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Owner's Manual
CRIIFTSMHN °
LAWN TRACTOR
18.5 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
Automatic Transmission
Model No.
917.273642
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
This product has a low emission engine which operates
engine, read and understand this Owner's Manual,
IMPORTANT:
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
S
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MaintenanceSchedule........................18 Warranty................................................ 2 Serviceand Adjustments.....................22 Safety Rules.......................................... 3 ProductSpecifications...........................6 Storage................................................ 29 AssemblyPre-Operation ........................8 Troubleshooting................................... 30 Operation............................................. 11 RepairParts............
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IMPORTANT:This cuttingmachineis capableof amputatinghandsand feet and throw- ing objects.Failureto observethe followingsafetyinstructionscould resultinserious injury or death. • Never direct discharged material _i WARNING: In orderto preventac- toward anyone. Avoid discharging cidentalstartingwhen settingup,trans- material against a wall or obstruction. porting, adjustingor makingrepairs,al- Material may ricochet back toward the ways disconnectspark plugwire and place operator. Stop the blades w
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II. SLOPE OPERATION • Never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They may fall off and Slopes are a major factor related to loss of be seriously injured or interfere with control and tip-over accidents, which can safe machine operation. Children who result in severe injury or death. Opera- have been given rides in the past may tion on all slopes requires extra caution. If suddenly appear in the mowing area you cannot back up the slope or if you feel for another ride and be run over or
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• Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom • Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or the truck or trailer and refuel it onthe other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel ground.If this is notpossible,then spillage and remove any fuel-soaked refuelsuchequipmentwith a portable debris. Allow machine to cool before container,ratherthanfrom a gasoline storing. dispensernozzle. • If you strike a foreign object, stop and • Keepthe nozzlein contactwith the rim inspect the machine. Repair, if neces- of the fuel tankor
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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS In the state of California the above is re- quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- Gasoline Capacity 4.0 Gallons nia Public Resources Code). Other states and Type: Unleaded Regular may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the Oil Type SAE 30(above 32°F) muffler is available through your nearest API-SG-SL): SAE 5W-30(Below 32°F Sears service center (See REPAIR PARTS Oil Capacity: W/Filter: 3.5 Pints section of this manual). W/O F
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) Bubble Level Mower Leveling Wrench (1) Oil Drain Tube For Future Use ) Video Cassette Slope Sheet Keys (2) Keys 7
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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. Adjustment 2. Remove protective materials from trac- Knob tor hood and grille. IMPORTANT: Check for and remove any stap
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4. Sit onseat inoperatingposition, Deflector depressclutch/brakepedal andset the Shield parkingbrake. 5. Placemotion controlleverin neutral (N) position. Plate 6. Presslift lever plungerand raise attachmentlift leverto its highestposi- tion. 7. Start the engine.After engine has Latch started, movethrottle controlto idle Hooks position. 8. Releaseparkingbrake. TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR 9. Slowly movethe motioncontrol lever DISCHARGING forwardand slowlydrive tractoroff skid. Simply remove mulcher p
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_CHECKLIST Before you operate your new tractor, we wish to assure that you receive the best performance and satisfaction from this quality product. Please review the following checklist: ,/ All assembly instructions have been completed. ,/No remaining loose parts in carton. ,/Battery is properly prepared and charged. (Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps). ,/Seat is adjusted comfortably and tight- ened securely. ,/All tires are properly inflated. (For ship- ping purposes, the tires were overin- flated at th
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These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product, Learn and understand their meaning. 0#-,0 R N H L I\1 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 t OVER TEMP FUEL OIL PRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT ®@@@@ ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS CLUTCH ENGAGED CLUTCH DISENGAGED DANGER, KEEP HANDS AND FEET AW
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KN OW YOU R TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATINGYOUR 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 Ignition Switch Position Hourmeter Attachment Clutch Switch Ammeter Lift Lever Plunger Throttle/Choke Attachment Control Lift Lever Clutch/Brake Pedal o Height Adjustment Indicator Freewheel Parking Brake Lever Control Motion Control
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The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the I eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses I or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments I or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety I mask worn over spectacles. I HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR • Never use choke to stop engine. IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch in TO SET PARKING BRAKE any position other than "STOP" will cause Your t
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Attachment Clutch Switch TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS Attachemnt Pull Out To "Engage" Gauge wheels are properly adjusted Lift Lever High when they are slightly off the ground when Position mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then "'J"4 Low keep the deck in proper position to help Position prevent scalping in most terrain conditions. NOTE: Be sure tractor is on a flat level surface. Shield 1. Lower mower and adjust mower to de- sired cutting height(See "TO ADJUST
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Transmission Engaged All, CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera- tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting. CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separa- tion and formation of acids during storage. Transmission Disengaged Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of NO
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WARM WEATHER STARTING (50 ° F and 1. Place tractor safely on level surface above) with engine off and parking brake set. 2. Disengage transmission by placing 7. When engine starts, move the throttle freewheel control in "transmission dis- control to the fast position. engaged" position (See "TO TRANS- • The attachments and ground drive can PORT" in this section of manual). now be used. If the engine does not 3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. accept the load, restart the engine and Af
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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 int
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE SERVICE DATES Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and v" T Interlock Systems R Check for Loose Fasteners A Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades v' i/ C Lubrication Chart 0 Check Battery Level R Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle Cooling Check V-Belts Check Engine Oil Level Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) i/,,2 E Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) N Clean Air Filter G Clean Air Screen Arreste
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TRACTOR IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with Always observe safety rules when per- approve bolt shown in the Repair Parts. forming any maintenance. BRAKE OPERATION Trailing Blade Center If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to Edge Up Hole stop at highest speed in highest gear on a Mandrel level, dry concrete or paved surface, then Assembly brake must be checked and adjusted. (See Lock Washer "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and j/ Adjustments s
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TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)improve starting in Corrosion and dirt on the battery and termi- cold weather, they will result in increased nals can cause the battery to "leak" power. oil consumption when used above 32°E 1. Remove terminal guard. Check your engine oil level more frequent- 2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first ly to avoid possible engine damage from then RED battery cable and remove running low on oil. battery from tractor.
