To Sharpen Blade; To Change Engine Oil; Grass Catcher; Engine Lubrication - Craftsman 944.360440 Owner's Manual

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat
treated.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpen-
ing blade - but if you do, be sure the blade
is balanced.
Care should be taken to keep the blade
balanced. An unbalanced blade will
cause eventual damage to lawn 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.
, To check blade balance, drive a nail
into a beam or wall. Leave about one
inch of the straight nail exposed. Place
center hole of blade over the head of
the nail. If blade is balanced, it should
remain in a horizontal position. If either
end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade
is balanced. Crank shaft
Blade keyway
Key
Blade
Crank
bolt
shaft
Lock Blade
washer Hardened edge adapter
washer
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with
water, but must be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for
damage or deterioration. Through normal
use it willwear. If catcher needs replacing,
replace only with a manufacturer approved
replacement catcher. Give the lawn
mower model number when ordering.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SG or
SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
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°F. 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
starting 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, drain fuel tank by running
engine until fuel tank is empty.
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot come
in contact with spark plug.
• Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a
clean surface.
• Tip lawn mower on its side es shown and
drain oil into a suitable container. Rock
lawn mower back and forth to remove any
oil
trapped
inside of
e_ine.
• Wipe off any spilled oil on lawn mower and
on side of engine,
• Fdlengine with oiL Rll enly to the "FULL"
line on the dipstick. DO NOT overfill.
• Replace engine oil cap.
• Reconnoct spark plug wire to spark plug.
AIR RLTER
Your engine will not run propedy and may
be damaged by using a dirty air filter.
Replace the air filter every year, more
often if you mow in very dusty, dirty
conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER
• Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove.
• Carefully remove cartridge.
• Clean by gently tapping on a flat
surface. If very dirty, replace cartridge.