Craftsman 917.254531 Owner's Manual page 8

ASSEMBLY
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 wlth battery acid.
Do not smoke. Fumes from charged
battery acid are explosive.
Read the Instructions Included with the
batteryvent caps. Alwayswear 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 celt until it reaches the
bottom of the vent wells. Do not overfill.
• Allow 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 tS NECESSARY THAT THE BATTERY BE
CHARGED BEFORE USE, FAILURE TO CHARGE
BATTERY CAN RESULT IN A SHORTENED BATTERY
LIFE.
o Charge battery at a rate of 6 amperes for 1 hour. Use
a 12 volt battery charger° Observe all safety precautions
required for battery charging.
o Check the acid level after the battery is charged, if the
acid has fallen below the correct level, add distilled or
iron free water.
• Install 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°
o Dispose of excess battery acid. Neutralize acid for
disposal by adding it to four inches of water in a five
gallon plastic 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
/VENT WELL
E ,H;I LEv,-
INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3)
Adjust seat before tightening adjustment bolto
• Remove cardboard packing on seat pan.
° Place seat on pan and assemble shoulder bolt.
• Assemble adjustment bolt, lock washer and flat washer
loosely. Do not tighten_
o Tighten shoulder bolt securely.
• Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat.
• Slide seat until a comfortable position isreached which
allows you to press clutch/brake pedal all the way down
(See Fig. 6).
. Get off seat without moving its adjusted position.
• Raise seat and tighten adjustment bolt securely.
SEAT
SEATPAN
SHOULDER
BOLT
- FLAT WASHER
ADJUSTMENT LOCK WASHER
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 resuRs, mower housing should be ,properly
leveled. 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 propedy adjusted. See "TO ADJUST
BRAKE" in the Service and Adjustments section of this
manual°
FIG= 2 8