Blade Care - Craftsman Professional 247.38109 Operator's Manual

CLEANING
DECK
Cleanundersideof the mowerdeck once a seasonto preventbuild-up
of grass clippingsor otherdebris. Followstepsbelowfor thisjob.
1. Disconnectsparkplug wire. Draingasolinefromlawn moweror
placea pieceof plasticunder thegas cap.
2. Tip mowersothat it restson the housing,keepingthe mufflerside
down. Referto Figure14.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.If you had put
plasticunderthe gas capearlier,makesureto removeit now.
REPLACING REAR FLAP
To replacerearflap, proceedas follows:
1. To removerearflap, lift reardoor,removescrew,and pressflap in
on either sideto removefrom hole.See Figure16.
2. Removescrewand flapfrom oppositehole and replacewith new
flap in the oppositeorderand mannerof removal.
BLADE CARE
When removing the cutting bladefor sharpeningor replacement,
protectyour handswith a pair of heavyglovesor use a heavyrag to
holdthe 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. Removethe boltand the blade bell supportwhich holdthe blade
and the bladeadapterto theengine crankshaft.See Figure17.
3. Removebladeand adapterfrom the crankshaft.
4. Removebladefrom the adapterfor testingbalance.Balancethe
bladeon a roundshaft screwdriver to check. Removemetalfrom
the heavyside untilit balancesevenly.Whensharpeningthe
blade,followthe originalangleof grind.Grindeachcuttingedge
equallyto keepthe bladebalanced.
An unbalancedblade willcause excessivevibrationwhenrotatingat
high speeds.It maycause damageto mowerand couldbreakcausing
personalinjury.
5. Lubricate the enginecrankshaftand the innersurfaceof the blade
adapterwith light oil. Slidethe blade adapterontothe engine
crankshaft.Placethe bladeon theadaptersuchthat the side of
Figure16
Blade
Blade Bell_
Support
8_- ....... Bolt
Figure17
J
the blade marked"Bottom"(or with part number)facestheground
whenthe moweris in the operatingposition.Makesurethat the
bladeis alignedand seatedon theblade adapterflanges.
6. Placeblade bell supporton theblade.Align notcheson the blade
bell supportwith smallholesin blade.
7. Replacehex boltand tightenhex boltto torque: 450 in. Ibs.rain.,
600 in. Ibs.max.
Toensuresafe operationof yourmower,periodically checkthe blade
boltfor correcttorque.
BELT CARE
NOTE:Severalcomponentsmustbe removedin order to changethe
mower'sself-propulsion drive belt. Seean authorized SearsService
Centerto haveyourbelt replaced.
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