Maintaining Engine; Blade Sharpening; Changing Engine Oil; Changing Air Filter - Craftsman 247 Owner's Manual

3. Remove the 5/8" hex flange nut which holds the
blade to the blade spindle and the spindle shaft.
4. Remove blade from the spindle. See Figure 11.
Ball _dng
Iq-
.,_ Spindle Shaft
Flange Nut -___ Blade
Figure 11
Sharpening
1. When sharpening the blade, follow the original
angle of gdnd as a guide. It is extremely important
that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of
gnnding to prevent an unbalanced blade. An
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration
when rotating at high speeds, may damage the
mower and/or cause personal injury.
2. Test the blade for balance by balancing it on a
round shaft screwddver. Remove metal from the
heavy side until it balances evenly.
Reassembly
1. Before reassembling the blade to the unit, lubdcate
the spindle shaft with light oil (or engine oil).
2. Be sure to propedy align "star" fitting on blade with
=star" on spindle shaft.
NOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the
blade with the side marked =Bottom" (or with part
number) facing the ground when the mower is in the
operating position. Also make sure that the entire blade
and spindle assembly is reattached in the right order.
See Figure 11.
3. Place the flange nut, removed eadier, and secure
blade firmly to the spindle. Blade Mounting
Torque: 95-122 N-M or 70-90 ft,-Ib, maximum.
4. Flip the deck back to its operating position and
reattach to the mower. Secure the deck to the deck
hanger links by three hairpin clips and flat washers
removed eadier.
NOTE: To ensure safe operation, all nuts and bolts
must be checked periodically for correct tightness.
Maintaining Engine
Changing Engine Oil
1. Disconnect spark plug wire and ground against
engine.
2. Place the blade control lever in the disengaged
(OFF) position and engage the parking brake.
3. Remove cutting deck by removing the three hairpin
clips and flat washers that hold the deck to the
hanger links.
4. Making sure that all three belts are out of the way,
carefully unscrew the oil drain plug and collect
spent oil in a container. Hold the container close to
the drain plug to avoid spillage. See Figure 12.
5. Reinstall drain plug and reattach the cutting deck.
6. Refill with fresh engine oil. For instruction, refer to
page 11, Filling Up Oil.
Figure 12
,_ WARNING:
Make sure not to spill oil on the belts while draining spent oil or removing the oil
container.
Changing Air Cleaner
The engine on your lawn utility vehicle has an oval air
cleaner cartridge and a pre-cleaner. See engine parts
list starting on page 37 of this manual for the part
numbers. Regular maintenance of the air cleaner will
improve your vehicle's engine performance and extend
life of the engine.
1. Service the air cleaner at the start of the season,
and every 25 hours of operation. You will have to
clean it more frequently if it is operated in extremely
dusty conditions. Replace air cleaner parts ifthese
are very dirty.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire and ground against
engine.
3. Place the blade control lever in the disengaged
(OFF) position and engage the parking brake.
4. Pivot the seat up and access the engine.
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