Craftsman 917.371812 owner manual Figure A, Figure C

_I:_WARNING: To avoid serious injury, before performing any service and adjustments:

1.Release control bar and stop engine.

2.Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.

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

LAWN MOWER

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT

See "TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT" in the Operation section of this manual.

REAR DEFLECTOR

The rear deflector, attached between the rear wheels of your mower, is provided to minimize the possibility that objects will be thrown out of the rear of the mower into the operator mowing position. If deflector becomes damaged, it should be replaced.

TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT

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

2.Remove screws retaining drive cover and remove drive cover from lawn

mower housing (See Figure A).

Lawn mower

housing

Drive cover

Figure A

,Remove drive cable from anchor, then detach it and return spring from idler arm assembly (See Fig, B),

Return spring	Drive cable anchor
	/	Drive belt

		Housing
Drive		hole
pulley		Idler arm
Belt keeper	PIVOT	\ assembly
Figure	B

4.Pivot idler arm assembly to slacken drive belt, then remove drive belt from drive pulley, belt keepers and idler arm.

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

6.Remove screw securing debris shield. Note that the debris shield has a tab

which fits into a gap in the housing (See Figure C).

	Crankshaft	Tab	Blade
Housing			adapter
hole	\		(pulley
			end)

Hardened washer

Blade bolt

Screw Trailing edge Lock-washer

Figure C

7.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.

8.Remove blade bolt.

9.Remove blade, attaching hardware (bolt, lock washer and hardened wash- er), blade adapter and debris shield as one assembly.

10.Remove drive belt from blade adapter and debris shield; discard old belt.

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