Craftsman 917.375500 Owner's Manual page 14

MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire hazard and/or damage.
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 the "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" sec-
tion of this manual.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep
lawn mower housing free of built-grass and
trash. Clean the underside of your lawn
mower after each use.
_kCAUTION: Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with plug.
• Clean the underside of your mower by
scraping to remove build-up of grass/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
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.
AWARNING: To avoid serious injury, before
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 wire where it cannot
come in contact with plug.
Drive
cover Belt
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 ofyour 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.
DISCHARGE GUARD
The discharge guard, attached to the
discharge opening of your lawn mower, is
provided to prevent the possibility of injury
resulting from objects being thrown out of
the discharge opening into the operator
mowing position. If the discharge guard
becomes damaged, it should be replaced.
TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT
1. Remove drive cover. Remove belt from
gearcase pulley by pushing down on
pulley and rolling belt off it. 4.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side with air
filter and carburetor up. 5.
3. Remove blade.
4. Remove debris shield. 6.
5. Remove belt from pulley on crankshaft. 14
PUSH DOWN
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.
TO ADJUST HANDLE
The handle can be mounted in a high or
low position. The mounting holes in the
bottom of lower handle are off center for
raising or lowering the handle.
1. Remove upper handle and all wire tie(s)
securing cable(s) to lower handle.
2. Remove hairpin cotters from lower
handle bracket mounting pin.
3. Squeeze lower handle in to remove it
from mounting pins.
Turn lower handle over to raise or
lower handle.
Squeeze lower handle in and position
holes onto mounting pins on bracket.
Reassemble upper handle and all
parts removed from lower handle.