Craftsman 917.378640 Owner's Manual page 13

GEAR CASE
• 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.
• 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-SJ. Select the
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAE VtSCOSITY GRADES
20 0 30 32 40 60 80
-30 -20 -10 0 _0 20 30
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°E Check your engine oil
level more frequently to avoid possible
engine damage from running 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 start-
ing 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 spark 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.
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.
Container
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 conditions.
1. Loosen screws and remove cover.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat sur-
_i face. If very dirty, replace cartridge.
CAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as
kerosene, are not to be used to clean car-
tridge. 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.
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Base
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