Product Specifications; Tires; Blade Care - Craftsman 917.388900 Owner's Manual

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Serial number:
Date of purchase:
Gasoline capacity / type: 1.6 quarts (Unleaded Regular)
Oil type (API-SF-SJ): SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)
Oil capacity: 20 ounces
Spark plug (gap: .030") Champion RJ19LM or J19LM
Blade bolt torque: 35-40 ft. Ibs.
• The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the mower
housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.
LAWNMOWER
Alwaysobservesafety rules when perform-
ing any maintenance.
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemicals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts,sharp
objects and other hazards that may cause
tire damage.
BLADE CARE
For best results, mower blade must be
kept sharp. Replace bent or damaged
blades.
TO REMOVE BLADE
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with spark plug.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make
sure air filter and carburetor are up.
3. Use a wood block between blade and
mower housing to prevent blade from
tuming when removing blade bolt.
NOTE; Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by tuming counter-
clockwise.
5. Remove blade and attaching hard-
ware (bolt, lock washer and hardened
washer).
NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and
check the key inside hub of blade
adapter. The key must be in good condi-
tion to work properly. Replace adapter if
damaged.
(opposite sharp edge) is up toward
the engine.
4. Install the blade bolt with the lock
washer and hardened washer into
blade adapter and crankshaft.
5. Use block of wood between blade and
lawn mower housing and tighten the
blade bolt, turning clockwise.
• The recommended tightening torque is
35-40 ft. Ibs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat
treated.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpen-
ing blade - but if you do, be sure the
blade is balanced.
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 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 heavy end until the blade
is balanced.
TO REPLACE BLADE Blade
1. Position the blade adapter on the
engine crankshaft. Be sure key in
adapter and crankshaft keyway are
aligned.
2. Position blade on the blade adapter
aligning the two (2) holes in the blade
Blade
with the raised lugs on the adapter, bolt
3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade
Blade adapter Crankshaft
keyway
11
3rank
Harc shaft
washer Trailing edge Blade adapter