Craftsman 917.38885 owner manual Lawn Mower, Engine, Tires, Blade Care, Grass Catcher

LAWN MOWER

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.

Always observe safety rules when per-

If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

forming any maintenance.

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts

TIRES

section of this manual.

•

Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening

control chemicals which can harm rubber.

the blade - but if you do, be sure the blade

•

Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp

is balanced.

objects and other hazards that may

Care should be taken to keep the blade

cause tire damage.

balanced. An unbalanced blade will

BLADE CARE

cause eventual damage to lawn mower or

For best results, mower blade must be kept

engine.

sharp. Replace bent or damaged blades.

• The blade can be sharpened with a fi le

CAUTION: Use only a replacement

or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt

blade approved by the manufacturer of

to sharpen while on the mower.

your mower. Using a blade not approved

• To check blade balance, drive a nail into

by the manufacturer of your mower is

a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of

hazardous, could damage your mower and

the straight nail exposed. Place center

void your warranty.

hole of blade over the head of the nail.

TO REMOVE BLADE

If blade is balanced, it should remain in

1.

Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

a horizontal position. If either end of the

plug and place wire where it cannot

blade moves downward, sharpen the

come in contact with plug.

heavy end until the blade is balanced.

2.

Turn lawn mower on its side. Make

GRASS CATCHER

sure air fi lter and carburetor are up.

• The grass catcher may be hosed with

3. Use a wood block between blade and

water, but must be dry when used.

mower housing to prevent blade from

• Check your grass catcher often for dam-

turning when removing blade bolt.

age or deterioration. Through normal

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves

use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-

and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

ing, replace only with approved replace-

4.

Remove blade bolt by turning counter-

ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts

clockwise.

section of this manual. Give the lawn

5.

Remove blade and attaching hardware

mower model number when ordering.

(bolt, lock washer and hardened washer).

ENGINE

TO REPLACE BLADE

LUBRICATION

1. Position blade on the blade adapter

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with

aligning the two (2) holes in the blade

API service classification SG–SL. Select the

with the raised lugs on the adapter.

oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your

2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo-

expected operating temperature.

site sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

3.

Install the blade bolt with the lock

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

washer and hardened washer into

blade adapter and crankshaft.

SAE 30

5W-30

4. Use block of wood between blade and

lawn mower housing and tighten the

F

-20

0

30

32 40

60

80

100

blade bolt, turning clockwise.

C

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

•

The recommended tightening torque is

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils

35-40 ft. lbs.

(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in

Blade adapter

Key

Crankshaft

cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will

keyway

Lockwasher

result in increased oil consumption when

used above 32°F. Check your engine oil

Blade

level more frequently to avoid possible

engine damage from running low on oil.

Check the crankcase oil level before

starting the engine and after each fi ve (5)

Blade

hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug

securely each time you check the oil level.

bolt

Hardened

washer

Trailing edge

Crankshaft 12