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.
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