Brake Operation; Tires; Blade Removal; To Sharpen Blade - Craftsman EZ3 917.259570 Owner's Manual

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CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
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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 tn all tires (See "PROD.
UCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of thIs manua]).
• Keep tires free of gasoline, otI, or insect control chemi-
cals which can hatm rubber.
. Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts sharp objects and
other lazards that may cause tire damage
NOTE: To seal Itre punctures and prevent flal tires due to
slow leaks, lira sealant may be purchased from your local
parts dealer. Tire sealant also prevents tire dry rot and
corrosion, "
BLADE CARE
For best resuIts mower blades must be kept sharp_ Re-
place bent or damaged blades
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 13)
• Raise mower to highest position to altcw access to
blades_
" Remove hex bolt, lock washer andtlat washer secudng
blade.
• Inslalr new or resherpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown
. • _FI.e.as_senj_bLe hex .b_J, !ock washer and flat washer In
exact order as shown,.
• Tighten bolt securety (30-35 Ft.,Lbs torque),
fMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT JSGRADE 8 HEAT TREATED
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but tf you
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
BLADE MANDREL
TRAILING EDGE
HEX BOLT
(GRADE8}"_"_'"_-_'''_-1_
*A GRADE BHEAT TREATEDBOLTCANBE
IDENTIFIEDBY SIX LINES ONTHE BOLT HEAD,
FIG., I3
/
t8
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 14)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced An
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and evem
tuaI damage 1o mower and engine
• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a gdndhg
wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, you wtf!need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt, pin, or a cone batancer, (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instrucltons supplied with bal-
ancer).
• Slide blade on to an unthreaded podion of the steel boil
or pln and hold the boff or pin parallel with the ground.
II btade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal
position, ff either end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end unltl the blade Is balanced
NOTE= Do not use a nail for balancing blade. The lobes ol
the center hale may appear to be centered, bul are not
OENTERHOL,E / /
BLADE
FIG,. 14
BATTERY
Your tractor has a baPery charging syslem which is suffi-
cient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the
b_dle_°W_th-_i1_bl_,_OtiV__h_Ygei =WEllexlerid it_ lif_; ............
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
" Keep small vent holes open
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour
TO CLEAN BA'fTERY AND TERMINALS
Con:oslon and dirt on the batlery and terminals can cause
the battery to '%ak" power,
• Remove terminal guard
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED
batlery cable and remove battery from tractor,
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry,
• Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire
brush untiebright.
• Coat terminals wllh grease or petroleum jelly,
• Reinstall batlery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual)