Craftsman 917O251550 owner manual Cresponsibi, Tractor, Brake Operation, Tires, Blade Care

CRESPONSIBI

TRACTOR

Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- nance.

BRAKE OPERATION

If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See 'q'OADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust- ments section of this manual).

TIRES

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

•Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insectcontrol chemi- cals which can harm rubber:

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

•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)_

•Slide 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 balance&

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

BLADE CARE

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

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 11)

5/8" BOLT OR PIN

BLADE

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

oRemove hex bolt, lock washerand fiat washer securing blade,

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

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

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

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED

NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening btade- but ifyou do, be sure the blade is balanced.

	"_	MANDREL
BLADE	_	ASSEMBLY
_"	__TRAILING
		EDGE UP
FLAT WASHER',,	_	/

.ExBoLT(G.ADE

"A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE

,DEN.nEDBYs,xUNESO.THEBOLT.EAO.

FIG. 11

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 12)

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

tual damage to mower and engine.

FIG. 12

V-BELTS

Check V-belts for deterioration and wear'after 100 hours and replace if necessary., The belts are not adjustable. Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear.

TRANSAXLE COOLING

Keep transaxle free from buiid-up of dirt and chaff which can restrict cooling.

CHECK TRANSAXLE OIL LEVEL

(See Fig, 13)

°Block up rear'axle securely.

•Remove left rear wheel by removing hub bolts_

•Remove filler plug from transaxle. Oil level must be even with plug threads, if necessary, fill with SAE 30 motor oil, API-SF or SG. Replace filler plug_

•Reassemble wheel to hub.

•For approximate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECIFI- CATIONS" on page 3 of this manual°

TRANSAXLE

O(3

o

I

FIG. 13

16