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Owner's Manual
CRI FTSMIIN°
17.5 HE 42" Mower
Electric Start
6 Speed Transaxle
Model No.
917.273373
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
[_ This product has a mowemission engine which operates
engine, read and understand this Owner's Manual.
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 o5 pm, Men o Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffm
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Maintenance......................................... 17 Warranty................................................. 2 SafetyRules........................................... 3 Service andAdjustments......................21 ProductSpecifications............................ 6 Storage................................................. 27 AssemblyiPre-Operation........................8 Troubleshooting.................................... 28 Operation.............................................. 11 Repair
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mMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw- ing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. Be aware of the mower discharge direc- _IWARNmNG: In order to prevent ac- tion and do not point it at anyone. Do cidental starting when setting up, trans- not operate the mower without either porting, adjusting or making repairs, the entire grass catcher or the guard in always disconnect spark plug wire and p
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DO: * Never carry children. They may fall off Mow up and down slopes, not across. and be seriously injured or interfere with Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree safe machine operation. limbs, etc. Never allow children to operate the Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Un- machine. even terrain could overturn the machine. Use extra care when approaching blind Taft grass can hide obstacles. corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects Use slow speed. Choose a low gear that may obscure vision. so that yo
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Be sure the area is clear of other people Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree before mowing. Stop machine if anyone limbs, etc. enters the area. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall Never carry passengers or children even with the blades off. grass can hide obstacles. Do not mow in reverse unless abso- Use stow speed. Choose a low gear lutely necessary. Always look down and so that you will not have to stop or shift behind before and while backing. wh
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In the state of California the above is re- PRODUCT SPECIFICATmONS quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- Gasoline 1.25 nia Public Resources Code). Other states Capacityand Unleaded may have similar laws. Federal laws apply Type: Regular on federal lands. A spark arrester for the OilType SAE 30 (above32°F) muffler is available through your nearest IAPFSG-SL): SAE 5W-30(below 32°F Sears service center (See REPAIR PARTS Oil Capacity: 3.0 Pints section of this manual). Spark Plug: Champion RC1
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Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert (1) Large Flat Washer
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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. TOOLS REQUmRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes you need are listed below. Steering (1) 3/4" wrench (1)
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5. Pivot seat and pan forward and as- NOTE: You may now roll or drive your semble adjustment knob and fiat tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate instruction below to remove the tractor washer loosely. Do not tighten. from the skid. 6. Lower seat into operating position and sit in seat. TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKiD (See 7. Slide seat until a comfortable position Operation section for location and is reached which atlows you to press clutch/brake pedal all the way down. function of controms) 8.
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ruNS.TALL MULCHER PLATE CHECK FOR PROPER POSm.TmON OF ALL BELTS (If previousmy removed) 1. Raise and hold deflector shield in See the figures that are shown for replac- upright position. ing motion and mower blade drive belts 2. Place front of mubher plate over front in the Service and Adjustments section of mower deck opening and slide into of this manual. Verify that the belts are place, as shown. routed correctly. 3. Hook front latch into hole on front of CHECK BRAKE SYS.TEM mower deck. After
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These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. R N H L I\1 SLOW IGNITION REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CHOKE FAST 6 ENGINE OFF LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UNLOCKED oi FUEL OIL PRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD OVER TEMP MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT ®@@@@ AI-rACHMENT ATTACHMENT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY (SE
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KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READTHINS OWNER'SMANUAL AND SAFETYRULES BEFOREOPERATmNG YOUR TRACTOR Comparethe illustrationswithyourtractorto familiarizeyourselfwiththe locationsof variouscontrols and adjustments. Savethis manualfor futurereference. Ugnition Switch Light Switch Attachment Position Clutch Lever Ammeter , , " Lift Lever \\ " PDnger -- Attachment Th rottUe/Choke Lift Lever ControU o Height Adjustment Lever Parking Brake Lever Gearshift Lever 01946 Our tractors conform to the safety standards of
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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 mMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch in any position other than "STOP" will TO SET PARKmNG BRAKE cause the battery to discharge and go Your tractor is equippe
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The average lawn should be cut to ap- If slowing is necessary, move throttle proximately 2-1/2 inches during the cool control lever to slower position. season and to over 3 inches during hot If stopping is absolutely necessary, push months. For healthier and better looking clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi- lawns, mow often and after moderate tion and engage parking brake. growth. Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be For best cutting performance, grass over sure you have allowed room for
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ADD GASOUNE , Insert key into ignition and turn key Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do clockwise to start position and release key as soon as engine starts. Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular not run starter continuously for more unleaded gasoline with a minimum of than fifteen seconds per minute. If the 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will engine does not start after several increase carbon and lead oxide deposits attempts, move throttle control to fast and reduce vah!e life
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MOWING TIPS MULCHING MOWING TIPS Mower should be properly leveled for IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep best mowing performance. See "TO 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 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 into Driv
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AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE /_J/_'_ E RVICED ATES Check Brake Operation _1_ I_ Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and T Interlock Systems If R Check for Loose Fasteners If I_s If A Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades 1_3 C Lubrication Chart If If 0 Check Battery Level 1_4 a Clean Battery and Terminals I_ If Check Transaxle Cooling i/ Check V-Belts I_ Check Engine Oil Level I_ I_ Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) 1_1,2 If E Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) 111_1,2 N Clean Air Filter
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TRACTOR mlVlPORTANT: Toensure properassembly, centerhole in blademustalignwith star Alwaysobservesafety rubs when per- on mandrelassembly. forming any maintenance. 4. Reassemblebladebolt, lockwasher BRAKE OPERATmON and flat washer inexact orderas If tractor requiresmorethansix (6)feet shown. stoppingdistanceat highspeedin highest 5. Tighten bladeboltsecurely (27-35Ft. gear,then brakemust beadjusted.(See Lbs.torque). "TOADJUSTBRAKE"inthe Serviceand mMPORTANT:Bladebolt is heattreated. Adjustmentss
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BATT E RY NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in Your tractor has a battery charging system cold weather, the oils will resuJt in in- which is sufficient for normal use. How- creased oil consumption when used above ever, periodic charging of the battery with 32°R Check your engine oil level more an automotive charger will extend its life. frequently to avoid possible engine dam- Keep battery and terminals clean. age from running low on oil. Keep battery bolts
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ENGmNE OIL FmLTER CLEAN AmR SCREEN Replacethe engine oil filter everyseason Air screen mustbe keptfree of dirt and or everyotheroil changeif the tractor is chaffto preventenginedamagefrom used morethan 100 hoursin one year. overheating. Cleanwith a wire brushor compressedair to removedirt and stub- AIR RLTER born dried gumfibers. Yourengine will not run properlyusing a ENGmNE COOUNG SYSTEM dirty airfilter. Replacepre-cleanerafter every25 hours of operationor every Debris mayclog the engine's air
