How To Set Up Your Tractor; Prepare Battery; Install Seat; Check Tire Pressure - Craftsman 917.258492 Owner's Manual

HOW TO
SET UP YOUR TRACTOR
PREPARE BATTERY (See Fig. 2)
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 theinstructionsincluded with the
battery vent caps. Always wear gloves,
clothing and goggles to protect your
hands, skin and eyes.
iNSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3)
Adjust seat before tightening adjustment boll
o Remove cardboard packing on seat pan.
o Place seat on pan and assemble shoulder boll
o Assemble adjustment bolt, lock washer and flat washer
_oose_y_Do not tighten.
o Tighten shoulder bolt securely.
• Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat.
o Slideseat untilacomfortablepositionisreachedwhich
allows you to press clutch/brake pedal all tire way down
(See Fig 6)
° Get off seat without moving its adjusted position.
o Raise seat and tighten adjustment bolt securely..
Your unit has a battery charging system which is sufficient
for normal use. However, periodic charging ofthe battery
with an automotive charger will extend its life
° See instructions packed with vent caps in parts bag
Fill battery with acid_ Fill each cell until it reaches the
bottom of the vent wells. Do not overfill.
o Allow battery to stand and settle for at least thirty
minutes After standing, check the level of acid 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 uniL
IMPORTANT: TO MAXIMIZE THE LiFE OF YOURBATTERY,
IT IS NECESSARY THAT THE BATTERY BE CHARGED BE-
FORE USE° FAILURE TO CHARGE BATTERY CAN RESULTIN
A SHORTENED BA'Iq'ERY LIFE.
o Charge battery at a rate of 6 amperes for' 1 hour.
Observe all safety precautions required for battery
charging.
o Check the acid level after the battery is charged. If the
acid has fallen below the correct level, add distilled or
iron free water.
° Install the vent caps to coverthe vent wells_ Wash the
top of the battery with water to remove any acid, then
wfpe dry_
o Check battery case for leakage to make sure that no
damage has occurred in handling.
o Dispose of excess battery acid Neutralize acid for'
disposal by adding it to four inches 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
I "-F -_VENT CAP
CELL ACID
LEVEL
SEAT
SEAT PAN
SHOULDER
BOLT
FLATWASHER
ADJUSTMENT LOCK WASHER
BOLT
FIG. 3
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
The tires on your unit were overinflated at the factory for
shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important for
best cutting performance_
o Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in "PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual°
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS
For best cuttingresults, 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