Brake Operation; Tires; To Sharpen Blade; Blade Removal - Craftsman 917.258492 Owner's Manual

CUSTOMER RESPONSUBILITUES
i IMI
TRACTOR
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 13)
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
nance, unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even-
tual damage to mower and engine.
BRAKE OPERATION
If unit requires more than six (6) feet stoppingdistance at
high speed in highest gear, then brake mustbe adjusted.
(See "TO ADJUST BRAKE in Service and Adjustments
section of this manual).
TIRES
o Maintainproper 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 ob ects and
other hazards that may cause t re damage
. The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding
wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower
o To check blade balance you will need a 5/8" diameter
steel bolt,pin, or cone balancer, (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instructions supplied with the bal-
ancer).
o Slide b[ade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel bolt
or pin parallel with 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
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, The
blades can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel.
We suggest they be sharpened or replaced after every 25
hours of mowing Check blades more often if mowing in
sandy condition&
o Do not attempt to sharpen blades while they are on the
mower,
• Replace bent or damaged blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 12)
° Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades
o Remove hex bolt, lockwasher and flat washer securing
blade.
o 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.
° Tighten bolt securely (30-35 FL Lbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT
TREATED.
FIG. 13
BATTERY (See Fig. 14)
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 it's lifeo
° Acid solution level in each battery cell should be even
with bottoms ofvent wells. Add only distilled or iron free
water if necessary. Do not overfill.
- Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolts tighL
° Keep vent capstight and smallvent holesin caps open,
o Rechargeat 6amperesforl hour.
MANDREL
FLATWASHER
LOCK WASHER
BLADE
TRAILING EDGE
HEXBOLT
(GRADE8
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED
BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
CUT AWAY VIEW .-VENT CAP
{L----i"_-L__.._j -_/VENT
WELL
I [_ N _ N N }} N N # bBATTERY
I _ _ _ [_ riJ _ _] _,,_ CELLACID
VEL
FIG. 14
FIG. 12
15