Craftsman 917.385192 User Manual

Owner's Manual

CRAFTSMAN°

ROTARY

MOWER

675 Series Briggs & Stratton 22" Side Discharge

Model No.

917.385192

Engine

• Espa_ol, p. 18

CAUTION'.

Read and follow all

Safety Rules and Instructions

before operating this equipment

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears.com/craftsman

U.S.A.

Warranty ................................................... 2

Safety Rules .......................................... 2-4

Product Specifications .............................. 4

Assembly / Pre-Operation ........................ 6

Operation ............................................. 7-10

Maintenance Schedule ........................... 11

2-YEAR FULL WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN LAWN MOWER

If this Craftsman Lawn Mower fails due to manufacturer defects in material or

workmanship within two years from the date of purchase, return it to any Sears store,

Parts & Repair Center or other Craftsman outlet for free repair (or replacement if repair proves impossible).

This warranty applies for only 90 days from the date of purchase if this Lawn Mower is

ever used for commercial or rental purposes.

This warranty does not cover:

• Expendable items that become worn during normal use, such as rotary mower blades, blade adapters, belts, air cleaners and spark plug.

• Repairs necessary because of operator abuse or negligence, including bent crackshafts and the failure to assemble, operate or maintain this Lawn Mower

according to all supplied product instructions.

Maintenance ...................................... 11-14

Service and Adjustments ................... 14-15

Storage .............................................. 15-16

Troubleshooting ................................. 16-17

Repair Parts ....................................... 34-39

Sears Service .......................... Back Cover

This warranty applies only while this product is used in the United States. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

vary from state to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw- ing objects, Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death,

&Look for this symbol to point out impor- tant safety precautions. It means

CAUTION!H BECOME ALERT!H

YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.

A WARNING: In order to prevent ac-

cidental starting when setting up, trans- porting, adjusting or making repairs,

always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot come in contact

with plug.

_I,WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its

constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

AWARNING: Battery posts, terminals and

related accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State

of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

A CAUTION: Muffler and other engine

parts become extremely hot during operation and remain hot after engine has stopped. To avoid severe burns on contact, stay away from these areas.

IoGENERAL OPERATION

• Read, understand,and followall

instructionson the machineandinthe manual(s)beforestarting. Bethoroughly

familiarwith the controlsand the proper

useof the machinebeforestarting.

• Do notput hands orfeet nearor under

rotatingparts. Keepclearof the dis-

chargeopening atall times.

• Onlyallow responsibleindividuals,who

are familiarwith the instructions, to oper-

ate the machine.

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

toys, wire, bones, sticks, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by blade.

Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone

enters the area.

Do not operate the mower when bare-

foot or wearing open sandals. Always wear substantial foot wear.

Do not pull mower backwards unless absolutely necessary. Always look down and behind before and while moving

backwards.

• Never direct discharged material toward anyone. Avoid discharging material against a wall or obstruction. Material

may richochet back toward the opera-

tor. Stop the blade when crossing gravel surfaces.

• Do not operate the mower without

proper guards, plates, grass catcher or

other safety protective devices in place.

• See manufacturer's instructions for

proper operation and installation of

accessories. Only use accessories ap-

proved by the manufacturer.

• Stop the blade(s) when crossing gravel drives, walks, or roads.

• Stop the engine (motor) whenever you

leave the equipment, before cleaning the mower or unclogging the chute.

• Shut the engine (motor) off and wait until the blade comes to complete stop before

removing grass catcher.

• Mow only in daylight or good artificial

light.

• Do not operate the machine while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never operate machine in wet grass. Always be sure of your footing: keep a

firm hold on the handle; walk, never run.

• Disengage the self-propelled mech- anism or drive clutch on mowers so

equipped before starting the engine.

• If the equipment should start to vibrate abnormally, stop the engine (motor) and check immediately for the cause. Vibra-

tion is generally a warning of trouble.

• Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses with side shields when operating

mower.

il, SLOPE OPERATION Slopes are a major factor related to slip &

fall accidents which can result in severe in-

jury. All slopes require extra caution. If you

feel uneasy on a slope, do not mow it.

DO:

• Mow across the face of slopes: never

up and down. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc.

• Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

DO NOT:

• Do not trim near drop-offs, ditches or embankments. The operator could lose

footing or balance.

• Do not trim excessively steep slopes.

• Do not mow on wet grass. Reduced foot- ing could cause slipping.

i11. CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine

and the mowing activity. Never assume

that children will remain where you last

saw them.

• Keep children out of the trimming area and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

• Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area.

• Before and while walking backwards, look behind and down for small children.

• Never allow children to operate the ma- chine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects

that may obscure vision.

IV. SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE Use extreme care in handling gasoline.

Gasoline is extremely flammable and the

vapors are explosive.

• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other sources of ignition.

• Use only an approved container.

• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow engine to cool

before refueling.

• Never refuel the machine indoors.

• Never store the machine or fuel contain- er where there is an open flame, spark

or pilot light such as a water heater or on other appliances.

• Neverfill containers insideavehicle,on a truckor trailerbedwith a plasticliner.

Alwaysplace containerson theground awayfrom yourvehicle beforefilling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom thetruck or trailer and refueliton the

ground. Ifthis is notpossible,then refuelsuch equipmentwith a portable

container,ratherthan from agasoline dispensernozzle.

• Keepthe nozzle in contactwith the rim of the fuel tankor containeropening at

all times untilfueling is complete. Do not use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• If fuel is spilledon clothing,change clothing immediately.

• Neveroverfill fuel tank. Replacegas cap andtightensecurely.

V. GENERAL SERVICE

• Never run amachineinsidea closed area.

• Never makeadjustmentsor repairswith the engine(motor) running.Disconnect thespark plugwire, and keepthe wire awayfrom theplugto preventaccidental

starting.

• Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade attachment bolts, tight and keep equip- ment in good condition.

• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool before

storing.

• Stop and inspect the equipment if you strike an object. Repair, if necessary, before restarting.

• Never attempt to make wheel height adjustments while the engine is running.

• Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage, and deterioration,

which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and replace with

manufacturer's recommended parts, when necessary.

• Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and

use extra caution when servicing them.

• Do not change the engine governor set- ting or overspeed the engine.

• Maintain or replace safety and instruc- tion labels, as necessary.

AWARNING: This lawn mower is equipped with an internal combustion engine and

should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine's exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it

should be maintained in effective working order by the operator.

In the state of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other states may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears

Parts & Repair Center (See the REPAIR PARTS section of this manual).

Serial Number: Date of Purchase:

Gasoline Capacity / Type: 1.6 Quart (Unleaded Regular) Oil Type (API SG-SL): SAE 30 (above 32°F); SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)

Oil Capacity: 20 Ounces Spark Plug (Gap: .030") Champion RJ19HX

Blade Bolt Torque: 35-40 ft. Ibs.

• The model and serial numbers will be found on a decal on the rear of the lawn mower housing. Record both serial number and date of purchase in space provided above.

Repair Protection Agreements

Congratulations on making a smart pur- chase. Your new Craftsman® product is

designed and manufactured for years of dependable operation. But like all prod-

ucts, it may require repair from time to

time. That's when having a Repair Protec- tion Agreement can save you money and

aggravation.

Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement now and protect yourself from unexpected hassle and expense.

Here's what's included in the Agreement:

• Expert service by our 12,000 profe- sional repair specialists.

• Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor on all covered repairs.

• Product replacement if your covered product can't be fixed.

• Discount of 10% from regular price of service and service-related parts not covered by the agreement; also, 10% off regular price of preventive mainte-

nance check.

• Fast help by phone- phone sup- port from a Sears representative on

products requiring in-home repair, plus convenient repair scheduling.

Once you purchase the Agreement, a simple phone call is all that it takes for you

to schedule service. You can call anytime day or night, or schedule a service ap-

pointment online.

Sears has over 12,000 professional repair specialists, who have access to over 4.5

million quality parts and accessories.

That's the kind of professionalism you can count on to help prolong the life of your

new purchase for years to come. Purchase

your Repair Protection Agreement todayg Some limitations and exclusions apply.

For prices and additional information

call 1-800=827-6655.

Sears Installation Service

For Sears professional installation of home

appliances, garage door openers, water

heaters, and other major home items, in

the U.S.A. call 1-800=4=MY-HOME®.

