Brake Operation; Blade Removal; To Sharpen Blade; Battery - Craftsman 917.250560 Owner's Manual

CUSTOMER
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-
n'lents section of this manua!),
TIRES
o 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 hazards that may cause tire damage.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharF Re-
place bent or damaged blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 12)
o Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blade&
Remove hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer secu ring
btade_
Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown°
Reassemble hex belt, lock washer and flat washer in
exact order as shown.
• Tighten bolt securely (30-35 FL Lbs,. torque),,
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED,
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG, 12
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 13)
Care should be taken to keep the blade ba/anced_ An
unbalanced blade will 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 wil! 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 unth readed 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_ If either end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balance&
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing blade° The lobes of
the center hole may appear' to be centered, but are noL
CENTER HOLE
518"BOLT
OR PIN
BLADE
FIG. 13
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 bolts tighL
o Keep small vent holes open (See "CONNECT BAT-
TERY" in the Assembly section of this rnanual).
° 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.
o Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor',,
° Wash battery, with solution of four tablespoons of
baking soda to one gallon of water° Be careful not to get
the soda solution into the cell&
° Rinse the battery with plain water and dry,,
o 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
Assembly section of this manual),
18