Craftsman 917.379240 Owner's Manual page 13

GRASS CATCHER
(If purchased as an accessory)
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for dam-
age or deterioration. Through normal
use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-
ing, replace only with approved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual. Give the lawn
mower model number when ordering.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with
API service classification SG-SL Selectthe
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAEVISCOStTYGRADES
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
C -30 -2; -1; ; 1'0 20 3'0 4;
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.)improve starting in
cold weather, they will result in increased
oil consumption when used above 32°E
Check your engine oil level more frequently
to avoid possible engine damage from run-
ning 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: Before tipping lawn mower to drain
oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until
fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown
and drain oil into a suitable container.
Rock lawn mower back and forth to re-
move any oil trapped inside of engine.
Container
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn
mower or side of engine.
5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout,
stopping every few ounces to check
the oil level with the dipstick.
6. Stop adding oil when you reach the
FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a
minute to allow oil to settle.
7. Continue adding small amounts of oil,
rechecking the dipstick until oil level
settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or
engine will smoke heavily from the
muffler on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick
before starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wire to plug.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter.
Clean the element after every 25 hours
of operation or every season. Replace
the air filter every 100 hours of operation
or every season, whichever occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty
conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER ELEMENT
1. Remove screw.
2. Remove air cleaner carefully to prevent
dirt from entering carburetor.
3. Take air cleaner apart and clean air
filter element.
4. Wash filter element in liquid detergent
and water.
5. Wrap filter element in cloth and
squeeze dry.
6. Lightly coat filter element with clean
engine oil. Squeeze in towel to remove
excess oil. Do not saturate.
7. Reassemble parts and put back on
carburetor.
Screw
I
Li
ASSEMBLE ONE OF THESE LOW POINTS
\_ TOWARDS NARROW EDGE OF ELEMENT
Element Cup
ASSEMBLE SO LIP
EXTENDS OVER
EDGE OF
AIR CLEANER
BODY
LIP WILL FORM
PROTECTIVE
SEAL WHEN
COVER IS ASSEMBLED
13