anced blade will
cause eventual damage to lawn mower or
engine.
• The blade can be sharp ened with a file
or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, drive a nail into
a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of
the straight nail ex posed. Place center
hole of blade over the head of the nail.
If blade is balanced, it should remain in
a horizontal position. If either end of the
blade moves downward, sharpen the
heavy end until the blade is balanced.
GRASS CATCHER
(If purchased as an accesssory)
• The grass catch er may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for dam-
age or de te ri o ra tion. Through normal
use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-
ing, replace only with ap proved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual. Give the lawn
mower model number when ordering.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SG–SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°F. Check your engine oil
level more frequently 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 five (5)
hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug
securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Be sure lawn mower is on level surface.
NOTE
: Oil will drain more freely when
warm. Catch oil in a suitable container.
3. Remove bottom oil drain plug.
4. After oil has drained completely, replace
oil drain plug and tighten securely.
5. Fill engine with oil. (See “ADD OIL” in
the Operation section of this manual).
6. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.
Drain plug
Blade
bolt
Crankshaft
keyway
Hardened
washer
Lockwasher
Blade adapter
Key
Blade
Trailing edge
Crankshaft
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may be
damaged by using a dirty air filter. Clean the
element after every 25 hours of operation or
every season. Replace the air filter every
100 hours of operation or every season,
whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner
more often under dusty conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER ELEMENT
1.
Remove screw.
2. Re
move air cleaner carefully to pre vent
dirt from en ter ing carburetor.
3. Take air cleaner apart and clean air
filter element.
4. Wash filter element in liquid de ter gent
and water.
5. Wrap filter element in cloth and
squeeze dry.
NOTE:
Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
15
Loss of power
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 filter.
3. Clean/replace air filter.
4. Buildup of grass, leaves,
4. Clean underside of mower
and trash under mower.
housing.
5. Too much oil in engine.
5. Check oil level.
6. Walking speed too fast.
6. Cut at slower walking speed.
Poor cut –
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
1. Replace blade. Tighten
uneven
blade
bolt.
2. Wheel heights uneven.
2. Set all wheels at same
height.
3. Buildup of grass, leaves
3. Clean underside of
and trash under mower.
mower housing.
Excessive
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
1. Replace blade. Tighten
vibration
blade
bolt.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service centre.
Starter rope
1. Engine flywheel brake is on 1. Depress control bar to
hard to pull
when control bar is released.
upper handle before
pulling the starter rope.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service centre.
3. Blade adapter broken.
3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Blade dragging in grass.
4. Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surface.
Grass catcher
1. Cutting height too low.
1. Raise cutting height.
not filling
2. Lift on blade worn off.
2. Replace blade.
(If so equipped)
3. Catcher not venting air.
3. Clean grass catcher.
Hard to push
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.
one (1) setting higher.
3. Grass catcher too full.
3. Empty grass catcher.
4. Handle height position not
4. Adjust handle height to suit.
right for you.
PROBLEM CAUSE
CORRECTION
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to a Sears Parts & Repair Centre.
