User Manual Craftsman CMXGRAM1130035 Lawn Mower

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Table of contents

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
ASSEMBLY
OPERATION
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
TROUBLESHOOTING

User Gudie Craftsman CMXGRAM1130035 Lawn Mower

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to slip and fall accidents, which can result in severe injury. Operation on slopes requires extra caution.
The machine is heavy and can speed up when going downhill. Be prepared to maintain control of the machine.
If you feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it. For your safety, use the slope gauge included as part of this manual to measure slopes before operating this machine on a sloped or hilly area. If the slope is greater than 15 degrees, do not mow it.

Do:

Mow across the face of slopes; never up and down to avoid loss of control.
Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes; turn uphill not down.
Watch for holes, ruts, rocks, hidden objects, or bumps which can cause you to slip or trip. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
Always be sure of your footing. A slip and fall can cause serious personal injury. If you feel you are losing your balance, release the blade control handle immediately and the blade will stop rotating within three (3) seconds.

Do Not:

Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches or embankments, because you could lose your footing or balance.
Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees as shown on the slope guide.
Do not mow on wet grass. Unstable footing could cause slipping.

TOWING

Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the hitch point.
Follow the manufacturers recommendation for weight limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes.
Never allow children or others in or on towed equipment.
On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may cause loss of traction and loss of control.

Safe Handling of Gasoline:

To avoid personal injury or property damage use extreme care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive.
Serious personal injury can occur when gasoline is spilled on yourself or your clothes which can ignite. Wash your skin and change clothes immediately.
Use only an approved gasoline container.
Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or trailer bed with a plastic liner. Always place containers on the ground away from your vehicle before filling.
Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible, then refuel such equipment on a trailer 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.
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.
Never fuel machine indoors because flammable vapors will accumulate in the area.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
Never over-fill fuel tank. To allow for expansion of the fuel, do not fill above the bottom of the fuel tank neck.
Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.
If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting engine.
After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine for any damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating.
Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the machine while the engine is running.
Grass catcher components and the discharge cover are subject to wear and damage which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and replace immediately with original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only, listed in this manual. Use of parts which do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!
Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. The governor controls the maximum safe operating speed of the engine.
Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as necessary.
Observe proper disposal laws and regulations for gas, oil, etc. to protect the environment.

ASSEMBLY

Opening Carton

Cut each corner of the carton vertically from top to bottom.
Remove all loose parts.
Remove loose packing material.

Contents of Hardware Pack

Before beginning installation, remove all the contents from the crate and all the hardware from the pack to make sure everything is present. Hardware is listed below. Part numbers are shown in parentheses.

Hitch Plate

Seat Mounting Bracket (with two shoulder bolts & lock nuts installed)

Removing Unit From Carton

Lift unit from the rear to detach it from underlying carton material and roll unit out of carton.
Check carton thoroughly for any other loose parts.
Loose Parts In Carton
Grass Catcher
Side Discharge Cover

Handle Setup

Remove any packing material which may be between upper and lower handles
Perform one of the following according to handles shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2: a. Handles with Knob and Carriage Bolts - Remove knob and carriage bolts. Do not loosen or remove adjacent hex head screws. See Figure 1.
While stabilizing mower so it doesn’t move, lift the upper handle up as shown in Figure
Do not crimp cable while lifting the handle up. NOTE: EZ-Fold handles only - When lifting the upper handle ensure the position indicator aligns with one of three handle positions. See Figure 3 inset.

Perform one of the following to secure the upper handle to the lower handle: a. Handles with Knob and Carriage Bolts - Reattach knobs and carriage bolts removed in Step 2a into lower holes of handle. See Figure 4.
Remove T-bolts from the handle brackets as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6
Follow the steps below to complete handle assembly:
Pull upward on the handle until holes in lower handle (shown in Figure 6 deck cutaway) line up with holes in handle bracket. See Figure 7.

NOTE:

When pulling upward on handle, make sure to not pull handle all the way out.
Insert the T-bolts removed in Step 2 through the handle brackets and lower handle and tighten securely to secure the handle in place. See Figure 7.

