Maintenance Instructions - Sears 917.253580 Owner's Manual

MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS
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. Do not attempt to sharpen while on mower.
PLACE THE MOWER CLUTCH CONTROL
IN THE "OFF" POSITION, LOCK THE
PARKING BRAKE,SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL
AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. MAKE
ABSOLUTEL Y SURE THE BLADES AND
ALL MOVING PARTS HAVE COMPLETE -
L Y STOPPED. REMOVE THE IGNITION
KEY, DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG
WIRE(S) FROM THE SPARK PLUG(S)
AND KEEP WIRE(S} AWAY FROM THE
PLUG(S) TO PREVENT INJURY FROM
ACCIDENTAL STARTING.
When grinding, care should be taken to maintain blade balance
and the blade should be checked for proper balance before re-
installation on mower. Unbalanced or bent blade will cause ex-
cessive vibration when running, and eventual damage to mower
or engine. Replace bent or damaged blades .
To insure satisfactory operation, it is recommended that be-
fore the start of each mowing season, the old blades be dis-
carded and replaced with new blades. Mower blades can be
purchased at all Sears retail stores and mail order outlets.
BLADE REPLACEMENT
It is not necessary to remove mower from tractor for blade re-
placement. Raising mower lift lever to highest position will per-
mit access to blades.
1.
Remove the two Hex Head Bolts and Lockwashers (F ig. 16) ..
2.lnstall new blade with SHARP EDGE DOWN and secure
with two Lockwashers and two Hex Head Bolts. TIGHT-
EN SECURELY.
ALWAYS USE GRADE 5 HEAT TREATED
A
BOLTS TO ATTACH BLADES. CHECK
BOLTS IN BLADES OCCASIONALLY TO
MAKE SURE BOLTS ARE TIGHT. TOR-
QUE BOLTS 45 - 50 FT. LBS.
A GRADE 5 HEAT TREATED BOLT
CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THREE
LINES INDICATED ON THE BOLT
HEAD AS SHOWN AT LEFT.
CLEANING MOWER
Water pressure from a garden hose will remove fresh clippings
from underside of mower. Clean mower after each mowing .
DAILY MAINTENANCE
Make sure all nuts on bolts are t ight, cotter pins and retainer
springs are secure. Keep blades sharp_ Observe all safety pre-
cautions. Keep mower well lubricated.
-7-
FIGURE 16
FIGURE 17
BELT ADJUSTMENT
Remove Retainer Spring from Adjusting Pin and remove
Adjusting Pin from Idler Shaft Assembly (Fig. 17) .
(Refer to Fig. 18). Remove Retainer Spring from Adjusting Pin
on Snubber Pull Rod in Idler Shaft Assembly. Remove Adjust-
ing Pin from hole .
(Refer to Fig. 17). Turn Adjusting Pin on Belt Tightener link
counterclockwise to tighten belt, clockwise to loosen belt.
Engage ("ON" position) mower clutch control (pushed for-
ward). Belt is properly adjusted when belt can be squeezed
together with thumb and fore finger (without undue pressure)
midway between engine and idler pulleys . After
2
hours use
recheck belt for proper tensi on. Replace retaine.- spring in
Adjusting Pin (Fig. 17).
Belt from center to outside mandrels is spring loaded and no
adjustment is necessary.
AT THIS TIME YOU MUST ADJUST THE
SNUBBER PULL ROD. FOLLOW THE IN-
FORMATION UNDER "ADJUSTMENT Of-
SNUBBER" ON PAGE 8.