Craftsman 917.377631 owner manual

NOTE: We do notrecommendshaq_ning blade - butif youdo, besurethebladeis balanced.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade wiUeause

eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.

. The blade can be sharpened .with a file or

on a grindingwheel. 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 nagexposed. Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail. If blade is balanced, itshould remain in a horizontal position, if either end of thQblade moves

downward, sharpen the heavy end unblthe blade is balanced.

BladeCrank-

adaptorshaft

Keykeyway

Blade,

Blade bolt

•Lock

washerCrank-

HardenedBlade

washer	Trailing	shaft
	edge	adaptor

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 manufac-

turer approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model number

when ordering.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check rear drive wheels each time you mow to be sure they move freely. The wheels not tuming freely means trash,

grass cuttings, etc., may be inside the drive wheel and dust cover area and must

be cleaned out to free drive wheels.

If necessary to clean the drive wheels, check both rear wheels.

•Remove hubcaps and Iocknuts.

*Remove wheels from wheel adjuster axles.

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

•The pinion gear must be installed with the left gear on the left side and with the right gear on the right side, from an operator'sview.

•The pinion gear is stamped with an "L" (left) or "R" (right) on the inside. If

installed incorrectly, the drive system will not work.

•Place wheels back on adjuster axles.

•Replace Iocknuts and hubcaps.

NOTE: Pinions and drive pawls should be cleaned and lubricated with grease approximately every 25 hours or once a year.

LocknutWash^o"_

Drive pin

Dust cover

Pinion

E-dng

ENGINE_.

LUBRICATION

Use only high quarry detergent oil rated with AP! service classificationSF, SG or SH.

Select the oil'sSAE viscositygrade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

4I,

=IF -20" 0" 30" 32" 40" 60" 80° 100"

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Althoughmulti-viscosityoils(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosityoilswillresult in increased oil consumption when used_abo-Ve32°F.. Check your engine oil level more frequently to

avoid possibleengine damage from running low on o=1.

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 continuoususe. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level.

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