Craftsman 917.256511 Owner's Manual page 16

CUSTOMER R
IBILITIES
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte-
nance.
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
at high speed in highestgear, then brake must be adjusted.
(See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust-
merits section of this manual)°
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 controlchemi-
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-
place bent or damaged blades,
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 9)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades.
° Remove hex bolt, lockwasherandflatwashersecuring
blade.
° 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 FtoLbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED,
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade- but if you
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
BLADE MANDREL
ASSEMBLY
FLATWASHER
HEX BOLT
TRAILING EDGE
*A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE
IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD.
FIG, 9
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 10)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
unbalanced blade wilt 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, you will need a 5/8" diameter'
steel bolt, pin, ora 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 paralfel 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 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 / /
FIG. 10
16