Craftsman 944.603620, Operator'S Manual

Page 1: ... 42 AUTOMATIC TR LAW TRACTOR Assembly Operation Maintenance Service and Adjustments Gasoline containing up to 10 ethanol El0 is acceptable for use in this machine The use of any gasoline exceeding 10 ethanol El0 will void the product warranty As rated by the engine manufacturer Sears Canada inc Toronto Ontario MSB 2B8 01 25 13 BD 584439332 PRINTED IN THE U S A ...

Page 2: ...move keys before dismounting Disengage blades when not mowing Shut off engine and wait for all parts to come to a complete stop before cleaning the machine removing the grass catcher or unclogging the discharge chute Operate machine only in daylight or good artificial light Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing ro...

Page 3: ...ler and refuel it on the ground If this is not possible then refuel such equipment with a portable container rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container opening at all times until fueling is complete Do not use a nozzle lock open device If fuel is spilled on clothing change clothing immediately Never overfill fuel tank Replace ...

Page 4: ...greement is available on this product Contact your nearest Sears store for details CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES Read and observe the safety rules Follow a regular schedule in maintaining caring for and using your tractor Follow the instructions inthe Maintenance and Storage sections of this manual Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment PPE while operating this machine including at a minimum sturdy...

Page 5: ...long dotted lines on all four panels of carton Remove end panels and lay side panels flat Check for any additional loose parts or cartons and remove BEFORE REMOVING TRACTOR FROM SKID CHECK BATTERY See Fig 1 Lift seat to raised position NOTE If this battery is put into service after month and year indicated on label label is located between terminals charge battery for minimum of one hour at 6 10 a...

Page 6: ...ee TO CHECK BRAKE in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual Vf CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU OPERATE YOUR NEW TRACTOR WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS QUALITY PRODUCT PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIS 17 All assembly instructions have been completed No remaining loose parts in carton Battery is properly prepared and charged Seat is adjusted c...

Page 7: ...result in serious injury or death The safety alert symbol is used to identify safety inform ation about hazards which can result in death serious injury and or property damage DANGER indicates a hazard which if not avoided will result in death or serious injury WARNING indicates a hazard which if not avoided could result in death or serious injury CAUTION indicates a hazard which if not avoided mi...

Page 8: ...edal into the brake position D THROTTLE CHOKE CONTROL Used for starting and controlling engine speed E ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER Used to engage the mowerblades or otherattachments mountedtoyourtractor F IGNITION SWITCH Used for starting and stopping the engine G REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM ROS ON POSiTiON Allows operation of mower or other powered attachment while in reverse H LIGHT SWITCH Turns the he...

Page 9: ...N OTHER THAN STOP WILL CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE AND GO DEAD NOTE Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running hot engine exhaust gases may cause browning of grass To eliminate this possibility always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas CAUTION Always stop tractor corn pletely as described above and set parking brake before leaving the opera tot ...

Page 10: ... grass over 6 in height should be mowed twice Make the first cut relatively high the second to desired height TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS See Fig 9 Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain conditions NOTE Adjust gau...

Page 11: ...opriate drive pedal toslowestsetting Make all turns slowly TO TRANSPORT See Figs 3 12 When pushing or towing your tractor be sure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position Free wheel control is located at the rear drawbar of tractor Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment lift control Pull freewheel control out and down into the slot and rele...

Page 12: ...n Sit on seat in operating position depress brake pedal and set parking brake Move attachment clutch to DISENGAGED position Move throttle control to choke position NOTE Before starting read the warm and cold starting procedures below Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to START position and release key as soon as engine starts Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen secon...

Page 13: ... half 1 2 speed Disengage parking brake 8 Drive tractor forward for approximately five feet then backwards for five feet Repeat this driving procedure three times Your transmission is now purged and now ready for normal operation MOWING TIPS DO NOT use tire chains when the mower housing is attached to tractor Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance See TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING i...

Page 14: ...MMENDATIONS The warranty on this tractor does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence To receive full value from the warranty operator must maintain tractor as instructed in this manual Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your tractor At least once a season check to see if you should make any of the adjustments described in the S...

Page 15: ...switch in the ROS ON position and the attachment clutch engaged any attempt by the operator to shift into reverse should NOT shut off the engine ROS ON POSITION ENGINE ON POSITION NORMAL OPERATING Fig 14 BLADE CARE For best results mower blades must be kept sharp Replace bent or damaged blades CAUTION Use onlya replacement bladeap proved by the manufacturer of your tractor Using a blade not approv...

Page 16: ...PI service symbol shown at left with SJ CF ENERGY CONSERVING or Q higher is an acceptable oil at all temperatures Use of synthetic oil does not alter required oil change intervals Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one year Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each eight 8 hours of operat...

Page 17: ...becomes clogged obstructing fuel flow to carburetor replacement is required With engine cool remove filter and plug fuel line sec tions Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow pointing towards carburetor Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline LAMP FUEL FILTER Fig 18 CLEANING e e Clean engine battery seat fi...