Attaching the Grass Catcher

Follow steps below to assemble the grass catcher. Make certain bag is turned right side out before assembling (warning label will be on the outside).
Place bag over frame so that its black plastic side is at the bottom.
Slip plastic channel of grass bag over hooks on the frame. See Figure 9.
Follow steps below to attach grass catcher: a. Lift rear discharge door.
Place grass catcher into the slots in the handle brackets as shown in Figure 10. Let go of discharge door so that it rests on the grass catcher.
To remove grass catcher, lift rear discharge door on the mower. Lift grass catcher up and off the slots in the handle brackets. Release rear discharge door to allow it to close rear opening of mower.

Attaching Side Discharge Cover

Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To convert to side discharge, make sure grass catcher is off of the unit and rear discharge door is closed.
On the side of the mower, lift the mulch cover. See Figure 11.
Slide two hooks of side discharge cover under hinge pin on mulching cover assembly. Lower mulching cover. Do not remove side mulching cover at any time, even when you are not mulching.

Mulch Cover

Side Discharge
Cover
Figure 11
Installing/Removing Battery Pack (if equipped)

WARNING

Read all safety warnings, instructions, and cautionary markings for the battery pack, charger and product. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

NOTE:

To ensure maximum performance and life of lithium-ion battery packs, charge the battery fully before first use.

IMPORTANT:

Refer to instructional manual supplied with battery charger for charging, maintenance and battery disposal instructions.

Checking The Oil Level

NOTE: Be sure to check the oil while on a level surface with the engine stopped.

Remove the oil filler cap/dipstick and wipe the dipstick clean.
Insert the dipstick into the oil filler neck. Turn the dipstick 1/4 turn into the locked position to fully seat. See Figure 16.
Remove dipstick to check the oil level.
If the level is low, slowly add oil until the reading is at the upper level on the dipstick. See Figure 16 inset.
Reinsert the dipstick and turn to locked position before starting the engine.

Oil Recommendations

Before starting engine, check oil level, capacity is 1700 ml/57.5 fl. oz. Refer to viscosity chart in Figure 3-1 for oil recommendations.
Do not over-fill. Use a stroke, or an equivalent high detergent, premium quality motor oil certified to meet or exceed U.S. automobile manufacturer’s requirements for service classification of a minimum level SJ (higher letter ratings are acceptable such as SL and SM grades). Motor oil will display this designation on the container.
SAE 10W-30 is recommended for general, all temperature use. If single viscosity oil is used, select the appropriate viscosity for the average temperature in your area from the chart below.

Adding Fuel

An adult should fuel this engine. NEVER allow children to refuel its engine.
Gasoline (fuel) vapors are highly flammable and can explode. Fuel vapors can spread and be ignited by a spark or flame many feet away from engine.
To prevent injury or death from fuel fires, follow these instructions:
DO NOT use leaded fuel.
Fuel must be fresh and clean. NEVER use fuel left over from last season or stored for long periods.
NEVER mix oil with fuel.
DO NOT use fuel containing Methanol (Wood Alcohol)

NOTE:

Before refueling, allow engine to cool two minutes.
Turn the engine off and let engine cool at least 2 minutes before removing the fuel cap. The gasoline tank is located under the seat. The fuel cap is tethered to the tractor to prevent its loss. Do not attempt to remove the cap from the tractor.
Clean around fuel fill before removing cap to fuel.
Fill tank until fuel reaches 1⁄2 inch below the bottom of the filler neck to

Fuel Requirements

Use automotive gasoline (unleaded or low leaded to minimize combustion chamber deposits) with a minimum of 87 octane. Gasoline with up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) can be used. Never use an oil/gasoline mixture or dirty gasoline. Avoid getting dirt, dust, or water in the fuel tank. DO NOT use E85 gasoline.

NOTE :

Purchase gasoline in small quantities. Do not use gasoline left over from the previous season, to minimize gum deposits in the fuel system.
This engine is certified to operate on unleaded gasoline. For best results, fill the fuel tank with only clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a pump sticker octane rating of 87 or higher.
Gasohol (up to 10% ethyl alcohol, 90% unleaded gasoline by volume) is an approved fuel. Other gasoline/alcohol blends, such as E85, are not approved.
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and unleaded gasoline blends (up to a maximum of 15% MTBE by volume) are approved fuels. Other gasoline/ether blends are not approved.

Fill fuel tank outdoors or in well-ventilated area.

Do not overfill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than 1/2 inch below bottom of filler neck to allow space for fuel expansion.
Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allow engine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.
If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move machine to another area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.

