Craftsman 37624 Owners Manual - Page 14

LAWN MOWER IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly, Always observe safety rules when performing 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. 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, be sure to clean both front wheels. 1. Remove hubcaps, Iocknuts & washers. center hole in blade must align with star on blade 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 Key Crankshaft 2. Remove wheels from wheel adjusters. 3. Remove any trash or grass cuttings Lockwasher from inside the dust cover, pinion and/ or drive wheel gear teeth. Blade .'.,.,. 4. Put wheels back in place. NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact a Sears or other qualified service center. BLADE CARE For best results, mower blade must be kept Blade bolt Hardened washer _ Trailing edge retainer sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade. A CAUTION: Use only a replacement TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE: We do not recommend sharp- blade approved by the manufacturer of your mower. Using a blade not approved ening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced. An unbalanced blade by the manufacturer of your mower is hazardous, could damage your mower and void your warranty. TO REMOVE 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 1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark to sharpen while on the mower. plug and place wire where it cannot • To check blade balance, you will need come in contact with plug. 2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make a 5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer. (When using a cone balancer, sure air filter and carburetor are up. 3. Use a wood block between blade and follow the instructions supplied with it.) NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing mower housing to prevent blade from blade. The lobes of the center hole may turning when removing blade bolt. appear to be centered, but are not. NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves • Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth. of the steel bolt or pin and hold the 4. Remove blade bolt by turning counterclockwise. bolt or pin parallel with the ground. If blade is balanced, it should remain m a 5. Remove blade and attaching hardware horizontal position. If either end of the (bolt, lock washer, hardened washer). blade moves downward, sharpen the NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and heavy end until the blade is balanced. 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- Center hole gine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned. 2. Position blade on the blade adapter. 5/8" bolt or pin 14 Blade