Brake Operation; Tires; Blade Care; Blade Removal - Craftsman 917.255981 Owner's Manual

TRACTOR
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 SPECIFICAT!ONS" on page 3 of this manual).
. Keep tires free of gasoline, oit, 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 biades_
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 14)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
btades_
. Remove hex bolt, lcckwasher and flat washer securing
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 Ft. Lbs. torque),
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT tS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED.
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but ifyou
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
B" . _ MANDREL
LADE _ _, ASSEMBLY
_ _AILING
--_._ _L_ EDGE UP
FLAT WASHER_"_ _ /
FIG. 14
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 15)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced, An
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even-
tual damage to mower and engine°
o 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 will need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-
anGer).
o 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, tf 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
5_"BOLT
OR
BLADE
FIG. 15
BATTERY (See Fig. 16)
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.
= Acid solution levef in each battery cetl should be even
with bottoms of vent wells. Add onty distilled or'iron free
water if necessary. Do not overfill
° Keep battery and terminals clean,
• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep vent caps tight and small vent holes in caps open,
= Recharge at 6 amperes for 1 hour°
CUT AWAY VIEW
i I/VENTcAp
f''"' _ _ L._._._J VENT
16
BATTERY
CELL ACID
LEVEL
FIG= 16
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power,
• Open battery box door,