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Owner’s Manual
LAWN TRACTOR
18.5 HP, 42” Mower
Electric Start
Automatic Trans mis sion
Model No.
917.27576
02494
This product has a low emission engine which operates
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
en gine, read and understand this Owner’s Manual.
For answers to your questions
IMPORTANT:
about this product, Call:
Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Instructions before 1-800-659-5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
op erat ing this equipment.
5 am - 5 pm, Mon - Sa
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Maintenance Schedule........................ 18 Warranty ................................................ 2 Safety Rules .......................................... 3 Service and Adjustments..................... 23 Product Specifi cations........................... 6 Storage................................................ 29 Troubleshooting ................................... 30 AssemblyPre-Operation ........................ 8 Operation............................................
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SAFETY RULES IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is ca pa ble of amputating hands and feet and throw- ing objects. Failure to observe the fol low ing safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. Never direct discharged material WARNING: In order to prevent ac- toward anyone. Avoid discharging ci den tal starting when setting up, trans- material against a wall or obstruction. port ing, ad just ing or making repairs, Material may ricochet back toward the always dis con nec
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SAFETY RULES Never carry children, even with the II. SLOPE OPERATION 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 anot
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SAFETY RULES 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 inspec
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In the state of California the above is re- PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor- Gasoline 2.00 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) muffl er is available through your nearest (API-SG-SL): SAE 5W-30 Sears service center (See RE PAIR PARTS
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UNASSEMBLED PARTS SteeringWheel Steering Wheel Insert (1) Large Flat Washer Steering Boot Steering Steering Wheel Adapter Extension Shaft (1) 5/16 Lock Washer (1) Hex Bolt 5/16-18 x 4 Seat (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge (1) Knob (1) Oil Drain Tube For Future Use Keys Slope Sheet 7
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ASSEMBLY/PRE-OPERATION 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 as sem ble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as nec es sary to in sure proper tightness. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY Insert A socket wrench set will make assembly 5/16 Hex Bolt easier. Stan dard wrench sizes you need 5/16 Lock Washer are listed below
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7. Slide seat until a comfortable position NOTE: You may now roll or drive your is reached which allows you to press tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate clutch/brake pedal all the way down. instruction below to remove the tractor 8. Get off seat without moving its ad- from the skid. justed position. TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See 9. Raise seat and tighten adjustment bolt Op er a tion section for location and securely. function of con trols) 1. Press lift lever plunger and rai
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CHECK TIRE PRESSURE ✔CHECKLIST The tires on your tractor were overinfl ated Before you operate your new trac tor, we at the factory for shipping purposes. Cor- wish to as sure that you re ceive the best rect tire pressure is important for best performance and sat is fac tion from this cutting performance. quality product. Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in Please review the following checklist: “PRODUCT SPEC I FI CATIONS” section ✓ All assembly instructions have been of this manual
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OPERATION These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. FAST REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH LOW SLOW CHOKE IGNITIONSWITCH P ENGINESTART ENGINEOFF REVERSE ENGINEON PARKINGBRAKE PARKINGBRAKE PARKINGBRAKE OPERATION LOCKED UNLOCKED SYSTEM(ROS) OILPRESSURE BATTERY OVERTEMP FUEL REVERSE FORWARD MOWERHEIGHT MOWERLIFT LIGHT 15 15 ATTACHMENT ATTACHMENT BRAKE/CLUTCH SLOPEHAZARDS CLUTCHENGAGED KEEPAREACLEAR CLUTCHDISENGAGED PEDAL (SEESAFETYR
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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 ad just ments. Save this manual for future reference. Ignition Switch Attachment ROS "ON" Position Clutch Lever Lift Lever Plunger Light Switch Attachment Lift Lever Throttle/Choke Control Height Clutch/Brake Adjustment Pedal Indicator Freewheel Parking Brake Lever Control Motion Control
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The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye dam age. Always wear safety glass es or eye shields while operating your tractor or per forming an y ad just ments or repairs. We rec om mend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety 00155 mask worn over spectacles. Never use choke to stop engine. HOW TO USE YOUR TRAC TOR IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch TO SET PARKING BRAKE in any position other than "STOP" wi
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01423 TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS Attachemnt Attachment Lift Lever Gauge wheels are prop erly ad just ed Clutch Lever High “Engaged” when they are slight ly 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 Defl ector on a fl at level surface. Shield 1. Adjust
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TO OPERATE ON HILLS TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATT ACH - MENTS WARNING: Do not drive up or down Tow only the attachments that are rec om - hills with slopes greater than 15° and do mend ed by and comply with spec i fi ca tions 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 tow ing. Too heavy Choose the slowest speed before start- of a load, while on a slope, is dangerous. ing up or down hills. Tires ca
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARM UP TO START ENGINE Before driving the unit in cold weath er, When starting the engine for the fi rst time the trans mis sion 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 trans mis sion en gaged position. a
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MOWING TIPS Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service and Adjustments sec tion of this manual. The left hand side of mower should be used for trim ming. 00272 Drive so that clippings are dis charged onto the area that has already been cut. If grass is extremely tall, it should be Have the cut area to the right of the trac- mowed twice to reduce load and pos- tor. This will result in a more even dis tri - sible fi re
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maint_sch-tractore.ROS.e MAINTENANCE MAINTENANCESCHEDULE FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE SERVICE DATES Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence and ROS Systems T R Check for Loose Fasteners 5 A Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades 3 C Lubrication Chart T Check Battery Level 4 0 Clean Battery and Terminals R Check Transaxle Cooling Check V-Belts Check Engine Oil Level Change Engine Oil (with oil filter) 1,2 Change Engine Oil (without oil filter) 1,2 E Clean Air Filt
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ROS "ON" Position Engine "ON" Position TRACTOR (Normal Operating) Always observe safety rules when per- forming an y main te nance. BRAKE OPERATION If tractor requires more than fi ve (5) feet to stop at highest speed in high est gear on a level, dry concrete or paved surface, then brake must be checked and ad just ed. (See “TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Service and When the engine is running with the Ad just ments section of this manual). ignition switch in the ROS "ON" position TIRES and t
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NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing Inspect cooling fi ns for dirt, grass clip- blade. The lobes of the center hole may pings and other materials. To prevent appear to be centered, but are not. damage to seals, do not use com- Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion pressed air or high pressure spr ayer to of the steel bolt or pin and hold the clean cool ing fi ns. bolt or pin parallel with the ground. If TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID blade is balanced, it should remain in a The transaxle