Page 18: ... re start the engine and place the throttle lever in the Fast _y position IMPORTANT Recheck the area to ensure the area isclear Ensure no children are in the area while cleaning the deck 6 Move the tractor s attachment clutch control to the ENGAGED position Remain in the operator s position with the cutting deck engaged until the deck is cleaned 7 Move the tractor s attachment clutch control to th...

Page 19: ...nect mower suspension arm A from chassis pin B and rear lift link C from rear mower bracket D remove retainer springs and washers CAUTION AFTER REAR LiFT LINKS ARE DISCONNECTED THE ATTACH MENT LiFT LEVER WiLL BE SPRING LOADED HAVE ATIGHT GRiP ON LiFT LEVER WHEN CHANGING POSiTiON OF THE LEVER Slide mower out from under right side of tractor iMPORTANT IF AN ATTACHMENT OTHER THAN THE MOWER IS TO BE M...

Page 20: ...r and retainer spring Fig 23 Fig 24 Hook end of clutch cable spring Q into hole in idler arm R Push clutch cable housing guide P into bracket slide collar L onto guide and secure with retainer spring K Install belt on engine pulley M in belt keepers G ATTACH FRONT LINK E Work from left side of trac tor Insert rod end of link assembly through front hole in tractor front suspension bracket F Fig 25 ...

Page 21: ...me on both sides If adjustment is necessary see step in Visual Adjust ment instructions above Recheck measurements adjust if necessary until both sides are equal FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT See Figs 29 30 iMPORTANT Deck must be level side to side To obtain the best cutting results the mower blades should be adjusted so the front tip is 1 8 to 1 2 lower than the rear tip when the mower is in its highe...

Page 22: ...d If the rear wheels rotate then the brake needs to be serviced Contact a qualified service center 22 TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT See Fig 32 Park the tractor on level surface Engage parking brake For assistance there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest BELT REMOVAL Remove mower See TO REMOVE MOWER section in this manual NOTE Observe entire motion drive belt and posi...

Page 23: ...ure IMPORTANT YOURTRACTOR IS EQUIPPEDWITHA 12VOLT SYSTEM THE OTHER VEHICLE MUST ALSO BE A 12 VOLT SYSTEM DO NOTUSEYOURTRACTOR BATTERYTOSTART OTHER VEHICLES TO ATTACH JUMPER CABLES Connect one end of the RED cable to the POSITIVE terminal of each battery A B taking care not to short against tractor chassis Connect one end ofthe BLACK cable to the NEGATIVE terminal C of fully charged battery Connect...

Page 24: ...EMOVAL REPLACEMENT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement it should be purged after reinstallation and before operatingthetractor See PURGETRANSMISSION in the Operation section of this manual ENGINE TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE The throttle control has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary If adjustment is nec essary see engine manual TO...

Page 25: ...NTIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS CARBURETOR FUEL FILTER FUEL HOSE OR TANK DURING STORAGE ALSO EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL BLENDED FUELS CALLED GASOHOL OR USING ETHANOL OR METHANOL CAN ATTRACT MOISTURE WHICH LEADS TO SEPARATION AND FORMATION OFACIDS DURING STORAGE ACIDIC GAS CAN DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE Empty the fuel tank by starting the engine and let it run until...

Page 26: ...E in Operation section 3 Wait several minutes before attempting to start 4 Replace spark plug 5 Clean replace air filter 6 Replace fuel filter 7 Empty fuel tank and carburetor refill tank with fresh gasoline and replace fuel filter 8 Check all wiring 9 Contact an authorized service center department 1 Clean replace air filter 2 Replace spark plug 3 Recharge or replace battery 4 Replace fuel filter...

Page 27: ...during shipment or servicing 5 Axle key missing 1 Engine throttle control not set between half and full speed fast position before stopping engine 1 Reverse operation system ROS is not ON while mower or other attachment is engaged 1 Check wiring switches and connections If not corrected contact an authorized service center department CAUTION DO NOT machine until operate problem is corrected 1 Repl...

Page 28: ...CH REMEDY SHALL BE YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES In additional to complying with all suggested maintenance guidelines and instructions customers obligations shall include but shall not be limited to operating the product in accordance with the owner s manual or any additional instructions or information provided at the time of purchase or in su...

Page 29: ...es greater than 15 degrees Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes 1 Fold this page along dotted line indicated above 2 Hold page before you so that its left edge is vertically parallel to a tree trunk or other upright structure 3 Sight across the fold in the direction of hill slope you want to measure 4 Compare the angl...

Page 30: ...nt parts accessories and owner s manuals that you need to do it yourself WWW Sear S C8 To purchase or inquire about a Sears Maintenance Agreement call 1 800 361 6665 9 a m 11p m Mon Fri EST 9 a m 4 p m Sat Pour service en frangais 1 800 LE FOYER Mc 1 800 533 6937 WWW SearS C8 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiii_i i _ii_iiii _i TM Trademarks of Sears Brands Management Corporation used under license by Sea...