http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1413978Gah, so much misinformation in this thread!
Did you prime it?
Pump the primer
As said, this sounds like a primer prob.
Crafsman mowers haven't had a priming bulb in years...
Everyone covered everything in this thread already.
First check to make sure fuel line open.
Then read how to prime.
Then really rip into it when you try to start. It can take a few times when they are new.
Did you read the user's manual? It will have all the answers you need. YouTube is a good alternative. Anyhow, make sure the fuel line is in the open position, you filled up your oil tank. Which brings up another question, is it a two stroke motor? If it is the oil needs to be mixed in with the gas. Some models require priming, typically 2 stroke motors. They might also have a choke for cold starting your engine. Press the handle bar and pull.
Ditto on the fuel line adjustment. Craftsman mowers don't need any sort of adjustment out of the box.
Aside from what everyone else said, make sure your fuel mix is correct. It'll probably be like 50:1 or 40:1 gas/oil mix.
DON'T FUCKING MIX GAS AND OIL ON A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE!!
Only one person noted your likely issue...kill switch. All mowers have a fail safe... riding ones have multiple ones. On the handle there will be a bar that needs to be held against handle or it will prevent spark...won't start or keep running without being held
This too. Lots of folks don't know that you have to hold this down since it's basically a kill switch when not engaged.
I'd be surprised if OP didn't realize you need to hold the bar down while pulling for a mower to start. Pretty sure all mowers work like this. Furthermore, there's no simple "kill switch" on these mowers from my experience.
How do you make sure fuel line is open? Holding the bar down?
It is IN...the MANUAL. I guarantee you there's a section for startup procedures.
I guarantee the manual won't mention a way to open the fuel line, and I can guarantee that's not the issue.
To offer up a real solution, 9 times out of 10 when a Craftsman mower won't start, it's because the oil line is incorrect. Too much oil will clog the engine, and too little will prevent the blade from moving at all. Double check to make sure the oil level on the dipstick is between the two indented arrows. Make sure you're using E87 (that's regular) gas from the gas station and using the oil that it came with. There should be a separate pouch of SAE-30 in the box. I've fixed so many mowers this way.
This thread is so embarrassing
