Sears 917.25953 - Manual (Page 17)

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
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 highest gear, then brake must be adjusted.
(See TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjust­
ments section of this manual).
TIRES
* Maintain proper air pressure in ail tires (See “PROD­
UCT SPECiFICATiONS” on page 3 of this manual),
* Keep tires free of 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 seal tire punctures and prevent fiat tires due to
stow leaks, tire seaiant may be purchased from your local
parts dealer, Tire seaiant also prevents tire dry rot and
corrosion,
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. Re­
place bent or damaged blades.
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 14)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades.
* Remove hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer securing
biade,
‘ install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown.
• Reassemble hex bolt, iock washer and flat washer in
exact order as shown,
« Tighten boit securely (30-35 Ft. Lbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED,
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening biade - 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 will cause excessive vibration and even-
tuai damage to mower and engine,
" The biade 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, or a cone balancer. (When using a cone
balancer, follow the instructions supplied with bai-
ancer),
• Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of Ihe steel bolt
or pin and hold the boit or pin parallel with the ground.
If biade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal
position. If either end of the biade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the biade is balanced.
NOTE: Donotuse a nail for balancing blade. The lobes of
the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not.
17