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Owner's Manual
ICRAFTSMAN°I
16.5 HP
ELECTRIC START
42" MOWER
AUTOMATIC
LAWN TRACTOR
Model No.
917.271142
• Safety
• Assem bly
• Operation
• Maintenance
• Repair Parts
CAUTION:
For answers to your questions
about this product, Call:
Read and follow all Safety Rules
1-800-659-5917
and Instructionsbefore operat-
Sears Craftsman Help Line
ing this equipment.
5 am - 5 pm, Mon - Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co, Hoffman Estates, II 60179
Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/craftsman
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Maintenance ....................................... 17 Warranty ............................................... 2 Safety Rules ......................................... 3 Service and Adjustments .................... 21 Product Specifications .......................... 5 Storage ............................................... 27 Assembly .............................................. 7 Troubleshooting ................................. 28 Operation ............................................ 10 R
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SLOPE OPERATION IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is Slopes are a major factor related to loss- capable of amputating hands and feet of-control and tipover accidents, which and throwing objects. Failure to observe can result in "severe injury or death. All the following safety instructions could slopes require extra caution. If you cannot result in serious injury or death. GENERAL OPERATION back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on it, do not mow it. • Read, understand, and follow all DO: instruc
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• Keep children out of the mowing area • Never run a machine inside a closed and under the watchful care of another area. responsible adult. • Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade • Be alert and turn machine off if children attachment bolts, tight and keep enter the area. equipment in good condition. • Before and when backing, look behind • Never tamper with safety devices. and down for small children. Check their proper operation regularly. • Never carry children. They may fall off • Keep mach
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Operate only at the lowest possible speed A, Look for this symbol to point o_ impor- when on a slope. Too heavy of a load, while tant safety precautions. It means t.,,_u- TION!!! BECOME AWARE!!! YOUR on a slope, is dangerous. "i3res can lose SAFETY IS INVOLVED. traction with the ground and cause you to lose control of your tractor. _CAUTION: in order to prevent acciden- _i, WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of its tal starting when setting up, transporting, constituents, and certain vehicle compo- a
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Steering Wheel Steering Steering Extension Steering Sleeve Shaft Wheel O Adapter m _ (1) Hex Bolt J _ \ / Steering I1 / _ _ Wheel | I / k_ _eila)LhOC k '_ k ,zc ' _L. / (1) Hex Bolt . _ 5/16-18 x 1-1/4 _ (, ) jr .................... 5/16-18 _( (1) Shoulder Bolt 5/16-18 __(1] Wmsher Seat - iiiiiii @ 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge _im,.ppppppp I (1) Knob _ Video Cassette Keys Slope Sheet F-q G (2) Keys 6
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Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with 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 • Assemble large flat washer, 3/8 lock washer, 3/8 hex bolt and tighten A socket wrench set will make assembly securely. easier. Standard wrench sizes you need • Snap stee
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HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR NOTE." You may now roll or drive you CHECK BATTERY tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate instruction below to remove the tractor • Lift seat pan to raised position and from the skid. open battery box door. • If this battery is put into service after TO ROLLTRACTOR OFF SKID (See month and year indicated on label Operation section for location and (label located between terminals) function of controls) charge battery for minimum of one hour • Press lift lever plun
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CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALL MULCHER PLATE After you learn how to operate your (If previously removed) tractor, check to see that the brake is • Raise and hold deflector shield in properly adjusted. See 'q'O ADJUST upright position. BRAKE" in the Service and Adjustments • Place front of mulcher plate over front of section of this manual. mower deck opening and slide into place, as shown, V' CHECKLIST • Hook front latch into hole on front of BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY mower deck. YOUR NEW TRACTOR
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These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW BATTERY CAUTION OR WARNING A LIGHTS ON OVER TEMP 1" OIL PRESSURE ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF LIGHT ! PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED MOWER LIFT FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT LOCKED R N H L ATTACHMENT REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW PARKING BRAKE CLUTCH ENGAGED KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS ATTACHMENT IGNITION CLUTCH DISENGAGED (SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION) FREE WHEEL (Automatic Mode
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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. Attachment Ignition ht Switch Clutch Lever Switch / Ammeter "" Lever Plunger ent Throttle/Choke Lift Lever Control Clutch/ Brake Height Adjustment Knob Free Wheel =g Brake Lever Control Control Lever Our tractors conform to the safety standards of
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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. • Never use choke to stop engine. HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch TO SET PARKING BRAKE in any position other than "OFF" will cause Your tractor is equipp
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• The average lawn should be cut to CAUTION: Do not operate the mower approximately 2-1/2 inches during the without either the entire grass catcher, on cool season and to over 3 inches mowers so equipped, or the deflector during hot months. For healthier and shield place. better looking lawns, mow often and Attachment Clutch Lever "Engaged" after moderate growth. Position ._rnnt Lift • For best cutting performance, grass Lever High over 6 inches in height should be Position mowed twice. Make the
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NOTE: To protect hood from damage ADD GASOLINE when transporting your tractor on a truck • Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and unleaded gasoline with a minimum of secured to tractor. Use an appropriate 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, will increase carbon and lead oxide etc.). deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to ass
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PURGE TRANSMISSION • Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to "START" position and CAUTION: Never engage or disen- release key as soon as engine starts. gage freewheel lever while the engine is running. Do not run starter continuously for more To ensure proper operation and perfor- than fifteen seconds per minute. If the mance, it is recommended that the engine does not start after several transmission be purged before operating attempts, move throttle control to fast tractor for the f
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MULCHING MOWING TIPS MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See "TO keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. Clean after each use. LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments section of this • The special mulching btade 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 onto the lawn they will disperse into the used for trim
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FILL IN DATES As YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE t##__(-'_'_'TSERVlCE DATES Check Brake Operation _/ Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and T Intedock Systems R Check for Loose Fasteners If I1_? A Sharpan/Replece Mowe, Blades _,, T Lubrication Chart 0 Check Battery Level R Clean Battery and Terminals V' Check Transaxle Cooling b/ Adjust Blade Belt(s) Tension I_#s Adjust Motion Onve Belt(s) Tension Q_'s Check Engine Oi! Level _ I1 # Change Engine Oil l_1.=p I_ E Clean Air Filter _2 N Clean
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TRACTOR • Tighten bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. torque). Always observe safety rules when IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is Grade 8 heat performing any maintenance. treated. BRAKE OPERATION Trailing Edge Up Mandrel Assembly If tractor requires more than six (6) feet Blade Center stopping distance at high speed in Hole highest gear, then brake must be ad- justed. (See 'q'O ADJUST BRAKE" in the Flat Washer, Service and Adjustments section of this manual). Lock Washer TIRES • Maintain proper air pressure in
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NOTE: The original equipment battery on your tractor is maintenance free. Do not attempt to open or remove caps or covers. *c _. _ .1o m 10- to, _- :_- Adding or checking level of electrolyte is I ° """ " 'flEMPERATUt_E RANG_ ANTICIPATED BEF_ NEXT OiL Cp.ANGE not necessary. Change the oil after every 50 hours of TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to "
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CLEAN AIR SCREEN SPARK PLUGS Air screen must be kept free of dirt and Replace spark plugs at the beginning of chaff to prevent engine damage from each mowing season or after every 100 overheating. Clean with a wire brush or hours of operation, whichever occurs first. compressed air to remove dirt and Spark plug type and gap setting are stubborn dried gum fibers. shown in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING section of this manual. AREAS ENGINE OIL FILTER To insure proper cooling, ma
