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Owner's Manual
JCRIIFTSMRN°J
LAWN TRACTOR
17.5 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
Automatic Transmission
Model No.
917.273840
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- S
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Maintenance Schedule ........................ 18 Warranty ................................................ 2 Safety Rules .......................................... 3 Service and Adjustments ..................... 22 Product Specifications ........................... 6 Storage ................................................ 29 Troubleshooting ................................... 30 AssemblyP re-Operation ........................ 8 Operation ............................................. 11 Repair
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IMPORTANT: 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. _WARNING: In order to prevent acciden- • Be aware of the mower discharge direc- tal starting when setting up, transporting, tion and do not point it at anyone. Do adjusting or making repairs, always not operate the mower without either disconnect spark plug wire and place wire the entire grass catcher or the
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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 Tall grass can hide obstacles. corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects • Use slow speed. Choose a low gear that may obscure vision
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• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree • Be sure the area is clear of other people limbs, etc. before mowing. Stop machine if anyone 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 while on the slope. beh
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In the state of California the above is re- PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- nia Public Resources Code). Other states Gasoline Capacity 4.0 Gallons may have similar laws. Federal laws apply and Type: Unleaded Regular on federal lands. A spark arrester for the Oil Type SAE10W30(above 32°F muffler is available through your nearest API-SF-SJ): SAE 5W-30(Below 32°F Sears service center (See REPAIR PARTS Oil Capacity: W/Filter 3.0 Pints section of this manual). Spark
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Steering Wheel Steering Extension Steering Shaft Steering Sleeve © Wheel Adapter ® (1) Hex Bolt (1) kocknut 1/4-28 1/4-28 x 1-1/4 Large Flat Washer Steering Wheel (1) Locknut 1/2-20 Insert f (4) Adjusting Bar o Seat o o o @ o \\\ (4) Locknut 3/8-16 @ (1) Washer _/ (4) Wheels 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12@ Gauge (1) Knob Io :D Keys Video Cassette (4) Clevis Pins (4) Washers 3/8 x 3/4 x 14 Ga. (2) Keys (4) Retainer Springs Slope Sheet _ m (1) Oil Drain Tube For Future Use (4) Shoulder Bolt 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. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY ____-----1/2 Hex Nut A socket wrench set will make assembly D _ Insert easier. Standard wrench sizes are listed. _------ Lar
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INSTALL SEAT 2. Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake pedal. Adjust seat before tightening adjustment 3. Place freewheel control in '"trans- knob. mission disengaged" position (See "TO 1. Remove adjustment knob and flat TRANSPORT" in the Operation section washer securing seat to cardboard of this manual). packing and set aside for assembly of 4. Roll tractor forward off skid. seat to tractor. 5. Remove banding holding deflector 2. Pivot seat upward and remove from shield up against tr
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CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION 2. Adjustgaugewheelsbefore operat- ing mower.See"TOADJUSTGAUGE OF ALL BELTS WHEELS"in the Operationsectionof See the figures that are shown for replac- this manual. ing motion and mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments section Pin_ Spring of this manual. Verify that the belts are routed correctly. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM After you learn how to operate your trac- tor, check to see that the brake is properly adjusted. See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Ad
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Thesesymbols mayappearon yourtractor or in literaturesuppliedwiththe product. Learnand understandtheir meaning. R N H L I'.,I REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CHOKE FAST SLOW IGNITION ENGINE OFF LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UNLOCKED 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 AWAY (SEE SAFETY RULES SECT
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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. Light Switch Ignition Switch Attachment Clutch Lever Lift Lever Ammeter ..... . _ Plunger Throttle/Choke Attachment Control Lift Lever Clutch/Brake o Height Pedal Adjustment Indicator Freewheel Parking Brake Lever Control Motion Control Lever Our
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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 I or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safetyl mask worn over spectacles. J HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch in any position other than "STOP" will TO SET PARKING BRAKE cause the battery to discharge and go Your tracto
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TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS _CAUTION: Do not operate the mower Gauge wheels are properly adjusted without either the entire grass catcher, when they are slightly off the ground when on mowers so equipped, or the deflector mower is at the desired cutting height in shield in place. operating position. Gauge wheels then Attachment Attachemnt keep the deck in proper position to help Lever prevent scalping in most terrain conditions. "Engaged" High NOTE: Be sure tractor is on a flat level Position Positio
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Transmission Engaged _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 NOTE:
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• The attachments and ground drive can 2. Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in '"transmission dis- now be used. If the engine does not accept the load, restart the engine and engaged" position (See "TO TRANS- allow it to warm up for one minute using PORT" in this section of manual). the choke as described above. 3. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. After the engine is running, move COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and throttle control to slow position. With below) motion
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MULCHING MOWING TIPS MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep • Mower should be properly leveled for mower housing free of built-up grass and best mowing performance. See "TO trash. Clean after each use. LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the • The special mulching blade will recut Service and Adjustments section of this the grass clippings many times and manual. reduce them in size so that as they fall • The left hand side of mower should be onto the lawn they will disperse into used for trimming
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE _S'_. ,_._ ,_q._ ,_._ _o_ _. ,_ AS YOU COMPLETE ._-__o_:_ %£,_ %_?-_ %£-_ £,2-_ %,2-_ _:o'" R EOO LARSERV,OE S E R V'OE O A T ES e°:::: °n ,g ,g Check Operator Presence and T Intedock Systems I1_ a Check for Loose Fasteners _1_ _5 T Lubrication Chart 0 Check Battery Level Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades i3 R Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle Cooling Check V-Beffs Check Engine Oil Level _ Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) _1,2 v' E Change Engine Oil (without oil filt
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TRACTOR 4. Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown. Always observe safety rules when per- 5. Tighten blade bolt securely (27-35 Ft. forming any maintenance. Lbs. torque). BRAKE OPERATION IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. If tractor requires more than six (6) feet If bolt needs replacing, replace only with stopping distance at high speed in highest approve bolt shown in the Repair Parts. gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Servi
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TO CLEANBATTERYANDTERMINALS Change the oil after every 50 hours of op- eration or at least once a year if the tractor Corrosionand dirt onthe batteryand is not used for 50 hours in one year. terminalscan causethe batteryto "leak" Check the crankcase oil level before start- power. ing the engine and after each eight (8) 1. DisconnectBLACKbatterycable first hours of operation. then RED battery cableand remove batteryfrom tractor. TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL 2. Rinsethe batterywith plainwaterand Determine