These accessories were available when this lawn mower was produced. They are not shipped with your mower. They are also available at most Sears retail outlets and service centers. Some of these accessories may not apply to your lawn mower.

LAWN MOWER PERFORMANCE

CLIPPING

DEFLECTORS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

REAR DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

STABILIZER

GRASS CATCHERS

FOR

SIDE DISCHARGE

LAWN MOWERS

CANS

GAS

LAWN MOWER MAINTENANCE

MUFFLERS

AIR FILTERS

SPARK PLUGS

BELTS BLADES BLADE ADAPTERS

WHEELS

ENGINE OIL

Read these instructions and this manual in its entirety before you attempt to assemble

or operate your new lawn mower,

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped

WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the

engine,

Your new lawn mower has been as- sembled at the factory with the excep-

tion of those parts left unassembled for

shipping purposes, To ensure safe and proper operation of your lawn mower, all parts and hardware you assemble must be

tightened securely, Use the correct tools

as necessary to ensure proper tightness,

All parts such as nuts, washers, bolts, etc,,

necessary to complete the assembly have been placed in the parts bag,

TO REMOVE MOWER FROM

CARTON

1. Remove loose parts included with mower.

2. Cut down two end corners of carton and lay end panel down flat.

3. Remove all packing materials except padding between upper and lower

handle and padding holding operator presence control bar to upper handle.

4. Roll lawn mower out of carton and check carton thoroughly for additional

loose parts.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR MOWER

TO UNFOLD HANDLE

IMPORTANT: Unfold handle carefully so

as not to pinch or damage control cables,

1, Raise handles until lower handle sec-

tion locks into place in mowing position,

2, Remove protective padding, raise up-

per handle section into place on lower handle and tighten both handle knobs,

3, Remove handle padding holding

operator presence control bar to upper handle,

Your lawn mower handle can be adjusted for your mowing comfort, Refer to "AD-

JUST HANDLE" in the Service and Adjust-

ments section of this manual,

Operator MOWING presence POSITION

control bar

/////

///

!////

LIFT Upper UP handle

Handle

knob

Lower handle

TO INSTALL ATTACHMENTS Your lawn mower was shipped ready to

be used as a mulcher, To convert to bag-

ging or discharging, see "TO CONVERT

MOWER" in the Operation section of this manual,

KNOW YOUR LAWN MOWER READTHIS OWNER'SMANUALANDALL SAFETYRULESBEFOREOPERATING

YOUR LAWNMOWER. Comparethe illustrationswith your lawnmowertofamiliarize yourselfwith the locationof variouscontrolsand adjustments. Save thismanualfor

future reference.

These symbols may appear on your lawn mower or in literature supplied with the

product. Learn and understand their meaning.

CAUTION ENGINE ENGINE FAST SLOW CHOKE FUEL OIL DANGER, KEEP HANDS

OR WARNING ON OFF AND FEET AWAY

Operator presence control bar

knob

Engine oil cap with dipstick

Starter handle

Gasoline

filler cap

Air filter

Discharge g

Wheel adjuster (on each wheel

IMPORTANT: This lawn mower is shipped WITHOUT OIL OR GASOLINE in the engine.

Spark plug

Housing

MEETS CPSC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Sears rotary walk-behind power lawn mowers conform to the safety standards of the

American National Standards Institute and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Com-

mission. The blade turns when the engine is running. Operator presence control bar = must

be held down to the handle to start the engine. Release to stop the engine.

Starter handle = used for starting engine.

The operation of any lawn

mower can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in

severe eye damage. Always

wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your lawn mower or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recom-

mend a standard safety glasses or wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles.

HOW TO USE YOUR LAWN MOWER ENGINE SPEED

Engine speed was set at the factory for optimum performance, It is not adjustable,

ENGINE ZONE CONTROL _CAUTION: Federal regulations require

an engine control to be installed on this lawn mower in order to minimize the risk

of blade contact injury. Do not under any circumstances attempt to defeat the function of the operator control. The blade

turns when the engine is running.

• Your lawn mower is equipped with an operator presence control bar which

requires the operator to be positioned behind the lawn mower handle to start

and operate the lawn mower.

TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT Raise wheels for low cut and lower wheels for high cut, adjust cutting height to suit

your requirements. Medium position is best for most lawns.

• To change cutting height, squeeze ad- juster lever toward wheel. Move wheel

up or down to suit your requirements. Be sure all wheels are in the same set-

ting.

NOTE: Adjuster is properly positioned when plate tab inserts into hole in lever.

Also, 9-position adjusters (if so equipped) allow lever to be positioned between the

plate tabs. LEVER BACKWARD

TO LOWER MOWER

LEVER FORWARD TO RAISE MOWER

TO CONVERT MOWER Your mower is shipped ready to be used as a

mulcher. To convert to bagging ordischarging:

• Lift discharge guard and remove mulcher plate.

• Mower can now be used for side discharge or optional grass catcher can be attached.

• To return to mulching operation, simply reinstall mulcher plate as shown.

ACAUTION: Do not run your lawn mower without discharge guard, approved grass

catcher or mulcher plate in place.

Hinge rod

Discharge

opening

Hooks

Mulcher plate

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE

ADD OIL Your lawnmower is shipped without oil in

the engine. For type and grade of oil to

use, see "ENGINE" in the Maintenance

section of this manual.

• i, CAUTION: DO NOT overfill engine with

oil, or it will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup.

1. Be sure lawnmower is level.

2. Remove oil dipstick from oil fill spout.

3. You receive a container of oil with the

unit. Slowly pour the entire container down the oil fill spout into the engine.

NOTE: Initial oil fill requires only 18 oz.

due to residual oil in engine from the

manufacturers 100% quality testing. When

changing oil you may need 20 oz.

4. Insert and tighten dipstick.

IMPORTANT:

• Check oil level before each use. Add oil if needed. Fill to full line on dipstick.

• Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or each season. You may

need to change the oil more often under dusty, dirty conditions. See "TO

CHANGE ENGINE OIL" in the Mainte- nance section of this manual.

Tab

ATTACHFUEL CAP CARTRIDGE Your moweris equippedwith a special

FRESH START TM fuel cap and continuous

fuel preserver cartridge. See the infor-

mation and instructions packed with the

FRESH START TM cartridge.

1. Snap cartridge into bottom of fuel cap. NOTE: Do not remove the silver foil seal

on the side of cartridge that snaps into fuel

cap.

2. Grasp the white peel tab and pull to remove the entire seal.

3. Screw fuel cap onto fuel tank after fill- ing tank with gasoline.

Replace cartridge when empty (about once a season). Check preserver level visually.

• I, DANGER: Cartridge fluid is HARMFUL

OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. Avoid con- tact to eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not take

internally. Do not inhale fluid vapor. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, call

a physician immediately.

Engine

oil cap

Gasoline filler cap

A CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels

(called gasohol or using ethanol or metha- nol) can attract moisture which leads to

separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel

system of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30

days or longer. Empty the gas tank, start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel

next season. See Storage Instructions for

additional information. Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur.

TO STOP ENGINE

• To stop engine, release operator pres- ence control bar.

TO START ENGINE

NOTE: Due to protective coatings on the

engine, a small amount of smoke may be

present during the initial use of the product

and should be considered normal.

NOTE: Your engine is equipped with an automatic choke system. No priming or choking is required before starting.

• To start engine, hold operator presence

control bar down to the handle and pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow starter rope to snap back.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular

unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. Do not mix oil with gasoline.

Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel fresh-

ness.

_l_ CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline

near an open flame.

MOWING TIPS

CAUTION: Donotuse de-thatcher

bladeattachmentson your mower.Such attachmentsare hazardous,will damage

your mowerandcouldvoidyour warranty.

• Undercertainconditions,such as very tall grass,it may benecessaryto raise

the heightof cut to reducepushingeffort and to keepfromoverloadingthe engine and leavingclumpsof grassclippings.

Itmayalso be necessaryto reduce

groundspeed and/or runthe lawn mowerover the area a secondtime.

• For extremelyheavycutting,reducethe widthof cutby overlappingpreviously

cut path andmowslowly.

• For bettergrass baggingandmost cut- ting conditions,theenginespeedshould be set inthe FASTposition.

