Craftsman 917.258692 manual To Sharpen Blade See Fig, Tires, To Clean Battery and Terminals

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

TRACTOR

Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- nance.

BRAKE OPERATION

IItractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance

at htgh speed in h_ghest gear, then brake must be adjusted, (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in 1he Service and Adjust- merits section of this manual)

TIRES

,,Malntatnproper air pressure in all tires (See "PROD-

UCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of this manua!)

•Keep tires free of gasoline, o11,or insect control cheml- cals which can harm rubber.

•Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

NOTE: To seal tire punctures and prevent fiat tires due to s_ow leaks, tire sealant may be purchased from your tocal

parts dealer Tire sealant atso prevents tire dry rot and corrosion.

BLADE CARE

For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re- place bent or damaged blades.

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig, 14)

•Raise mower to highest posilton to allow access to bIades

•Remove hex boff, lockwasher and flat washer securing blade.

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

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

•Tighten bott securely (30-35 Ft Lbs torque}

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

MANDREL

BLADe

TRAILING EDGE

LOCK WASHER

HeX BOLT (GRADe 8}*

'AGRADe 8 HEAT TReATeD BOLT CAN BE IDENTiFieD BY SIX LNES ON THE BOLT HEAD.

FIG. 14

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 15)

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced, An unbalanced blade wlif cause excessive vibration and even- tual damage to mower and engine.

•The blade can be sharpen?d with a file or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to snarpen while on the mower

. To check blade balance, you will need a 5/B" diameter steel bolt, pin or a cone balancer (When using a cone balancer, follow the instructions supplied with ba- ancer,)

•Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of lhe steel bolt

or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the ground, If blade ts balanced, It should remain tn a ho_:izontel

posilion if ellher end of the btade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end unlit the blade is balanced

NOTE; Do not use a neff for balancing blade The lobes of he center hole may appear to be centered, but are not

CENTER HOLE ' / ,"

s,."LADe

FIG. 15

BATTERY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which is sulfi- cient for normal use However, periodic charging of the battery with an automotive charger will extend its life,

•Keep battery and terminals ctean

•Keep battery bolts tight

•Keep smallvent holesopen

•Recharge at 6-I0 amperes for 1 hour

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can c_ause lhe battery to "leak" power.

•Remove terminal guard.

•Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor

•Rinse the battery with plain water and dry

•Clean terminals and batterycable endswith wire brush until bright

•Coat terminals wilh grease or petroleum Jelly

•Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY _'in the Assembly section Of this manual)

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