To Add Gasoline

The tractor is fitted with a tethered, ratcheting fuel cap. STOP filling the tank once the fuel is seen inside the filler neck. This ensures that a proper expansion volume is created, otherwise the fuel can overflow creating a hazardous situation.
Do NOT top off the fuel tank.
Refuel in a well-ventilated area with the engine stopped. Do not smoke or allow flames or sparks in the area where the engine is refueled or where gasoline is stored.
Do not overfill the fuel tank. After refueling, make sure the tank cap is closed properly and securely.
Be careful not to spill fuel when refueling. Spilled fuel or fuel vapor may ignite. If any fuel is spilled, make sure the area is dry before starting the engine.
Avoid repeated or prolonged contact with skin or breathing of vapor.

To install the battery pack perform the following.

Lift the battery box cover.
Insert the battery pack into the battery box. An audible “click” will be heard when the battery is properly connected.
Close the battery box cover.

To remove the battery perform the following.

Lift the battery box cover.
Press the battery pack release button.
Pull the battery pack from the battery box.
Close the battery box cover.

Cutting Height

There is a cutting height adjustment lever located above the front and rear right wheel.
Pull the height adjustment lever outward towards wheel (unit will tend to fall when lever is moved outward)
Move lever to desired position for a change in cutting height. See Figure 13. 3. Release lever towards deck.

IMPORTANT:

All wheels must be placed in the same position. For rough or uneven lawns, move each height adjustment lever to a higher position. This will prevent you from cutting the grass too close to the ground.

Handle Pitch (If Equipped)

For convenience of operation, you may adjust the pitch of the handle. Perform one of the following:
Handles with Knobs and Carage Bolts. See Figure 14 -
Remove wing nuts and carriage bolts from handle. b. Position the handle in one of the three positions that is most comfortable. See Figure 14 inset.
Secure into position with wing nuts and carriage bolts removed in Step 1.

Drive Control (If Equipped)

The adjustment wheel is located in the drive control handle housing and is used to tighten or loosen the drive belt.
You will need to adjust the drive control if the mower does not propel itself with the drive control engaged or if the mower’s wheels hesitate with the drive control engaged.
If either of these conditions occur, rotate adjustment wheel clockwise to tighten cable or counterclockwise to loosen the cable. See Figure 16 or Figure 17.

OPERATION

Drive Control - Bail or Single Lever (If Equipped)

The drive control is located on top of the upper handle and is used to engage the drive. Squeeze it against the upper handle to engage the drive; release it to slow down or stop mower from propelling.

Throttle / Choke Control

The throttle control lever is located on the left fender of the tractor as seen from the operator’s position, see Figure 17.
This lever controls the speed of the engine, as well as the choke when it is pushed all the way forward. When set in a given position, the throttle will maintain a uniform engine speed.

IMPORTANT:

When operating the tractor with the cutting deck engaged, be certain that the throttle lever is always in the FAST (rabbit) position.
Moving the throttle lever all the way forward activates the engine’s choke control.
Activating the choke control closes the choke plate on the carburetor and aids in starting the engine.
Refer to Starting The Engine in the Operation section of this manual for detailed starting instructions.

Ignition Switch

The ignition switch is located on the left fender of the tractor as seen from the operator’s position, adjacent to the Throttle/Choke Control. Activate the Ignition
Switch to start the engine by inserting the key into the ignition switch and turn clockwise to the START position. Release the key into the ON position once engine has fired. See Figure 18.

Clutch-Brake Pedal

The clutch-brake pedal is located on the left side of the lawn tractor, along the running board. Depress the clutch-brake pedal part way down when slowing the tractor by changing speeds
(Refer to Speed Control Lever). Depress the pedal all the way down to engage the disc brake and bring the tractor to a complete stop.

NOTE:

The clutch-brake pedal must be completely depressed to start the engine.
Refer to Safety Interlock Switches in the Operation section of this manual.

Speed Control Lever

The speed control lever, located on the right side of the tractor’s steering console, allows you to regulate the ground speed of the lawn tractor.
To use, depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the lever out of the parking brake notch and forward to increase the tractor’s ground speed. When a desired speed has been reached, release the lever into an appropriate notch to maintain that speed.
To slow the tractor’s ground speed, depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the speed control lever rearward and release it into a notch.

