Sears 917.258542 owner manual Tractor, Brake Operation, Tires, Blade Care, Battery

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CUSTOMER

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TRACTOR

Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- nance,

BRAKE OPERATION

If tractor requires more than six (_) feet stopping distance at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted.

(See 'q'O ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust- merits section of this manual),

TIRES

°Maintain proper air pressure in ati tires (See "PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual),

o Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi- cals which can harm rubber,,

oAvoid 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 SlOWleaks, 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 blades must be kept sharp. Re- place bent or damaged blade&

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 13)

=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.

oTighten bolt securely (30-35 FL Lbs, torque)° IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT fS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED NOTE: Wedonot recommendsharpening btade-butifyou do, be sure the blade is balanced,,

BLADEMANDREL

		TRAILING EDGE
FLAT WASHER "'_"	_""__.	!
HEX BOLT
LOCK	_.___"_..,".._.

•A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE

IDENTtRED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.

FIG. 13

i,,i,,111¸,,, i i ,i ,,ll,i

LI ES

,,,11,,, i ,

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 14)

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 baiancero (When u_ing a cone balancer, follow the instructions supplled with bai-

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 tobes of the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not,,

CENTERHOLE

5/8" BOLT BLADE

OR PIN

FIG. 14

BATTERY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which is surf}- 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 t}ght,,

•Keep small vent holes open,

oRecharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.

]'OCLEAN 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- tery 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 Assembly section of this manual),

° Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the

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