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18

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 
qualifi ed service center, which has proper 
equip ment and ex pe ri ence to make any 
nec es sary adjustments.

ENGINE

ENGINE SPEED

Your engine speed has been factory set. 

CARBURETOR

Your carburetor is not adjustable.

STORAGE

Immediately prepare your lawn mower for storage at the end of the season or if the unit 
will not be used for 30 days or more.

LAWN MOWER

When lawn mower is to be stored for a 
period of time, clean it thor oughly, remove 
all dirt, grease, leaves, etc.  Store in a 
clean, dry area.
1.  Clean entire lawn mower (See 

“CLEANING” in the Maintenance sec-
tion of this manual).

2.  Lubricate as shown in the Main te nance 

section of this manual.

3.  Be sure that all nuts, bolts, screws, and 

pins are securely fas tened.  Inspect 
moving parts for damage, breakage 
and wear.  Replace if necessary.

4.  Touch up all rusted or chipped paint 

surfaces; sand lightly before painting.

HANDLE 

You can fold your han dle for storage.
1.  Loosen the two (2) handle knobs on 

sides of the upper handle and allow 
handle to fold down to the rear.

2.  Remove the two (2) handle knobs and 

carriage bolts on sides of the lower handle 
and pivot entire handle as sem bly forward 
and allow it to rest on mower.

3.  Reinstall knobs and carriage bolts to 

lower handle / handle brackets for safe 
keeping.

•  When setting up your handle from 

the storage position, lower han dle will 
require manually locking into mowing 
position.

IMPORTANT:

  When folding the handle 

for storage or transportation, be sure to 
fold the handle as shown or you may dam-
age the control cables.

FOLD
FORWARD
FOR
STORAGE

MOWING 

POSITION

Lower handle

Operator 
presence 
control bar

Upper 

handle

Handle 

knob

Handle
bracket 

Knob

Bolt

15

GRASS CATCHER

•  The grass catcher may be hosed with 

water, but must be dry when used.

•  Check your grass catcher often for dam-

age or de te ri o ra tion.  Through normal 
use it will wear.  If catcher needs replac-
ing, replace only with ap proved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts 
section of this manual.  Give the lawn 
mower model number when ordering.

GEAR CASE 

•  To keep your drive system working 

properly, the gear case and area around 
the drive should be kept clean and free 
of trash build-up.  Clean under the drive 
cover twice a season.

•  The gear case is fi lled with lubricant to 

the proper level at the factory.  The only 
time the lubricant needs attention is if 
service has been performed on the gear 
case.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated 
with API service classifi cation SG–SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade 
according to your expected operating 
temperature.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE

:  Before tipping lawn mower to 

drain oil, empty fuel tank by running en-
gine until fuel tank is empty.
1.  Disconnect spark plug wire from spark 

plug and place wire where it cannot 
come in contact with plug.

2.  Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a 

clean surface.

3.  Tip lawn mower on its side as shown 

and drain oil into a suitable container. 
Rock lawn mower back and forth to re-
move any oil trapped inside of engine.

NOTE:

  Although multi-viscosity oils 

(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in 
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will 
result in increased oil consumption when 
used above 32°F. Check your engine oil 
level more frequently to avoid possible 
engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of 
operation or at least once a year if the 
lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in 
one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before 
starting the engine and after each fi ve (5) 
hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug 
securely each time you check the oil level.

4.  Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn 

mower or side of engine.

5.  Slowly pour oil down the oil fi ll spout, 

stopping every few ounces to check 
the oil level with the dipstick.

6.  Stop adding oil when you reach the 

FULL mark on the dipstick.  Wait a 
minute to allow oil to settle.

7.  Continue adding small amounts of oil, 

rechecking the dipstick until oil level 
settles at FULL.  DO NOT overfi ll, or 
engine will smoke heavily from the 
muffl er on startup.

8.  Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick 

before starting engine.

9. Re 

con nect spark plug wire to spark 

plug.

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

-20 0 30 40 

80 

100 

-30 

-20 0  20 30 

40 

 

F

 

C

32 

-10 

10 

60 

5W-30

SAE 30

Container

Summary of Contents for 944.364280

Page 1: ...Model No 944 364280 CAUTION Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment Owner s Manual ROTARY LAWN MOWER 725 Series Briggs Stratton Engine Power Propelled 22 Multi Cut Sears Canada Inc Toronto Ontario M5B 2B8 ...

Page 2: ...materialagainst a wall or obstruction Material may richo chet back toward the operator Stop blade when crossing gravel surfaces Do not operate the mower without proper guards plates grass catcher or other safety protective devices in place See manufacturer s instructions for prop er operation and installation of accesso ries Only use accessories approved by the manufacturer Stop the blade s when c...

