To Sharpen Blade - Craftsman 917.377521 Owner's Manual

NOTE: We do not recommendsharpen-
ing blade- but if you do, be sure tile blade
is balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
Careshould be taken to keepthe blade
balanced. An unbalancedbladewill
cause eventualdamage to lawn moweror'
engine.
, Thebladecanbesharpened witha fileor
ona grinding wheel. Donotattempt t o
sharpen whileon themower.
o Tocheckbladebalance, d rivea nailintoa
beamor wall. Leaveaboutoneinchofthe
straight n ailexposed.Placecenterholeof
bladeovertheheadofthe nail. Ifbladeis
balanced, i tshouldremainina horizontal
position.If eitherendofthe blademoves
downward, s harpen theheavyenduntilthe
bladeis balanced°
Blade Crank shaft
adapter _.__-_ _eyway
Key , _,Jl,L.,,t_. //,/_
Blade _ _>/'_
k ''" g Blade
washer Hardened edge adapter
washer
GRASS CATCHER
o 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
wean If catcher needs replacing, replace
only with a manufacturer approved
replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower
model number when ordering.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check front drive wheels each time before
you mow to be sure they move freely.
The wheels not turning freely means trash,
grass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel
area and must be cleaned to free drive
wheels.
If necessary to clean the drive wheels,
check both front wheels.
° Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and
washers.
o Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
o Remove any trash or grass cuttings from
inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive
wheel gear teeth.
° Put wheels back in place.
° If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not
turn freely, contact your nearest
authorized service center.
GEAR CASE
o To keep your drive system working
properly, the gear case and area around
the drive should be kept clean and free
of trash build-up. Clean under the drive
cover twice a season.
. The gear case is filled with lubricant to
the proper level at the factory_ The only
time the lubricant needs attention is if
service has been performed on the gear
case,
• If lubricant is required, use only Texaco
Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No.
750355. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oi! rated with
API service classification SF,SG, or SH.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade accord-
ing to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSrFY GRADES
I
...... TEMP ERATU RE RANG',: ANTICIPA]:ED BEFORE NEX-r OIL CFfANGE
NOTE: A[though mul'd-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 after the first 25 hours of operation 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 ernpty.
o Disconnectspark plug wirefrom spark plug
and placewire 'whereit cannotcome in
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