Parking Brake

To set the parking brake, fully depress the clutch-brake pedal. Move the speed control lever all the way down and into the parking brake position. Release the clutch-brake pedal to allow the parking brake to engage.
To release the parking brake, depress the clutch-brake pedal and move the speed control lever out of the parking brake position into the desired position. Release the clutch-brake pedal.

NOTE:

The parking brake must be set if the operator leaves the seat with the engine running or the engine will automatically shut off.

Fuel Lever Indicator

The Fuel Lever Indicator is located below the seat on the left hand side from the operator’s position in the control panel. Use this window to identify the tractor’s fuel needs. See Figure 20.

Drive Control - Dual Lever (If Equipped)

The drive controls are located on top of the upper handle and are used to engage the drive. Squeeze the right, left, or both right and left controls against the upper handle to engage the drive; release it/them to slow down or stop mower from propelling.

Electric Starter Push Key (If Equipped)

The electric starter push key is located on the right side of the upper handle. It is both a removable key and push button and is only provided on electric start models.

Cutting Height Adjustment Lever

One adjustment lever is located on the right rear wheel and one is located on the right front wheel. Both levers have to be at the same position to ensure a uniform cut. To adjust the cutting height, refer to the Assembly Section.

Side Discharge Cover (If Equipped)

Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To discharge the grass clippings to the side instead, follow the instructions in the Assembly section to attach the side discharge cover.

WARNING

Keep hands and feet away from the chute area on cutting deck. Refer to warning label on the unit.

Grass Catcher (If Equipped)

The grass catcher, located at the rear of the mower, is used to bag the grass clippings for disposal at another site. Once the bag is full, remove it up through the handles and empty it before any further mowing.

Mulch Cover (If Equipped)

The mulch cover is used for mulching purposes.
Instead of collecting the grass clippings in a grass catcher or using the side discharge chute, some mower models have the option of recirculating the clippings back to the lawn.
This is called mulching.

Trail Shield (If Equipped)

The trail shield is attached to the rear of the mower and is there to protect the operator from flying debris. Do not use the mower unless the shield is fully functional and in place.

Deck Wash (If Equipped)

Your mower’s deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck wash system. Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside.

Recoil Starter

The recoil starter is attached to the right upper handle. Stand behind the unit and pull the recoil starter rope to start the unit.

Oil Fill Cap/Dipstick

Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual packed with your mower for detailed oil filling, checking and changing instructions.

GAS AND OIL FILL-UP

Use extreme care when handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable and the vapors are explosive. Never fuel the machine indoors or while the engine is hot or running.
Extinguish cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

IMPORTANT:

Refer to the separate Engine Operator’s Manual for additional engine information.
This unit is shipped without gasoline or oil in the engine. Be certain to service engine with gasoline and oil as instructed before starting or running your lawn mower.
Add provided oil before starting mower for the first time as instructed in the separate Engine Operator’s Manual.
Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the separate Engine

Operator’s Manual.

Checking Battery Pack Charge (if equipped)

WARNING

Read all safety warnings, instructions, and cautionary markings for the battery pack, charger and product. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.

IMPORTANT:

Refer to instructional manual supplied with battery charger for charging, maintenance and battery disposal instructions.
Press the battery gauge button on front of the battery pack to check charge level. See Figure 19:
Charged Battery - One to three lights of the battery gauge will light to show charge level.
Discharged Battery - If no lights show, charge battery pack. Refer to manual supplied with battery charger for charging instructions.

To Start Engine

Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting engine or operating mower. Never run engine indoors or in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, an odorless and deadly gas. Keep hands, feet, hair and loose clothing away from any moving parts on engine and lawn mower.
Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual for instructions on starting and stopping the engine.

WARNING

Keep a firm grip on the starter cord handle to prevent rapid retraction of starter cord (kickback).
Rapid retraction can pull hand and arm toward engine faster than you can let go, and result in broken bones, fractures, bruises or sprains.

To Stop Engine

Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.
Wait for the blade to stop completely before performing any work on the mower or to remove the grass catcher.