Page 3: ...earing protection Do not mow in shorts or open toed footwear Always let someone know you are outside mowing III SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip fall accidents which can result in severe injury All slopes require extra caution If you feel uneasy on a slope do not mow it DO Mow across the face of slopes never up and down Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on s...

Page 4: ...L RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY FROM PROVINCE TO PROVINCE IN NO EVENT SHALL SEARS BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL SPECIAL INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE MISUSE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT THE EXCLUSIONS IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOTAPPLY IN JURISDICATIONS WHERE APPLICABLE LAW DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM...

Page 5: ...utional professional or income producing purposes Wear items include but are not limited to belts blades tires spark plugs air filters chains shear bolts skid plates scraper bars drift cutters ropes tines collection bags and pulleys As the Warranty Period runs from the date of purchase and NOT from the date that a product is delivered opened assembled or first used plea se ensure during this time ...

Page 6: ...n thoroughly for additional loose parts HOW TO SET UP YOUR MOWER TO UNFOLD HANDLE IMPORTANT Unfold handle carefully so as not to pinch or damage control cables 1 Raise handles until lower handle sec tion locks into place in mowing posi tion 2 Remove protective padding raise up per handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both handle knobs 3 Remove handle padding holding operator prese...

Page 7: ...hipped ready to be used as a mulcher To convert mower to bagging or discharging see TO CON VERT MOWER in the Operation section of this manual INTRODUCING THE PREMIUM BAGGING BLADE For people who bag their clippings there is a new Premium Bagging Blade This accessory provides More efficient bagging Fewer clippings left on your lawn Better performance with leaves and heavy grass When you want better...

Page 8: ...ntrol bar Engine oil cap with dipstick Air filter Gasoline filler cap Housing Mulcher door Starter handle Spark plug IMPORTANT This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine NOTE Gasoline containing up to 10 ethanol E10 is acceptable for use in this machine The use of any gasoline exceeding 10 ethanol E10 will void the product warranty Muffler 25 CRAFTSMAN ROTARY LAWN MOWER MODEL...

Page 9: ...is best for most lawns To change cutting height squeeze ad juster lever toward wheel Move wheel up or down to suit your requirements Be sure all wheels are in the same set ting NOTE Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts into hole in lever Also 9 position adjusters if so equipped allow lever to be positioned between the plate tabs TO CONVERT MOWER Your lawn mower was shipped ready ...

Page 10: ...nob Pushnut 36 175735 Hinge Bracket Assembly 38 419942X428 Discharge Defl ector 39 585900702 Handle Bracket LH 40 585900802 Handle Bracket RH 41 150406 Bolt Engine 42 193000 Spring Torsion 43 191730 Nut Hex Nylock 44 581708319 Kit Lawn Mower Housing 45 175650 Rod Hinge 46 581473301 Blade Adapter Pulley 47 586179801 Blade 22 Standard Mulching 580244001 Blade 22 Premium Bagging 48 851074 Washer Hard...

Page 11: ...al oil fill requires only 18 oz due to residual oil in engine from the manufacturers 100 quality testing When changing oil you may need 20 oz 4 Insert and tighten dipstick IMPORTANT Check oil level before each use Add oil if needed Fill to full line on dipstick Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season You may need to change the oil more often under dusty dirty conditions See...

Page 12: ... most cut ting conditions the engine speed should be set in the FAST position Pores in cloth grass catchers can become filled with dirt and dust with use and catchers will collect less grass To prevent this regularly hose catcher off with water and let dry before using Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff This will help engine air flow and extend engine li...

Page 13: ...operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures 2 Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions 3 Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil 4 Charge 48 hours at end of season 5 And after each 5 hours of use if so equipped Electric Start mowers Power Propelled mowers Use a scraper to clean under deck MAINTENANCE GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The warranty on this lawn...

Page 14: ...empt to sharpen while on the mower To check blade balance you will need a 5 8 diameter steel bolt pin or a cone balancer When using a cone balancer follow the instructions supplied with balancer NOTE Do not use a nail for balancing blade The lobes of the center hole may appear to be centered but are not Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt or pin and hold the bolt or pin paral...

Page 15: ...own in the Repair Parts section of this manual Give the lawn mower model number when ordering GEAR CASE To keep your drive system working properly the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free of trash build up Clean under the drive cover twice a season The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory The only time the lubricant needs attention is i...

Page 16: ...lug type and gap setting are shown in the PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS section of this manual 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 Fuel Filter Clamp Clamp 17 SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS WARNING To avoid serious injury before performing any service...

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