Brake Operation; Tires; Blade Care; To Sharpen Blade - Sears Craftsman 917.252561 Owner's Manual

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TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted.
(See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual).
TIRES
o Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of this manuat)_
o 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 tire damage.
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 grinding
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 balancero (When using a cone
bafancer, follow the instructions supplied with bat-
ancer).
o 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., 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.
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,,
• Remove hex bolt, lock washer and fiat washer securing
blade
, Install 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).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but ifyou
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
MANDREL
ASSEMBLY
FLAT WASHER
_._ BLADE
LOCK WASHER _.'_-._,- _TRAILING EDGE
'A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED
BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG. 12
,/
CENTER _""_'C <_"
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..
o Keep battery bolts tight.
o Keep small vent holes open.
. Recharge at 6-10 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
o Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual).
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