Craftsman 917.25545 Owner's Manual page 16

CUSTOM RESPONSmB LITMES
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance,
BRAKE OPERATION
If unit requires more than six (6) feet stopping d!stance at
high speed in highest gear, than brake must be ad usted
(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 klsect 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_ Replace
bent or damaged blades
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
° Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft Lb& torque)_
IMPORTANT: BLADE BQLT iS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED,
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade---but if
rou do, be sure the blade is balance&
MANDREL
BLADE ASSEMBLY
FLAT WASHER
TRAILING EDGE
LOCK WASHER
HEX BOLT (GRADE 8)*
*A,GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG. 13
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 ori the mower.
• To check blade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancen (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-
ancer),
o 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 noL
CENTER HOLE
5/8" BOLT BLADE
OR PIN J
FIG. 14
BATTERY (See Fig. 15)
Your unit has a battery charging system which is sufficient
for normal use_ However, periodic charging of the battery
with an automotive charger will extend it's 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.
o Keep battery and terminals clean_
= Keep battery boIts tighL
° Keep vent caps tight and small vent holes in caps open.
° Recharge at 6 amperes for 1 hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS -
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power
o Remove terminal guar&
° 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 cell&
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
° Clean terminals and batterycable ends with wire brush
until brighL
= Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
o Reinstall battery (See "INSTALL BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manua0.
16