Craftsman 917.257360 - Manual (Page 15)

MAINTENANCE
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte­
nance.
TIRES
• Maintain proper air pressure in all 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.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be kept sharp. The
blades can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel.
We suggest they be sharpened or replaced after every 25
hours of mowing Check blades more often if mowing in
sandy conditions ,
■ Do not attempt to sharpen blades while they are on the
mower.
• Replace bent or damaged blades
BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 10)
• Raise mower to highest position to allow access to
blades.
• Remove hex bolt, lockwasher and flat washer securing
blade
• Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up
towards deck as shown
• Reassemble hex bolt, iockwasher and flat washer in
exact order as shown.
• Tighten bolt securely (30-35 Ft. Lbs. torque).
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 5 HEATTREATED,
TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 11)
Care should be taken to keep the biade balanced. An
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even­
tual damage to mower and engine.
• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding
wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen white on the mower.
• To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or wall.
Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed.
Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail, if
blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal
position. If either end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.
FIG. 11
BATTERY (See Fig. 12)
Your unit has a battery charging system which is sufficient
for normal use. However, periodic charging of the battery
with an automotive charger will extend its life,
• Acid solution level in each battery cell should be even
with bottoms of vent wells. Add only distilled or iron-
free water if necessary. Do not overfill.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep vent caps tight and small vent holes in caps open.
• Recharge at 6 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 bat­
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
• Wash battery with solution of four tablespoons of bak­
ing soda to one gallon of water. Be careful not to get
the soda solution into the cells.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry,
• Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "INSTALL BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual).
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