Craftsman 247.377441 Operator's Manual page 15

Mower Maintenance
Deck Wash
Your mower's deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its deck
wash system.
Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from the deck's underside and prevent
the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following steps AFTER EACH
MOWING:
1. Push the mower to a level, clear spot on your lawn, near enough for your
garden hose to reach. Remove the grass bag if attached.
Make certain the mower's discharge chute is directed AWAY from your
house, garage, parked cars, etc.
2. Remove the fast attach deck wash nozzle from the mower deck and thread it
onto the end of your garden hose.
3. Attach garden hose with the deck wash nozzle to the water port on your
deck's surface. See Figure 17.
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 deck wash nozzle 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. Allow the engine to run until it is out of fuel. Do not attempt to pour fuel
from the engine. Disconnect spark plug wire. Refer to Engine Operator's
Manual.
2. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are
facing up.
3. Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the
blade adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 18.
4. Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
5. 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.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
CAUTION
WARNING
Blade Bell Support
An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may cause damage to mower and could break causing personal
injury.
6. 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 "Grass Side"
(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 18 inset.
7. Place blade bell support on the blade. Align notches on the blade bell
support with small holes in blade.
8. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque:
450 in-lb (min.), 600 in-lb (max.).
15
Figure 17
Blade
Adapter
Blade
Bolt
Figure 18
WARNING