Craftsman 917.256582 Owner's Manual page 16

CUSTOMER ILiTiES
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performingany mainte-
nance.
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjuste&
(See '*TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manuat)_
TIRES
o 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.
° Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and
other hazards that may cause taredamage.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re-
place bent or damaged blades.,
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 12)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades.
o Remove hex bolt, Iockwasher and ftat washer securing
blade.
o Instal{ new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
• Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in
exact order' as shown,.
o Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft. Lbs torque)..
1MPOR'tANT: BLADE BOLT 18GRADE 8 HEATTREATED.
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but ifyou
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
BLADE
MANDREL
ASSEMBLY
TRAILING EDGE
HEX BOLT _'__
(GRADE 8)* _.-=_,._
*A GRADE 8 HEAl" TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD,
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 13)
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 gdnding
wheel, Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.
° To check blade balance, you will need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer. (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-
anGer)o
- Stide 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
pos_tion_ If 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.
CENTERHOLE / /
FIG. 13
BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system which is suffi-
cient for normal use., However, periodic charging of the
battery with an automotive charger will extend its life.
° Keep battery and terminals clean,
. Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
= Recharge at 6-t0 amperes for I hour,
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
° Remove terminal guard_
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.,
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
° Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
until brighL
° Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assemb y section of this manual),
FIG. 12
16