How To Set Up Your Tractor; Prepare Battery; Install Seat; Check Tire Pressure - Craftsman 917.257651 Owner's Manual

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ASSEMBLY
HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR
PREPARE BATTERY (See Fig. 2)
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CAUTION: Wear eye and face shield.
&
Wash hands or clothing immediately if
accidentally in contactwith battery acid,
Do not smoke. Fumes from charged
battery 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 tractor has a battery charging system which is suffi-
cient for normal use,. However, periodic charging of the
battery with an automotive charger' witt 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 battery cell acid
level If below the vent wells, add more acid until the
correct level is reached,,
While battery is standing (after adding acid) and later, while
battery is being charged, continue with assembly of tractoL
IMPORTANT: TO MAXIMIZE THE LIFE QF YOUR
BATTERY, IT 1S NECESSARY THAT THE BATTERY BE
CHARGED BEFORE USE FAILURE TO CHARGE
BATTERY CAN RESULT IN A SHORTENED BATTERY
LIFE
. Charge battery at a rate of 6 amperes for I 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, tf the
acid has fallen below the correct level, add distilled or
iron free water
o Install the vent caps to cover the vent wells,. 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 acid. Neutralize acid for
disposal by adding it to two gallons 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 VENT CAP
VENT WELL
BATTERY
CELL ACID
LEVEL
INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3)
Adjust seat before tightening adjustment knob
° Remove cardboard packing on seat pan,
• Place seat on seat pan and assemble shoulder bolt
. Assemble adjustment knob and flat washer loosely,
Do not tighten,
o Tighten shoulder bolt securely
o Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat,
o Slide seat until a comfortable position is reached which
allows you to press clutch/brake pedal all the way
down_
° Get off seat without moving its adjusted position.
° Raise seat and tighten adjustment knob securely
SEAT
k
SEAT PAN
SHOULDER
BOLT
ADJUSTMENT
KNOB
FIG. 3
, FLAT WASHER
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your tractor were overinflated at the factory for
shipping purposes Correct tire pressure is important for
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 and
mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments
section of this manual Verify that the belts are routed
correctly,
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM
After you learn how to operate your tractor, check to see
that the brake is properly adjusted. See "TO ADJUST
BRAKE" in the Service and Adjustments section of this
manual
FIG, 2 8