Craftsman 944.364490 - User Manual

Questions and Answers

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Fernando ReevesAug 2, 2025
Why my Craftsman 944.364490 Lawn Mower does not start?
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  Mike MurilloAug 3, 2025
  Your Craftsman Lawn Mower might not be starting due to several reasons: a dirty air filter (clean or replace it), lack of fuel (fill the fuel tank), stale or water-contaminated fuel (empty and refill with fresh gasoline). Also, check if the spark plug wire is disconnected (connect it), the spark plug is bad (replace it), the blade is loose or adapter broken (tighten or replace), the control bar is not depressed (depress it), the control bar is defective (replace it), the fuel valve is off (turn it on), the battery is weak (charge it), or the battery connector is disconnected (connect it).
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Luis MendozaAug 6, 2025
What to do if grass catcher is not filling on Craftsman Lawn Mower?
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  ulopezAug 6, 2025
  If the grass catcher on your Craftsman Lawn Mower isn't filling, it might be due to the cutting height being too low (raise the cutting height), the lift on the blade being worn off (replace the blade), or the catcher not venting air (clean the grass catcher).
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moorestevenAug 11, 2025
Why is my Craftsman 944.364490 losing power?
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  Zachary ThomasAug 11, 2025
  Loss of power in your Craftsman Lawn Mower can happen because the mower housing or blade is dragging in the grass (raise the cutting height), you are cutting too much grass (raise the cutting height), the air filter is dirty (clean or replace it), there's a buildup of grass under the mower (clean the underside), there is too much oil in the engine (check the oil level), or your walking speed is too fast (cut at a slower speed).
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Lindsey StanleyAug 15, 2025
What to do if my Craftsman 944.364490 Lawn Mower has excessive vibration?
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  Francisco EatonAug 16, 2025
  Excessive vibration in your Craftsman Lawn Mower may be due to a worn, bent, or loose blade (replace the blade and tighten the blade bolt). If that doesn't solve the problem, the engine crankshaft might be bent.
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lwillisAug 20, 2025
How to fix a poor and uneven cut with my Craftsman 944.364490?
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  Robert HaydenAug 20, 2025
  An uneven cut with your Craftsman Lawn Mower can be caused by a worn, bent, or loose blade (replace the blade and tighten the blade bolt), uneven wheel heights (set all wheels at the same height), or a buildup of grass under the mower (clean the underside of the mower housing).
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cjonesAug 23, 2025
Why is my Craftsman 944.364490 hard to push?
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  Patrick AllenAug 25, 2025
  If your Craftsman Lawn Mower is hard to push, it could be because the grass is too high or the wheel height is too low (raise the cutting height), the rear of the mower housing or blade is dragging in the grass (raise the rear of the mower housing), the grass catcher is too full (empty the grass catcher), or the handle height is not right for you (adjust the handle height).
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Michelle GilmoreAug 28, 2025
Why is the starter rope hard to pull on my Craftsman 944.364490 Lawn Mower?
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  Andrew AndersonAug 28, 2025
  A hard-to-pull starter rope on your Craftsman Lawn Mower can occur if the engine flywheel brake is engaged when the control bar is released (depress the control bar before pulling the rope), the blade adapter is broken (replace the blade adapter) or the blade is dragging in the grass (move the mower to cut grass or to hard surface). Also, the engine crankshaft might be bent.

This document is an owner's manual for a Craftsman Rotary Lawn Mower, model number 944.364490. It details the operation, maintenance, and safety procedures for a 5.5 horsepower, 21-inch Multi-Cut lawn mower.

Function Description:

The Craftsman Rotary Lawn Mower is designed for residential lawn care, offering mulching, rear bagging, and side discharging capabilities. Its primary function is to cut grass efficiently and safely. The "Multi-Cut" feature indicates its versatility in handling different grass conditions and discharge preferences. The mower is equipped with an operator presence control bar, which must be held down to the handle to start and operate the engine, and released to stop the engine, ensuring user safety.

