Craftsman 917.389510 Owner's Manual page 12

• To check blade balance, drive a nail
into a beam or wall. Leave about one
inch of the straight nail exposed. Place
center hole of blade over the head of
the nail. If blade is balanced, it should
remain in a horizontal position. If either
end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade
is balanced.
Blade
adapter
Crankshaft
keyway
Lockwasher
\
Crank
bolt
Hardened edge Blade adapter
washer
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for
damage or deterioration. Through
normal use it will wear. If catcher needs
replacing, replace only with a manufac-
turar approved replacement catcher.
Give the lawn mower model number
when ordering.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high qualitydetergent oil rated
with APt servicectassification SF-SJ,
Select the oil'sSAE viscositygrade
accordingto your expected operating
temperature.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°1:. Check your
engine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running
low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in
one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before
starting the engine and after each five (5)
hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug
securely each time you check the oil
level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
NOTE: Beforetippinglawn mowerto
drain oil, drain fuel tank by running
engine until fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnectspark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contactwith spark plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside op a
clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitablecontainer.
Rock lawn mower back and forth to
remove any oil trapped inside of
engine.
4. Wipe off any spilledoil on lawn mower
and on side of engine.
5. Fill engine with oil. (See "Add Oil"in
the Operacionsectionof this manual,)
6. Reconnectspark plug wire to spark_
plug,
Container
12