Craftsman 917.254520, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...and follow all Safety Rules and instructions Before Operating This Equipment RRFTSMRN 12 IC ELECTRIC START _ DECK 5 TRANSAXLE LAWN TRACTOR Assembly Operation Maintenance Service and Adjustment Repair Parts Sears Roebuck and Co Chicago IL 60684 UoSoA ...

Page 2: ...blic high ways 20 Exercise special care when mowing around fixed objects in order to prevent the blades from striking them Never deJib erately run tractor or mower into or over any foreign objects 21 Never shift gears until tractor comes to a stop 22 Never place hands or feet under the mower in discharge chute or near any moving parts while tractor or mower is running Always keep clear of discharg...

Page 3: ...hase when this riding equipment is maintained lubricated and tuned up according to the operating and maintenance instruction in the owner s manual Sears will repair free of charge any defect in material or workmanship in this electric start riding equipment This warranty excludes blade s blade adapter s spark plug s air cleaner and belt s which are expendable and become worn during normal use This...

Page 4: ...ter 18 Lubrication Chart 24 Spark Plugs 18 Tire Care 8 14 Mower Adjustment Front to Rear 23 Adjustment Side to Side 22 Blade Sharpening 14 Blade Replacement 14 Cutting Level 12 22 Installation 21 Operation 11 Removal 21 Mowing Tips 12 Muffler 17 Spark Arrester 2 32 O Oi Cold Weather Conditions 6 Engine 16 Storage 23 Operation 9 12 Operating Your Mower 1 Operating Your Tractor 11 Starting the Engin...

Page 5: ...hown full size 2 Battery Carriage Bolts 1 4 20 x 7 1 2 Terminal Guard 15 Slope Instruction 2 Keys Battery Caps and instructions Steering Wheel Adapter Steering Wheel Insert NOTE RIGHT HAND R H AND LEFT HAND L H ARE DETERMINED FROM OPERATOR S POSITION WHILE SEATED ON THE TRACTOR The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes which can result in severe eye dam age Al...

Page 6: ...OWN FULL SiZE STEERING WHEEL 2 Wing Nut 1 4 20 2 Hex Bolt 1 4 20 x 3 4 _ 2 Lock Washer 1 4 G 2 Hex Nut 1 4 20 2 Washer 9 32 x 5 8 x 6 Ga 1 Adjustment Bolt 1 Shoulder Bolt 5 6 18 1 Lock Washer 1 2 1 Washer 17 32 x 1 3 16 x 12 Ga 2 Sheet Metal Screw 10 16 x 1 2 ABTBS 1 Locknut 1 2 20 1 Washer 2 1 4 6 ...

Page 7: ...for disposal by add ing it to 2 gallons 7 litres ofwater ina five gallon 20 litres plasticcontainer Stir with awooden or plastic paddle while adding baking soda until the addition of more soda causes no more foaming f tt is recommended that the battery be charged be fore use Use a 12 volt battery charger Charge bat tery at a rate of 6 amperes for 1 hour NOTE OB SERVE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS LISTED IN B...

Page 8: ...wash SEAT POSITION SHOULD BE ADJUSTED FOR WARD OR BACKWARD SO THAT THE OPERA TOR CAN COMFORTABLY REACH CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL AND SAFELY OPERATE TRAC TOR e Place seat in operating position Sit on the seat and press clutch brake pedal all the way down tf operat ing pos _ion is not comfortable adjust seat f To adjust raise seat Loosen adjustment bolt Slide seat to desired position Tighten adjustment bol...

Page 9: ...T LEVER VENT SLOTS CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL MOWER DECK HEIGHT PARKING BRAKE GEARSHIFT LEVER KNOW YOUR ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER Push lever upto engage attachment There will be an engine hesitation as the clutch engages ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER Use the attachment lift lever to raise and lower the attachment mounted to your tractor Pull lever back slightly and push button then move the lift lever forward to lo...

