Craftsman 917.388220 Owner's Manual page 10

IMPORTANT: B lade
bolt is grade 8 heat
treated.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
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 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.
Blade
Key adapter Crankshaft
_. keyway
Blade
Lockwasher
\
Blade shaft
bolt Hardened Trailing
washer edge Blade adapter
GRASS CATCHER
(If purchased as an accessory)
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for
damage or detedoration. Through
normal use it will wear. If catcher needs
replacing, replace only with a manufac-
turer approved replacement catcher.
Give the lawn mower model number
when ordedng.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with
API service classificationSF, SG or SH.
Select the oil'sSAlE viscositygrade according
to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
NOTE: Although multi-viscostty oils (5"W30,
10W30 etc.) improve startingin cold weather,
these multi-viscosityoils 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
operation orat least once a year ifthe 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. T_hten 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
come in 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 lawn 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.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may be
damaged by using a ditty air fitter.
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 by turning counter-
clockwise to the stop and pull away from
collar.
• Remove filterfrom inside of cover,
• Clean the inside of the cover and the collar
to remove any dirt accumulation.
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