Lawn Mower - Craftsman 917.378531 Owner's Manual

AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a
dirty air filter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner
after every 25 hours of operation or every
season. Replace paper cartridge every
100 hours of operation or every season,
whichever occurs first. Service air
cleaner more often under dusty condi-
tions.
1. Loosen screws and remove cover.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat
surface. If very dirty, replace cartridge.
_CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such
as kerosene, are not to be used to clean
cartridge. They may cause deterioration of
the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not
use pressurized air to clean or dry
cartridge.
4. Install cartridge, then replace cover.
Base
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire hazard and/or dam-
age.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs first.
Spark plug type and gap setting are
shown in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"
in Maintenance section of this manual.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-up
grass and trash. Clean the underside of
your mower after each use.
_CAUTION,- Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with spark plug.
• Clean the underside of your lawn
mower by scrap}ng to remove build-up
of grass and trash.
• Clean engine often to keep trash from
accumulating. A clogged engine runs
hotter and shortens engine life.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free
of all gasoline, oil, etc.
• We do not recommend using a garden
hose to clean lawn mower unless the
electrical system, muffler, air filter and
carburetor are covered to keep water
out. Water in engine can result in
shortened engine life.
CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER
Clean under drive cover at least twice a
season. Scrape underside of cover with
putty knife or similar tool to remove any
build-up of trash or grass on underside of
drive cover.
/I, WARNING: To avoid serious injury, be-
fore performing any service or adjustments:
1, Release control bar and stop engine.
2, Make sure the blade and all moving
parts have completely stopped.
3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place where it cannot come
in contact with plug.
LAWN MOWER
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in
the Operation section of this manual.
REAR DEFLECTOR
The rear deflector, attached between the
rear wheels of your mower, is provided to
minimize the possibility that objects will be
thrown out of the rear of the mower into the
operator's mowing position. If the deflector
becomes damaged, it should be replaced.
TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT
1. Remove drive cover. Remove belt
from gearoase pulley by pushing
down on pulley and rolling belt off it.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side with air
filter and carburetor up.
3. Remove blade.
4. Remove debris shield.
5. Remove belt from engine pulley on
crankshaft.
TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT
1. Install new belt on engine pulley.
2. Reinstall debris shield and blade.
3. Return mower to upright position.
4. Install new belt on gearcase pulley.
5. Reinstall drive cover.
NOTE: Always use factory approved belt
to assure fit and long life.
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