Tires; Drive Wheels; To Replace Blade; Blade Care - Craftsman 917.370890 Owner's Manual

LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when per-
forming any maintenance.
The key must be in good condition to work
properly. Replace adapter if damaged.
TO REPLACE BLADE
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemicals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp
objects and other hazards that may
cause tire damage.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check wheels each time before you mow
to be sure they move freely.
The wheels not turning freely means trash,
grass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel
or dust cover area and must be cleaned to
free drive wheels.
If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be
sure to clean all wheels.
1. Remove hubcaps, Iocknuts, and wash-
ers.
2. Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.
3. Remove any trash or grass cuttings
from inside the dust cover, pinion and/
or drive wheel gear teeth.
4. Put wheels back in place.
NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels
do not turn freely, contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
BLADE CARE
For best results, blade must be kept
sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade.
A 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 haz-
ardous, could damage your mower and
void your warranty.
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 tab
of the belt retainer.
2. Install debris shield.
3. Position blade on the blade adapter.
IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly,
center hole in blade must align with star
on blade adapter.
4. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
posite sharp edge) is up toward the
engine.
5. Install the blade bolt with the lock
washer and hardened washer into
blade adapter and crankshaft.
6. Use block of wood between blade and
lawn mower housing and tighten the
blade bolt, turning clockwise.
• The recommended tightening torque is
35-40 ft. Ibs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
"" _ nk-
adapter \ shaft
keyway
Belt
retainer
trailing
shield edge
washer
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 block between blade and
mower housing to prevent blade from
turning when removing blade bolt.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-
clockwise.
5. Remove blade and attaching hard-
ware (bolt, lock washer and hardened
washer).
6. Remove debris shield.
NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and
check the key
Blade bolt
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening
blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is
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, you will need a
5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone
balancer. (When using a cone balancer,
follow the instructions supplied with it.)
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing
blade. The lobes of the center hole may
inside hub of blade adapter. 13 appear to be centered, but are not.