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Owner's Manual
£RI:IFTSMFIN °
15.5 HP
ELECTRIC START
42" MOWER
AUTOMATIC
LAWN TRACTOR
Model No
917.271061
• Safety
• Assembly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Repair Parts
CAUTION:
For answers to your questions
about this product, Call:
Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Instructions before 1-800-659-5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
operating this equipment.
5 am - 5 pm, Mon- Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, II 60179
Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/craftsman
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,Warranty...............................................2 Service and Adjustments .................... 21 Safety Rules .........................................3 Storage ............................................... 27 Product Specifications ..........................5 Troubleshooting ................................. 28 Assembly ..............................................7 Repair Parts ........................................ 34 Operation ............................................10 Part
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SLOPE OPERATION IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is Slopes are a major factor related to loss- capable of amputating hands and feet of-control and tipover accidents, which and throwing objects. Failure to observe can result in severe injury or death. All the following safety instructions could slopes require extra caution. If you result in serious injury or death. GENERAL OPERATION cannot back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. • Read, understand, and follow all DO: instruct
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Never run a machine inside a closed • Keep children out of the mowing area • area. and under the watchful care of another responsible adult. • Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade • Be alert and turn machine off if attachment bolts, tight and keep children enter the area. equipment in good condition. • Before and when backing, look • Never tamper with safety devices. behind and down for small children. Check their proper operation regularly. ° Never carry children. They may fall off • Keep mach
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tAaLOOk "for this symbol to point o_ .impor- _aCAUTION: Tow only,the attachments sare[y precautions. I[ means u,=,u- t are recommenoea oy ano compty TION!H BECOME AWARE!!! YOUR with specifications of the manufacturer of SAFETY IS INVOLVED. your tractor. Use common sense when towing. Operate only at the lowest pos- dAeC.A,UTION:In order to prevent.acci- mat starting wnen setlmg up, trans- sible speed when on a slope. Too heavy of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. porting, adjusting or makin
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Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert C? (1) Large Flat Washer (1) Hex Bolt (1) Lock washer 3/8 5/16-18 x 1-1/4 3/8-16 x 1 I_(1) Hex Bolt (1) Locknut 5/16-18 Extension Shaft Boot Steerin_ I Steering J_ Steering Wheel Adapter Seat (_Washer (_ 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 _) Shoulder olt 5/16-18 Gauge _(1) Knob Keys "--t Slope Sheet Video Cassette 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 ASSEMBLY _---------3/8 Hex Bolt _ Insert A socket wrench set will make assembly ,_,-_-----3/8 Lock Washer easier. Standard wrench sizes y
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TO ROLLTRACTOR OFF SKID (See Label Operation section for location and Seat function of controls) • Press lift lever plunger and raise Terminal Battery attachment lift lever to its highest Door position. • Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake pedal. • Place freewheel control in freewheel- ing .position to disengage transmission INSTALL SEAT (See "TO TRANSPORT" in the Opera- Adjust seat before tightening adjustment tion section of this manual), knob, • Roll tractor forward off skid. •
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•INSTALL MULCHER PLATE belts in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. Verify that the (If previously removed) belts are routed correctly. • Raise and hold deflector shield in CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM upright position. • Place front of mulcher plate over front After you learn how to operate your of mower deck opening and slide into tractor, check to see that the brake is place, as shown. properly adjusted. See =TO ADJUST • Hook front latch into hole on front of BRAKE" in the Service and A
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These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the 3roduct. Learn and understand their meaning. REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW BATTERY CAUTION OR WARNING OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF 0 PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED MOWERLIFT FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT LOCKED r 'I R N H L ATTACHMENT REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW PARKING BRAKE CLUTCH ENGAGED KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS ATTACHMENT IGNITION CLUTCH DISENGAGED (SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION) FREE WHEEL (Automatic Models only) DANGER,
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KNOWYOUR 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. Switch Ignition Switch Attachment Clutch Lever Lift Ammeter ..... .. _ Lever .... -- "- _ Plunger Throttle Control Attachment Lift Lever Clutch/Brake Height Pedal -. Adjustment Indicator Freewheel Control Brake Lever Motion Control Lever Our tracto
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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 equipp
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• The average lawn should be cut to ACAUTION: Do not operate the mower approximately 2-1/2 inches during the without either the entire grass catcher, on cool season and to over 3 inches mowers so equipped, or the deflector during hot months. For healthier and shield in place. Attachment better looking lawns, mow often and Clutch Lever Attachemnt after moderate growth. Lever High • For best cutting performance, grass Position Position over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the first
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NOTE: To protect hood from damage IMPORTANT: When operating in when transporting your tractor on a truck temperatures below 32°F(0oc), use or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to secured to tractor. Use an appropriate help insure good cold weather starting. means of tying hood to tractor (rope, ,AWARNING: Experience indicates that cord, etc.). alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation
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WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and ment, it should be purged after reinstalla- above) tion before operating the tractor. • Place tractor safely on level surface • When engine starts, move the throttle control to the fast position. with engine off and parking brake set. • The attachments and ground drive can • Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling now be used. If the engine does not position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in accept the load, restart the engine and this section o
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MOWING TIPS MULCHING MOWING TIPS • Tire chains cannot be used when the IMPORTANT: For best performance, mower housing is attached to tractor. keep mower housing free of built-up • Mower should be properly leveled for grass and trash. Clean after each use. best mowing performance. See "TO • The special mulching blade will recut LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the the grass clippings many times and Service and Adjustments section of reduce them in size so that as they fall this manual. onto the lawn they
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE _ _ _ _,_ _'_ _ _'_" REGULAR SERVICE ATES ,s,oo OOM ,OEO Check Brake Operation _ Check Tire Pressure _ I_ Check Operator Presence and T InterlockSyStems, I_ R Check for Loose Fasteners _ ll_7 Ik_ T LubricationChart 0 Check Battery Level Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades _4 R Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transexle Costing I_ Ks Adjust Blade Belt(s) Tension Adjust Motion Drive BalKs) Tension _s Check Engine OffLevel ll_ Change Engine Oil I_t2,_ V' E Clean Air Filter _= Clean A
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TRACTOR IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assem- bly, center hole in blade must align with Always observe safety rules when star 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 torque). highest gear, then brake must be IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is Grade 8 heat adjusted. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in tr
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TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID BATTERY The transaxle was sealed at the factory Your tractor has a battery charging and fluid maintenance is not required for system which is sufficient for normal use. the life of the transaxle. Should the However, periodic charging of the battery transaxle ever leak or require servicing, with an automotive charger will extend contact your nearest authorized service its life. center/department. • Keep battery and terminals clean. ENGINE • Keep battery bolts tight. • Keep sm
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TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE F._ver Knob • Replace a dirty, bent, or damaged Air Cle_ _,_g Nut cartridge. Cover ( _ ,_------_Rubber NOTE: Do not wash the paper cartridge or use pressurized air, as this will Foam_ _ ) Grommet damage the cartridge. Pre- _ /_-r_\ / Cleaner• X.. [_, _J_
