14
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher 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.
GEAR CASE
• To keep your drive system working
properly, the gear case and area around
the drive should be kept clean and free
of trash build-up. Clean under the drive
cover twice a season.
• The gear case is fi lled with lubricant to
the proper level at the factory. The only
time the lubricant needs attention is if
service has been performed on the gear
case.
ENGINE
Maintenance, repair, or replacement of
the emission control devices and systems,
which are being done at the customers ex-
pense, may be performed by any non-road
engine repair establishment or individual.
Warranty repairs must be performed by an
authorized engine manufacturer’s service
outlet.
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classifi cation SG–SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
NOTE
: Before tipping lawn mower to
drain oil, empty fuel tank by running en-
gine 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 oil fi ll cap/dipstick; 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.
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.
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Fill engine with oil. Slowly pour oil
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.
Container
Oil fi ll cap /
dipstick
Lower
mark
Upper
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.
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 fi ll cap/
dipstick before starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wire to spark
plug.
19
Loss of power
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.
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
qualifi
ed
service
centre.
Starter rope
1. Engine fl ywheel brake is on
1. Depress control bar to
hard to pull
when control bar is released.
upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualifi
ed
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 fi lling
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 lawn mower
2. Raise rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
housing one (1) setting
dragging in grass.
higher.
3. Grass catcher too full.
3. Empty grass catcher.
4. Handle height position not
4. Adjust handle height to suit.
right for you.
Loss of drive
1. Belt wear.
1. Check/replace drive belt.
or slowing of
2. Belt off of pulley.
2. Check/reinstall drive belt.
drive speed
3. Drive cable worn or broken.
3. Replace drive cable.
4. “Loose” drive control system. 4. Adjust drive control.
PROBLEM CAUSE
CORRECTION
TROUBLESHOOTING - See appropriate section in manual unless directed
to a Sears Parts & Repair Centre.
