Craftsman 944.609040 Owner's Manual

__ w ISEARSOWNER'SMANUALMODEL NO.944.609040Caution:Read and followall Safety Rulesand Instruct,onsBefore OperatingTh,s EquipmentCRrlFT$141:INo14.

OPERATIONKNOW YOUR TRACTOR "_READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTORCompare theillustrations withyourtractor

OPERATIONThe operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown Into the eyes, whichcan result In severe eye damage. Always wear safety gla

OPERATIONTO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 7)Your tractor isequipped withan operatorpresence sensingswitch. Any attempt bythe operator to leave the seat with

OPERATIONMOWING TIPSTO START ENGINE (See Fig. 6)When starting the engine for the first time or if the enginehas run out of fuel, itwill take extra cra

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES.A..TENA.CESC.EOUL AS YOU COMPLETEREGULAR SERVICE dl#_ __/_._/_._" _51:HVlC.F DATESCheckBrakeOperation _CheckTire Pressu

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIESMANDRELASSEMBLYTRACTORAlwaysobserve safety rules when performingany mainte-nance.BRAKE OPERATIONIf tractor requires more than

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIESTO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS •Corrosionand dirtonthe batteryandterminals can cause thebattery to "leak"power.Open

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIESCARTRIDGENUTFOAMPRE-CLEAN|'APER_BASE CARTRIDGEFIG. 12CLEAN AIR SCREEN (See Fig. 13)Air screen must be kept free of dirt

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTSCAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS:Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake.Place gearshift le

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTSTO LEVEL MOWER HOUSINGAdjustthe mower while tractor is parked on levelground ordriveway. Make sure tires are propedy inflated (

SAFETY RULES &Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On MowersIMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJE

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTSWITH PARKINGBRAKE *ENGAGED"TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT(See Fig. 20)The mower blade drive belt may be replaced withou

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTSTO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENTIf steering wheel crossbars ere nothorizontal (left to right)whenwheels are positionedstraigh

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTSENGINETO ADJUST THRO'I-rLE CONTROL CABLE(See Fig. 26)The throttle control has been preset at the factory andadjustment sho

STORAGEENGINEImmediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end ofthe season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days ormore.CAUTION: Never

TROUBLESHOOTING POINTSPROBLEMWill not startHard to startEngine will not turn overEngine clicks but will notstartLoss of powerExcessive vibrationCAUSE1

TROUBLESHOOTING POINTSPROBLEMEngine continues to runwhen operator leaves seatwith attachment clutchengagedPoor cut - unevenMower blades will notrotate

SERVICE NOTES26

SCHEMATICTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040BATTERYRED) WHITEiG A1IGNITIONSWITCHM m,.,.--- B ,IGNITION SWITCHPosmoN CIRCUIT "MAKE"OFF M+G+A1

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944,609040ELECTRICAL41II7O252928II"1628

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040ELECTRICALKEY PARTNO. NO. DESCRIPTION1 1449252 747604128 15641716 15366419 STD55112520 7335040021 16618

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a SearsTractor. It has been designed, engineered and manufac-tured to give you the best possible dependability and

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES3O2122172625265I18161142629283310261430

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURESKEY PARTNO, NO. DESCRIPTION1 1654802 1403563 174906124 STD5510255 1552726 155924X

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040DRIVE32

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040DRtVEKEY PART KEY PARTNO. NO. DESCRIPTION NO. NO. DESCRIPTtON1 ... Transaxle (See Breakdown) 42 1913

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040STEERING ASSEMBLY62p_416747 I_ 46_323O4334

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944,609040STEERING ASSEMBLYKEY PARTNO. NO. DESCRIPTION1 1397682 1544273 1564834 1574735 6266H6 121748X7 192720168

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040SEAT ASSEMBLY12525521KEYNO.123456789101112PARTNO.140122140551STD52371019131610145006STD541437124181X174

REPAIR PARTSDECALS139TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040399 13 1015161214KEY PARTNO. NO. DESCRIPTION1 1571633 1693139 16320410 15714011 101892X12 1460

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040ENGINE33811;38 78726213429\OPTIONAL EQUIPMENTSpark Arrester23/KEYNO.1234131415162329313233PARTNO.162144

REPAIR PARTSMOWER LIFTTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040785134 611_ _1219/32132203615/ /! i,I I/ /I. ,/'/_ 1718 2020KEY PARTNO. NO.1 1594602 159

TABLE OF CONTENTSSAFETY RULES ... 2PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ...

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040MOWER DECK767773.78 79 834534.3331_21>21!\216_3 2428292740

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040MOWER DECKKEY PART KEY PARTNO. NO. DESCRIPTION NO, NO. DESCRIPTION1 1649612 STD5331073 1380174 1384405

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944,609040PEERLESS PMST TRANSAXLE - MODEL NUMBER 206-545C35A2gB157870 6A8382156471316456575859615434293515741A _/

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040PEERLESS PMST TRANSAXLE - MODEL NUMBER 206-545CKEY PART KEY PARTNO. NO. DESCRIPTION NO. NO. DESCRIPTION

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE - - MODEL NUMBER 287707, TYPE NUMBER 1255-E1230)614@634A635337562_tr REQUI

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE - - MODEL NUMBER 287707, TYPE NUMBER 1255-E1127 138 106 987 95 117 634137

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE - - MODEL NUMBER 287707, TYPE NUMBER 1255-E1523 423 _ 2@634A_) _842 _524 _

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE - - MODEL NUMBER 287707, TYPE NUMBER 1255-E12O97282656151019 LABEL IQT I 2

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE - - MODEL NUMBER 287707, TYPE NUMBER 1255-E1KEY PART KEY PARTNO. NO. DESCR

REPAIR PARTSTRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 944.609040BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE - - MODEL NUMBER 287707, TYPE NUMBER 1255-E1KEY PART KEY PARTNO. NO. DESCR

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACKiParts Bag contents shown full size(2) SheetMetalScrews#10-16 x 1/2(1) Large Flat Washer@(1) Locknut 3/8-24(1) Shoulder Bolt

SERVICE NOTES5O

SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION_r _"" ,...SIGHTING "" ",.. _CuTIIDE THe.sONLY RIDE UP AND DOWN HILL

OWNER'SMANUALMODEL NO.944.609040HOW TO ORDERREPAIR PARTS[RI:IFTSMRN°14.5 HPELECTRIC START42" MOWER6 SPEED TRANSAXLELAWN TRACTOREach tractor

ASSEMBLYYour new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes.To ensure safe and pro

ASSEMBLYHOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTORCONNECT BA'n'ERY (See Figs. 2 and 3)CAUTION: Do not short battery termi-nals by allowing a wrench or any o

ASSEMBLYCHECK TIRE PRESSUREThe tireson your tractorwere overinflatedat the factoryforshipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important forbest cut

OPERATIONThese symbols may appear on your product or inliterature suppliedwiththe product. Learn and understandtheir meaning.BATTERY CAUTION ORWARNING