To Sharpen Blade; Grass Catcher; Drive Wheels - Craftsman 917.377563 Owner's Manual

IMPORTANT: Blade 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 Crank shaft
adapter
._"_._yway
Key
B! Crank
bolt / \ ' ' ' I " _ shaft
Lock'
\
Trailin[ Blade
washer Hardened
edge adapter
washer
GRASS CATCHER
• 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
wear, tf catcher needs replacing, replace
only with a manufacturer approved
replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower
model number when ordedngo
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 ddve wheels,
check both front wheels.
• Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and
washers.
• Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
• Remove any trash or grass cuttings from
inside the dust cover, pinion and/or diive
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
• 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 t Grease, Part No.
750369. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SG or
SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
BAE VJScosn'Y" GRADES
-20" D"
TEMPERAT',JRE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT O_LCHANGE
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°F_ Check your er_gine oil
level more frequently to avoid possible •
engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation 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.
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