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Owner's Manual
ICRRFTSMIIH°I
LAWN TRACTOR
18.5 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
Automatic Transmission
Model No.
917.274762
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
[_ his 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
1-800-659-5917
Rules and Instructions before
Sears Craftsman Help Line
operating this equipment.
5 am - 5 pm, Mon- Sa
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Maintenance Schedule ........................ 18 Warranty ................................................ 2 Service and Adjustments ..................... 23 Safety Rules .......................................... 3 Product Specifications ........................... 6 Storage ................................................ 29 AssemblyPre-Operation ........................ 8 Troubleshooting ................................... 30 Operation ............................................. 11 Repair P
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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. • Never direct discharged material _IWARNING: In order to prevent ac- toward anyone. Avoid discharging cidental starting when setting up, trans- material against a wall or obstruction. porting, adjusting or making repairs, Material may ricochet back toward the always disconnect spark plug wire and operator. S
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II. SLOPE OPERATION • Nevercarry children,evenwith the bladesshut off. Theymayfall off and Slopesare a major factorrelatedto lossof be seriouslyinjuredor interferewith controland tip-over accidents,which can safemachineoperation.Childrenwho resultin severeinjuryor death. Opera- havebeen givenrides inthe past may tionon all slopesrequiresextra caution. If suddenlyappearinthe mowingarea youcannot backupthe slope or if youfeel for anotherride and be run overor uneasyon it, do not mowit. backedover
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• Remove gas-powered equipment from Check their proper operation regularly. the truck or trailer and refuel it on the • Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or ground. If this is not possible, then other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel refuel such equipment with a portable spillage and remove any fuel-soaked debris. Allow machine to cool before container, rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle. storing. • Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim • If you strike a foreign object, stop and
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In the state of California the above is re- PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- Gasoline 2.0 Gallons nia Public Resources Code). Other states Capacity Unleaded may have similar laws. Federal laws apply and Type: Regular 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 Sears service center (See REPAIR PARTS (Below 32°F) section of this manual). Oil Capacity: W/Filter: 3.5 Pints R
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Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert (1) Large Flat Washer @ u I I w Boot Steering Steering Wheel Adapter Extension Shaft [L_ Steering (1) 5/16 Lock Washer (15)/16-18 x 4 Hex Bolt Seat (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge _(1) Knob For Future Use Keys Slope Sheet 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. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes you need are listed below. (1) 3/4" wrench (1) Pliers (1) 1/2" wrench (1) Utility knife (1) Tire pr
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7. Slide seat until a comfortableposition NOTE: You may now roll or drive your is reachedwhichallowsyouto press tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate instruction below to remove the tractor clutch/brakepedalall the waydown. from the skid. 8. Get off seatwithout movingits ad- justed position. TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See 9. Raiseseat and tighten adjustmentbolt Operation section for location and securely. function of controls) 1. Press lift lever plunger and raise Seat attachment lift leve
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CHECKTIRE PRESSURE _CHECKLIST The tires on your tractor were overinflated Before you operate your new tractor, we at the factory for shipping purposes. Cor- wish to assure that you receive the best rect tire pressure is important for best performance and satisfaction from this cutting performance. quality product. • Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in Please review the following checklist: "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section ,/ All assembly instructions have been of this manual. completed. ,/No re
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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 REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CHOKE FAST SLOW IGNITION SWITCH O 4Y G o, I 6 ENGINE OFF REVERSE ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE OPERATION LOCKED UNLOCKED SYSTEM (ROS) t oi FUEL OIL PRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE OVER TEMP FORWARD MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT m ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS CLUTCH DISENGAGED CLUTCH ENGAG
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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. Ignition Switch Attachment ROS "ON" Position Clutch Lever ger Lig Attachment Lift Lever Throttle/Choke Control Clutch/Brake Height Adjustment Pedal ".. "-- -_-_ : ___t Indicator Freewheel Parking Brake Lever Control Motion Control Lever 02838 LSW
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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 TO SET PARKING BRAKE in any position other than "STOP" will Your tractor
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TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS Attachment Attachemnt Clutch Lever Gauge wheels are properly adjusted "Engaged" High when they are slightly off the ground when Position Position mower is at the desired cutting height in / operating position. Gauge wheels then Low keep the deck in proper position to help Position prevent scalping in most terrain conditions. "Disengaged" NOTE: Adjust gauge wheels with tractor Position Deflector on a flat level surface. 1. Adjust mower to desired cutting height (See "TO ADJ
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TO OPERATE ON HILLS TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH- MENTS _II, WARNING: Do not drive up or down Tow only the attachments that are recom- hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do mended by and comply with specifications not drive across any slope. Use the slope of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use guide at the back of this manual. common sense when towing. Too heavy • Choose the slowest speed before start- of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. ing up or down hills. Tires can lose tracti
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP TO START ENGINE Before driving the unit in cold weather, When starting the engine for the first time the transmission should be warmed up as or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will follows: take extra cranking time to move fuel from 1. Be sure the tractor is on level ground. the tank to the engine. 2. Place the motion control lever in 1. Be sure freewheel control is in the neutral. Release the parking brake transmission engaged position. and let the clutch/br
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5. Move motion control lever to neutral )1 (N) position. Shutoff engine and set parking brake. 6. Engage transmission by placing free- wheel control in engaged position (See "TO TRANSPORT" in this section of manual). 7. Sitting in the tractor seat, start engine. j After the engine is running, move ( throttle control to half (1/2) speed. ,c J 00272 With motion control lever in neutral (N) position, slowly disengage clutch/brake • If grass is extremely tall, it should be pedal. mowed twice to redu
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FILL IN DATES /_/_X'x_'_/_ _ " AS YOU COMPLETE /__/_ _4 _/_/O.Oq. _" REGULAR SERVICE /_r/_'_r_VSERVICE DATES C hh :; kkBirakp r?sPe_;i° n _ Check Operator Presence and T ROS Systems I_ R Check for Loose Fasteners If ll_s If A Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades 11_3 C Lubrication Chart I_ I_ 0 Check Battery Level 1_4 R Clean Battery and Terminals ll_ If Check Transaxle Cooling Check V-Belts If Check Engine Oil Level If ll_ Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) _1,_ E Change Engine Oil (without oil filter
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ROS "ON" Position Engine "ON" Position TRACTOR (Normal Operating) Always observe safety rules when per- forming any maintenance. BRAKE OPERATION If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest speed in highest gear on a level, dry concrete or paved surface, then brake must be checked and adjusted. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and • When the engine is running with the Adjustments section of this manual). ignition switch in the ROS "ON" position TIRES and the attachment clu
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NOTE: Do not usea nailfor balancing • Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clip- pings and other materials. To prevent blade. The lobesof the centerhole may damage to seals, do not use com- appearto becentered,but are not. • Slidebladeonto an unthreadedportion pressed air or high pressure sprayer to of the steel boltor pin and holdthe clean cooling fins. boltor pin parallelwith the ground. If TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID bladeis balanced,it shouldremainin a The transaxle was sealed at the factory horizo
