Craftsman 917.257480 Owner's Manual page 15

AINTENANCE
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TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance.
TIRES
. 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 tire damage,
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 11)
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, drive a nail into a beam or wail,
Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed.
Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail. If
blade is batanced, it should remain in a horizontal
position, ff either end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.
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 conditions.
• Do not attempt to sharpen blades while they are on the
mower.
• Replace bent or damaged blades_
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 10)
• Raise mower to highest position to altow access to
blades.
• Remove hex bolt, lockwasher and fiat washer securing
blade.
• Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown°
• Reassemble hex bolt, lockwasher and flat washer in
exact order as shown.
• Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft,, Lbs, torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 5 H EATTREATED.
CENTER
HOLE
FIG. 11
(JACKSHAFT)
ASSEMBLY
FLANGES
HEX BOLT
(GRADE 5)*
TRAILING
UP
*A GRADE 5 HEAT TREATED BOLT
CAN BE IDENTIFIEDBYTHREELINES
ON THE BOLT HEAD AS SHOWN AT
LEFT,
FIG, 10
15