Grass Catcher; Drive Wheels; Gear Case; To Sharpen Blade - Craftsman 917.377593 Owner's Manual

TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is
balanced,,
Care should be taken to keep the blade
balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause
eventual damage to lawn mower or
engine.
o The blade can be sharpened with a file
or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower,,
o 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 Crank shaft
adapter keyway
Key
Blade
Crank
bolt shaft
Lock Blade
washer Hardened edge adapter
washer
GRASS CATCHER
o The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used°
o Check your grass catcher often for damage
or deterioration. Through normal use it will
wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace
only with a manufacturer approved
replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower
model number when ordering.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check front drive wheels each time before
you mow to be sure they move freely.
The wheels not turning freely means trash,
grass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel
area and must be cleaned to free drive
wheels.
If necessary to clean the drive wheels,
check both front wheels.
o Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and
washers.
Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
o Remove any trash or grass cuttings from
inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive
wheel gear teeth.
o Put wheels back in placer
. If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not
turn freely, contact your nearest
authorized service center.
GEAR CASE
o To keep your drive system working
properly, the gear case and area around
the drive should be kept clean and free
of trash build-up,, Clean under the drive
cover twice a season.
o The gear case is filled with lubricant to
the proper level at the factory_ The only
time the lubricant needs attention is if
service has been performed on the gear
case,
• If lubricant is required, use only Texaco
Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No.
750369. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with
API service classification SF,SG, or SH.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade accord-
ing to yourexpected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
_F .20" 0" I ... ::_" 40' 6Q" B0" ,O0"
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
t0W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased
oil consumption when used above 32°Fo
Check your engine oil level more frequently to
avoid possible engine damage from running
low on oil,
Change after the first 25 hours of operation 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
cor_tinuous use. Tighten oi! plug securely each
time you check the oil level°
12