Sears 917.373981 - Manual (Page 13)

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/or wrap blade with
heavy cloth.
• Remove blade bolt by turning counter-clockwise,
• Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock
washer and hardened 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.
• Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp
edge) is up toward the engine.
• I nstail the blade bolt with the lock washer 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. lbs.
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 grinding
wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or
wail. Leave about one inch of the straight nail ex­
posed. Place center hole of blade overthe 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.
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 fil led 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 turn 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
mode! number when ordering.
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