Owner's Manual for Craftsman Model M210 Mower

Safety Instructions

Important Safety Symbols:

⚠️ WARNING: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury
⚠️ CAUTION: Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury
ℹ️ NOTE: Indicates important information about product operation or maintenance

General Safety Rules

Read Manual Thoroughly: Read and understand all instructions before operating the mower.
Clear Mowing Area: Remove stones, sticks, wire, and other objects that could be thrown by the blade.
Wear Proper Attire: Wear substantial footwear, long pants, and eye protection while mowing.
Inspect Before Use: Check mower for damaged parts and ensure all guards and shields are in place.
Mow in Daylight: Only mow in good daylight conditions with clear visibility.
Keep Bystanders Away: Keep children and pets at least 50 feet away while mowing.
Slope Operation: Mow across slopes, not up and down. Use extreme caution on inclines.
Fuel Safety: Add fuel outdoors before starting, never when engine is running or hot.

Warning: Failure to follow safety instructions could result in serious personal injury or death. Always disconnect spark plug wire before performing any maintenance.

Assembly Guide

Tools Needed:

Adjustable wrench
Phillips screwdriver
Pliers
Socket set (included)
Safety gloves

Step-by-Step Assembly

Unpack Contents: Remove all parts from packaging and verify contents against parts list.
Handle Assembly: Attach upper and lower handle sections using provided bolts and wing nuts.
Install Height Adjuster: Connect the cutting height adjustment lever to the deck.
Attach Grass Bag: Connect the grass collection bag to the rear discharge chute.
Install Blade: Carefully install the cutting blade using the blade adapter and bolt (ensure blade is properly oriented).
Add Oil: Fill engine with SAE 30 detergent oil (check manual for exact capacity).
Add Fuel: Fill fuel tank with fresh unleaded gasoline (do not overfill).
Final Check: Ensure all bolts are tightened and safety features are functional.

Note: The blade bolt has left-hand threads (tighten counterclockwise). Always use the included blade bolt for proper installation.

Specifications

Model Number	CMXGRAM1130047
Engine Type	Briggs & Stratton 140cc OHV
Cutting Width	21 inches
Cutting Height	1.25 to 3.75 inches (6 positions)
Deck Material	Steel with corrosion-resistant coating
Wheel Size	8 inches (front), 10 inches (rear)
Weight	65 lbs (without bag)
Fuel Capacity	1.1 quarts
Oil Capacity	20 oz (SAE 30)
Starting System	Recoil pull start
Mulching Capability	Yes (mulching plug included)
Bag Capacity	2.1 bushels

Warranty Information

Full Warranty: 2 years limited warranty
Engine Warranty: 3 years on Briggs & Stratton engine
Deck Warranty: Lifetime warranty on deck shell
Registration: Register within 30 days for full warranty coverage

For warranty service, contact Craftsman Customer Service at 1-888-331-4569 or visit Craftsman.com

Operation Guide

Starting Procedure

1. Check oil level
2. Fill fuel tank
3. Prime engine (3-5 presses)
4. Set throttle to FAST
5. Pull starter cord smoothly
6. Allow engine to warm up 30 seconds

Cutting Height Adjustment

Adjust all four wheels simultaneously using the single lever. Six positions from 1.25" to 3.75". Always adjust on level surface with engine off.

Mowing Patterns

Alternate mowing direction weekly. Overlap each pass by 2-3 inches. Mow when grass is dry for best results. Never cut more than 1/3 of grass height at once.

Bagging/Mulching/Side Discharge

Install appropriate attachment for desired operation. Use mulching plug for nutrient recycling. Bag for cleanest appearance. Side discharge for tall/wet grass.

Operating Controls

Drive Control

Press and hold lever to engage self-propelled drive. Release to stop movement. Adjust speed using throttle control.

Blade Control

Press and hold safety lever to handlebar while pulling blade engagement lever. Both must be held for blade operation.

Height Adjustment

Single lever adjusts all four wheels through six cutting positions. Ensure mower is on level surface when adjusting.

Fuel Shutoff

Close fuel valve when transporting or storing mower. Always run engine dry at end of season for winter storage.

Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance Task	Frequency	Procedure
Check Engine Oil Level	Before each use	Check dipstick, add SAE 30 oil if needed
Clean/Replace Air Filter	Every 25 hours	Remove foam pre-filter, wash in soapy water, replace paper filter annually
Sharpen/Replace Blade	Every 25 hours	Remove blade, sharpen at 22° angle, balance before reinstalling
Change Engine Oil	Every 50 hours or season	Drain warm oil, refill with 20 oz SAE 30 detergent oil
Clean Underside of Deck	After each use	Scrape clean with putty knife, hose off debris (engine off)
Check Spark Plug	Every 100 hours	Clean and gap to 0.030", replace annually
Lubricate Wheels	Every season	Apply light machine oil to wheel bearings and axles
Winter Storage	End of season	Drain fuel or add stabilizer, clean thoroughly, store in dry place

Blade Maintenance

Removal: Disconnect spark plug, tip mower on side, use block of wood to prevent blade rotation
Sharpening: Maintain original 22° cutting angle, remove equal amount from both ends
Balancing: Use blade balancer or hang from nail - blade should remain horizontal
Installation: Reinstall with "grass side" toward ground, torque to 40-50 ft-lbs
Replacement: Replace if damaged, cracked, or excessively worn

Troubleshooting

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Engine won't start	No fuel, stale fuel, clogged air filter, spark plug issue	Check fuel level, use fresh gas, clean air filter, check spark plug
Engine starts then dies	Dirty carburetor, clogged fuel filter, bad gasoline	Clean carburetor, replace fuel filter, drain old gasoline
Poor cutting performance	Dull blade, engine speed too low, wet grass	Sharpen blade, set throttle to FAST, mow when grass is dry
Uneven cutting	Uneven tire pressure, bent blade, deck not level	Check tire pressure, replace blade, adjust deck level
Excessive vibration	Bent blade, loose blade, debris in blade area	Replace blade, tighten blade bolt, clean under deck
Self-propel not working	Drive belt loose/broken, drive control cable adjustment	Replace drive belt, adjust drive control cable tension
Grass not discharging	Wet grass, deck clogged, engine speed too low	Mow when dry, clean deck, operate at full throttle
Wheels not turning freely	Debris in wheel bearings, lack of lubrication	Clean wheel bearings, apply light machine oil

Storage Instructions

Short-term (1-2 months): Add fuel stabilizer, run engine 5 minutes to circulate
Long-term (seasonal): Drain fuel completely or add stabilizer and run dry
Winter Storage: Change oil, remove spark plug and add 1 oz oil to cylinder, clean thoroughly
Battery (if equipped): Remove battery, store in cool dry place, charge monthly
Storage Location: Store in dry, covered area away from moisture and direct sunlight