Craftsman 917.252502 Owner's Manual page 16

CUSTOMER ESPONSIBILITIES
TRACTOR
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig, !0)
Always observe safety rules when performing any 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 manual).
o Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi-
cals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and
other haz&rde that may cause tire damage.
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
unbalanced blade witl 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 on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt
or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the ground.
if brade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal
_osition. If either end of the Made moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the Made 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.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re-
place bent or damaged blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig, 9)
• 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 belt securety (30-35 Ft. Lbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED.
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if
_ou do, be sure the blade is balanced.
BLADE
\
FLAT
LOCK WASHER
MANDREL
ASSEMBLY
1 TRAILING
EDGE UP
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG. 9
CENTER HOLE
/
/
/
BLADE
J
FIG. 10
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 botts tight.
Keep small vent holes open.
Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
Remove terminal guard.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor,
- Rinse the batten/with plain water and dry.
• Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
until bright.
, Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
AssemMy section of this manual).
16