This document is an owner's manual for a Sears Craftsman 18" Mulching Mower, Model No. C935-355170, published in July 2006. It covers assembly, operating instructions, replacement parts, and warranty information.
Function Description:
The Sears Craftsman 18" Mulching Mower is an electric lawnmower designed for consumer use, primarily for mulching or discharging grass clippings. Its main function is to cut grass and either finely chop the clippings for nutrient return to the lawn (mulching mode) or discharge them to the side. The mower incorporates safety features to reduce the risk of blade contact injuries, such as dead man controls and blade braking that stops the blade within 3 seconds of releasing the control handle. It also features an operator zone starting mechanism to prevent accidental restarts when the user is too close to the cutter blade. The mower is double insulated, eliminating the need for grounding and allowing the use of two-prong extension cords.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Model Number: C935-355170
- Mower Type: 18" Mulching Mower
- Power Source: Electric, 120 Volts
- Insulation: Double Insulated (two separate layers of electrical insulation)
- Plug Type: Polarized two-prong plug
- Cutting Height Range: 1" - 3-1/2" (with six increments)
- Blade Stop Time: Within 3 seconds of control handle release
- Deck Material: Resin (lifetime warranty on the deck)
- Extension Cord Requirements: Round jacketed, U.L. and C.S.A. listed for outdoor use. Minimum AWG (American Wire Gauge) depends on total cord length and ampere rating (e.g., 18 AWG for 0-10 Amps up to 50 ft, 16 AWG for 0-12 Amps up to 100 ft).
Usage Features:
- Assembly: The mower requires assembly of the upper and lower handles, discharge chute, and attachment of the power cord. The handle assembly involves fastening upper and lower handle halves with an eye bolt, bolt, and wing nuts, ensuring the power cord and switch are on the same side as the discharge area. Shroud hole covers are installed to secure the handle.
- Mulching Mode: The mower is designed to re-cut grass clippings into short lengths, which biodegrade quickly and provide nutrients to the lawn. No further assembly is required for mulching.
- Discharge Mode: For discharging clippings, the discharge chute needs to be installed. This involves opening the mulch door, aligning the chute with positioning arrows on the deck, and securing it under the deck hooks.
- Switch Operation: The mower is operated by inserting a finger into an opening, pushing the switch lever out, grasping it with the other hand, and pulling it back against the handle to turn the unit on. Releasing the lever turns the mower off.
- Cutting Height Adjustment: Features a single-lever wheel height adjust system that simultaneously adjusts all four wheels. The height can be set from 1" to 3-1/2" in six increments. Adjusting the handle towards the front lowers the cut height, while rotating it towards the rear raises it.
- Mowing Tips:
- Set mower at highest cutting height for rough ground or tall weeds.
- Avoid mowing wet grass to prevent clumping.
- For best results, cut only the top third of grass blades.
- For overgrown lawns, increase cutting height to reduce motor overload.
- For heavy mulching, use narrower cuts and mow slowly.
- Change cutting patterns weekly (e.g., north-south one week, east-west next week) to prevent matting and graining.
- Mow across slopes, not up-and-down, and exercise caution when changing direction.
- Release the switch to turn the mower off when crossing graveled areas.
- Always maintain good footing.
- Extension Cord Management: The manual provides instructions for attaching the extension cord to the mower, looping it through the switch housing, and securing it with a strain relief tab. It also advises on proper cord placement during mowing to keep it out of the mower's path.
- Safety Precautions: Emphasizes wearing safety glasses or eye shields, removing debris from the cutting area, not attempting to circumvent safety features, and unplugging the mower before any adjustments, maintenance, or when leaving it unattended. It warns against using sharp objects to move jacketed wires and not to operate the mower if it vibrates abnormally.
Maintenance Features:
- Pre-Operation Checks: Before each mowing session, unplug the mower, ensure the blade has stopped, and check all nuts, bolts, and screws for proper tightness, including the blade fastening system.
- Cleaning: Inspect and thoroughly clean the mower at the beginning of each mowing season. Periodically, turn the mower off, unplug it, and turn it on its side to wipe out accumulated grass in the blade area and around the discharge/mulch door area using a stick or rag.
- Blade Removal and Attachment: Instructions are provided for safely removing and attaching the blade, using a piece of wood to prevent it from turning.
- Blade Sharpening and Balancing: The manual details how to sharpen the blade with a fine-tooth file or sharpening stone and how to check its balance by placing the center hole over a nail or screwdriver shank. Material should be filed off the heavier end until balanced.
- Lubrication: No lubrication is necessary for the mower or its wheels, as they have plastic bearing surfaces that require no lubrication.
- Corrosion Prevention: Clean the tool immediately after use in areas where fertilizers or garden chemicals have been used, as these agents accelerate metal corrosion. Wipe exposed parts with a damp cloth and lubricate metal parts with light petroleum-based oil.
- Storage: Instructions for removing the handle for compact storage are provided. The mower should be stored under cover, away from fertilizers or chemicals, and cleaned before storage. It should not be immersed in water or cleaned with a hose or pressure washer.
Warranty:
- Standard Warranty: Two (2) years from the date of purchase, Sears Canada Inc. will repair or replace defective parts due to material or workmanship free of charge.
- Extended Deck Warranty: Lifetime warranty on the resin deck, including parts and labor.
- Commercial or Rental Use: 90-day warranty.
- Exclusions: Expendable items (e.g., blades), repairs due to operator abuse or negligence (e.g., striking objects, failure to maintain), and in-home service.
- Service: Available by returning the mower to the nearest Sears Service Centre/Department in Canada.
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