Blade Care - Craftsman 247.38814 Operator's Manual

CLEANING
DECK
Cleanundersideof the mowerdeck once a seasonto preventbuild-up
of grass clippingsor otherdebris. Followstepsbelowfor thisjob.
1. Disconnectsparkplug wire. Runengineuntilit stopsfrom lack of
fuel.
2. Tip mowersothat it restson the housing,keepingthe mufflerside
down. Referbackto Figure13.Holdmowerfirmly.
Nevertip the mowermorethan 900in any directionand do not leave
the mowertippedfor any lengthof time. Oil candrain into the upper
partof the enginecausinga startingproblem.
3. Scrapeand cleanthe undersideof thedeck with a suitabletool.
Donot spraywith water.
IMPORTANT:Donot usea pressurewasheror gardenhoseto clean
yourunit. These maycausedamageto bearings,or the engine.The
useof waterwill resultin shortenedlife and reduceserviceability.
4. Putthe mowerback on its wheelson the ground.
REPLACING REAR FLAP
To replacerearflap, proceedas follows:
1. Lift reardoor,and press flapin on either sideto removefrom hole.
See Figure15.
2. Removeflapfrom oppositehole and replacewith newflap in the
oppositeorderand mannerof removal.
BLADE CARE
Whenremovingthe cuttingbladefor sharpeningor replacement,
protectyour handswith a pairof heavy glovesor use a heavy ragto
hold the blade.
Periodically inspectthe blade adapterfor cracks,especiallyif you
strikea foreignobject. Replacewhennecessary.Followthe steps
belowfor bladeservice.
1. Disconnectsparkplug bootfrom spark plug.Turnmoweron its
side makingsurethat theair filter and thecarburetorare facing
up.
2. Removethe boltand the blade bell supportwhich holdthe blade
and the bladeadapterto theengine crankshaft.See Figure16.
3. Removebladeand adapterfrom the crankshaft.
4. Removebladefrom the adapterfor testingbalance.Balancethe
bladeon a roundshaft screwdriver to check. Removemetalfrom
the heavyside untilit balancesevenly.Whensharpeningthe
blade,followthe originalangleof grind.Grindeachcuttingedge
equallyto keepthe bladebalanced.
An unbalancedblade willcause excessivevibrationwhenrotatingat
high speeds.It maycause damageto mowerand couldbreakcausing
personalinjury.
Figure15
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Figure16
J
5. Lubricatetheengine crankshaftand the inner surfaceof the blade
adapterwith lightoil. Slide the bladeadapterontothe engine
crankshaft.Placethe blade on the adaptersuch that the sideof
theblade marked"Bottom"(or with part number)facesthe ground
whenthe moweris in the operatingposition.Makesurethat the
bladeis alignedand seatedon the bladeadapterflanges.
6. Placebladebell supporton the blade.Align notcheson theblade
bell supportwith small holesin blade.
7. Replacehex boltand tighten hexbolt to torque:450 in. Ibs.rain.,
600 in. Ibs.max.
Toensuresafe operationof yourmower,periodicallychecktheblade
boltfor correcttorque.
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