Blade Care - Craftsman C459-36310 Operator's Manual

2. Thread the hose coupler (packaged with your mower's Operator's Manual)
onto the end of your garden hose.
3. Attach the hose coupler to the water port on your deck's surface. See Figure
24 .
4. Turn the water on.
5. Start the engine as described in the Operation section.
6. Run the engine for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of
the cutting deck to thoroughly rinse.
7. Release blade control to stop the engine and blade.
8. Turn the water off and detach the hose coupler from the water port on your
deck's surface.
After cleaning your deck, restart the mower. Keep the engine and blade running
for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the cutting deck to
thoroughly dry.

Blade Care

When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect
your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign
object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service.
1. Disconnect spark plug boot from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making
sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.
2. Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the
blade adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 25.
3. Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
4. Remove blade from the adapter for testing balance. Balance the blade on a
round shaft screwdriver to check. Remove metal from the heavy side until
it balances evenly. When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of
grind. Grind each cutting edge equally to keep the blade balanced.
An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may cause damage to mower and could break causing personal
injury.
5. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter
with light oil. Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the
blade on the adapter such that the side of the blade marked "Bottom" (or
with part number) faces the ground when the mower is in the operating
position. Make sure that the blade is aligned and seated on the blade
adapter flanges. See Figure 25 inset.
6. Place blade bell support on the blade. Align notches on the blade bell
support with small holes in blade.
7. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs.
max.
To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for correct
torque.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
WARNING
WARNING
Blade Bell Support
18
Figure 24
Blade
Adapter
Blade
Bolt
Figure 25