Craftsman 247.27050 Series Operator's Manual

4SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim of the fuel tank or container openingat 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.• Never remove gas cap or add fuel while the engine is hot or running. Allowengine to cool at least two minutes before refueling.• Never over fill fuel tank. Fill tank to no more than ½ inch below bottom offiller neck to allow space for fuel expansion.• Replace gasoline cap and tighten securely.• If gasoline is spilled, wipe it off the engine and equipment. Move machine toanother area. Wait 5 minutes before starting the engine.• To reduce fire hazards, keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debrisbuild-up. Clean up oil or fuel spillage and remove any fuel soaked debris.• Never store the machine or fuel container inside where there is an openflame, spark or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothesdryer or other gas appliances.• Allow a machine to cool at least five minutes before storing.General Service• Never run an engine indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. Engine exhaustcontains carbon monoxide, an odorless, and deadly gas.• Before cleaning, repairing, or inspecting, make certain the blade(s) and allmoving parts have stopped. Disconnect the spark plug wire and groundagainst the engine to prevent unintended starting.• Periodically check to make sure the blades come to complete stop withinapproximately (5) five seconds after operating the blade disengagementcontrol. If the blades do not stop within the this time frame, have yourmachine serviced professionally by Sears or another qualified dealer.• Regularly check the safety interlock system for proper function, as describedlater in this manual. If the safety interlock system does not function properly,have your machine serviced professionally by Sears or another qualifieddealer.• Check the blade(s) and engine mounting bolts at frequent intervals forproper tightness. Also, visually inspect blade(s) for damage (e.g., excessivewear, bent, cracked). Replace the blade(s) with the original equipmentmanufacturer’s (O.E.M.) blade(s) only, listed in this manual. Use of partswhich do not meet the original equipment specifications may lead toimproper performance and compromise safety!• Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear gloves, and use extracaution when servicing them.• Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equipment is in safeworking condition.• Never tamper with the safety interlock system or other safety devices. Checktheir proper operation regularly.• After striking a foreign object, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plugwire(s) and ground against the engine. Thoroughly inspect the machine forany damage. Repair the damage before starting and operating.• Never attempt to make adjustments or repairs to the machine while theengine is running.• Grass catcher components and the discharge cover are subject to wearand damage which could expose moving parts or allow objects to bethrown. For safety protection, frequently check components and replaceimmediately with original equipment manufacturer’s (O.E.M.) parts only,listed in this manual. Use of parts which do not meet the original equipmentspecifications may lead to improper performance and compromise safety!• Do not change the engine governor settings or over-speed the engine. Thegovernor 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 theenvironment.• According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this product has an AverageUseful Life of seven (7) years, or 270 hours of operation. At the end ofthe Average Useful Life have the machine inspected annually by Sears oranother qualified dealer to ensure that all mechanical and safety systemsare working properly and not worn excessively. Failure to do so can result inaccidents, injuries or death.DO NOT MODIFY ENGINETo avoid serious injury or death, do not modify engine in any way. Tamperingwith the governor setting can lead to a runaway engine and cause it tooperate at unsafe speeds. Never tamper with factory setting of enginegovernor.NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONSEngines which are certified to comply with California and federal EPAemission regulations for SORE (Small Off Road Equipment) are certifiedto operate on regular unleaded gasoline, and may include the followingemission control systems: Engine Modification (EM), Oxidizing Catalyst (OC),Secondary Air Injection (SAI) and Three Way Catalyst (TWC) if so equipped.SPARK ARRESTORWARNINGThis machine is equipped with an internal combustion engine and shouldnot be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered orgrass-covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with aspark arrestor meeting applicable local or state laws (if any).If a spark arrestor is used, it should be maintained in effective working orderby the operator. In the State of California the above is required by law (Section4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similarlaws. Federal laws apply on federal lands.A spark arrestor for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Partsand Repair Service Center.