Engine Lubrication; Air Filter; Sae Viscosity Grades; Muffler - Craftsman 917.374821 Owner's Manual

ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with
API service classification SG-SL Select the
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
c -_0 -27 -1; ; 1; 10 _0 4;
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTiCiPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.)improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°R 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 orat 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, empty fuel tank by running engine until
fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark _C°llar
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitable container.
Rock lawn mower back and forth to re-
move any oil trapped inside of engine.
Sontainer
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout,
stopping every few ounces to check the
oil level with the dipstick.
14
6. Stop adding oil when you reach the
FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a
minute to allow oil to settle.
7. Continue adding small amounts ofoil, re-
checking the dipstick until oil level settles
at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or engine will
smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick
before starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter. Re-
place the cartridge every 100 hours of op-
eration or every season, whichever occurs
first. Service air cleaner more often under
dusty conditions. Do not wash cartridge.
TO CHANGE AIR FILTER
1. Remove the cartridge by turning clock-
wise to the stop and then pulling it away
from the collar.
2. Remove cartridge from inside of cover.
3. Clean the inside of the cover and the
collar to remove any dirt accumulation.
4. Insert new cartridge into cover.
5. Put air filter cover and cartridge into
collar aligning the tab with the slot.
6. Push in on cover and turn counter-
clockwise to tighten.
TURN CLOCKWISE
Clip
TO
REMOVE
Slot
Cartridge
Tab TURN
COUNTER-
Air filter cover CLOCKWISE TO TIGHTEN
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs
first. Spark plug type and gap setting
are shown in the "PRODUCT SPECIFIC-
ATIONS" section of this manual.