Craftsman 917.38836 owner manual NOTE: We do not recommend

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.

Crank shaft

keyway

Blade

Bolt		crank
Lockwashar Hardened		Blade shaft
washer		Trailing adapter
GRASS CATCHER		edge
• The grass _	may be heaed with

water, but mustbe dry when used.

•Check your grass catcher often for damage or deteriorationThrough. normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replacing,replace only with a manufacturerapproved replacementcatcher.Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

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

SG. Select the oil'sSAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

"30' -2O" -10" O' 10" 20" 30"

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Although multi--viscosity oils (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 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 continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil revel

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 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 willnot run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter.

Replace the air filter every year, more

often if you mow in very dusty, dirty conditions. Do not wash air filter.

TO CHANGE AIR FILTER

•Remove the air filter cover by tuming counterclockwise to the stop and pull away from collar.

•Remove filter from inside of cover.

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