Gear Case; Engine Lubrication; Air Filter; To Clean Air Filter - Craftsman 917.378501 Owner's Manual

GEAR CASE
Tokeepyour drivesystem working
properly,the gearcase and area around
the drive should be keptclean and free
of trash build-up. Clean under the drive
covertwice a season.
The gearcase is filled withlubricantto the
proper levelat the factory. The only time
the lubricantneeds attentionis if service
has been performedon the gear case.
If lubricantis required,use only ELF
MULTISEP0O. Do not substitute.
LUBRmCATmON
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with
API service classification SF-SJ. Select the
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
i_lr_Id
°F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
°c -_o -2o -1_ _ 1_ _o 30 _o
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Muki-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30
etc.) improve starting in cold weather, and
you should check your engine oil level fre-
quently 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, empty fuel tank by running engine until
fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come into contact with the spark 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.
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Fill engine with oil. The engine oil
capacity is 18.5 oz. If oil is not com-
pletely drained from engine, you may
not need the entire container of a 20
oz. bottle of oil. Slowly pour 3/4 of the
oil from the container down the oil fill
spout into the engine.
6. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle.
Use guage on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Insert dipstick into the
tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube.
DO NOT thread the cap into the tube
when taking reading.
7. Continue adding small amounts of
oil and rechecking the dipstick until it
reads full. DO NOT overfill, or engine
will smoke on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick
before starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.
Oil filler cap/dipstick
Upper
limit
Lower
limit
AiR FmLTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter.
Replace the air filter every 100 hours of
operation or every season, whichever oc-
curs first. Service air cleaner more often
under dusty conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER
1. Remove cover.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur-
face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.
_kOAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as
kerosene, are not to be used to clean car-
tridge. They may cause deterioration of the
cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not use
pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.
4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.
Filter Filter
Tabs
Cover
14
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