Craftsman EZ3 917.377531 Owner's Manual page 12

NOTE: We do not recommend sharp-
ening blade - but if you do, be sure the
blade is balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
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. P!ace 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
adapter _.... _. _ shaft key-
Lock _ Trallln, _Blade shaft
washer Hardened edge adapter
washer
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
o Check your grass catcher often for dam-
age or deterioration. Through normal use
it will wear. If catcher needs replacing,
replace only with a manufacturer ap-
proved replacement catcher. Give the
lawn mower model number when order-
ing.
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.
• Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
o Remove any trash or grass cuttings
from inside the dust cover, pinion and/or
ddve wheel gear teeth.
• Put wheels back in place.
° If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not
turn freely, contact your nearest autho-
rized 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 1 Grease, Part No.
750355. Do not substitute
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with APiservice classification SF,SG, or
SHo Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
._.. ____SAE VIS CFJSFrY GRADES
F'_EM-_'p_U_E p_QE ANTIClP^TEO DEFOR_ _X_ O_L C_A_Cg "
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, IOW30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather these multi-viscosity oils
w II result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°1. Check your
engine oil level more frequently to avoid
posstble 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 fue/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,
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