Craftsman 944.360080 - User Manual

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Summary

SAFETY RULES

GENERAL OPERATION

Detailed instructions for safe lawn mower operation, including handling controls and clearing the area.

SLOPE OPERATION

Precautions and advice for safely mowing on slopes to prevent accidents.

CHILDREN

Safety precautions regarding children's presence and interaction with the lawn mower.

SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Crucial safety guidelines for handling and storing gasoline to prevent fires and explosions.

GENERAL SERVICE

Safety precautions and best practices for performing maintenance and repairs on the mower.

ASSEMBLY AND PRE-OPERATION

HANDLE SETUP AND ATTACHMENTS

Steps for unfolding the handle and assembling the grass catcher or other attachments.

OPERATION GUIDE

MOWER CONTROLS AND SAFETY

Familiarization with mower controls, safety symbols, and CPSC requirements.

OPERATING PROCEDURES

Guidance on adjusting cutting height, drive control, and converting the mower.

STARTING AND MOWING TECHNIQUES

Steps for preparing, starting, stopping the engine, and effective mowing tips.

MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Chart of scheduled tasks and general advice for mower upkeep.

REPAIR PARTS AND SERVICE

GENERAL CARE AND BLADE SERVICE

Advice on tire/wheel care and procedures for blade maintenance and replacement.

TROUBLESHOOTING

COMMON OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS

Solutions for issues like loss of power, uneven cut, vibration, and starting difficulties.

DRIVE AND ACCESSORY ISSUES

Troubleshooting for drive speed, starter rope, and grass catcher filling problems.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS AND SERVICE

ENGINE FUEL, OIL, AND CYLINDER CARE

Details on fuel system, oil changes, cylinder lubrication, and other engine parts.

CLEANING AND ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING

Procedures for water washout, cleaning, and resolving common engine starting issues.

Summary

SAFETY RULES

GENERAL OPERATION

Detailed instructions for safe lawn mower operation, including handling controls and clearing the area.

SLOPE OPERATION

Precautions and advice for safely mowing on slopes to prevent accidents.

CHILDREN

Safety precautions regarding children's presence and interaction with the lawn mower.

SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE

Crucial safety guidelines for handling and storing gasoline to prevent fires and explosions.

GENERAL SERVICE

Safety precautions and best practices for performing maintenance and repairs on the mower.

ASSEMBLY AND PRE-OPERATION

HANDLE SETUP AND ATTACHMENTS

Steps for unfolding the handle and assembling the grass catcher or other attachments.

OPERATION GUIDE

MOWER CONTROLS AND SAFETY

Familiarization with mower controls, safety symbols, and CPSC requirements.

OPERATING PROCEDURES

Guidance on adjusting cutting height, drive control, and converting the mower.

STARTING AND MOWING TECHNIQUES

Steps for preparing, starting, stopping the engine, and effective mowing tips.

MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Chart of scheduled tasks and general advice for mower upkeep.

REPAIR PARTS AND SERVICE

GENERAL CARE AND BLADE SERVICE

Advice on tire/wheel care and procedures for blade maintenance and replacement.

TROUBLESHOOTING

COMMON OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS

Solutions for issues like loss of power, uneven cut, vibration, and starting difficulties.

DRIVE AND ACCESSORY ISSUES

Troubleshooting for drive speed, starter rope, and grass catcher filling problems.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS AND SERVICE

ENGINE FUEL, OIL, AND CYLINDER CARE

Details on fuel system, oil changes, cylinder lubrication, and other engine parts.

CLEANING AND ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING

Procedures for water washout, cleaning, and resolving common engine starting issues.

The device is a Craftsman Rotary Lawn Mower, Model No. 944.360080, featuring a 700 Series Briggs & Stratton Engine and a 22" Multi-Cut power-propelled system. This owner's manual provides comprehensive information on its operation, maintenance, and safety.

Function Description:

The Craftsman Rotary Lawn Mower is designed for cutting grass. It is a walk-behind, power-propelled machine capable of mulching, bagging, and side discharging grass clippings. The power-propelled feature assists the user in moving the mower forward, reducing physical effort. The 22" multi-cut blade system allows for efficient cutting and processing of grass.

Important Technical Specifications:

Model Number: 944.360080
Engine: 700 Series Briggs & Stratton Engine, 4-Cycle Internal Combustion Engine.
Cutting Width: 22 inches (Multi-Cut).
Propulsion: Power-Propelled.
Gasoline Capacity/Type: 1.5 Litres (Unleaded Regular, minimum 87 octane).
Oil Capacity: 0.58 Litres.
Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 0°C/32°F); SAE 5W-30 (below 0°C/32°F).
Spark Plug: Champion RJ19HX (Gap: 0.76 mm).
Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. lbs.
Engine Power Rating: The gross power rating is labeled in accordance with SAE code J1940 and J1995. Actual gross engine power may be lower due to ambient operating conditions, accessories, and application limitations.

