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Owner's Manual
[RHFTSMRNo
18.5 HP
ELECTRIC START
42" MOWER
6 SPEED TRANSAXLE
LAWN TRACTOR
Model No.
917.270750
• Safety
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Repair Parts
For answers to your questions
CAUTION:
about this product, Call:
Read and follow all
1-800-659-5917
Safety Rules and Instructions
Seers Craftsmen Help Line
5 am - 5 pm, Mort - Sat
before operating this equip-
ment.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
VisitourCraftsmanwebsite:www.sears.com/craftsman
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.°_°. °*..°o°°°°...o°°o°..,,..,,.,, o.._,..°,...°. 2 Warranty Maintenance ....................................... 17 Safety Rules .......................................... 3 Service and Adjustments .................... 21 Product Specifications .......................... 5 Storage ............................................... 27 Assembly ............................................... 7 Troubleshooting .................................. 28 Operation ...........................................
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require extra caution. If you cannot back IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do capable of amputating hands and feet and not mow it. throwing objects. Failure to observe the DO: following safety instructions could result in • Mow up and down slopes, not across. serious injury or death. • Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree GENERAL OPERATION limbs, etc. • Read, understand, and follow all • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven instructions in the manua
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Never tamper with safety devices. • Before and when backing, look behind Check their proper operation regularly. and down for small children. Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or • Never carry children. They may fall off other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel and be seriously injured or interfere with spillage. Allow machine to cool before safe machine operation. storing. • Never allow children to operate the Stop and inspect the equipment if you machine. strike an object. Repair, if necessa
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_CAUTION: Tow only the attachments 4_Look for this symbol to point out that are recommended by and comply with important safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!! BECOME AWARE!!! YOUR specifications of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use common sense when towing. _FETY IS INVOLVED. CAUTION: In order to prevent acciden- Operate only at the lowest possible speed tal starting when setting up, transporting, when on a slope. Too heavy of a load, adjusting or making repairs always while on a slope, is
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I I I I I Steering Wheel (1) Hex Bolt Steering 3/8-16 x 1 Wheel Insert L_ (1) Large Fiat Washer @ (1) Locknut 5/16-18 (1) Lockwasher 3/8 (1) Hex Bolt 5/16-18 x 1-1/4 Steering Extension Shaft Steering C Boot Seat (1) Washer (1) Shoulder 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge Bolt 5/16-18 _(1) Knob Keys Video Cassette m, Slope Sheet (2) Keys "-I 6
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Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness. Review the video cassette before you begin. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR • Assemble large flat washer, 3/8 lock ASSEMBLY washer, 3/8 hex bolt and tighten securely. A socket wrench set will make assembly • Snap
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TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Seat Operation section for location and function of controls) • Press lift lever plunger and raise Label attachment lift lever to its highest Battery Box position. Door • Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake pedal. • Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. • Roll tractor forward off skid. TO DRIVE TRACTOR OFF SKID WARNING: Before starting, read, under- INSTALL SEAT stand and follow all instructions in the Adjust seat before tightening adjustment O
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_CAUTION: Do not remove deflector _ CHECKLIST shield from mower. Raise and hold shield Before you operate and enjoy your new when attaching mulcher plate and allow it tractor, we wish to assure that you receive to rest on plate while in operation. the best performance and satisfaction from this quality product. Deflector Please review the following checklist: Shield Mulcher ,/ All assembly instructions have been completed. ,/No remaining loose parts in carton. ,/Battery is properly prepared and
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These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. BATTERY CAUTION OR REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW WARNING ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ON OVER TEMP '_ LIGHT t i\l ,@ FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED MOWER LIFT LOCKED R N H L ATTACHMENT REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LQW PARKING BRAKE CLUTCH ENGAGED KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS ATTACHMENT (SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION) IGNITION CLUTCH DISENGAGED FREE WHEEL DANGER, KE
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KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. Attachment Light Clutch Lever Ignition Switch Ammeter Switch Choke Control Lift Lever --... Plunger Throttle Control Attachment Lift Lever Clutch/ Pedal O Height Adjustment Indicator Parking Brake Gearshift Lever Our tractors conform to the safety
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I I The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over spectacles, or standard safety glasses. HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR • Turn ignition key to "OFF" position and remove key. Always remove key when TO SET PARKING BRAKE leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized Your tractor is e
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TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING TO OPERATE MOWER HEIGHT Your tractor is equipped with an operator The position of the attachment lift lever presence sensing switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with the determines the cutting height. engine running and the attachment clutch • Grasp lift lever. engaged will shut off the engine. • Press plunger with thumb and move • Select desired height of cut. lever to desired position. • Start mower blades by engaging The cutting height range is approx
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TO TRANSPORT ADD GASOLINE • Raise attachment lift to highest position • Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular with attachment lift control. unleaded gasoline with a minimum of • When pushing or towing your tractor, be 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N) increase carbon and lead oxide position. deposits and reduce valve life). Do not • Do not push or tow tractor at more than mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in five (5) MPH. quantities that can be
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allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke as described above. TO START ENGINE COLD WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F AND When starting the engine for the first time BELOW) or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will • When engine starts, slowly push choke take extra cranking time to move fuel from control in until the engine begins to run the tank to the engine. smoothly. Continue to push the choke • Sit on seat in operating position, control in small steps allowing the depress clutch/brake pe
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See "TO ADJUST CARBURETOR" in the ground speed that will suit the terrain Service and Adjustments section of this and give best performance of the manual. attachment being used. MOWING TIPS MULCHING MOWING TIPS • Mower should be properly leveled for IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep best mowing performance. See 'q'O mower housing free of built-up grass and LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the trash. Clean after each use. Service and Adjustments section of this • The special mulching blade will recut
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AsYouCO_PL_rE f_..._'_ _._ _. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE _'_ _/_'=_/_'_s/'_'_ __D Check ]]re Pressure Check Operator Presence and T Interlock Systems I_ R Check forLoose Fastenem I_ 1_7 I_ T Lub_.,a.on Chart I/ 0 Check Batten/Level A Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades !4 R Clean Battery and Tenninels Check Tratmaxle Cooling J_ Adjust Blade Belt(s) Tension _s Adjust Motion Drive Belt(s) Tension ll_s Check Engine Oil Level V' v' Change Engine Oil E ae=, Air Fitter t/, N Clean AirScreen v', t/ Inspect MutttedS
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TRACTOR IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly, center hole isn blade must align with star Always observe safety rules when on mandrel assembly. performing any maintenance. • Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and BRAKE OPERATION flat washer in exact order as shown. If tractor requires more than six (6) feet • Tighten bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. stopping distance at high speed in highest torque). gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is Grade 8 heat "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the
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• Keep battery and terminals clean. Change the oil after every 50 hours of • Keep battery bolts tight. operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one • Keep small vent holes open. • Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour. year. Check the crankcase oil level before NOTE: The original equipment battery on your tractor is maintenance free. Do not starting the engine and after each eight attempt to open or remove caps or covers. (8) hours of operation. Tighten oil fill
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Cleanthe cooling fins and external • Apply a thin coating of new engine oil to surfaces as necessary. Make sure the rubber gasket on replacement oil filter. cooling shrouds are reinstalled. • Install replacement oil filter by turning NOTE: Operating the engine with a clockwise until rubber gasket contacts blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged mounting surface, then tighten filter an additional 1/2 to 3/4 turn. cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed will cause engine damage due to • Fill c