Engaging the Blades

Engaging the PTO (Blade Engage) transfers power to the cutting deck. To engage the blades, proceed as follows:
Move the throttle/choke control lever to the FAST (rabbit) position.
Grasp the PTO (Blade Engage) lever and pivot it all the way forward into the engaged (ON) position.
Keep the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position for the most efficient use of the cutting deck.

NOTE:

The engine will automatically shut off if the PTO (Blade Engage) lever is moved into the engaged (ON) position with the shift lever in Reverse.

Mulching

A mulch kit is available as an attachment. Mulching is a process of recirculating grass clippings repeatedly beneath the cutting deck.
The ultra-fine clippings are then forced back into the lawn where they act as a natural fertilizer. Contact the nearest Parts & Repair Service Center to purchase a mulch kit for this unit.
To locate the nearest Parts & Repair Service Center, contact 1-888-331-4569.

Using the Deck Lift Lever

To raise the cutting deck, move the deck lift lever to the left, then place it in the notch best suited for your application. Refer to Setting The Cutting Height earlier in this section.

Using Your Lawn Mower

Be sure lawn is clear of stones, sticks, wire, or other objects which could damage lawn mower or engine.
Such objects could be accidently thrown by the mower in any direction and cause serious personal injury to the operator and others.

Perform one of the following:

Bail and Single Lever Drive Controls - Once the engine is running, squeeze the drive control against the upper handle to propel mower.
Dual Lever Drive Controls - a. Once the engine is running and while continuing to hold the blade control down, squeeze either (or both) drive controls against the upper handle to propel mower. See Figure 20. b. To change speed, move speed control to the desired speed.

NOTE:

When selecting a drive speed, use the first speed until you are comfortable and familiar with the operation of the mower.

IMPORTANT:

If you are shifting speeds while the mower is stationary it may be difficult to shift into first speed under certain conditions. This is easily remedied by briefly engaging the drive lever.

Using Grass Catcher (If Equipped)

You can use the grass catcher to collect clippings while you are operating the mower.
Attach grass catcher following instructions in the Assembly section. Grass clippings will automatically collect in bag as you run mower. Operate mower until grass bag is full.
Stop engine completely by releasing the blade control. Make sure that the unit has come to a complete stop.
Lift discharge door and pull grass bag up and away from the mower to remove the bag. Dispose of the grass clippings and reinstall the bag when complete.

Using as Mulcher

For mulching grass, remove the grass catcher or side discharge chute from the mower. When you remove the grass catcher from the mower, ensure the rear mulch plug (if equipped) is installed and allow the rear discharge door to close the rear opening of mower. When you remove the side discharge chute, the mulching cover will close.
For effective mulching, do not cut wet grass. If the grass has been allowed to grow in excess of four inches, mulching is not recommended. Use the grass catcher to bag clippings instead.

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

Engine Maintenance

Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual packed with your mower for a detailed description of all engine-related service specifications.

Clean Engine

Daily or before every use, clean grass, chaff or accumulated debris from engine. Keep linkage, spring, and controls clean. Keep area around and behind muffler free of any combustible debris.
Keeping engine clean allows air movement around engine.
Engine parts should be kept clean to reduce the risk of overheating and ignition of accumulated debris.

CAUTION

Do not use water to clean engine parts. Water could contaminate fuel system. Use a brush or dry cloth.
Mower Maintenance

Cleaning Deck

Clean underside of the mower deck once a season to prevent build-up of grass clippings or other debris. Follow steps below for this job.
Allow the engine to run until it is out of fuel. Do not attempt to pour fuel from the engine. Disconnect spark plug wire. Refer to Engine Operator’s
Tip mower so that it rests on the housing, keeping the muffler side down.
Hold mower firmly.

WARNING

Never tip the mower more than 90º in any direction and do not leave the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.
Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Do not spray with water.

IMPORTANT:

Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.
These may cause damage to bearings, or the engine. The use of water will result in shortened life and reduce serviceability.
Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground.

Cleaning the Rider

If the rider has been recently run, the engine, muffler and surrounding metal surfaces will be hot and can cause burns to the skin. Let the engine cool for at least five minutes Exercise caution to avoid burns.
Your rider should be cleaned after each use and under certain conditions, i.e. dry conditions and/or mulching situations, additional cleaning may be necessary.
One of the best ways to keep your rider running efficiently and to reduce fire risk is to regularly remove debris buildup from the rider. Follow the recommendations below and contact your authorized dealer with any questions.
Allow the machine to cool in an open area before cleaning.
Do not use water on any part of the rider except the underside of the cutting deck. Doing so can cause damage to the rider’s spindle bearings, electrical system and engine, leading to premature failures. The use of compressed air and/or leaf blower will help keep the rider clean.
Clean under the hood. Exhaust manifold, around fuses, all wiring and harnesses, muffler pipe, muffler shield, engine intake screens and cooling fins, etc. See “Figure 2”.

