TO SHARPEN BLADE

NOTE: We do not recommend sharp-

ening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced.

Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and eventual 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 will need a 5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone

balancer. (When using a cone balancer, follow the instructions supplied with balancer.)

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

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 balanced.

Blade

5/8" Bolt or Pin

Center Hole

BATT E RY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which is sufficient for normal use. How-

ever, periodic charging of the battery with an automotive charger will extend its life.

Keep battery and terminals clean.

Keep battery bolts tight.

Keep small vent holes open.

Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour. NOTE: The original equipment battery on your tractor is maintenance free. Do not

attempt to open or remove caps or covers. Adding or checking level of electrolyte is not necessary.

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

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

1.Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor.

2.Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.

3.Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright.

4.Coat terminals with grease or petro- leum jelly.

5.Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING BATTERY" in the Service and Adjust- ments section of this manual).

TRANSAXLE COOLING

The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean to assure proper cooling.

Do not attempt to clean fan or transmis- sion while engine is running or while the transmission is hot. To prevent possible

damage to seals, do not use high pressure water or steam to clean transaxle.

Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and clean.

Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clip- pings and other materials. To prevent damage to seals, do not use com- pressed air or high pressure sprayer to

clean cooling fins.

TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID

The transaxle was sealed at the factory

and fluid maintenance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should the trans-

axle ever leak or require servicing, contact a Sears or other qualified service center.

V-BELTS

Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not adjustable.

Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL.

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

oilviE ¢¢ha tl ÷

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils

(5W30, 10W30 etc.)improve starting in cold weather, they will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°E Check your engine oil level more frequent- ly to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil.

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Craftsman 917.27538 owner manual To Sharpen Blade, Batt E RY, Engine Lubrication