How To Set Up Your Tractor; Check Tire Pressure; Check Deck Levelness; Check Brake System - Craftsman 917.254530 Owner's Manual

ASSEM LY
HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR
PREPARE BATTERY (See Fig. 2)
CAUTION; Wear eye and face shield.
Wash hands or clothing immediately if
accidentally in contact with battery acid.
Do not smoke. Fumes from charged
battery acid are explosive.
Read the instructions _ncluded with the
battery vent caps, Always wear gloves,
clothing and goggles to protect your
hands, skin and eyes.
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 its life
• See instructions packed with vent caps in parts bag.
• Fill battery with acid. Fill each ce!l until it reaches the
bottom of the vent wells. Do not overfill
• Ailow battery to stand and settle for at least thirty
minutes° After standing, check the level of acid. if
below the vent wells, add more acid until the correct
level is reached
While battery is standing (after adding acid) and later, while
battery is being charged, continue with assembly of unit.
IMPORTANT: TO MAXIMIZE THE LIFE OF YOUR
BATTERY, iT IS NECESSARY THAT THE BATTERY BE
CHARGED BEFORE USE FAILURE TO CHARGE
BATTERY CAN RESULT IN A SHORTENED BATTERY
LIFE
. Charge battery at a rate of 6 amperes for I hour. Use
a 12 volt battery charger Observe all safety precautions
required for battery charging.
. Check the acid level after the battery is charged, If the
acid has fallen below the correct level, add distilled or
iron free water.
, tnstali the vent caps to cover the vent wells. Wash the
top of the battery with water to remove any acid, then
wipe dry.
• Check battery case for leakage to make sure that no
damage has occurred in handling.
, Dispose of excess battery acid. Neutralize acid for
disposal by adding it to four inches of water in a five
gallon prastic container. Stir with a wooden or plastic
paddle while adding baking soda until the addition of
more soda causes no more foaming
• Follow instructions on how to install battery°
CUT AWAY VIEW _ VENT CAP
!
L..._.....J L-...-J
BATTERY
CELL ACID
LEVEL
INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3)
Adjust seat before tightening adjustment bolto
• Remove cardboard packing on seat pan°
• Piace seat on pan and assemble shoulder bolto
• Assemble adjustment bolt, lockwasher and flat washer
loosely. Do not tighten,
• Tighten shoulder bolt securely,
• Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat.
• Slide seat until a comfortable position is reached
which allows you to press clutch/brake pedaI all the
way down (See Fig° 6),
• Get off seat without moving its adjusted position,
• Raise seat and tighten adjustment bolt securely_
SEAT PAN
SHOULDER
BOLT
SEAT
,\
FLAT WASHER
ADJUSTMENT LOCKWASHER
BOLT
FIG. 3
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your unit were overinflated at the factory for
shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important for
best cutting performance_
• Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in "PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS
For best cutting,results, mower housing should be properly
levele& See TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual,
CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL
BELTS
See the figures that are shown for replacing motion and
mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual Verify that the belts are routed
correctly,
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM
After you learn how to operate your tractor, check to see
that the,, brake is properly adjusted. See "TO ADJUST
BRAKE in the Service and Adjustments section of this
manuaI,
FIG. 2 8