Craftsman 917.389151 Owner's Manual page 12

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is
balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
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.
GRASS CATCHER
• 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.
Blade Crank shaft
adaptor _ keyway
Blade Key
Blade __ _'
Bolt I _t ' '' \ "-_" " Crank
Lockwasher Hardened i " Blade shaft
washer Trailing adaptor
edge
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
oF _b O"
_o- _ _" .... _" am _oo-
TEMPEI_, ,RE RANGEANTI, C IPATED BEFORENEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multimviscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these muitimviscosity 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 opera-
tion 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
comein contact with spark plug.
• Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface
!
• Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitable container.
Rock iawn 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.
, Clear, the inside of the cover and the
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