Blade Care - Craftsman 247.38908 Operator's Manual

CLEANING
DECK
Cleanundersideof the mowerdeck once a seasonto preventbuild-up
of grass clippingsor otherdebris. Followstepsbelowfor thisjob.
1. Disconnectsparkplug wire. Runengineuntilit stopsfrom lack of
fuel.
2. Tip mowersothat it restson the housing,keepingthe mufflerside
down. Referbackto Figure17.Holdmowerfirmly.
Nevertip the mowermorethan 900in any directionand do not leave
the mowertippedfor any lengthof time. Oil candrain into the upper
partof the enginecausinga startingproblem.
3. Scrapeand cleanthe undersideof thedeck with a suitabletool.
Donot spraywith water.
IMPORTANT:Donot usea pressurewasheror gardenhoseto clean
yourunit. These maycausedamageto bearings,or the engine.The
useof waterwill resultin shortenedlife and reduceserviceability.
4. Putthe mowerback on its wheelson the ground.
Figure19
BLADE CARE
When removing the cuttingblade for sharpeningor replacement,
protectyourhandswith a pair of heavyglovesor usea heavy rag to
hold the blade.
Periodically inspectthe blade adapterfor cracks,especiallyif you
strikea foreignobject. Replacewhennecessary.Followthe steps
belowfor bladeservice.
1. Disconnect s parkplug bootfrom sparkplug.Turnmoweron its side
makingsurethat the air filter and the carburetorare facingup.
2. Remove theboltandthebladebellsupportwhichholdthebladeand
the bladeadaptertothe engine crankshaft.See Figure19.
3. Removebladeand adapterfrom the crankshaft.
4. Removebladefromtheadapterfortestingbalance. Balancetheblade
on a roundshaftscrewdriver to check. Removemetalfrom the
heavy sideuntil it balancesevenly.Whensharpeningthe blade,
followthe originalangle of grind.Grindeachcuttingedge equally
to keepthe blade balanced.
An unbalancedbladewill causeexcessivevibrationwhenrotatingat
high speeds.It may causedamageto mowerand couldbreakcausin(
personalinjury.
5. Lubricatetheenginecrankshaftand the inner surfaceof the blade
adapterwith lightoil. Slidethe blade adapterontothe engine
crankshaft.Placethe bladeon the adaptersuch that the sideof
the blade marked"Bottom"(or with part number)facestheground
whenthe moweris in the operatingposition.Makesurethat the
bladeis alignedand seatedon theblade adapterflanges.See
Figure19inset.
6. Placeblade bell supporton theblade.Align notcheson the blade
bell supportwith smallholesin blade.
7. Replace hexboltandtightenhexbolttotorque:450in.Ibs.rain.,600
in.Ibs.max.
Toensuresafe operationof yourmower,periodically checkthe blade
boltfor correcttorque.
19