Sears 917.258473 owner manual Bilities, Tractor, Tires, Blade Care, Battery

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TRACTOR

Always observe safety rules when performingany 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 ef 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°

NOTE: To seal tire punctures and prevent flat tires due to slow leaks, tire sealant may be purchased from your local parts dealer_ Tire sealant also prevents tire dry rot and corrosion.

BLADE CARE

For'best results mower'btades 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, lock washer and flat washer secur- ing 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 (30-35 Ft. Lbs, torque).

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT 1SGRADE 8 HEATTREATED,,

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

MANDREL

BLADEASSEMBLY

TRAILING

EDGE UP

LOCK WASHER

',HEX BOLT (GRADE 8)*

*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE

IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.

FIG. 12

BILITIES

lllllll : ill ii = i

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 13)

Care shoufd 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 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 onto an unthreaded portionof 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	J

FIG. 13

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.

°Recharge at 6-10 amperes for1 houL

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

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

=Open battery box door.

•Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat- tory cable and remove battery from tractor,

°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,

°Reinstatl battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the Assembly section of this manual).

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