Craftsman 917.370565 Owner's Manual page 15

CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
mower housing free of built-up grass and
trash. Clean the underside of your mower
after each use.
_I_CAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with plug.
• Clean underside of mower by scraping
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 short-
ened engine life.
CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER
Clean under drive cover at least twice a sea-
son. Scrape underside of cover with putty
knife or similar tool to remove any build-up
of trash or grass on underside of drive cover.
_WARNING: To avoid serious injury, be- 8. Turn lawn mower on its side with air
fore performing any service or adjustments: filter and carburetor down.
1. Release control bar and stop engine. 9. Reinstall blade.
2. Make sure the blade and all moving
parts have completely stopped.
3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire 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
mowing position. If the deflector becomes
damaged, it should be replaced.
TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT
1. Remove drive cover.
2. Remove spring and belt keeper.
3. Remove belt from gearcase pulley.
4. Turn lawn mower on its side with air
filter and carburetor down.
5. Remove blade, engine pulley and
debris shield.
6. Remove engine pulley and belt from
debris shield.
TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT
1. Place new drive belt in engine pulley
and belt retainer of debris shield.
2. Route the other end of the new drive
belt through hole in housing.
3. Reinstall debris shield.
4. Return mower to upright position.
5. Install new belt on gearcase pulley.
6. Reinstall belt keeper and spring.
7. Reinstall drive cover.
NOTE: Always use factory approved belt
to assure proper fit and long life.
Gearcase pulley
\
Belt
retainer
15
Debris shield
"Drive
cover
Spring
Belt
3er
Belt
pulley
Drive belt