Brake; Brake Adjustment; Tire Care; Blade Replacement - Craftsman 917.254550 Owner's Manual

REPAIR AND ADJUSTMENT
BRAKE ROD
DISC BRAKE
BRAKE JAM NUT
OPERATING ARM
NUT A
• 1 I12"
(WITH PARKING
BRAKE ENGAGED)
I. Brake Adjustment
This tractor is equipped with an adjustable brake system
mounted on the right side of the transaxle (Fig. 10).
A
aL
be
C.
IF TRACTOR REQUIRES MORE THAN
SIX FEET STOPPING DISTANCE IN
HIGHEST GEAR, THEN BRAKE MUST
BE ADJUSTED.
Depress clutch/brake pedal and engage parking
brake.
Measure distance between brake operating arm and
nut "A" on blake rod_
ff distance is other than 1_1/2", disengage parking
brake, loosen jam nut (Fig. I0) and turn nut "A" until
distancebecomes 1-1/2", Retightenjamnutagainst
Nut "A"o
FIGURE 10
Road test tractor for proper stopping distance as stated
above. Readjust if necessary.
2. Tire Care
Maintain tire pressure in front at 14 PSI and rear tires at 12
PSI.
MANDREL
ASSEMBLY
FLANGES
I
WASHER
LOCKWASHER
HEX BOLT GR 5"--------_
FIGURE 11
A GRADE 5 HEAT TREATED BOLT
CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THREE
LINF_S ON THE BOLT HEAD AS
sH_)wN AT LEFT_
3. Blade Care
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp° The
blades can be sharpened with a few strokes of a file, or on a
grinding wheel We suggest they be sharpened after every
25 hours of mowing. Do not attempt to sharpen while on
mower: ff you mow in sandy soil check the blades after each
two mowings. The sand wears the blade away rapidly.
a. Blade Replacement
Raise mower to highest position to permit access to
blades.
1o Remove the hex head bolt, Iockwasher and flat
washer (Fig. 11) (turn counterclockwise)(/_"-"_).
2. Remove and discard old blade_
3. Clean top and bottom of mower housing.
4. Install new blade with SHARP EDGE DOWN
and secure with flat washer, Iockwasher and hex
head bolt. TIGHTEN SECUREL Yo
A
ALWAYS USE GRADE 5 HEAT
TREATED BOLTS TO ATTACH
BLADES. DO NOT USE PLATED
BOLTS. CHECK BOLTS IN BLADES
OCCASIONALLY TO MAKE SURE
BOLTS ARE TIGHT. TORQUE BOLTS
TO 30 - 35 FT.- LBS.
14
b.
When grinding, care should be taken to maintain
blade balance and the blade should be checked for
propet balance before reinstallation on mower. An
unbalanced o rbent blade will cause excessive vibra-
tion when running, and eventual damage to mower
or engine, Replace bent or damaged blades,