Craftsman 917.37459 owner manual Customer Respons Bilities, Tires, Gear Case, Drve Wheels

CUSTOMER RESPONS BILITIES

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- nance.

BLADE	CRANK=
	-_AFT
	KEYWAY

TIRES

Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi- cals which can harm rubber.

oAvoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Re- place bent or damaged blades.

TO REMOVE BLADE (See Fig. 11)

•Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with spark plug.

,Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up.

=Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt.

Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

,Remove blade bolt by turning counter-clockwise. Use a 9/16" box or open-end wrench.

Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock washer and hardened washer).

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.

TO REPLACE BLADE (See Fig. 11)

Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

Position btade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.

Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

,Install the blade bolt with the !ockwasher and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.

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 GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED.

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

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 checkblade balance, drive a nailinto 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,	tf either end of the	blade moves downward,
sharpen	the heavy end until	the blade is balanced.	13

'CRANK=

SHAFT

HARDENED

WASHER

TRAILING

LOCKWASBEREDGE DLADEADAPTER

FIG, 1t

GEAR CASE

To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean

and free of trash build-up, Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time the _ubricant needs attention is if service has been performed on the gear case.

If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Pre- mium Grease, part no. 750369. Do not substitute.

DR_VE WHEELS

Check front drive 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 area and must be cleaned to free

drive wheels.

if necessary to clean the drive wheels, check both front wheels.

Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and washers.

•Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

,Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth.

Put wheels back in place.

If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact your nearest service center.

GRASS CATCHER

The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used.

oCheck your grass catcher often for damage or deterio o ration, Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer

approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.