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Owner's Manual
£RAFTZMIIN +
260 HP
ELECTRIC START
50" MOWER
AUTOMATIC
GARDEN TRACTOR
Model No.
917.273322
• 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 pro, Mon Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, II 60179
Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/craftsman
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Wal'ranty ............................................... 2 Maintenance ....................................... 19 Service and Adjustments .................... 23 iSafety Rules .................. 2 !Pro_luct Spec f cat ons ...... 5 Storage ............................................... 31 ;Assembly .............................................. 7 Troubleshooting ................................. 32 Repair Parts ........................................ 36 _3pe,ratibn ............................
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• Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. I • Never leave a running machine tires lose traction, disengage the unattended. Always turn off blades, set blades and proceed slowly straight parking brake, stop engine, and down the slope. remove keys before dismounting. DO NOT: • Turn off blades when not mowing. • Stop engine before removing grass • Do not turn on slopes unless neces- catcher or unclogging chute. sary, and then, turn slowly and • Mow only in daylight or good artificial gradually downh
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• Never run a machine inside a closed • Never make adjustments or repairs area. with the engine running. • Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade • Grass catcher components are subject attachment bolts, tight and keep to wear, damage, and deterioration, equipment in good condition. which could expose moving parts or • Never tamper with safety devices. allow objects to be thrown. Frequently Check their proper operation regularly. check components and replace with • Keep machine free of grass, leav
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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT A Sears Maintenance Agreement is GASOLINE 3.5 GALLONS available on this product. Contact your CAPACITY UNLEADED nearest Sears store for details. AND TYPE: REGULAR CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES OILTYPE SAE 10W30 • Read and observe the safety rules. 'API-SF/SG/SH): (ABOVE 32°F) • Follow a regular schedule in maintain- SAE 5W-30 ing, caring for and using your tractor. (BELOW 32°F) • Follow the instructions under "Mainte- OIL CAPACITY: W/FILTER: 4.5PINTS nanc
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Steering Wheel Steering Sleeve Steering Wheel Insert Steering Sleeve Extension Seat (1) Shoulder Bolt 5/16-18 (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge (1) Knob _ _, Mower (4) Retainer Springs (single loop) (3) Retainer Springs (double loop) 7- (4) Brackets Gauge Wheels (4) Adjusting Bar 5/16-18 (12) Carriage Bolts _ (12) Crownlock Nuts @ 5/16-18 x 5/8 (4) Wheels (4) Locknut 3/8-16 _(_ 3/8 x 3/4 x 14 Ga. g _ @ (4) Washers (4) Shoulder Bolt (4) Retainer S.pr, ings I O (4) Clevis Pin_ taouo e oop) I 6
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Nose Roller i l)))llllllllll (2) Hex Bolts 3/8-16 x 1 (2) Washers 17/32 x 7/8 x 16 Ga. (2) Nylon Locknuts 3/8-16 Slope Sheet Video Cassette Keys (2) Keys 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. TO
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(label located between terminals) BEFORE REMOVING TRACTOR charge battery for minimum of one FROM SKID hour at 6-10 amps. (See "BATTERY" in AI-I'ACH STEERING WHEEL Maintenance section of this manual • Remove hex bolt, lock washer and for charging instructions). large flat washer from steering shaft. • Position front wheels of the tractor so Label they are pointing straight forward. • Slide the steering sleeve over the steering shaft. • Align tabs and press steering sleeve extension into bottom of
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TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See • Attach front gauge wheel brackets marked front left (FL), front right (FR) Operation section for location and to mower deck using (3) carriage bolts function of controls) and (3) Iocknuts. For ease of installa- • Press lift lever plunger and raise tion do not tighten Iocknuts until all attachment lift lever to its highest carriage bolts have been installed. position. • Attach rear gauge wheel brackets • Release parking brake by depressing marked rear left (R L), r
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INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE install link in top hole of R.H. front BELT mower bracket. Retain with single loop retainer spring as shown. Be sure tractor is on level surface and • Turn height adjustment knob counter- mower suspension arms are raised with clockwise until it stops. attachment lift control. Engage parking • Lower mower linkage with attachment brake. lift control. • Cut and remove ties securing anti- • Place the suspension arms on inward sway bar and belts. Swing anti-sway pointing deck
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CHECKLIST CHECK TIRE PRESSURE The tires on your tractor were overin- BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY flared at the factory for shipping pur- YOUR NEW TRACTOR, WE WISH TO poses. Correct tire pressure is important ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE for best cutting performance. BEST PERFORMANCE AND • Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in SATISFACTION FROM THIS QUALITY "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" PRODUCT. section of this manual. PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECK MOWER LEVELNESS CHECKLIST: For best cutting result
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These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. f BATTERY CAUTION OR REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW WARNING 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 (® 51 ATTACHMENT REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CLUTCH ENGAGED PARKING BRAKE e_(_) ATTACHMENT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS IGNITION CLUTCH DISENGAGED (SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION) FREE WHEEL DANGER
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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. {gnition .-Light Switch Ammeter Hourmeter ^ . - •_ ,, .bwltcn Attachment x'sN _ ] Clutch _// Switch Throttle Control /,, , Clutch/Brake ,_ ,' , __ !_tuVe;e r I I , . Pedal __1 / " Attachment Lift Lever x . _ / , Choke Control ! Motion Control Adju
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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 • Never use choke to stop engine. IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition TO SET PARKING BRAKE switch in any position other than "OFF" Your tractor is equipped with an
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• Select desired height of cut. The cutting height range is approxi- • Lower mower with attachment lift mately 1-1/2" to 4", The heights are control. measured from the ground to the blade • Start mower blades by engaging tip with the engine not running. These attachment clutch control. heights are approximate and may vary • TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen- depending upon soil conditions, height gage attachment clutch control. of grass and types of grass being mowed. • 1,CAUTION: Do not operate the
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TO TRANSPORT • Unthread and remove oil fill cap/ When pushing or towing your tractor, be dipstick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the sure to disengage transmission by dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill placing freewheel control in freewheel- cap on the tube. Do not thread the cap =ng position. Free wheel control is onto the tube. Remove and read oil located at the rear drawbar of tractor. level. If necessary, add oil until • Raise attachment lift to highest "FULL" mark on dipstick is reached. pos
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP • Sit on seat in operatingposition, depressclutch/brakepedaland set • Before driving the unit in cold weather, parkingbrake. the transmission should be warmed up • Placemotioncontrolleverin neutral as follows: • Be sure the tractor is on level (N) position. • Moveattachmentclutchto "DISEN- ground. • Place the motion control lever in GAGED"position. • Movethrottlecontrolto fastposition neutral. Release the parking brake and let the clutch/brake • Pullchokecontrolout
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MOWING TIPS NOTE: Duringthis procedure there will be no movement of drive wheels. The air Tire chains cannot be used when the is being removed from hydraulic drive mower housing is attached to tractor. system. Mower should be properly leveled for • Move motion control lever to neutral best mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the (N) position. Shut- off engine and set parking brake. Service and Adjustments section of this manual. • Engage transmission by placing The left hand side
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PILL ,. DATES R EGU LAR SERVICE /_./_O_sE RVICE DATE S Check Operator Presence and T Interlock Systems V _ I R Check for Loose Fasteners V' i1_, iA Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades V', Check Battery Level I 0TC Lubrication Chart _ a Clean Battery and Terminals If Check Transaxle Cooling II/ Adjust Blade Belt(s) Tension I_, Adjust Motion Drive Belt(s) Tension v'° ! Check Engine Oil Level ll_ Change Engine Oil I_12,3 I_" Clean Air Filter ! II/'_ E N Clean Air Screen Ii1_2 i/ Inspect Muffler/Spark Arre
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TRACTOR IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assem- Always observe safety rules when bly, center hole in blade must align with performing any maintenance. star on mandrel assembly. BRAKE OPERATION • Reassemble hex bolt, lock washer and flat washer in exact order as If tractor requires more than six (6) feet shown. stopping distance at high speed in • Tighten bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. highest gear, then brake must be torque). adjusted. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is Grade 8 heat th
