Craftsman 917.375452 Owner's Manual page 14

LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when per-
form ing any main te nance.
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemi cals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp
objects and other hazards that may
cause tire damage.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check front drive wheels each time be fore
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, be
sure to clean both front wheels.
1. Remove hubcaps (if equipped), lock-
nuts and washers.
2. Remove wheels from wheel ad just ers.
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.
BLADE CARE
For best results, mower blade must be kept
sharp. Re place a bent or dam aged blade.
CAUTION: Use only a replacement
blade approved by the manufacturer of
your mower. Using a blade not approved
by the manufacturer of your mower is
hazardous, could damage your mower
and void your warranty.
TO REMOVE BLADE
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with 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 hous ing to prevent blade from
turning when re mov ing blade bolt.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-
clockwise.
5. Remove blade and attaching hardware
(bolt, lock wash er, hardened wash er).
NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check
the key inside hub of blade adapter. The key
must be in good condition to work properly.
Replace adapter if damaged.
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position the blade adapter on the engine
crank shaft. Be sure key in adapter and
crankshaft keyway are aligned.
2. Position blade on the blade adapter.
IMPORTANT: To ensure proper as sem bly,
center hole in blade must align with star
on blade adapter.
3. Be sure trailing edge of blade (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. lbs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
Blade adapter Key
Lockwasher
Blade
Blade
bolt
Hardened
washer Trailing edge
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharp-
en ing blade - but if you do, be sure the
blade is balanced. An un bal anced blade
will cause eventual damage to lawn
mower or engine.
• The blade can be sharp ened with a file
or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, you will need
a 5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone
balancer. (When using a cone bal anc er,
follow the in struc tions supplied with it.)
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing
blade. The lobes of the center hole may
appear to be centered, but are not.
• 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 bal anced, it should remain in a
horizontal po si tion. If either end of the
blade moves downward, sharpen the
heavy end until the blade is balanced.
Center hole
5/8" bolt or pin
14
Crankshaft
keyway
Belt
retainer
Blade