Craftsman 247.388240 owner manual Servicing Blade, Engine Adjustments

Servicing Blade

To Remove Blade

Remove the bolt and blade bell supportwhich hold the blade and adapter to the engine

crankshaft. See Figure 16.

Remove the blade and adapter from the crankshaft.

To Replace Blade:

Before reinstallingthe blade andthe blade adapter to the unit, lubricatethe engine crankshaftand the inner surface of the blade adapter with lightoil.

Installthe blade adapter on the crankshaftwith the "star" away from the engine. See Figure 16.

Blade Adapts, Crankshaft

Blade

Blade Bell

Hex Bolt

Support

Figure 16

Place the new blade with the side marked bottom(or with part number) facing away from the adapter.

Place the bell support next. Make sure to align the tabs in the holes of the blade with the hole in the bell support.

Insert the hex bolt through the blade assembly. Figure 16 shows the correct order of assembly. Use block of woodto hold blade again while you tighten the bolt clockwise. Follow the

recommended torque for the bolt which is 450- 600 in.-Ibs.

IMPORTANT: The bolt, used to secure the blade to the engine, is speciallyheat-treated. Do not substitute. To order replacement bolt, refer to the Repair Parts section of this manual.

your unit, all nuts and bolts must be WARNING: To ensure safe operation of

checked periodicallyfor correcttightness.

To Sharpen Blade:

The bladecan be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not aftempt tosharpen while on the mower,

Followthe original angle of grind as a guide. Make sure that each cutting edge receives an

equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade.

NOTE: An unba/anced blade wi/I cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds, may cause damage to the mower and could break, causing personal injury.

Test the blade by balancing it on a round shaft

screwdriver or a blade balancer. See Figure 17. If the blade is not balanced, remove metal from

the heavy side until it balances evenly.

1. Insert screw driver through hole

O"

2. Blade should be parallel to ground

Screw

Driver_. Blade

Ground

Figure 17

Engine Adjustments

adjustmentsWARNING: Doonnotthemakeengineunnecessary. Factory settings are satisfactory for most conditions.

If any adjustments are made to the engine while the engine is running, keep clear of all moving parts. Be careful of heated surfaces and muffler. Keep your hands away from these parts.

Carburetor

The carburetor has been pre-set at the factory and shouldnot require adjustment,

If the engine on your mower does not operate properlydue to suspected carburetor problems,

take your lawn mower to your nearest SEARS service center.

Engine performance may be affected in altitudes above 4000 feet. To improve engine performance, install a high altitude adjustment kit, available at the SEARS service center.

NOTE: A dirty air cleaner will cause an engine to run

rough. Be certain air cleaner is clean and attached to the carburetor.

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