Craftsman 247.28905 - Manual (Page 22)

SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
CLEANING THE ENGINE AND DECK
Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off promptly. Do
NOT allow debris to accumulate around the cooling fins of the engine
or on any other part of the machine.
IMPORTANT: The use of a pressure washer to clean your tractor is
NOT recommended. It may cause damage to electrical components,
spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine.
A screw plug can be found on your tractor's deck surface as seen in
Fig. 16. This plug can be replaced with a water port to be used as part
of a separately-available deck wash system.
The Deck Wash System™ is used to rinse grass clippings from the
deck's underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals.
NOTE: A deck wash system can be purchased through the retail
location in which you purchased this tractor. For more information,
simply call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
ADJUSTMENTS
AWARNING
Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running,
except where specified in the operator's manual.
Leveling the Deck
NOTE: Check the tractor's tire pressure before performing any deck
leveling adjustments. Refer to Tires in the Service section of this
manual for more information regarding tire pressure.
Front To Rear
The front of the cutting deck is supported by a stabilizer bar that can
be adjusted to level the deck from front to rear. The front of the deck
should be between %-inch and Ys-inch lower than the rear of the deck.
Adjust if necessary as follows:
1. With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, place the lever for
lifting the platform on the second to the top notch (second highest
position) and rotate the blade as close to the discharge channel
that is parallel to the tractor.
Measure the distance from the front of the blade tip to the ground
and the rear of the blade tip to the ground. The first measure­
ment taken should be between V/ and Vs” less than the second
measurement. Determine the approximate distance necessary for
proper adjustment and proceed, it necessary, to the next step.
Locate the flange lock nut on the front side of the stabilizer
bracket. See Fig. 17.
Tighten the flange lock nut to raise the front of the deck;
Loosen the flange lock nut to lower the front of the deck.
If the cutting deck appears to be mowing unevenly, a side to side
adjustment can be performed. Adjust if necessary as follows:
1. With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, place the deck lift
lever in the second from the top notch (second highest position)
and rotate both blades so that they are perpendicular with the
tractor.
2. Measure the distance from the outside of the left blade tip to the
ground and the distance from the outside of the right blade tip to
the ground. Both measurements taken should be equal. If they're
not, proceed to the next step.
3. Loosen, but do NOT remove, the hex cap screw on the left deck
hanger bracket. See Fig. 18.
4. Balance the deck by using a wrench to turn the adjustment gear
(found immediately behind the hex cap screw just loosened)
clockwise/up or counterclockwise/down. The deck is properly
balanced when both blade tip measurements taken earlier are
equal.
5. Retighten the hex cap screw on the left deck hanger bracket
when proper adjustment is achieved.
22