CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

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 "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust- ments section of this manual).

TIRES

oMaintain 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.. Re- place bent or damaged blades.

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 12)

Raise mower to highest position to allow access to blades.

°Remove hex bolt, Iock washer and fiat washer securing blade.

oInstall 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 1SGRADE 8 HEATTREATED

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

----_MANDREL

__ASSEMBLY

*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.

FIG. 12

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 13)

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibralon and even- tuat 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 wii need a 5/8" diameter

 

steei bolt, pin, or a cone balancer (When using a cone

 

balancer, fotow the instructions supplied with baF

 

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, tf 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.

j'

/

I

/>

eta'BOLT.J"_k.l/',_

OR PIN

_

FIG. 13

BATTERY (See Fig. 14)

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

=Acid solution level in each battery cell should be even with bottoms of vent wells. Add only distilled or iron free water if necessary. Do not overfill,

,Keep battery and terminals clean,

,Keep battery bolts tight°

Keep vent caps tight and small vent holes in caps open. o Recharge at 6 amperes for I hour.

CUT AWAY VIEW

VENT CAP

VENT

WELL

BATTERY

CELL ACID

LEVEL

FIG. 14

16

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Craftsman 917.252560 manual Customer Responsibilities, Tractor, Brake Operation, Tires, Blade Care