Grass Catcher; Drive Wheels; Gear Case; Engine Lubrication - Craftsman 917.378320 Owner's Manual

• 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 ba;anced, 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
adapter
Crankshaft
Key, keyway
Lockwaehar
Crank
bo_t
Hardened edge Blade 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 replacement
catcher. Give the lawn mower model
number when ordering.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check front ddve 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.
1. Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and
washers.
2. Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
3. Remove any trash or grass cuttings
from inside the dust cover, pinion and/
or drive wheel gear teeth.
4. Put wheels back in place,
NOTE= If after cleaning, the drive wheels
do not turn freely, contact a Sears or other
qualified 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 I Grease, Pad No.
750369. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only highquali_j detergent o{I rated
with API service classification SF-SJ.
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 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
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.
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