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Owner's Manual
CRAFTSMAN °
LAWN TRACTOR
18.5 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
6 Speed Transaxle
Model No.
917.274810
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
i_ 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
Rules and Instructions before 1-800-659-5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
operating this equipment.
5 am - 5 pm, Mon - Sat
Sear
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Maintenance ......................................... 17 Warranty ................................................. 2 Safety Rules ........................................... 3 Service and Adjustments ...................... 21 Product Specifications ............................ 6 Storage ................................................. 27 Assembly/Pre-Operation ........................ 8 Troubleshooting .................................... 28 Operation ..........................................
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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 • Never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They may fall off and Slopesarea majorfactor relatedto lossof be seriously injured or interfere with controlandtip-over accidents,which can safe machine operation. Children who resultinsevereinjury or death. Opera- have been given rides in the past may tion on all slopes requiresextracaution. If suddenly appear in the mowing area you cannotback upthe slopeor if youfeel for another ride and be run over or uneasyon it, do n
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• Removegas-poweredequipmentfrom • Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or the truck or trailerand refuel it on the other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel ground.Ifthis is not possible,then spillage and remove any fuel-soaked refuelsuch equipmentwith a portable debris. Allow machine to cool before container,ratherthanfrom a gasoline storing. dispensernozzle. • If you strike a foreign object, stop and • Keepthe nozzle in contactwiththe rim inspect the machine. Repair, if neces- of the fuel tank
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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working Gasoline 2.0 order by the operator. Capacityand Unleaded In the state of California the above is re- Type: Regular quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- OilType SAE 30 (above32°F) nia Public Resources Code). Other states 'API-SG-SL): SAE 5W-30(below 32°F may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands. A spark arrester for the Oil Capacity: W/Filter: 3.5 Pints muffler
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Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert (1) Large Flat Washer Wheel Adapter Steering Steering Boot (1) 5/16 Lock Washer (1) Hex Bolt R 5/16-18 x 4 Ld Seat (1) Washer _ 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge _(1) Knob For Future Use Keys Slope Sheet
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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 i_ 5/16 Hex Bolt A socket wrench set will make assembly __------ 5/16 Lock Washer easier. Standard wrench sizes you need are listed below. (1) 3/4" wrench (1) Pliers (1
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6. Lowerseat intooperatingpositionand NOTE: You may now roll or drive your sit inseat. tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate instruction below to remove the tractor 7. Slideseat until a comfortableposition from the skid. is reachedwhich allowsyou to press clutch/brakepedalall the waydown. 8. Getoff seatwithout movingits ad- TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See justed position. Operation section for location and 9. Raiseseat and tightenadjustment function of controls) knob securely. 1. Press lift
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CHECKTIRE PRESSURE J CHECKL IS T The tires on your tractor were overin- Before you operate and enjoy your new flated at the factory for shipping purposes. tractor, we wish to assure that you receive Correct tire pressure is important for best the best performance and satisfaction cutting performance. from this Quality Product. • Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in Please review the following checklist: "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section v" All assembly instructions have been of this manual. compl
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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 I'.,I SLOW REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CHOKE FAST IGNITION SWITCH G G ENGINE OFF REVERSE ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE OPERATION LOCKED UNLOCKED SYSTEM (ROS) t oi OVER TEMP FUEL OIL PRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT m ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS CLUTCH DISENGAGED CLUTCH ENGAGED DANGER, K
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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. ROS "ON" Position Ignition Switch Attachment Clutch Lever Ammeter Lift Lever Plunger Light Switch _ Attachment Throttle/Choke Lift Lever Control o Height Clutch/Brake Adjustment Pedal Indicator Parking Brake Lever Gearshift Lever 02817 Our tracto
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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 IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch in any position other than "STOP" will TO SET PARKING BRAKE cause the battery to discharge and go Your tractor is equippe
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Lift For best cuttingperformance,grassover Lever High Position 6 inches in heightshouldbe mowed twice. Makethe first cut relativelyhigh; Clutch Lever the secondto desiredheight. ,,!,-'_-"-_-Low "Engaged' ,"," Position TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS // Gauge wheels are properly adjusted "Disengag when they are slightly off the ground when Position mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalping in most terrain condi
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TO OPERATE ON HILLS • For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See the _,WARNING: Do not drive up or down oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance hills with slopes greater than 15 ° and do section of this manual). not drive across any slope. Use the slope • To change engine oil, see the Mainte- guide at the back of this manual. nance section in this manual. • Choose the slowest speed before start- ADD GASOLINE ing up or down hills. • Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler
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. MOWING TIPS Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to start position and release • Mower should be properly leveled for key as soon as engine starts. Do best mowing performance. See "TO not run starter continuously for more LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the than fifteen seconds per minute. If the Service and Adjustments section of this engine does not start after several manual. attempts, move throttle control to fast • The left hand side of mower should be position, wait a few minutes and
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FILL IN DATES REGULAR SERVICE / J ' /SERVlCEOATES Check Brake Operation _ Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and T ROS Systems If R Check for Loose Fasteners If I_s if A Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades 1_3 C Lubrication Chart I_ I_ 0 Check Battery Level 1_4 a Clean Battery and Terminals If If Check Transaxle Cooling v' Check V-Belts I_ Check Engine Oil Level I_ If Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) 1_1,2 If E Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) 1_1,2 I_ N Clean Air Filter lI_'2 G Clea
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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 ignition switch in the ROS "ON" position Adjustments section of this manual). TIRES and the attachment clu
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ENGINE NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing blade. The lobes of the center hole may LUBRICATION appear to be centered, but are not. Only use high quality detergent oil rated • Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion with API service classification SG-SL. of the steel bolt or pin and hold the Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade bolt or pin parallel with the ground. If according to your expected operating blade is balanced, it should remain in a temperature. horizontal position. If either end of
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6. Remove the drain tube and replace the _jHandle cap onto the end of the drain valve. 7. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip- stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see "PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this manual. Cover 8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. For accurate reading, @/'Cartridge tighten dipstick cap securely onto the Pre-cleaner .............. _ _" tube before removing dipstick. Keep oil at "FULl" line on dipstick. Tight
