Craftsman 917.25545 Owner's Manual page 8

ASSE LY
HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR
PREPARE BA'I-rERY (See Fig. 2)
CAUTION: Wear eye and face shield.
Wash hands or clothing immediately if
accidentally in contact with battery acid.
Do not smoke. Fumes from charged bat-
tery acid are explosive.
Read the instructions included with the
battery vent caps. Always wear gloves,
clothing and goggles to protect your hands,
skin and eyes.
Your unit has a battery charging system which is sufficient
for normal use However, periodic charging of the battery
with an automotive charger will extend its life.
o See instructions packed with vent caps in parts bag.
o Fill battery with acid. Fill each cell until it reaches the
bottom of the vent wells_ Do not overfill.
• Allow battery to stand and settle for at least thirty
minutes. After standing, check the level of acid_ If
below the vent wells, add more acid until the correct
level is reache&
While battery is standing (after adding acid) and later, while
battery is being charged, continue with assembly of uniL
IMPORTANT: TO MAXIMIZE THE LIFE OF YOUR
BATTERY, IT IS NECESSARY THAT THE BATTERY BE
CHARGED BEFORE USE FAILURE TO CHARGE
BATTERY CAN RESULT IN A SHORTENED BATTERY
LIFE
o Charge battery at a rate of 6 amperes for 1 hour_ Use
a 12 volt battery charger, Observe all safety precau-
tions required for battery charging
Check the acid level after the battery is charged. If the
acid has fallen below the correct level, add distilled or
iron free water_
Install the vent caps to cover the vent well& Wash the
top of the battery with water to remove any acid, then
wipe dry
Check battery case for leakage to make sure that no
damage has occurred in handling.
Dispose of excess battery aci& Neutralize acid for
disposal by adding it to four inches of water in a five
gallon plastic container. Stir with a wooden or plastic
paddle while adding baking soda until the addition of
more soda causes no more foaming
Follow instructions on how to install battery
CUT AWAY VIEW
I
VENT CAP
VENT WELL
INSTALL SEAT
(See Fig. 3)
Adjust seat before tightening adjustment knob.
o Remove cardboard packing on seat pan.
o Place seat on pan and assemble shoulder bolt.
o Assemble adjustment knob and flat washer loosely.
Do not tighten,
o Tighten shoulder bolt securely_
° Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat,
. Slide seat until a comfortable position is reached which
allows you to press clutch/brake pedal ai! the way
down.
o Get off seat without moving its adjusted position.
o Raise seat and tighten adjustment knob securely.
SEAT
SEAT PAN
SHOULDER
BOLT
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
FIG. 3
=LATWASHER
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your unit were overinflated at the factory for
shipping purposes, Correcttire p ressureisimportant f or
best cutting performance.
• Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in "PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS
For best cutting results, mower housing should be properly
leveled See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the
Service and Adjustments section of this manual
CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL
BELTS
See the figures that are shown for replacing motion, mower
drive, and mower blade drive belts in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual. Verify that the belts are
routed correctly.
FIG. 2
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