Craftsman 917.388272 Owner's Manual page 12

TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend
sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure
the blade is balanced.
Care should be taken to keep the blade
balanced. An unbalanced blade will
cause eventual damage to lawn mower or
engine.
• The blade can be sharpened with a file
or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, drive a nail
into a beam or wall. Leave about one
inch of the straight nail exposed. Place
center hole of blade over the head of
the nail. If blade is balanced, it should
remain in a horizontal position. If either
end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade
is balanced.
Crank shaft
keyway
Blade
Bolt Crank
Lockwasher Hardened Blade shaft
washer Trailing adapter
GRASS CATCHER edge
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for damage
or deterioration. Through normal use it will
wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace
only with a manufacturer approved
replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower
model number when ordering.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SH or
SG. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
NOTE: Although mult'_--viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi--viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°F. Check your
engine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running
low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in
one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before
starting the engine and after each five (5)
hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug
securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to
drain oil, drain fuel tank by running
engine until fuel tank is empty.
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with spark plug.
• Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
• Tip lawn mower on its side and drain oil
into a suitable container. Rock lawn
mower back and forth to remove any oil
trapped inside of engine.
• Wipe off any spilled oil on lawn mower
and on side of engine.
• Fill engine with oil. Fill only to the
"FULL" line on the dipstick. DO NOT
OVER FILL.
• Replace engine oil cap.
• Reconnect spark plug wire to spark
plug.
Container
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter.
Replace the air filter every year, more
often if you mow in very dusty, dirty
conditions. Do not wash air filter.
TO CHANGE AIR FILTER
• Remove the air filter cover by turning
counterclockwise to the stop and pull
away from collar.
• Remove filter from inside of cover.
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