To Sharpen Blade; Engine Lubrication; Grass Catcher; Drive Wheels - Craftsman 917.377561 Owner's Manual

NOTE: We do not recommendsharpen-
ingblade - but if you do, be sure the blade
is balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
Care should be takento keepthe blade
balanced. An unbalancedbladewill
cause eventualdamage 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.
• 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
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.
° 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.
° Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and
washers.
• Remove wheels from wheel adjusters°
• Remove any trash or gr,ass cuttings from
inside the dust cover, pinion and!or drive
wheel gear teeth.
• Put wheels back in place.
° 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.
• 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_
• tf lubricant is required, use only Texaco
Starplex Premium I Grease, Part No.
750355. 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 your expected operating temperature.
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L'mm= m! i ........ ] [
I'_ ,'_ . o* , 3o. _.,_, r.o. _,
"C -3_ ...............20" ............. -_o" ,, O" '_ ,,,-'tO* 30",,,,,,,, 4_
_, _MPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OiL CHANGE
NOTE: Although mu_-viscos'rty oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-vi_x_sity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°F. 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
continuous use. _ghten oil plug securely each
time you check the oil level,
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