Craftsman 917.374541 owner manual Lawn Mower, Drive Wheels

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per- forming any maintenance.

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 rear 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, be sure to clean both rear wheels.

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.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mower 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.

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 hardware (bolt, lock washer, hardened washer).

6.Remove debris shield.

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

1.Position blade adapter on engine crank- shaft. Be sure key in adapter and crank-

shaft keyway are aligned; and that drive belt is inside tabs of 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 (oppo- site sharp edge) is up toward engine.

		Belt
	retainer
	Trailing	edge
Blade adapter
	Hardened
Debris shield	washer
	Lockwasher
Blade	Blade	bolt

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

blade - but if you do, be sure blade is bal- anced. An unbalanced blade will cause

eventual damage to 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, ora cone bal- ancer. (When using a cone balancer, follow instructions supplied with balancer.)

NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing blade. The lobes of the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not.

•Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the ground. 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.

Center hole

5/8" bolt or pin

13Blade