Drive Wheels; Blade Care - Craftsman 917.377941 Owner's Manual

• Avoidstumps,stones, deep ruts, sharp
objectsand other hazardsthat may
cause tire damage.
DRIVEWHEELS
Checkrear drive wheels each time you
mowto be sure they move freely. The
wheels not turning freely meanstrash,
grasscuttings, etc., may be inside the
drivewheel and dust cover area and must
be cleaned out to free drive wheels.
BLADE CARE
Forbest results, mowerblade mustbe kept
sharp. Replacea bent or damagedblade.
_, CAUTION: Use only a replacement
bladeapprovedby the manufacturerof
your mower. Using a blade not approved
by the manufacturerof your moweris
hazardous,could damageyour mowerand
void your warranty.
The bladecan be sharpenedwith a file
or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower.
Tocheck bladebalance, drivea nail into
a beam or wall. Leaveabout one inch of
the straightnail exposed.Placecenter
hole of blade over the head of the nail.
If blade is balanced,it should remain in
a horizontalposition.If either end of the
blademoves downward,sharpenthe
heavyend until the blade is balanced.
Trailing
Blade adapter,
TO REMOVE BLADE
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make
sure air filter and carburetor are up.
3. Use a wood block between blade and
mower housing to prevent blade from
turning when removing blade bolt.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-
clockwise.
5. Remove blade and attaching hardware
(bolt, lock washer, hardened washer).
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position blade on the blade adapter
aligning the two (2) holes in the blade
with the raised lugs on the adapter.
2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo-
site sharp edge) is up toward the engine.
3. Install the blade bolt with the lock
washer and hardened washer into
blade adapter and crankshaft.
4. Use block of wood between blade and
lawn mower housing and tighten the
blade bolt, turning clockwise.
• The recommended tightening torque is
35-40 ft. Ibs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
the 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 mower or engine.
Lock-
washer
HaVened Blade
Blade washer bolt
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for dam-
age or deterioration. Through normal
use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-
ing, replace only with approved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual. Give the lawn
mower model number when ordering.
GEAR CASE
• 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.
750369. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the
emission control devices and systems, which
are being done at the customers expense,
may be performed by any non-road engine
repair establishment or individual. Warranty
repairs must be performed by an authorized
engine manufacturer's service outlet.
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