Blade Care; Maintenance; Blade Replacement - Craftsman 917.252641 Owner's Manual

FLIP-UP I]SC - ARGE GUARD
You= mowe_ has a (lip up Discharge Guard (Fig 39) for door
or gate clearance when held in raised position.
MAKE SURE ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
LEVER IS IN "DISENGAGED" POSITION
AND BLADES HAVE STOPPED BEFORE
RAISING DISCHARGE GUARD (DEFLEC-
TOR}
MOWER MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR ANY ADJUSTMENTS, INSPECTION
OR MAINTENANCE:
PUSH TRACTOR CLUTCH-BRAKE PED.
AL COMPLETELY INTO BRAKE POSI-
TION. MOVE GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO
"N" NEUTRAL POSITION. PLACE PARK-
ING BRAKE IN "ENGAGED" POSITION.
PLACE MOWER BLADE CLUTCH LEVER
IN "DISENGAGED" POSITION. SHUT
OFF THE ENGINE. MAKE ABSOLUTELY
SURE THE BLADES AND ALL MOVING
PARTS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED,
REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, DISCON-
NECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM
THE SPARK PLUG AND KEEP WIRE
AWAY FROM THE PLUG TO PREVENT
INJURY FROM ACCIDENTAL START-
ING.
A GRADE 5 HEAT TREATED BOLT
CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THREE
LINES INDICATED ON THE BOLT
HEAD AS SHOWN AT LEFT°
ALWAYS USE GRADE 5 HEAT TREATED
BOLTS TO ATTACH BLADES. CHECK
BOLTS IN BLADES OCCASIONALLY TO
MAKE SURE BOLTS ARE TIGHT. TOR-
QUE BOLTS 45- 50 FTo LBS.
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 15 hours of
mowing. Do not attempt to sharpen while on mower.
1. When grinding, care should be taken to maintain blade bel,.
ance and the blade should be checked for proper balance
before reinstallation on mower. Unbalanced or bent blade
wilt cause excessive vibration when running, and eventual
damage to mower or engine. Replace bent or damaged
blades_
2, To ensure satisfactory operation, it is recommended that
before the start of each mowing season, the old blades be
discarded and replaced with new blades. Mower blades can
be purchased at all Sears retail and catalog stores.
DAILY MAINTENANCE
Make sure atl nuts on bolts are tight and cotter pins are secure,
Keep blades sharp, Observe all safety precautions, Keep mower
well lubricated (refer to page 14)
BLADE REPLACEMENT
Raise mower to highest position to permit access to Blades,.
1. Remove Bolts and Lockwashers (Fig_ 40) (turn counter-
clockwise).
2 Secure new Blade with Lockwashers and Bolts previously
removed TIGHTEN SECURELY
NOTE: INSTALL NEw BLADES WITH SHARP EDGE
DOWN
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