Craftsman 917.271631 Owner's Manual page 18

TRACTOR
Alwaysobservesafety ruleswhen
performingany maintenance.
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractorrequiresmorethan six (6) feet
stoppingdistanceat high speed in
highestgear,then brakemustbe ad-
justed.(See"TOADJUSTBRAKE"in the
ServiceandAdjustmentssectionof this
manual).
TIRES
° Maintainproper air pressurehi all tires
(See"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"
sectionof this manual).
o Keeptires free of gasoline,oil, or insect
controlchemicalswhich can harm
rubber.
o Avoid stumps,stones,deep ruts, sharp
objectsand other hazardsthat may
causetire damage.
NOTE:Toseal tire puncturesand prevent
flat tires due to slowleaks,tire sealant
may be pu[chasedfrom your local parts
dealer.Tire sealantalso preventstire dry
rot and corrosion.
OPERATORPRESENCE SYSTEM
Be sure operator presenceand interlock
systemsare workingproperly. If your
tractordoesnot functionas described,
repair the problemimmediately.
o The engineshouldnot start unlessthe
brake pedal is fully depressedand
attachementclutchcontrolis in the
disengaged position.
o Whenthe engineis running,any
attemptby the operatorto leavethe
seat withoutfirst settingthe parking
brakeshouldshut off the engine.
o Whenthe engineis runningand the
attachmentclutch is engaged,any
attemptby the operatorto leavethe
seat should shut off the engine.
o The attachmentclutch should never
operateunlessthe operatoris in the
seat.
BLADE CARE
Forbest resultsmowerbladesmust be
kept sharp. Replacebentor damaged
blades°
BLADE REMOVAL
1. Raise mowerto highestpositionto
allow accessto blades.
2. Removehex bolt, lockwasherand flat
washer securing blade°
3.. Installnew or resharpenedblade with
trailingedge up towardsdeck as
shown.
IMPORTANT: T oensureproperassem-
bly, centerhote in blade mustalign with
star on mandrelassembly.
4. Reassemblehex bolt, lock washer
andflat washer
in exact order as
shown.
5, Tighten bolt securely (27-35 Fto Lbs.
torque).
Ir,4PORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat
treated°
Trailing Edge Up Mandr'el Assembly
Blade Center
Hole
Fiat Washer....
Lock Washer
%
_--Hex Bolt (Grade)
*A Grade 8 heat treated bolt can be identified
by six lines on the bolt head.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpen-
ing blade - but if you do, be sure the
blade is balanced.
Care should be taken to keep the blade
balanced. An unbalanced blade will
cause excessive vibration and eventual
damage to mower and engine.
o The blade can be sharpened with a file
or on a grinding wheel, Do not attempt
to sharpen while on time mower.
o To check blade balance, you will need
a 5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone
balancer. (When using a cone bal-
ancer, follow tile instructions supplied
with balancer.)
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing
blade, The lobes of the center hole may
appear to be centered, but are not,
° Slide blade on to an unthreaded
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
balanced_
Center Hole "_
18