Storing the Rider

Allow the machine to cool in an open area before storing.
Do not park the rider near any flammable materials (wood, cloth or chemicals) or any open flames or other potential source of ignition (furnace, water heater or any other type of heater).
Remove all combustible materials from the rider before storing. Empty cargo boxes, grass catchers or containers.
Always shut off fuel flow when storing or transporting if rider is equipped with a fuel shutoff.
Check the fuel system (lines, tank, cap and fittings) frequently for cracks or leaks. Repair and clean as necessary.

Servicing the Engine Oil

Check the oil level regularly.
Be sure correct oil level is maintained. Check the oil every five to ten hours of operation, before starting the engine. See Checking Oil Level in the Assembly section.
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG,
SH, or SJ. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade according to the expected operating temperature. Refer to Gas & Oil in the Assembly section of this manual.

Oil Drain

Be sure to check engine on a level surface with the engine stopped.
Drain the oil while the engine is still warm to assure rapid and complete draining.
For draining oil from the engine’s crankcase of select model tractors, a plastic oil drain sleeve is packed with this Operator’s Manual. To drain the oil, proceed as follows:
Unscrew the oil fill cap and remove the dipstick from the oil fill tube.
Snap the small end of oil drain sleeve onto the oil sump. See “Figure 4”.
Remove drain plug and drain oil into a suitable container with a capacity of no less than 64 oz.
Tip the tractor slightly in the direction of the suitable container to aid in fully draining all of the oil from the engine.

Deck Wash (If Equipped)

Your mower’s deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck wash system.
Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following steps AFTER EACH

MOWING:

Push the mower to a level, clear location on your lawn, near enough for your garden hose to reach. Remove the grass bag if attached.

CAUTION

Make certain the mower’s discharge chute is directed AWAY from your house, garage, parked cars, etc.
Remove the fast attach deck wash nozzle from the mower deck and thread it onto the end of your garden hose.
Attach garden hose with the deck wash nozzle to the water port on your deck’s surface. See Figure 22.
Turn the water ON.
Start the engine as described in the Operation section.
Run the engine for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the cutting deck to thoroughly rinse.
Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.
Turn the water OFF and detach the deck wash nozzle from the water port on your deck’s surface.
After cleaning your deck, restart the mower. Keep the engine and blade running for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the cutting deck to thoroughly dry

Blade Care

When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service.
Allow the engine to run until it is out of fuel. Do not attempt to pour fuel from the engine. Disconnect spark plug wire. Refer to Engine Operator’s Manual.
Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.
Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 23.
Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
Remove blade from the adapter for testing balance. Balance the blade on a round shaft screwdriver to check. Remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of grind. Grind each cutting edge equally to keep the blade balanced.

Changing the Deck Belt

It is possible to change the deck belt with the cutting deck still installed on the tractor, however it is much easier to remove the deck first, change the deck belt, then reinstall the cutting deck.
To change the cutting deck belt, proceed as follows:
It is easiest to change the deck belt by first removing the cutting deck as instructed earlier in this section. Skip this step if deciding to change the deck belt with the mowing deck still installed on the unit. Otherwise, remove the cutting deck now.
If changing the deck belt with the cutting deck still installed on the unit, lower the cutting deck to the lowest cutting position.
Remove the deck belt from around the unit’s PTO drive pulley as shown in
Figure 15”. Simply roll one side of the belt off of the pulley and then work it off the pulley by continuing around the pulley until the belt is off of the pulley.
Pull the belt towards the front of the unit, pulling it through and out of the belt keeper bracket, shown in “Figure 15”.
Remove the deck belt cover by removing the three hex bolts that secure it.

DRAINING THE FUEL

Locate the fuel filter, which is located on the left side of the engine, and may be attached to the engine with a tie strap.
Cut the tie strap, if present, then pinch the in-line clamp on the fuel filter with a pair of pliers, slide the clamp up the fuel line.
Pull the fuel line free from the filter and place the open end of the line into an approved container to drain the fuel.

