Cleaning Deck; Blade Care - Craftsman 247.38528 Operator's Manual

CLEANING
DECK
Cleanundersideof the mowerdeck once a seasonto preventbuild-up
of grass clippingsor otherdebris. Followstepsbelowfor thisjob.
1. Disconnectsparkplug wire. Runengineuntilit stopsfrom lack of
fuel.
2. Tip mowersothat it restson the housing,keepingthe mufflerside
down. Referbackto Figure13.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. Scrapeandcleantheundersideofthedeckwithasuitabletool. 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.
f
Support
Figure15
J
BLADE CARE
Whenremovingthe cuttingbladefor sharpeningor replacement,
protectyour handswith a pairof heavy glovesor use a heavy ragto
hold the blade.
Periodically inspectthe blade adapterfor cracks,especiallyif you
strikea foreignobject. Replacewhennecessary.Followthe steps
belowfor bladeservice.
1. Disconnectsparkplug bootfrom spark plug.Turnmoweron its
side makingsurethat theair filter and thecarburetorare facing
up.
2. Removethe boltand the blade bell supportwhich holdthe blade
and the bladeadapterto theengine crankshaft.See Figure15.
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 unbalancedbladewill causeexcessivevibrationwhen rotatingat
high speeds.It may causedamageto mowerand couldbreakcausin(
personalinjury.
5. Lubricatetheenginecrankshaftand the inner surfaceof the blade
adapterwith lightoil. Slidethe blade adapterontothe engine
crankshaft.Placethe bladeon the adaptersuch that the sideof
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.
19