Craftsman 917.258692 - Manual (Page 18)

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
TRACTOR
Always observe saleiy rules when periarming any mainte­
nance,
BRAKE OPERATION
!f tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance
at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted,
(See “TO ADJUST BRAKE" In the Service and Adjust­
ments section of this martual).
TIRES
• Maintain proper air pressure In ail tires (See “PROD­
UCT SPECIFICATtONS" on page 3 of this mantiai|,
• Keep tires free o! 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.
NOTE: To seat tire punctures and prevent fiat tires dua to
slow teaks, lira sealant may be purchased from your iocai
parts dealer. Tire sealant also prevents tire dry rot and
corrosion,
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kepi sharp. Re­
place bent or damaged blades,
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 14)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
btades-
• Remove hex bait, lock washer and fiat washer securing
blade.
• Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
• Reassemble hex boll, lock washer and flat washer In
exact Older as shown.
• Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft Lbs torque)
i MP О RTAN T: BLA D E 8 OLT1S G R ADE a HE AT TR E ATED
NOTE; We do not reconnmend sharpening blade - but if you
do, be sure the blade is balanced.
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 15)
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
unbalanced blade wiil cause excessive vibration and everr-
tual damage to mower and engine.
•
the blade can be sharpened with a 1!te or on a grinding
wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower-
• To chsck blade balance, you will naed a S/0’ diameter
steel bolt, pin, or a cone balancer. (When using^ a cone
balancer, follow the inslmotians supplied with bal­
ancer.)
• Slide blade on to an unthrsaded portion of the steel bolt
orpin and hold the boll or pin parallel 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 and until the blade is balanced,
NOTE: Do not use a nail for batanclng blade The lobes of
the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not
BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system which Is sulfi-
cisnt for normal Use- However, periodic charging oi the
battery with an automotive charger will extend its life.
• Keep battery and terminals dean
• Keep battery bolts tight
• Keep small vent holes open
» Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour,
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to “leak" power.
• Remove terminal guard.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED
battery cable and remove battery from tractor.
• Rinse tha battery with plain water arrd dry
• Cleart terminals andbatlery cable ends with wire brush
until bright
• Coat terminals with grease or pelroteum jelly-
• Reinstall battery (See “CONNECT BATTERY' in the
Assembly section of this manual),
IB