Craftsman 3One 917.255470 Owner's Manual page 16

II H AfJT{3R
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance,
BRAKE OPERATION
ff tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
athigh speed tn 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 ef 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.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re-
p]ace bent er damaged blades°
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 13)
o Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades,
, Remove hex bolt, lockwasher and flat washer securing
blade
o Install new orresharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
, Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in
exact order as shewn.
o Tighten bolt securely (30-35 FroLbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED
NOTE: We do netrecommend sharpening blade*-but ifyou
do, be sure blade is balanced.
BLADE
MANDREL
FLATWASHEB
LOCK WASHER.._
HEXBOLT
TRAILING EDGE
"A GRADE B HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG. 13
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 14)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced,. An
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even-
tual damage to mower and engine.
o The blade can be sharpened with a f_leor on a grinding
wheel. Do not attemptto sharpen while en the mower.
o "[e check blade balance, yeu wtll need a 5/8 dlamete
steel bolt, pin or a cone balancer. (When using a cone
baIancer, follow the instructions supplied with bal-
ancer).
• S!Ide blade on to an unthreaded poflion of the steel bolt
or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the ground.
If blade is balanced, it shouId 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,
CENTER HOLE / /
518"BO_ BLADE
FIG. 14
16