Brake Operation; To Sharpen Blade - Craftsman 917.252711 Owner's Manual

CU E ES
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance.
BRAKE OPERATION
tf tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
at hgh speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted.
(See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Ad}ust-
ments section of this manua0.
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 14)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. 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,
o To check blade balance, you witI need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer. (When using a cone
balancer, fol!ow the instructions supplied with bar
Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See "PROD-.
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual).
Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi-
cals which can harm rubber.
o 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 blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 13}
o Raise mower to highesf position to allow access to
blades.
° Removehexbolt, lockwasherandflatwashersecuring
blade.
o Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
o Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in
exact order as shown.
Tighten bolt securely (30.G5 Ft° Lbs. torque).
_&'_PORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT'TREATED.
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but if you
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
BLADE
\
MANDREL
ASSEMBLY
FLAT WASHER
LOCK WASHE_
_A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENT}F[EB BY S_X L_NES ON THE BOLT HEAD°
FIGo 13
Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the stee! bolt
or pin and hold the bo!t or pin parailel 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 _ntil 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.
518" BOLT BLADE
OR PMN
FIGo 14
BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system which is su[fi,,
cient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the
battery with an automotive charger wi!l extend its life,
o Keep battery and terminals clean_
o Keep battery bolts tight.
o Keep smaN vent holes open (See "CONNECT BAT-.
TERY" in the Assembly section of this manual).
• Recharge at 6 amperes for t hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
o Open battery box door..
Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery frem tractor,
o Wash battery with solution ot four tablespoons of
baking soda to one gallon of water. Be careful not to get
the soda solution into the cells.
o Rinse the baltery wilh ptain waI:er and dry.
Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
L_ntitbright.
Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
,', Reinslail battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in lhe
Assembly section o[ this manual).