Craftsman 987.889000 - Manual (Page 30)

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS
WHEEL DRIVE BELT
ADJUSTMENT
The wheel drive belt requires an
adjustment if loss of drive beit ten­
sion (slippage) occurs. This is
most noticeable when more trac­
tion is required (such as going up
slopes).
To Test Wheel Traction
1. Park machine on a paved (con­
crete, etc.) surface with front edge
up against a sturdy wall, fence,
etc.
2. Put Gear Select Lever in No. 1
setting.
IMPORTANT: Do not park against
a painted or sided wall. Testing
the wheel drive system requires
machine to be forcibly pushed
against wall. Damage to paint or
siding could result.
3. With engine running, and ma­
chine placed firmly up against
wail, hold down Operator Pres­
ence Control and fully engage
wheel drive by squeezing Wheel
Drive Control until it contacts
handlebar.
4. Wheels should slip on paved
surface. If they do not, an adjust­
ment is required.
To Adjust Wheel Drive Beit
1.
Stop engine, wait for all parts
to stop moving, and disconnect
spark plug wire.
2. Remove cotter pin (A, Figure
5-12A) from upper end of Wheel
Drive Control rod. Slide rod out of
lever assembly.
3. Loosen jam nut (D, Figure
5-12).
Figure 5-12: Wheel drive belt adjustment
4. Thread rod (E. Figure 5-12) one
or two turns clockwise for more
tension or counterclockwise for
less tension.
5. Insert rod back into hole in
Wheel Drive Control lever and In­
stall cotter pin. Bend ends of cot­
ter pin to secure.
6. Retest wheel traction. Repeat
adjustment procedure, if neces­
sary. Most comfortable operation
will be obtained when the adjust­
ment allows the lever to just make
contact with the handgrip as suffi­
cient wheel traction is achieved.
When adjustment is complete,
tighten jam nut (D) firmly against
block (B).
Figure S-12A
30