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
•Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See “PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS” on page 3 of this manual).
•Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, 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. 14)
•Raise mower to highest position to allow access to blades.
•Remove hex bolt, lock washer 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
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.
BLADE | MANDREL | |
ASSEMBLY | ||
|
TRAILING
EDGE UP
FLAT WASHER
LOCK WASHER
HEX BOLT (GRADE 8)* 
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG. 14
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 15)
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 will 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 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 |
|
FIG. 15
BATTERY
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.
•Keep battery and terminals clean.
•Keep battery bolts tight.
•Keep small vent holes open (See “CONNECT BAT- TERY” in the Assembly section of this manual).
•Recharge at
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to “leak” power.
•Remove terminal guard.
•Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
•Wash battery with solution of four tablespoons of baking soda to one gallon of water. Be careful not to get the soda solution into the cells.
•Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
•Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright.
•Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
•Reinstall battery (See “CONNECT BATTERY” in the Assembly section of this manual).
17
