CRAFTSMAN M230 FWD Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower User Manual

CRAFTSMAN M230 FWD Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SLOPE OPERATION

• Slopes are a major factor related to loss of control and tip-over accidents which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution. If you cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy about it, do not mow it. For your safety, use the Slope Guide 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 as shown on the Slope Guide, do not operate this machine in that area or serious injury could result.
• Do:
• Mow up and down slopes, not across. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
• Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden objects. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.
• Use slow speed. Choose a low enough speed setting so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Tires may lose traction on slopes even
  though the brakes are functioning properly. Always keep the machine in gear when going down slopes to take advantage of engine braking action.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability.
• Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.
• Keep all movement on the slopes slow and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction. Rapid engagement or braking could cause the front of the machine to lift and rapidly flip over backward which could cause serious injury.
• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blade(s) and proceed slowly straight down the slope.
• Do Not:
• Do not turn on slopes unless necessary; then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.
• Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments. The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff, or ditch, or if an edge caves in.
• Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground
• Do not use a grass catcher on steep slopes
• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced traction could cause sliding.
• Do not attempt to coast downhill. Over-speeding may cause the operator to lose control of the machine resulting in serious injury or death.
• Do not tow heavy pull-behind attachments (e.g. loaded dump cart, lawn roller, etc.) on slopes greater than 5 degrees. When going downhill, the extra weight tends to push the tractor and may cause you to lose control (e.g., the tractor may speed up, braking and steering ability are reduced, and attachment may jack-knife and cause the tractor to overturn).

ASSEMBLY

Handle Setup

1. Remove any packing material that may be between the upper and lower handles.
2. Perform one of the following according to the 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.
   • b. EZ-Fold Handles – The EZ-Fold handle release levers are shipped in the unlocked positions. See Figure 2. Proceed to Step 3.
3. While stabilizing the mower so it doesn’t move, lift the upper handle up as shown in Figure 3. Do not crimp the 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.
4. Follow the steps below to complete handle assembly:
   • a. Pull upward on the handle until holes in the lower handle (shown in Figure 6 deck cutaway) line up with holes in the handle bracket. See Figure 7.
     NOTE: When pulling upward on the handle, make sure not to pull the handle all the way out.
   • b. Insert the T-bolts removed in Step 2 through the handle brackets and lower handle and tighten securely to secure the handle in place. SeeFigure 7.
5. The rope guide is attached to the right side of the upper handle. Loosen the wing knob which secures the rope guide. Refer to Figure 8.
   • a. Hold blade control against the upper handle.
   • b. Slowly pull the starter rope handle from the engine and slip the starter rope into the rope guide. See Figure 8.
   • c. Tighten rope guide wing knob.
   • d. Use cable ties provided to secure blade control and drive cables to the lower handle as shown in Figure 8.

Attaching the Grass Catcher

1. Follow the steps below to assemble the grass catcher. Make certain the bag is turned right side out before assembling (the warning label will be on the outside).
   • a. Place the bag over the frame so that its black plastic side is at the bottom.
   • b. Slip the plastic channel of the grass bag over the hooks on the frame. See Figure 9.

Attaching Side Discharge Cover

Your mower is shipped as a mulcher. To convert to side discharge, make sure the grass catcher is off of the unit and the rear discharge door is closed.

1. On the side of the mower, lift the mulch cover. See Figure 11.
2. Slide two hooks of side discharge cover under the hinge pin on the mulching cover assembly. Lower mulching cover. Do not remove the side mulching cover at any time, even when you are not mulching

ADJUSTMENTS

Cutting Height

There is a cutting height adjustment lever located above the front and rear right wheel.

1. Pull the height adjustment lever outward towards the wheel (the unit will tend to fall when the lever is moved outward). See Figure 13.
2. Move the lever to the desired position for a change in cutting height. See Figure 13.
3. Release the lever towards the 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:

1. Handles with Knobs and Carriage Bolts. See Figure 14 –
   • a. Remove wing nuts and carriage bolts from the handle.
   • b. Position the handle in one of the three positions that is most comfortable. See Figure 14 inset.
   • c. Secure into position with wing nuts and carriage bolts removed in Step 1.
2. EZ-Fold Handles. See Figure 15 –
   • a. Place the release levers in the unlocked positions.
   • b. Move the upper handle to align the position indicator with the most comfortable of the three handle positions.
   • c. Place the release levers in the locked positions

OPERATION

• 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 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 trailing 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

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 the engine with gasoline and oil as instructed before starting or running your lawn mower.

1. Add the provided oil before starting the mower for the first time as instructed in the separate Engine Operator’s Manual.
2. Service the engine with gasoline as instructed in the separate Engine Operator’s Manual.

To Start Engine

• WARNING
• Be sure no one other than the operator is standing near the lawn mower while starting the engine or operating the mower. Never run the 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 the engine and lawn mower.
• Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual for instructions on starting and stopping the engine.

To Stop Engine

1. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.

Using Your Lawn Mower

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

1. 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 the 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 the mower. See Figure 20.
   • b. To change speed, move speed control to the desired speed

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Lubrication

• Blade Control
• Lubricate pivot points on the blade control at least once a season with light oil. This control must operate freely in both directions. See Figure 21.

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 the  engine. Keep linkage, spring, and controls clean. Keep the area around and
  behind the muffler free of any combustible debris.
• Keeping the engine clean allows air movement around the engine.
• Engine parts should be kept clean to reduce the risk of overheating and ignition of accumulated debris.

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

1. 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
2. Remove the fast-attach deck wash nozzle from the mower deck and thread it onto the end of your garden hose.
3. Attach the garden hose with the deck wash nozzle to the water port on your deck’s surface. See Figure 22.
4. Turn the water ON.
5. Start the engine as described in the Operation section.
6. Run the engine for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the cutting deck to thoroughly rinse.
7. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.
8. Turn the water OFF and detach the deck wash nozzle from the water port on your deck’s surface.

Blade Care

1. Allow the engine to run until it is out of fuel. Do not attempt to pour fuel from the engine. Disconnect the spark plug wire. Refer to the Engine Operator’s Manual.
2. Turn the mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.
3. Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 23.
4. Remove the blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
5. Remove the 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 the grind. Grind each cutting edge equally to keep the blade balanced

TROUBLESHOOTING

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CRAFTSMAN M230 FWD Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower-FAQs