16
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire 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
first. Spark plug type and gap setting
are shown in the “PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA-
TIONS” section of this manual.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT:
For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-grass
and trash. Clean the underside of your
mower after each use.
CAUTION:
Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with plug.
• Clean the underside of your lawn
mower by scraping to remove build-up
of grass and trash.
• Clean engine often to keep trash from
accumulating. A clogged engine runs
hotter and shortens engine life.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free
of all gasoline, oil, etc.
• With the exception of the water washout
port (if equipped), we do not recom-
mend using a garden hose to clean the
outside of your lawn mower unless the
elec tri cal system, muffler, air filter and
carburetor are covered to keep water
out. Water in engine can result in short-
ened engine life.
WATER WASHOUT FEATURE
Your lawn mower is equipped with a fitting
that allows quick and easy cleaning of
the underside of the housing. To use this
feature, proceed as follows:
1. Move lawn mower to an area of cut
grass or another hard surface.
NOTE:
Water, grass and other debris will
drain from beneath the mower housing
during the washout process.
2. Remove grass catcher and discharge
chute assembly from lawn mower.
3. Close mulcher door (if equipped).
4. Connect a garden hose to the fitting
where shown.
IMPORTANT:
Be sure the garden hose is
not routed under the lawn mower housing
or entangled in the wheels.
5. Turn on water supply and check for
leaks at the fitting.
If no leaks are present, start engine (as
described in the Operation section of
this manual) and let engine run until the
underside of the lawn mower is clean.
WARNING:
Do not engage the drive
system during the washout process.
6. Shut off the engine.
7. Shut off water supply and remove
hose from fitting.
CAUTION:
Do not remove hose from
fitting while engine is running. Water in
engine can result in shortened engine life.
8. Start engine (as described in the Op-
eration section of this manual) and let
engine run for a full minute to remove
excess water from mower.
Hose
Fitting
CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER
Clean under drive cover at least twice a
season. Scrape underside of cover with
putty knife or similar tool to remove any
build-up of trash or grass on underside of
drive cover.
17
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS
WARNING:
To avoid serious injury,
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 wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
LAWN MOWER
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
See “TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT” in
the Operation sec tion of this manual.
REAR DEFLECTOR
The rear deflector, attached between the
rear wheels of your mower, is provided to
minimize the possibility that objects will
be thrown out of the rear of the mower
into the operator mowing position. Re-
place the deflector if dam aged.
DRIVE BELT
If your mower does not operate properly
due to suspected drive belt problems,
take your mower to a Sears or other
qualified service center for repair and/or
ad just ment.
ENGINE
ENGINE SPEED
Your engine speed has been factory set.
CARBURETOR
Your carburetor is not adjustable.
IMPORTANT:
Never tamper with the
engine governor, which is factory set
for proper engine speed. Over speed-
ing 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
equip ment and ex pe ri ence to make any
nec es sary adjustments.
Operator presence
control bar
(MOVE FORWARD
TO UNLOCK)
Handle
TO ADJUST HANDLE
The upper handle may be adjusted to
three (3) different height positions.
1. Move operator presence control bar
forward to unlock the handle.
2. Lift handle to desired adjustment posi-
tion.
