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Owner's Manual
CRAFTSMIIN°
18.5 HE 42" Mower
Electric Start
6 Speed Transaxle
Model No.
917.273631
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
i_] his 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., Hoffma
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Maintenance......................................... 17 Warranty................................................. 2 SafetyRules........................................... 3 Service andAdjustments......................21 ProductSpecifications............................ 6 Storage................................................. 27 Assembly/Pre-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 slow 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 4.0 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 section of this manual). Oil Capacity: W/Filter: 3.5 Pints W/O Filter: 3.0
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Bubble Level Mower Leveling Wrench (1) Oil Drain Tube For Future Use ) Video Cassette Slope Sheet Keys (2) Keys "'t
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Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory. Review the video cassette before you begin. When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it means when you are in the oper- ating position (seated behind the steering wheel). TO REMOVE TRACTOR FROM CARTON UNPACK CARTON 1. Cut along dotted lines on all four pan- els of carton. Remove end panels and lay side panels flat. 2. Remove protective materials from trac- Knob tor hood and grille. mMPORTANT: Check for and remove any staples in skid
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mNSTALL MULCHER PLATE 6. Start the engine. After engine has started, move throttle control to idle (If previously removed) position. 1. Raise and hold deflector shield in 7. Depress clutch/brake pedal into full upright position. "BRAKE" position and hold. Move 2. Place front of mulcher plate over front gearshift lever to 1st gear. of mower deck opening and slide into 8. Slowly release clutch/brake pedal and place, as shown. slowly drive tractor off skid. 3. Hook front latch into hole on front of
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CHECK TIRE PRESSURE V"CHECKMST The tires on yourtractorwere overin- Before you operate and enjoy your new fiated at the factoryfor shipping purposes. tractor, we wish to assure that you receive Correcttire pressureis importantfor best the best performance and satisfaction cutting performance. from this Quality Product. Reducetire pressureto PSIshownin Please review the following checklist: "PRODUCTSPECIFICATIONS" section ,/All assembly instructions have been of this manual. completed. ,/No remai
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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'-,I SLOW IGNITION REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CHOKE FAST G G ENGINE OFF LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UNLOCKED BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD OVER TEMP FUEL OIL PRESSURE MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT ®@@@@ ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS 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. iht Switch Position Hourmeter ignition Switch Attachment Clutch Lever Lift Lever Plunger Attachment Th rottle/Choke Lift Lever Control Parking Brake Lever Gearshift Lever 02785 Our tractors conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards anstit
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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 NOTE: Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine TO SET PARKmNG BRAKE running, hot engine exhaust gases may Your tractor is equipped
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TO STOP MOWER BLADES - For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in height should be mowed disengage attachment clutch control. twice. Make the first cut relatively high; _ICAUTION: Do not operate the mower the second to desired height. without either the entire grass catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the deflector TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS shield in place. Gauge wheels are properly adjusted Attachment CUutch Switch Attachemnt when they are slightly off the ground when Pull Out To "Engage"
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TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH- Acidic gas can damage the fuel system rvIENTS of an engine while in storage. To avoid engine problems, the fuel system should Tow only the attachments that are recom- be emptied before storage of 30 days mended by and comply with specifications or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use engine and let it run until the fuel lines common sense when towing. Too heaw and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel of a load, while on a s
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COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing below) performance and proper discharge of 6. When engine starts, leave throttle material. Regulate ground speed by control in choke position until engine selecting a low enough gear to give the warms up and begins to run roughly. mower cutting performance as well as Once rough running begins, imme- the quality of cut desired. diately move the throttle control to the When operating attac
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F,LL ,, DATES AS COMPLETE ...... REGULAR SERV,OE f y4 yA TS ERV'C EDATES Check Brake Operation _1_ t_ 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 li#13 C Lubrication Chart tf If 0 Check Battery Level 1_4 a Clean Battery and Terminals _ If Check Transaxle Cooling i,,' Check V-Belts If Check Engine Oil Level _ If Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) I_$1,2 E Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) 11_'1,2
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TRACTOR mMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly, center hole in blade must align with star Always observe safety rutes when per- on mandrel assembly. forming any maintenance. 4. Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer BRAKE OPERATmON and flat washer in exact order as If tractor requires more than six (6) feet shown. stopping distance at high speed in highest 5. Tighten blade bolt securely (27-35 Ft. gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See Lbs. torque). "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and mMPORTANT: Bla
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BATT E RY NOTE: Although muki-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in Your tractor has a battery charging system which is sufficient for normal use. How- cold weather, they will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°R ever, periodic charging of the battery with Check your engine oil level more frequent- an automotive charger will extend its life. ly to avoid possible engine damage from Keep battery and terminals clean. running low on oil. Keep battery bolts tight.
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ENGmNE OraL FmLTER CLEAN AmR SCREEN Replacethe engine oil filter everyseason Air screen mustbe keptfree of dirt and or everyother oil changeif the tractor is chaffto preventenginedamagefrom used morethan 100 hours in oneyear. overheating. Cleanwith a wire brushor compressedair to removedirt and stub- AIR FmLTER born dried gumfibers. Yourenginewill not runproperlyusinga ENGmNE COOUNG SYSTEM dirty airfilter. Replacepre-cleanerafter every25 hours of operationor every Debris mayclog the engine's air