Page 10: ...weather operation see chart page 16 Check engine oil level Refer to REPAIR AND ADJUSTMENT section page 16 Changing oil after the first two hours or two mowings will help eliminate break in residue which might be damaging to your engine b Fill fuel tank Fig 6 Use fresh clean regular un leaded gasoline Capacity is 5 quarts 4 7 litres NOTE FRESH CLEAN WINTER GRADE FUEL MUST BE USED TO INSURE GOOD COL...

Page 11: ... when children and others are around 6 Never carry children or passengers 7 Always look behind machine before backing 8 Do not mow where machine can tip or slip 9 if machine stops going uphill stop blades and back slowly down 10 Be sure blades and engine have stopped before placing hands or feet near the blades 11 Remove key when leaving machine OPERATION ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER ENGAGED POSiTiON A...

Page 12: ...iform cutting d When mowing large areas Fig 9 start by turning to the right so that the clippings will discharge away from shrubs fences driveways etc After two or three rounds mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished e If grass is extremely tall it should be mowed twice The first time cut relatively high the second time to the desired height f The left hand side of mowe...

Page 13: ...GAGED POSiTiON REMOVE FOOT FROM PEDAL 4 PLACE ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER iN DISENGAGED POSi TION 5 TURN iGNiTiON KEY TO OFF PO SITION 6 MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE THE BLADES AND ALL MOVING PARTS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED 7 REMOVE THE iGNiTION KEY 8 DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM THE SPARK PLUG AND KEEP WiRE AWAY FROM THE PLUG TO PREVENT iNJURY FROM ACCF DENTAL STARTING BE CAREFUL TO AVOID TOUCHING HOT E...

Page 14: ...for tire repair Fig 12 1 Block up axle secureJy 2 Remove hub cap klip ring and washerto allow wheel removai rear wheel contains a square key Do Not Lose 3 Repair tire and reassemble Align slots in rear wheel hub and axle insert square key Re place washers and snap kfip ring securely in axle groove Replace hub cap NOTE USE GREASE FiTTiNGS TO LUBRICATE FRONT WHEELS WITH GENERAL PURPOSE GREASE APPLY ...

Page 15: ...ATTERY AND TERMINALS Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals cause the battery to leak power and hinders the operation of the charger _TTERIES GENERATE AJk FLAMEAND SMOKING MATER LS mwm_ WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN FIGURE 13 BATTERY CUTAWA_ YVlE_ W FC _ BATTERY gH L V L FIGURE 14 a Remove terminal guard b Disconnect BLACK battery cable then RED battery cabte and remove battery from tractor c ...

Page 16: ... Remove two cover knobs and remove air cleaner cover b Remove two nuts from top of cartridge c Remove cartridge and clean air cleaner body care fully to prevent dirt from entering carburetor Clean cartridge by gently tapping on flat surface if very dirty reptace cartridge ReassembJe air cleaner NUTS HOLDING AiR CLEANER CARTRIDGE MUST BE iNSTALLED WITH FIBER WASHERS DOWN ON CARTRIDGE PLATE TO PREVE...

Page 17: ...y charged battery c Connect the ether end of the BLACK jumpercable to the LH side panel bolt Fig 19 NOTE KEEP AWAY FROM GAS TANK AND BAT ERY d Disconnect cables in reverse order 1 LH side panel belt Fig 19 2 Negative terminal of fully charged battery 3 Positive terminals 12o Thrott_ C_ntrol Cable Adjustment Never attempt to change maximum engine speed This Is preset at the factory and should only ...

Page 18: ...ainst car buretor tum idle mixture screw counterclockwise unti engine runs rough and then turn clockwise until engine begins to die Turn idle mixture _rew to a point midway between these positions f With throttle control lever in SLOW position en gine should idle at 1750 RPM ff engine idles too slow push throttle control lever above idle and turn idle speed screw one turn clockwise Set throttle co...

Page 19: ... ben over engine pulley and off idler Fig 23 f Release parking brake Pull belt as far as possible over top of clutch polEey g Reset parking brake Pull be_t over top of clutch pul ley Fig 23 h Pull ben out through shift gate to remove from trac for Fig 24 i Instafl belt by reversing above procedure 17 Fuse Replacement Rep ace with 30 amp automotive type plug in fuse The fuse holder is Bocated under...

