Craftsman 247.370252 - Manual (Page 11)

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
LUBRICATION
MOTOR
The motor on your mower does not require lubrication.
WHEELS
DO NOT oil or grease the wheels. Viscous lubricants
will attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the
wheels. If you feel the wheels must be lubricated, use
only a dry, silicone type lubricant sparingly.
WHEEL ADJUSTERS
For easy operation, lubricate the wheel adjusters at
least once a season with light oil.
MOWER
CIRCUIT BREAKER
The circuit breaker is located on the motor/blade con­
trol housing. This breaker may trip when too much
strain is placed on the mower. The circuit breaker has
been tripped if the mower will not run, and the white
part of the reset button projects out of the motor/blade
control housing. If this occurs, wait approximately 30
seconds, then depress the reset button. Restart the
mower, but be sure to reduce the strain on the mower
(i.e., mow at a higher cutting height, slow down, or
take a smaller width of cut). If the circuit breaker does
not reset, or if it trips repeatedly under normal cutting
conditions, the mower should be examined at an
authorized service location.
BLADE CARE
Your mower will work better with a sharp blade.
A
WARNING: BE CERTAIN TO DISCON­
NECT THE POWER SUPPLY BEFORE
PERFORMING ANY MAINTENANCE.
TO REMOVE BLADE (See Figure 9):
• Turn mower on its side.
• Use a block of wood between blade and mower
deck to prevent blade from turning when bolt is
removed. Protect your hands with gloves and/or
wrap blade with heavy cloth.
• Remove center blade bolt by turning counterclock­
wise. Use a 9/16" box or open-end wrench.
A WARNING: PERIODICALLY INSPECT
THE BLADE ADAPTER FOR CRACKS,
ESPECIALLY IF YOU STRIKE A FOREIGN
OBJECT. REPLACE WHEN NECESSARY.
TO REPLACE BLADE (See Figure 9):
• Put blade adapter on motor shaft.
• Fit blade in adapter. Be sure trailing edge of blade
is up towards engine.
• Assemble bolts, washers, and nuts in the exact
order of removal.
• Use block of wood to hold blade and tighten bolt
clockwise. The recommended torque for the center
blade bolt is 450-600 in. lbs. The recommended
torque for the two blade adapter bolts is 200-300
in. lbs. Torque wrenches are available at most
Sears stores and through the catalog.
IMPORTANT: THE BOLT USED TO SECURE THE
BLADE TO THE MOTOR SHAFT IS SPECIALLY
HEAT-TREATED. DO NOT SUBSTITUTE.
A CAUTION: A LOOSE BLADE CAN BE
DANGEROUS AND MAY MAKE THE
MOTOR HARD TO START.
Use only a Sears authorized replacement blade to get
the best cutting results.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening the
blade—but if you do, be sure blade is balanced.
• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a
grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on
the mower.
• Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced.
An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration
when running and eventual damage to mower and
motor.
• To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or
wall. Leave about one inch of straight nail exposed.
Place center hole of blade over the head of the
nail. If blade is balanced, it should remain in a hori­
zontal position. If either end of the blade moves
downward, blade is not balanced. Sharpen the
heavy end until the blade is balanced.
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