IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat treated.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

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.

 

Blade

Crankshaft

 

 

Key

 

keyway

Blade

 

 

Lockwasher

 

 

\

 

 

Blade

 

shaft

bolt

Trailing

 

Hardened

 

washer

edge

Blade adapter

GRASS CATCHER

(If purchased as an accessory)

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.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF, SG or SH.

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

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

NOTE: Although multi-viscosityoils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,

these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°F.

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 orat 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 end after each five (5) hours of continuous use. _ghten oil plug securely each time you check the oillevel.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, drain fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.

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

Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface.

Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container.

Rock lawn mower back and forth to remove any oil trapped inside of engine.

Wipe off any spilled oil on lawn mower and on side of engine.

Fill engine with oil. Fill only to the "FULL" line on the dipstick. DO NOT

OVER FILL.

Replace engine oil cap.

Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.

Container

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter.

Replace the air filterevery year, more often if

you mow in very dusty, dirtyconditions. Do not wash air filter.

TO CHANGE AIR FILTER

Loosen screw and tilt cover to remove.

Carefully remove cartridge.

Clean by gently tapping on a flat surface. If very dirty, replace cartridge.

,ACAUTION: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to clean

30-

-_.

.,o-

o-

_.

_-

_

,G.

10

TEMPERATURE

RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OILCHANGE

 

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Craftsman 917.38823 owner manual Engine