Craftsman EZ3 917.387280 Owner's Manual page 12

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
blade - but if you do, be sure the biade is
balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
Care should be taken to keep the blade
balanced. An unbalanced blade witl 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 Onthe mower.
. To check blade balance, drive a nail into a
beam or wall, Leave about one inch of the
straightnail exposed. Piace center hole of
blade over the head ofthe nail. If blade is
balanced, it should remain ir_a horizontal
position, ff either end of the blade moves
downward, sharpen the heavy end until the
btade is balanced.
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. If catcher needs replacing, repface
only with a manufacturer approved
replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower
modei number when ordering.
Blade
adaptor _
Blade. \ Key_
Bolt I \ " "
Lockwasher Hardened
Crank shaft
_____.....I, ._yway
/
washer Trailing adaptor
edge
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with APt service classification SF, SH or
SG, Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature,
12
NOTE: Although muTti--viscosity oils
(5W30. 10W3O etc.) improve starting in
cold wealher, those multi--viscosity oils
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 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 eachtime 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 and drain oft
into a suitable container, Rock lawn
mower back and forth to remove any oil
trapped inside of engine,
o Wipe off any spilled oil on lawn mower
and Onside of engine.
o Fill engine with oil. FilI only to the "FULL"
line on the dipstick. DO NO] OVER
FILL,
,' Replace engine oil cap.
, Reconnect spark plug wire to spark
plug.
Container
AIR FILTER
",'our engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter,
Reptace 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 cover by turning
counterclockwise to the stop and pull
away from collar,
o Remove filter from inside of cover,
• Ctean the inside of the cover and the