Page 20: ... bottomofthe grill and at the upper hood edge Fig 26 Lift hood up out and away from tractor e Place hood carefully on the ground 19 Hood installation a Pick hood up at top of grill and upper hood edge Fig 27 b Align hood pivot rod with hinge brackets Rotate hood half way down slide pivot rod in and down into hinge slots Fig 27 c Open hood to full up position Fig 25 d Carefully reinstafl hood hinge...

Page 21: ...hrough axle and parallel link Fig 32 Secure with retainer spring c Install rear hinge pin through mower lift brackets and parallel link Fig 32 Secure with retainer spring d Install clutch rod in clutch lever Fig 32 e Move attachment lift lever Fig 30 forward to lower suspension arms Slide trunnlons through lift bracket holes and secure with retainer springs Fig 29 f Roll belt over engine pulley Ma...

Page 22: ...ith longer belt life If the attachment clutch lever travels 4 1 2 1 43 cm up the slot in the dash before spring resistance is evident ad justment is necessary NOTE CHECK FOR PROPER SPRING TENSION WtTH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE LIFT LEVER IN THE HIGHEST POSITION a Lower the mower deck for easier access b Using 2 7 16 wrenches remove the bolt nut D Shaped washers Fig 33 inset c Move extension spring fr...

Page 23: ...a clean dry area A Fuel System it is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in es sential fuel system parts such as the carburetor fuel filter fuel hose or tank during storage Also experience indicates that alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage Acidic gas can dam age the fuel sy...

Page 24: ...LUBRICATION CHART Q FRONT BEARING I II L FRONT WHEEL Q BEARING Q ENGINE MOWER CLUTCH PIVOT Q Q SAE 30 MOTOR OIL Q GENERAL PURPOSE GREASE Q REFER TO PAGE 16 FOR ENGINE OIL SPECIFICATIONS 24 ...

Page 25: ...nals Replace Starter or Solenoid Charge or Replace Battery e Check Wire Connections and Ground Points _ Place Throttle Control in FAST position and run starter several times to clear out gas Remove Air Filter and clean Replace Spark Plug s and adjust gap Recharge or replace Battery _ Cheek the Wiring _ Drain Fuel Tank and Carburetor Use Fresh Fuel Replace Fuel Filter r Make necessary adjustments t...

Page 26: ...CESSIVE MOWER VIBRATION m WiNDROWING STRIPPING OR DROPPING OF GRASS CLIPPINGS r _P _P UNEVEN CUT OR SCALPING Place Throttle Control in FAST position Check air pressure in Tires Check front to rear and side to side Mower adjustment Use a slower ground speed Replace Mower Blades Reinstall Mower Blades with Sharp Edge down Replace with proper Mower Blades Readjust Mower Drive Belt Clean underside of ...

Page 27: ...E LIGHTS ARE NOT CON NECTED TO TH E BATTERY BUT HAVE THEIR OWN ELECTRICAL SOURCE BE CAUSE OF THIS THE BRIGHTNESS OF TH E LIGHTS WILL CHANGE WITH THE ENGINE SPEED AT IDLE SPEED THE LIGHTS WILL DIM AS THE ENGINE IS SPEEDED UP THE LIGHTS WILL BECOME THEIR BRIGHTEST 3 AMPS DC AT 3600 RPM BATTERYINLINE 20VOLTSAC MIN P b ORANGE _ WHITE AC COIL u _0 _ 0 _ HEADLIGHT BROWN B_CKtP LIGHT SWITCH HEADLIGHT BLA...

Page 28: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RiDiNG LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 ELECTRICAL 98 C 26 32 D 32 33 2 32 J 30 ...