• For sidedischargelawnmowers,cutting in a counter-clockwisedirection,start- ing atthe outside of thearea to becut, spreadsgrass clippings moreevenly

and puts less loadon the engine.To keep clippingsoff ofwalkways, flower beds, etc.,makethe first cuts in a clock-

wisedirection.

• Poresin cloth grasscatcherscan becomefilled with dirt anddust with use

and catcherswill collect lessgrass. To preventthis, regularlyhosecatcheroff

withwater andletdry before using.

• Keep top of engine around starter clear and clean of grass clippings and chaff.

This will help engine air flow and extend engine life.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance,

keep mower housing free of built-up

grass and trash. See "CLEANING" in the

Maintenance section of this manual.

• The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and

reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to

provide nutrients for the lawn. Always mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recut- ting action of the blades.

• Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet. Wet grass tends to form clumps and interferes with the mulching action. The best time to mow your lawn is the early

afternoon. At this time the grass has dried, yet the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight.

• For best results, adjust the lawn mower cutting height so that the lawn mower

cuts off only the top one-third of the grass blades. If the lawn is overgrown it will be necessary to raise the height of

cut to reduce pushing effort and to keep from overloading the engine and leaving clumps of mulched grass. For extremely

heavy grass, reduce your width of cut by overlapping previously cut path and mow slowly.

MAX 1/3

• Certain types of grass and grass conditions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a sec-

ond cut, mow across (perpendicular) to the first cut path.

• Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south one week

then change to east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULE

Check for Loose Fasteners

_ lean / Inspect Grass Catcher *

Check Tires

_ Check Drive Wheels

Clean Lawn Mower ....

M Clean under Drive Cover *** O Check Drive Belt / Pulleys ***

_ Check / Sharpen / Replace Blade

R Lubrication

Clean and Recharge Battery **

Check Engine Oil level

I_ Change Engine Oil N Clean Air Filter

_ Inspect Muffler

N Replace Spark Plug I_ Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge

Empty fuel system or add Stabilizer

* (if so equipped)

** Electric-Start mowers

*** Power-Propelled mowers

**** Use a scraper

to clean under deck

_t_t _t

1 - Change more often if operating under a heavy load or in high outdoor temperatures. 2 - Service more often if operating in dirty or dusty conditions. 3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil,

4- Charge 48 hours at end of season. 5 - And after each 5 hours of use.

BEFORE AFTER EVERY EVERY EVERY

EACH EACH 10 25 HOURS 100 BEFORE

USE USE HOURS OR SEASON HOURS STORAGE

i/ i/3

11_,2

14 i/

i/ 14

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The warranty on this lawn mower does not

cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence, To receive full value from the warranty, operator must

maintain unit as instructed in this manual,

Some adjustments will need to be made

periodically to properly maintain your unit, At least once a season, check to see if

you should make any of the adjustments described in the Service and Adjustments

section of this manual,

• At least once a year, replace the spark plug, clean or replace air filter element

and check blade for wear, A new spark plug and clean/new air filter element assure proper air-fuel mixture and help

your engine run better and last longer,

• Follow the maintenance schedule in this manual,

BEFORE EACH USE

• Check engine oil level.

• Check for loose fasteners.

LUBRICATION

Keep unit well lubricated (See "LUBRICATION CHART").

LUBRICATION CHART

Wheel

adjuster (on

each wheel)

Engine oil

J f-_

I / Discharge I \ guard hinge pin

(_ Handle bracket mounting pins

_ Spray lubricant

See "ENGINE" in Maintenance section.

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease plastic

wheel bearings, Viscous lubricants will attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of

the self-lubricating bearings, If you feel they

must be lubricated, use only a dry, powdered

11graphite type lubricant sparingly,

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 a bent or damaged blade.

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, 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

1. Position the blade adapter on the en- gine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

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

3. Be sure trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

4. Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened washer into

blade adapter and crankshaft.

5. 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 heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with

approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts

section of this manual.

Blade adapter Ke_ Crankshaft

Lockwasher

Blade

bolt Hardened

washer Trailing edge Crankshaft

TO SHARPEN BLADE

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

balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause

eventual damage to 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

(If purchased as an accessory)

• 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 t

F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100

i i i i i

C -30 -2_0 -10 0 1_0 20 30 40

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

keyway

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