PREPARING THE LAWN TRACTOR

Clean and lubricate the unit thoroughly as described in the
Lubrication instructions in the Service and Maintenance section.
Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.
Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.

Removing From Storage

Check the oil level as described in the Assembly section of this manual.
If the fuel was drained during storage preparation, fill the tank with fresh gasoline. If you keep a container of gasoline for refueling, make certain it contains only fresh fuel. Gasoline oxidizes and deteriorates over time, causing hard starting.
If the cylinder was coated with oil during storage preparation, the engine will smoke briefly at startup. This is normal

TROUBLESHOOTING

Engine fails to start

1. Blade control disengaged.

2. Spark plug boot disconnected.

3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.

4. Engine not primed (If equipped with primer).

5. Faulty spark plug.

6. Engine flooded.

7. Blocked fuel line

1. Engage blade control.

2. Connect wire to spark boot.

3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.

4. Prime engine as instructed in the Operation section.

5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace.

6. Wait a few minutes to restart.

7. Contact your Parts & Repair Center to have fuel line cleaned.

Engine fails to start with electric starter (Electric Start Units Only)

1. Unit running with CHOKE activated.

2. Spark plug wire(s) loose.

3. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel.

4. Vent in gas cap plugged.

5. Water or dirt in fuel system.

6. Dirty air cleaner.

1. Deactivate the CHOKE.

2. Connect spark plug wire(s).

3. Replace the fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline and replace fuel filter.

4. Clear vent or replace cap if damaged.

5. Drain fuel tank. Refill with clean, fresh gasoline.

6. Replace air cleaner paper element or clean foam pre-cleaner, if equipped.

Engine runs erratic

1. Spark plug boot loose.

2. Stale fuel.

3. Vent in gas cap plugged.

4. Water or dirt in fuel system.

5. Dirty air cleaner.

6. Blocked fuel line.

1. Connect and tighten spark plug boot.

2. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.

3. Clear vent.

4. Run engine until it stops from lack of fuel. Refill with fresh fuel.

5. Refer to Air Cleaner Maintenance in the Engine Manual.

6. Contact your Parts & Repair Center to have fuel line cleaned.

Idles poorly

1. Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide.

2. Dirty air cleaner.

1. Reset gap or replace spark plug.

2. Refer to Air Cleaner Maintenance in the Engine Manual.

Engine idles rough

1. Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too wide.

2. Dirty air cleaner.

1. Replace spark plug. Set plug gap.

2. Replace air cleaner element and/or clean precleaner.

Excessive vibration

1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.

2. Damaged or bent cutting blade.

1. Tighten blade and spindle.

2. Replace blade.

Mower will not mulch grass

1. Engine speed too low.

2. Wet grass.

3. Excessively high grass.

4. Dull blade.

1. Place throttle in FAST (rabbit) position.

2. Do not mulch when grass is wet.

3. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting swath.

4. Sharpen or replace blade.

Uneven cut

1. Deck not leveled properly.

2. Dull blade.

3. Uneven tire pressure.

1. Perform side-to-side deck adjustment.

2. Sharpen or replace blade.

3. Check tire pressure in all four tires.

Excessive vibration

1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.

2. Bent cutting blade.

1. Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.

2. Replace blade.

Mower will not mulch grass

1. Wet grass.

2. Excessively high grass.

3. Dull blade.

1. Do not mow when grass is wet; wait until later to cut.

2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting path.

3. Sharpen or replace blade.

Mower will not self propel

1. Belt not installed properly

2. Debris clogging drive operation.

3. Damaged or worn belt.

4. Drive control out of adjustment

1. Check belt for proper pulley installation and movement.

2. Stop engine, disconnect spark plug boot, and clean out debris.

3. Inspect and, if necessary, see your Parts & Repair Center to have belt replaced.

4. Adjust drive control. Refer to page 10 in the Assembly & Set-up section.

See other models: CMXGRAM1130045 CMXGRAM1130036 CMXGRAM1130043 CMCMW260P1 CMXGMAM1125506

Also, These documents are for others Craftsman models: CMXGRAM1130040, CMXGRAM1222292, CMXGRAM7368327