Page 29: ...207J Cable Battery 2 74760412 Bolt Hex 1 4 20 3 4 22 STD551025 Washer 9 32 x 5 8 x I6 Ga 23 STD541025 Nut Hex I 4 20 24 121265X Battery 12 V 30 Amp 25 102476X TerminaI Guard 26 123198X Wing Nut 4 20 27 STD55t 125 _ Washer Lock Hvy Hetical Spring 28 72240460 Bolt Rd Hd Sq Nk 4 20 x 7 1 2 29 109081 X Solenoid 30 09787X Bezeg Ignition 31 109788X Nut ignition 32 7t 92J Cable Tie 33 105687X Tube P_asti...

Page 30: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RtDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES 55 27 28 L 5t 53 39 A 33 38 F F A 29 35 G A 59 57 13 5 A 37 36 31 4O D 6O 6t 3O ...

Page 31: ...9131312 Washer 13 32 x 13 16 x 2 Ga 58 t23914X 22 124029X Lens Assembly 59 24040X 24 19131210 Washer 13 32 x 3 4 x 10 Ga 60 123915X 27 124491X Decal 12 HP 61 105037X 28 108631 X Decal _ 62 2 44X 29 22933X Rive Ratchet Nylon 63 STD525010 30 124027X Shield Hood Heat 64 1917t 9 2 3 t 23665X Deflector Heat 65 06974X 32 124025X Hood Assembly 66 750211 33 121248x Bushing Snap 34 STD54 437 Nut Crownlock ...

Page 32: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR o MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 DRIVE 2t 68 96 69 9 43 43 62 72 59 65 61 57 88 L OPTIONAL OUIPM NT Spark Arrester 32 ...

Page 33: ...Retmner 72 123969X Tire Rear 22 109167x Bracket Transaxle 73 106108X Rim Assembly 8 Rear 23 STD523710 Bolt Hex 3 8 16 x 1 74 109502X Spacer 24 17490512 Screw Hex Washer Thread Rolling 75 736800600 Locknut Hex w washer tn _ rt 378 16 5 16 18 x 3 4 76 12000001 E Ring 25 10817tX Support Batter 77 12 52OX Strap Torque TransaxIe 26 t23662X Keeper Belt LH 78 STD533707 Bolt Carriage 3 8 t6 x 3 4 27 4921H...

Page 34: ... REPAJR _PART_ 12 PiP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR o STEERJNG ASSEMBLY MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 t2 14 15 52 61 34 56 55 59 25 27 30 34 ...

Page 35: ...05656X Lockwasher 1 4 54 105654x Screw Socket Hex 1 4 x 20 x 5 8 55 278H Bumper Hood 56 9040H Plug Button 57 106732X Screw Hex Self Tap No 10 16 x 112 Type ABTPS 58 59192 Decal instruct on Uperatpng 59 65139 Bushing _ Steenng 60 I24157X Bracket _ Steering 6 121749X Screw Hex Washer Thread Rothng 63 59904 3 8 16 x 314 Type TT Bearing Thrust 64 121748X Gear Seclor 65 STD551231 Shaft Support 66 11030...

Page 36: ...12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR LWT ADJUSTMENT MODEL HUIVIBER 917 254520 17 16 45 o A _ 6 53 36 ...

Page 37: ...er Tank Fuel 42 STD541050 Nut Hex 2 3 Line Fuel 43 9 35R Retainer Spring Grommet 44 19171516 Washer 17 32 x 15 16 x 16 Ga Clamp Hose 45 492 H Retainer Spr ng Screw Hex Washer Thd Rolling 46 _05864x Bracket Suspension 3 8 x 16 x 3 4 47 106444X Bracket Bellcrank Washer 9112x 7 8x 16Ga 48 STD523707 Bolt He 3 8 16 x 3 4 Panel Dash L H 49 109728X Bellcrank Assembly Cover Access 50 STD56t210 P n Cotter ...

Page 38: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RiDiNG LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 38 MOWER 51 58 E B 38 ...

