Engine, Gear Case, Grass Catcher | Craftsman 917.377544 specification

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
adapter _/_F_F'_
Koy
Blade	_	_	_--

•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

authorized service center.

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 lubricant needs attention is if service has been performed on the gear case.

•If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Premium 1 Grease, Part No. 750369. Do not substitute.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG or SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade ac)cording to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

Lock	k	Tramn	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 will wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.

DRIVE 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.

_0,	.20*	.10,	I0 •	20-	30,
TEMPERATURE		RANG_ ANTICIPATEO	BEFORE NEXT O_L CHANGE

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°1=, 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.