Craftsman EZ3 917.259531 Owner's Manual page 17

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CUSTOMER RESPONSUBILRTmES
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance.
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractor requires more than six (8) 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
• Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual).
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.
NOTE: To seal tire punctures and prevent flat tires due to
slow leaks, tire sealant may be purchased from your local
parts dealer. Tire sealant also prevents tire dry rot and
corrosion_
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp_ Re-
place bent or damaged blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig, 14)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blade&
• Remove hex bolt, Iockwasher 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 Ft. Lb& torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED.
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but ifyou
do, be sure the blade is balance&
BLADE
FLAT_
LOCK WASHER_
HEX BOLT
(GRADE 8)* _
TRAILING EDGE
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD,
FIG. 14
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 15)
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 whi}e 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-
ancer).
° 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. If either end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balance&
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing blade. The lobes of
the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not.
CENTER HOLE
5/8" BOLT
OR PIN
BLADE
FIG. 15
17