Craftsman EZ3 917.377591 Owner's Manual page 12

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
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 nai! 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
bolt. I \ ' ' '_ l._.' _ 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. if catcher needs replacing, replace
only with a manufacturer approved
replacementcatcher. 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 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
APt service classificatbn SF,SG, or SH_
Setect the oil's SAE viscosity grade accord-
ing to your expected operating temperature.
s_ wscos_ GP_DEs I
..... I............ I
t TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTtGiPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE J
NOTE; Although multi-viscosity oils(5W30,
t 0W30 etc,)improve startingin coldweather,
these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased
oil consumption when used above 32°E
Check your engine oil level more frequently to
avoid possible engine damage from running
low on oil.
Change after the first 25 hours of operationat
least once a year if the lawn mower is not used
for 25 hours in one year,
Check the crankcase oit 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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