Usage Features:

Controls:
- Operator Presence Control Bar: Must be held down to the handle to start and operate the engine. Releasing it stops the engine.
- Starter Handle: Used for starting the engine.
- Drive Control Lever: Engages the power-propelled forward motion. The further it's pulled toward the handle, the faster the unit travels. Releasing it stops forward motion.
- Wheel Adjuster: Located on each wheel, allows adjustment of cutting height.
- Mulcher Door: Allows conversion between mulching, bagging, and side discharging operations.
Starting: The engine is equipped with an automatic choke system, requiring no priming or choking. To start, hold the operator presence control bar down and pull the starter handle quickly.
Cutting Height Adjustment: Wheels can be raised for a low cut or lowered for a high cut. A medium position is recommended for most lawns. Adjuster levers allow easy changes.
Conversion Options:
- Mulching: The mower is shipped ready for mulching. The special mulching blade recuts clippings multiple times, dispersing them into the lawn as nutrients.
- Rear Bagging: Lift the rear door and place grass catcher frame hooks onto the grass bag brackets. The rear door remains open until the operator presence control bar is held down.
- Side Discharging: Close the rear door, open the mulcher door, and install the discharge deflector.
Mowing Tips:
- Avoid mowing wet grass to prevent clumping.
- Mow in the early afternoon for best results.
- Adjust cutting height to remove only the top one-third of grass blades.
- For heavy cutting, reduce width of cut or mow slowly.
- Change cutting patterns weekly to prevent matting and graining.
Handle Adjustment: The handle has three height positions for user comfort. It can also be folded for storage or transportation.
Water Washout Feature: A fitting on the housing allows for quick and easy cleaning of the underside of the mower by connecting a garden hose. The engine should be run briefly after washing to remove excess water.

Maintenance Features:

Maintenance Schedule: A detailed schedule outlines routine tasks:
- Before Each Use: Check for loose fasteners, engine oil level.
- After Each Use: Clean/inspect grass catcher, check tires, check drive wheels, clean lawn mower, clean under drive cover, check drive belt/pulleys, check/sharpen/replace blade.
- Every 10 Hours: Clean and recharge battery (if equipped).
- Every 25 Hours or Season: Change engine oil, clean air filter, inspect muffler.
- Every 100 Hours: Replace spark plug, replace air filter paper cartridge.
- Before Storage: Empty fuel system or add stabilizer.
Lubrication:
- Wheel adjusters and handle bracket mounting pins should be lubricated with spray lubricant.
- Engine oil level should be checked before each use and changed after every 25 hours or annually.
- Plastic wheel bearings should not be oiled or greased; if lubrication is necessary, use a dry, powdered graphite lubricant sparingly.
Engine Oil: Use high-quality detergent oil (API service classification SG-SL) with appropriate SAE viscosity grade based on operating temperature. The manual provides instructions for draining and refilling engine oil.
Fuel System: Emphasizes preventing gum deposits. Recommends emptying the fuel tank and running the engine dry before storage, or using a fuel stabilizer. The mower is equipped with a FRESH START™ fuel cap and continuous fuel preserver cartridge.
Air Filter: Replace the air filter cartridge every 100 hours or annually, or more often in dusty conditions. Instructions for cleaning the air filter are provided.
Spark Plug: Replace at the beginning of each mowing season or every 100 hours of operation.
Muffler: Inspect and replace corroded mufflers to prevent fire hazards.
Blade Care: The blade should be kept sharp and balanced. Instructions for removing, replacing, and sharpening the blade are provided, emphasizing the use of approved replacement parts and proper torque for the blade bolt.
Drive Wheels: Check regularly for free movement and clean any trash or grass cuttings.
Gear Case: Keep clean and free of debris. If lubricant is needed, use Texaco Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No. 750369.
Rear Deflector: Replace if damaged to ensure safety.
Storage: Thoroughly clean and lubricate the mower before storing. Ensure all nuts, bolts, screws, and pins are securely fastened. Touch up rusted or chipped paint. Fold the handle for compact storage.

Safety Rules:

The manual includes extensive safety rules, categorized into General Operation, Slope Operation, Children, Safe Handling of Gasoline, and General Service. Key safety points include:

Always wear safety goggles or glasses with side shields.
Keep hands and feet away from rotating parts and discharge opening.
Never pull the mower backward unless absolutely necessary.
Do not operate without proper guards, plates, or grass catcher.
Stop the engine before leaving the equipment, cleaning, or unclogging.
Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.
Exercise extreme caution on slopes, mowing across the face, not up and down.
Keep children out of the mowing area and never allow them to operate the machine.
Handle gasoline with extreme care: extinguish all ignition sources, use approved containers, do not refuel indoors or with the engine running, and do not overfill.
Disconnect the spark plug wire before making adjustments or repairs.
Never tamper with safety devices or change engine governor settings.
Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels.
A spark arrester is required for use on unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land.

The manual also includes a troubleshooting guide to help users identify and resolve common issues, or direct them to a Sears Parts & Repair Centre when necessary.