Grass Catcher; Drive Wheels - Craftsman EZ3 917.377284 Owner's Manual

blade bolt, turning clockwise
o The recommended tightening torque is
35.-40 ft. Ibs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat
treated.
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpen-
ing 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.
o The blade can be sharpened with a file
or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower.
o 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
Crank-
Blade shaft
adapter / keyway
Blade Key...._
B,ade\
""-. '_'_..-_ i: ;_o,_,, Crank-
Hardened/ I ['b¢A_."t_j/" ......
washer / Trail_ _g Blade
Lockwasher edge adapter
heavy end until the blade 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, replace only with a manufac-
turer approved replacement catcher°
Give the lawn mower model number
when ordering.
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,
Remove any trash or grass cuttings from
inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive
wheel gear teeth.
• Put wheels back in place.
If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not
turn freely, contact your nearest
authorized service centerr
GEAR CASE
o 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.
o 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
API service classification SF, SG or SH.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according
to your expected operating temperature.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
these multiMscosity 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
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,
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain
oil, drain fuel tank by running engine until fuel
tank is empty.
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