Craftsman 917.255561 owner manual Tires, To Sharpen Blade See Fig, Edge UP

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	CUSTOMER	RESPON	IBILmTUES
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TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-				"_	MANDREL
					. ASSEMBLY
nance.		BLA.DE	_.______	_

BRAKE OPERATION

If tractor requires more than six (6)feet stopping distance

at high speed in highest gear, than brake must be adjusted. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in Service and Adjustments section of this manua0_

TIRES

•Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See "PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS' on page 3 of this manual).

•Keep tires free of gasoline, oit, 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 blades must be kept sharp. The blades can be sharpened with a _e or on agrinding wheel. We suggest they be sharpened or replacedafter every 25 hours of mowing. Check blades more often if mowing in sandy conditions.

•Do not attempt to sharpen blades while they are on the mower,

•Replace bent or damaged blades_

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 10)

•Raise mower to highest position to allow access to blades.

•Remove hex bolt, Iockwasher and flat washer securing blade.

•Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up towards deck as shown.

•Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown.

•Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft. Lbs. torque),

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED.

	_..._	_;	EDGEUP
FLATWASHER	-_'._	_	I

HEX BOLT (GRADE 8)* --"-"_;_

*A GRADE 8HEATTREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD°

FIGo t0

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 11)

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even-

tual damage to mower and 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, you wilt need a 5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer. (When using a cone balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal- ancer).

,SJide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the ground, 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.

NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing blade. The lobes of the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not.

CENTER HOLE

5/8" BOLT	BLADE
OR PiN	J

FIG. 11

15