Brake Operation; Tires; Blade Care; Blade Removal - Craftsman 917.258524 Owner's Manual

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CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
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 "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 manuaf)o
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insectcontrolchemi-
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 dryrot and
corrosion.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp° Re-
place bent or damaged blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 13)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades,
° Remove hex bolt, iockwasherandflatwashersecudng
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°
o Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft. Lbs. torque),
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED.
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but ifyou
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
BLADE
FLAT __\
LOCK WASHER
HEX BOLT
MANDREL,
TRAIUNG EDGE
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIRED 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 willcause excessive vibration and even-
tual damage to mower and engine.
° The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a gdnding
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 acone 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 / /
FIG. 14
16