Sears 917.373981 owner manual Lawn Mower, Gear Case, Drive Wheels, Grass Catcher

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- nance.

TIRES

•Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi- cals which can harm rubber.

•Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Re- place bent or damaged blades.

TO REMOVE BLADE (See Fig. 12)

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

•Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up.

•Use a wood block between blade and mower housing

to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt.

•Protect your hands with gloves and/orwrap blade with heavy cloth.

•Remove blade bolt by turning counter-clockwise. Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock washer and i_ardened washer).

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 (See Fig. 12)

•Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft• Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

•Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.

•B_ sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

•Install the blade bolt with the Iockwasher and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.

•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 GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED.

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

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 g rinding 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 ex- posed. 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

BLADE

		SHAFT
HARDENED
WASHER	TRAILING
LOCK WASHER	EDGE	BLADE ADAPTER

FIG. 12

GEAR CASE

•To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

•The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs attention is if service has been performed on the gear case.

•If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Pre- mium Grease, part no. 750369. Do not substitute.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check front 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, check both front wheels.

•Remove hubcaps, hairpin cotters and washers.

•Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

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

•Put wheels back in place.

•If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not tum freely, contact your nearest authorized service center.

GRASS CATCHER

The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used.

Check your grass catcher often for damage or deterio- ration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher

needs replacing, replace only with a manufacturer approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower

model number when ordering•

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