Craftsman 917.257281 Owner's Manual page 15

CUSTO E TIES
TRACTOR
AZways observe safety rules when performingany matnte-
n_ce,
BRAKE OPERATION
If unit requires more than six (6) feet stopptngdistance at
high s_eed in highest gear, than brake mustbe adjusted.
(See 'TO ADJUST BRAKE" in Service and Adjustments
section of this manual).
TIRES
, Maintain proper air pressure In all tires (See "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual),
. Keeptires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemi.
cais 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_ The
blades can be sharpened with a file or on agrinding wheel.
We suggest they be sharpened or replaced after every 25
hours of mowing. Check blades more often if mowing in
sandy conditions.
, Do not attempt to sharpen blades while they are on the
mower,
- Replace bent or damaged blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 10)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades_
= Removehexbolt, lockwasherandflatwashersecuring
blade.
• install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
. Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and fiat washer in
exact order as shown.
- Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft. Lbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED.
"t
222
NED( BOLT (GRADE 81"
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX UNES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG, 10
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 11)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
unbalanced bladewill 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 attemptto sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt, pin. or a cone batancer. (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-
ancer),
• Slide blade onto an unthreaded portion ofthe 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,
11
5/8" BOLT
OR PIN
BLADE
FIG. 11
15