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Owner's Manual
CRRFTSMRN °
LAWN TRACTOR
18.5 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
6 Speed Transaxle
Model No.
917.275632
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
Rules and Instructions before
1-800-659-5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
operating this equipment.
5 am - 5 pm, Mon- Sat
Sears
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Maintenance ......................................... 15 Warranty ................................................. 2 Safety Rules ........................................... 3 Service and Adjustments ...................... 19 Product Specifications ............................ 6 Storage ................................................. 25 Assembly/Pre-Operation ........................ 7 Troubleshooting .................................... 26 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 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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• Remove gas-powered equipment from • Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or the truck or trailer and refuel it on the other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel ground. If this is not possible, then spillage and remove any fuel-soaked refuel such equipment with a portable debris. Allow machine to cool before container, rather than from a gasoline storing. dispenser nozzle. • If you strike a foreign object, stop and • Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim inspect the machine. Repair, if neces- o
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PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working Gasoline 4.0 order by the operator. Capacity and Unleaded In the state of California the above is re- Type: Regular quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- Oil Type SAE 30 (above 32°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 muffle
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Slope Sheet Keys For Future Use (2) Keys Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory. 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 ADJUST SEAT 1. Raise seat and loosen adjustment UNPACK CARTON knob. 1. Cut along dotted lines on all four pan- 2. Lower seat into operating position and els of carton. Remove end panels and sit in seat. lay side panels flat. 3. Slide seat
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CHECK DECK LEVELNESS TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See For best cutting results, mower hous- Operation section for location and ing should be properly leveled. See "TO function of controls) LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service 1. Press lift lever plunger and raise and Adjustments section of this manual. attachment lift lever to its highest po- CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION sition. OF ALL BELTS 2. Release parking brake by depressing See the figures that are shown for replac- clutch/brake pedal. ing motion
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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\1 FAST REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW CHOKE SLOW IGNITION SWITCH ENGINE OFF REVERSE ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE OPERATION LOCKED UNLOCKED SYSTEM (ROS) t OVER TEMP FUEL OIL PRESSURE BATTERY REVERSE FORWARD MOWER HEIGHT MOWER LIFT LIGHT ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT BRAKE/CLUTCH KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS CLUTCH DISENGAGED CLUTCH ENGAGED PEDAL (
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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. "ON" Position Light Switch Ammeter Attachment Clutch Switch Ignition Switch Lift Lever Plunger Throttle/Choke Control Attachment Lift Lever \ / \ Clutch/Brake Height Pedal Adjustment Indicator Parking Brake Lever Gearshift Lever 02830 Our tractors
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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. IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR 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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Attachment • Attachment Lift For best cutting performance, grass over Clutch Switch 6 inches in height should be mowed Lever High Position "Engaged" twice. Make the first cut relatively high; Position the second to desired height. TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS Gauge wheels are properly adjusted Low when they are slightly off the ground when Position mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position. Gauge wheels then "Disengag Position keep the deck in proper position to help prevent scalpin
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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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F,L',. OAT AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE /_r_'_TSERVlOe DATES 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 lI_3 C Lubrication Char_ li_ 0 Check Battery Level 1_4 a Clean Battery and Terminals If If Check Transaxle Cooling v' Check V-Belts If Check Engine Oil Level I_ If Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) I_1,_ If E Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) 1_1,2 N Clean Air Filter lI_
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ROS "ON" Position Engine "ON" Position TRACTOR (Normal Operating) Always observe safetyruleswhen 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). and the attachment clutch is e
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TRANSAXLE COOLING The bladecanbe sharpenedwith a file or on a grindingwheel. Do not attempt Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt to sharpenwhileon the mower. and chaff which can restrict cooling. Tocheckbladebalance,youwill need a V-BELTS 5/8" diametersteel bolt, pin,or a cone Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after balancer. (Whenusinga conebalancer, followthe instructionssuppliedwith 100 hours of operation and replace if neces- balancer.) sary. The belts are not adjustable. Replace
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3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward _jHandle slightly and turning counterclockwise. 4. To open, pull out on the drain valve. 5. After oil has drained completely, close and lock the drain valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise until the pin is in the locked position as shown. Cover 6. Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto the end of the drain valve. _rr_ _/Cartridge 7. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip- stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. Pre-cleaner ..........
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CLEANING We do not recommend using a garden hose or pressure washer to clean your • Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc. tractor unless the engine and transmis- of all foreign matter. sion are covered to keep water out. • Keep finished surfaces and wheels free Water in engine or transmission will of all gasoline, oil, etc. shorten the useful life of your tractor. • Protect painted surfaces with auto- Use compressed air or a leaf blower to motive type wax. remove grass, leaves and trash from
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TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING • When distance "D" is 1/8" to 1/2" lower at front than rear, tighten nuts "F" Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground or driveway. Make sure against trunnion on both front links. tires are properly inflated (See "PROD- • To raise front of mower, loosen nut "F" UCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this from trunnion on both front links. Tighten manual). If tires are over or underinflated, nut "E" on both front links an equal num- you will not properly adjust you
