Craftsman 3One 917.252531 Owner's Manual page 18

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CUSTOMER RESPONSiBiLiTiES
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any rnainte-
nanceo
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'O 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 washersecuring
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 FL Lbs. torque).,
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED.
NOTE" We do not recommend sharpening blade- but if you
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 15)
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 grinding
wheel, Do not attemptto sharpen while on the mower,,
. To check blade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt. pin, ora cone balancer. (When using a cone
balancer, foIlow the instructions supplied with bal-
ancer).,
° Slide blade or] to an unthreaded portion of the steel bott
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 heawy 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 / /
LADE
FIG. 15
BLADE MANDREL
TRAILING EDGE
FLAT WASHER ,_ I
HEX BOLT
(GRADE
*AGRADE8HEATTREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIRED BY StXLINES ONTHE BOLT HEAD.
FIG. 14
18