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Owner's Manual
JCRIIFTSMAN°J
LAWN TRACTOR
17 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
6 Speed Transaxle
Model No.
917.271653
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the en-
I _ This product has a low emission engine which operates
gine, read and understand this Owner's Manual.
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 pro, Mon- Sat
Se
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Maintenance ........................................ 17 Warranty ................................................ 2 Safety Rules .......................................... 3 Service and Adjustments ..................... 21 Product Specifications ........................... 6 Storage ................................................ 27 Assembly/Pre-Operation ....................... 8 Troubleshooting .................................. 28 Operation ............................................. 11 Re
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IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. • Be sure the area is clear of other people Look for this symbol to point out before mowing. Stop machine if anyone important safety precautions. It means enters the area. CAUTION!!! BECOMEALERT!!! YOUR • Never carry passengers. SAFETY IS INVOLVED. • Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely CAUTION: In order to
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DO: • Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere • Mow up and down slopes, not across. • Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree with safe machine operation. limbs, etc. Never allow children to operate the machine. • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects grass can hide obstacles. • Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so that may obscure vision. t
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• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree • Be sure the area is clear of other limbs, etc. people before mowing. Stop machine if • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. anyone enters the area. Uneven terrain could overturn the • Never carry passengers or children machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. even with the blades off. • Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so • Do not mow in reverse unless abso- that you will not have to stop or shift lutely necessary. Always look down while on the slope. and beh
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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new tractor. It has been designed, Gasoline 1.25 engineered and manufactured to give Capacity and Unleaded and you the best possible dependability and Type: Regular performance. Oil Type SAE 30 (above 32°F) Should you experience any problem you API-SF-SJ): SAE 5W-30 cannot easily remedy, please contact a Sears or other qualified service center. (below 32°F) We have competent, well-trained techni- _il Capacity: 3.0 Pints cians and the p
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Steering Wheel (1) Hex Bolt Steering 3/8-16 x 1 Wheel Insert O (1) Locknut 1/4-28 (1) Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 1-1/4 (1) Locknut 1/2-20 Steering Extension ,=_ Steering Wheel Adapter Steering Shaft Boot Seat (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge _(1) Knob For Future Use Video Cassette Slope Sheet Keys (2) Keys 7
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Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with the 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, 7. Snap steering wheel insert into center TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY of steering wheel. A socket wrench set will make assembly 8. Remove protective mat
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NOTE: You may now roll or drive your tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate Label instruction below to remove the tractor Seat from the skid. Terminal TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Operation section for location and function of controls) 1. Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever to its highest position. INSTALL SEAT 2. Release parking brake by depressing Adjust seat before tightening adjustment clutch/brake pedal. knob. 3. Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) 1. Remove ad
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INSTALL MULCHER PLATE CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL BELTS (If previously removed) 1. Raise and hold deflector shield in See the figures that are shown for upright position. replacing motion and mower blade drive 2. Place front of mulcher plate over front belts in the Service and Adjustments of mower deck opening and slide into section of this manual. Verify that the place, as shown. belts are routed correctly. 3. Hook front latch into hole on front of CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM mower deck. After you
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These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. BATrERY CAUTION OR REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW WARNING J ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ON OVER TEMP LIGHT ! FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED MOWER LIFT LOCKED R N H L ATTACHMENT REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW PARKING BRAKE CLUTCH ENGAGED KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE ATrACHMENT HAT_J_RDS IGNITION CLUTCH DISENGAGED (SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION) FREE WHEEL DANGER, KEEP HAN
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KNOWYOURTRACTOR 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. Light Switch Attachment Ignition Switch Clutch / Uft Ammeter Lever Plunger Throttle/Choke Attachment Control Lift Lever Height Adjustment Indicator Clutch/Brake Pedal - - ...... Parking Brake Lever Gearshift Lever Our tractors conform to the safety
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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. HOWTO USEYOURTRACTOR IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch in any position other than "STOP" will TO SET PARKING BRAKE cause the battery to discharge and go Your tractor is equipped w
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• The average lawn should be cut to • Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be approximately 2-1/2 inches during the sure you have allowed room for tractor cool season and to over 3 inches to roll slightly as you restart movement. during hot months. For healthier and • To restart movement, slowly release better looking lawns, mow often and parking brake and clutch/brake pedal. after moderate growth. • Make all turns slowly. • For best cutting performance, grass TO TRANSPORT over 6 inches in height s
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ADD GASOLINE NOTE: Before starting, read the warm and cold starting procedures below. • Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do 5. Insert key into ignition and turn key not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular clockwise to start position and release unleaded gasoline with a minimum of key as soon as engine starts. Do not 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline run starter continuously for more than will increase carbon and lead oxide fifteen seconds per minute. If the deposits and reduce valve lif
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MOWING TIPS MULCHING MOWING TIPS • Mower should be properly leveled for IMPORTANT: For best performance, best mowing performance. See "TO keep mower housing free of built-up LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the grass and trash. Clean after each use. Service and Adjustments section of this • The special mulching blade will recut manual. the grass clippings many times and • The left hand side of mower should be reduce them in size so that as they fall used for trimming. onto the lawn they will disperse int
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AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE Check Operator Presence and T Intedock Systems If R Check for Loose Fasteners V' V_s If / T Lubrication Chart I## 0 Check Battery Level SharperL/Replace Mower Blades _s R Clean Battery and Terminals V' Check Transaxle Cooling If Check V-BeRs iI_ Check Engine Oil Level I_ Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) I,_ U V* Change Engine Oil (w_thout oil filter) _1.; V' N Clean Air Filter _.s: G Clean Air S_reen Arrester t,' NI Inspect Muffler/Spark E Replace Oil Filter (I
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TRACTOR IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly, center hole in blade must align with star Always observe safety rules when on mandrel assembly. performing any maintenance. 4. Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer BRAKE OPERATION and flat washer in exact order as If tractor requires more than six (6) feet shown. stopping distance at high speed in 5. Tighten blade bolt securely (27-35 Ft. highest gear, then brake must be ad- Lbs. torque). justed. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is g
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• Keep battery and terminals clean. Change the oil after every 25 hours of op- • Keep battery bolts tight. eration or at least once a year if the trac- • Keep small vent holes open. tor is not used for 25 hours in one year. • Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour. Check the crankcase oil level before NOTE: The original equipment battery on starting the engine and after each eight your tractor is maintenance free. Do not (8) hours of operation. 13ghten oil fill cap/ attempt to open or remove caps o
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4. Use compressed air or stiff bristle Service air cleaner more often under brush to thoroughly clean engine dusty conditions. cooling fins. 1. Remove knob(s) and cover. 5. To reassemble, reverse above TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER procedure. 2. Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge. Hex _ousing 3. Wash it in liquid detergent and water. 4. Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth. 5. Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in Bolts _T_._:_ Bolts Oil Fill/ - " clean, absorbent cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil. D
