Grass Catcher; Engine Lubrication; Air Filter - Craftsman 917.375920 Owner's Manual

Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion
of the steel bolt or pin and hold the
bolt or pin parallel with the ground. If
blade is balanced, it should remain in a
horizontalposition. If either end of the
blade moves downward,sharpen the
heavy end until the blade is balanced.
Center
5/8" bolt or pin
Blade
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for dam-
age or deterioration. Through normal
use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-
ing, replace only with approved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual. Give the lawn
mower model number when ordering.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of op-
eration orat least once a year if the 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.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to
drain oil, empty fuel tank by running en-
gine until fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitable container.
Rock lawn mower back and forth to re-
move any oil trapped inside of engine.
GEAR CASES
• To keep your drive system working
properly, the gear cases 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 cases are 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.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with
API service classification SG-SL. Select the
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
C -30 -20 -1; ; 1'0 20 10 4;
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
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°R Check your engine oil
level more frequently to avoid possible
engine damage from running low on oil.
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout,
stopping every few ounces to check
the oil level with the dipstick.
6. Stop adding oil when you reach the
FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a
minute to allow oil to settle.
7. Continue adding small amounts of oil,
rechecking the dipstick until oil level
settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or
engine will smoke heavily from the
muffler on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick
before starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using
a dirty air filter. Replace paper cartridge
every 100 hours of operation or every sea-
son, whichever occurs first. Service air
cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
1. Loosen screws and remove cover.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur-
face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.
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