Important Technical Specifications:

Model Number: 944.364490
Horsepower: 5.5 HP
Cutting Width: 21 inches
Gasoline Capacity / Type: 0.94 Litres (Unleaded Regular)
Oil Capacity: 0.5 Litres
Oil Type (API-SF-SJ): SAE 30 (above 0°C/32°F) or SAE 10W-30. Multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30, etc.) are recommended for cold weather starting.
Spark Plug (Gap): 0.76 mm (NGK BPR6ES)
Valve Clearance (± 0.04 mm): Intake: 0.015 mm; Exhaust: 0.020 mm
Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. lbs. (47-54 N-m)
Engine: Honda GCV160-AS3A (4-cycle engine)
Safety Compliance: Conforms to safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The blade turns when the engine is running.

Usage Features:

Starting: Requires the fuel valve to be in the ON position, choke lever in the ON position, and the operator presence control bar held down to the handle while pulling the starter handle. The choke lever automatically moves to the OFF position once the control bar is held down.
Stopping: Release the operator presence control bar. Turn the fuel valve to OFF if not restarting soon.
Cutting Height Adjustment: Features a 9-position adjuster on each wheel. To change height, squeeze the adjuster lever towards the wheel and move it up or down. Medium position is generally best for most lawns.
Conversion Options:
- Mulching: Shipped ready for mulching. Requires the rear door and mulcher door to be closed.
- Rear Bagging: Lift the rear door and place the grass catcher frame hooks onto the door pivot pins. The mulcher door must be closed.
- Side Discharging: Rear door must be closed. Open the mulcher door and install the discharge deflector.
Handle Adjustment: The handle can be adjusted to a high or low position for user comfort by repositioning the lower handle on the mounting pins. An "anti-fold" bracket on the upper handle prevents it from folding forward and damaging control cables.
Engine Speed: Factory set for optimum performance and is not adjustable by the user. Tampering with the engine governor or overspeeding the engine is dangerous.
Slope Operation: Mow across the face of slopes, not up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction. Avoid trimming near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments, and do not mow on wet or excessively steep slopes.
Mowing Tips:
- For mulching, always use the highest engine speed. Avoid mowing wet grass. Adjust cutting height to cut only the top one-third of grass blades. For overgrown or heavy grass, raise cutting height, reduce width of cut, or mow slowly.
- For heavy cutting or better bagging, set engine speed to FAST.
- Change cutting patterns weekly (e.g., north-south, then east-west) to prevent matting and graining.

Maintenance Features:

General: Read and follow all safety rules and instructions. Wear safety glasses during operation and maintenance. Disconnect the spark plug wire before any adjustments or repairs.
Oil: Shipped without oil. Fill with 0.5 Litres of SAE 30 or SAE 10W-30 oil. Check oil level before each use and every 5 hours of continuous use. Change oil after every 25 hours of operation or annually.
Gasoline: Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline. Empty the fuel tank and run the engine until fuel lines and carburetor are empty before storage of 30 days or longer, or use a fuel stabilizer.
Air Filter: Replace every 100 hours or annually, or more often in dusty conditions. Clean by gently tapping; replace if very dirty. Do not use petroleum solvents or pressurized air.
Spark Plug: Replace at the beginning of each mowing season or every 100 hours.
Blade Care: Keep the blade sharp and balanced. Replace bent or damaged blades. The manual provides instructions for removing and replacing the blade, but sharpening is not recommended for the user.
Grass Catcher: Hose off regularly to prevent dirt and dust build-up. Check for damage and deterioration.
Cleaning: Clean the underside of the mower housing after each use to prevent grass and trash build-up. Keep the engine clean to prevent overheating. Do not use a garden hose to clean the mower unless electrical components are covered.
Storage: Clean the mower thoroughly, lubricate, check all fasteners, and touch up rusted paint. Fold the handle for compact storage. Store in a clean, dry area. Do not store with gasoline in the tank near an open flame or spark.

Warranty:

A limited two-year warranty covers defective parts due to material or workmanship for residential use. For commercial or rental use, the warranty is 90 days. The warranty does not cover pre-delivery set-up, expendable items (blades, belts, air cleaners, spark plug), or repairs due to operator abuse, negligence, or failure to maintain the equipment per the manual. Warranty service is available at Sears Service Centres in Canada.