Maintenance; Lawn Mower; Tires; Blade Care - Craftsman Lawn Mower Operator's Manual

LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety' rules when per-
forming any maintenance
TIRES
o Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemicals which can harm rub-
ber_
o Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp
objects and other hazards that may
cause tire damage
BLADE CARE
For best results, blade must be kept sharp_
eplace a bent or damaged blade.
CAUTION: Use only a replacement
blade approved by the manufacturer of
your mower. Using a blade not approved
by the manufacturer of your mower is
hazardous, could damage your mower and
void your warranty.
TO REMOVE BLADE
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug
2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make
sure air filter and carburetor are up.
3 Use a wood bFockbetween blade and
mower housing to prevent blade from
turningwhen removing blade bOlto
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth,
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-
c/ockwise_
5. Remove blade and attaching hard-
ware (bolt, lock washer and hardened
washer).
6. Remove debris shield (if equipped)
NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and
check the key inside hub of blade adapter.
The key must be in good condition to work
properly,. Replace adapter if damaged.
Belt
Ing edge
Debris shield Hardened
(if equfpped) washer
Blade Blade bolt
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position the blade adapter on the en-
gine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter
and crankshaft keyway are aligned;
and that the drive belt is inside the tabs
of the belt retainer (if equipped).
2. Position blade on the blade adapter
aligning the two (2) holes in the blade
with the raised lugs on the adapter,
3,. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
posite sharp edge) is up toward the
engine,,
4, Inslalt the blade bolt with the lock
washer and hardened washer into
blade adapter and crankshaft,
5, Use block of wood between blade and
lawn mower housing and tighten the
blade bolt, turning clockwise..
• The recommended tightening torque is
3540 frolbs..
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated,.
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
blade - but if you do, be sure the blade
is balanced. An unbalanced brade will
cause eventual damage to fawn mower or
engine°
• The blade can be sharpened with a file
or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower..
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