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Blade care, Engine, Lubrication – Craftsman 917.388111 User Manual

Page 12

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I

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when per­
forming any maintenance.
TIRES

• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect

control chemicals 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. Replace bent or damaged blades.

A CAUTION: Use only a replacement

blade approved by the manufacturer of

your mower. Using a blade not approved

by the manufacturer of your mower is
hazardous, could damage your mower and

void your warranty.

TO REMOVE BLADE

1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark

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

2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make

sure air filter and carburetor are up.

3. Use a wood block between blade and

mower housing to prevent blade from

turning when removing blade bolt.

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves

and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter­

clockwise.

5. Remove blade and attaching hardware

(bolt, lock washer and hardened washer).

TO REPLACE BLADE

1. Position blade on the blade adapter

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

2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (oppo­

site sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

3. Install the blade bolt with the lock

washer and hardened washer into

blade adapter and crankshaft.

4. 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. lbs.

Blade adapter

Crankshaft

keyway

Blade
bolt Hardened

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.

TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharp­

ening the blade - but if you do, be sure

the blade is 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.

GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with

water, but must be dry when used.

• Check your grass catcher often for dam­

age or deterioration. Through normal

use It will wear. If catcher needs replac­
ing, replace only with approved replace­
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts

section of this manual. Give the lawn

mower model number when ordering.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated

with API service classification SG-SL.

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade

according to your expected operating
temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

30

32 40

60

80

100

C -30

-20

-10

10

20

30

40

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.

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 level.

washer Trailing edge Crankshaft-

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