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Owner's Manual
(RRFTSMRN°
21.0 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
Automatic Transmission
Model No.
917.274040
differentmy from previously buimt engines. Before you start the
[_ This product has a mowemission engine which operates
engine, read and understand this Owner's Manuak
For answers to your questions
about this product, Call:
Read and follow aH Safety
Rules and Instructions before
1_800°659-5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
operating this equipment.
5 am =5 pm, Men =Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoff
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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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mMPORTANT: This cuttingmachineis capableof amputatinghandsandfeet and throw- ing objects.Failureto observethe followingsafety instructionscould resultin serious injuryor death. Do not mow in reverse unless abso- _WARNING: In order to preventac- lutely necessary. Always look down and cidentalstarting whensettingup,trans- behind before and while backing. porting,adjustingor makingrepairs, Be aware of the mower discharge direc- alwaysdisconnectspark plugwire and tion and do not point it at anyone.
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DO: • Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with • Mow up and down slopes, not across. safe machine operation. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree @ Never allow children to operate the limbs, etc. machine. • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Un- @ even terrain could overturn the machine. Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects Taft grass can hide obstacles. that may obscure vision. • Use slow speed. Choose a low gear
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Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree Be surethe area isclear of other people limbs, etc. beforemowing.Stop machineif anyone entersthe area. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall Nevercarry passengersor children evenwiththe bladesoff. grass can hide obstacles. Do not mowin reverseunlessabso- Use slow speed. Choose a low gear lutely necessary.Always lookdown and so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. behind beforeandwhile backing.
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In the state of California the above is re- PRODUCT SPECiFiCATiONS quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- Gasoline Capacity 4.0 GaJlons 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 APFSG-SL): SAE 5W-30(Below 32°F Sears service center (See REPAIR PARTS Oil Capacity: W/Filter: 4.0 Pints section of this manuaJ). WiO Fi
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Bubble Level Mower Leveling Wrench (1) Oil Drain Tube For Future Use Video Cassette Slope Sheet Keys (2) Keys
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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. I_PORTANT: Check for and remove any staples in skid
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4. Sit onseat in operatingposition, Deflector depressclutch/brakepedalandset the ShieUd parkingbrake. 5. Placemotioncontrol leverin neutral (N) position. PUate 6. Presslift leverplungerand raise attachmentlift leverto its highestposi- tion. 7. Start the engine.Afterengine has Latch started, movethrottlecontrol to idle Hooks position. 8. Releaseparkingbrake. 9. Slowly movethe motioncontrol lever TO CONVERT TO BAGGmNG OR forwardand slowlydrive tractor off DmSCHARGING skid. Simply remove mulcher pl
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v" CHECKMST 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: J All assembly instructions have been completed. ,/No remaining loose parts in carton. ,/Battery is properly prepared and charged. (Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps). v" Seat is adjusted comfortably and tight- ened securely. v" All tires are properly inflated. (For ship- ping purposes, the tires were overin- fiated at
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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 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 AWAY (SE
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KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READTHINS OWNER'SMANUAL AND SAFETYRULESBEFOREOPERATmNG YOUR TRACTOR Comparethe illustrations'withyour tractorto familiarizeyourselfwith the locationsof variouscontrolsand adjustments. Savethis manualfor future reference. Light Switch ignition Switch Position Attachment Hourmeter Choke Control Clutch Switch Ammeter Lift Lever Plunger Throttle Control Attachment Lift Lever Clutch/Brake Pedal o Height indicator Freewheel Control Motion Control Lever Parking Brake Lever Our tractor
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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 standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacles. 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 eq
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The average lawn should be cut to ap- 2. Start mower blades by engaging at- tachment clutch control. proximately 2-1/2 inches during the cool TO STOP MOWER BLADES - season and to over 3 inches during hot months. For healthier and better looking disengage attachment clutch control. lawns, mow often and after moderate _CAUTmON: Do not operate the mower growth. without either the entire grass catcher, For best cutting performance, grass over on mowers so equipped, or the deflector 6 inches in heigh
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Transmission Engaged AII_CAUTmON: Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame. mMPORTANT: When operating in tempera- tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting. CAUTmON: 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 NOT
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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 Afte
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MOWmNG TraPS MULCHING MOWING TIPS Mower should be properly leveled for mMPORTANT: 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 speciat 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 Dri
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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 T Interlock Systems I_ R Check for Loose Fasteners If 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 If If Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) E Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) N Clean Air Filter G Clean Air Screen Ar
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TRACTOR mMPORTANT: 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 OPERATmON Trailing Blade Center If tractor requires more than six (6) feet Edge Up Hole stopping distance at high speed in highest Mandrel gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See Flat Washer Assembly "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Lock Washer Adjustments section of this manual). TmRES Blade Bol
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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°R 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.