Page 39: ...rd Not Serviced 63 19111016 123204X Guide Belt 64 72140610 74760632 Bolt 3 8 16 2 65 12 343X 123553X Arm Idler 66 1223 4X 106902X Spacer Retainer 67 STD560907 _21316 Pulley Idler 68 72110506 10_513X Washer Wear 1 16 69 74760412 102_9X Keeper Belt 70 t09893X 121_7X Mandrel Assembly 71 73680400 10 _68L Ptete Support Mandrel 72 110445X 17490614 Screw He Washer Hd 3 8 16 x 7 8 73 STD551037 17490620 Sc...

Page 40: ... REPAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 TRANSAXLE FOOTE MODEL NUMBER 4360 6 TRANSAXLE 20 26 37 22 8_ 23 r 27 172 ...

Page 41: ... Key Woodruff 3 65 Shaft Intermediate 66 Key Woodruff 61 67 Ring Retaining 68 Sprocket 18T 69 Spacer 70 Gear Spur 37T 71 Gear Spur 30T 72 Gear Spur 25T Gear Spur 22T 73 Gear Spur 19T 74 Spacer 1 13 x 1 50 x 375 75 Washer Plain 640 x 1 37 x 061 Washer Plain 632 x 00 x 026 Spacer 630 x 00 x 169 Ass y Gear Combo 12T 35T Use in various combinations to maintain proper clearances Order Key No 15 12047tX...

Page 42: ...L NUMBER 917 2546520 ENGINE BRiGGS AND STRATTON MODEL NUMBER 281707 TYPE NUMBER 0412 01 95 92 i _ _ 93 9_4 91 90 89 4 _ 88 81 79 __78 77 71 83 64 61 63 2 75 73 72 87 65 24 r 86 45 25 8 7 _Y 9 16_ 14_17 _ 18 62 61 s7 T 58 147 49 J51 42 ...

Page 43: ...90525 Gasket Set 83 491491 490815 Oil Slinger Governor Gear and 84 491490 Bracket Assembly 85 261961 27803 Gasket Valve Cover 231218 391406 Breather Assembly 280100 Tube Breather 86 210940 93394 Screw Sem 87 261463 490327 Cap and Dipstick Oi Filler 88 271866 270920 Seal Oil Filler Cap 89 223715 93304 Screw Clamp Mtg 90 93163 223721 Clamp Oil Filler Tube 91 398808 490474 Fill Group Oil 92 492341 28...

Page 44: ...12 HP 38 RiDiNG LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 ENGINE BRIGGS AND STRATTON MODEL NUMBER 281707 TYPE NUMBER O412 01 I 32 42 36 33 37 38 51 39 3 14 61 2 J 67 _ Housing Length _ 6 3 ...

Page 45: ...4 Nut Hex 47 398970 Seal Throttle Shaft 17 220865 Washer Spring 48 491006 Shaft and Lever Throttle 18 222561 Cup Screen Mounting 49 270511 1 Gasket Float Bowl 19 393295 Stator Alternator Tri Circuit 50 299707 Float Carburetor 20 93621 Screw Sere 51 222433 Valve Throttle 21 261610 Link Choke 52 231323 1 Screw Nozzle 22 394890 Regulator Alternator 9 Amp 53 221995 Bowl Float 23 93559 Screw Regulator ...

Page 46: ...meter discs puncture holes in soil at close intervals to let moisture soak it Steel weight tray for increased ponetratlon Stock number 71 2435 DETHATCHER loosens and flips thatch and matted leaves to lawn surface for easy pick up Twenty spring tine teeth Useful to prepare bare areas for reseeding 40 inch rear mount Stock number 71 24313 38 inch front mount Stock number 71 24301 SPRAYERS use 12 vol...

Page 47: ...SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION 4_ SiGHTiNG GUIDE ONLY RiDE UP AND DOWN HILL NOT ACROSS HiLL SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH SKY LiNE OR TREE 15 MAX ...

Page 48: ...om any Sears Roebuck and Co Service Centers and most Retail Stores WHEN ORDERING REPAIR PARTS ALWAYS GIVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PRODUCT 12 H P LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254520 ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 281707 TYPE NUMBER 0412 01 PART NUMBER o PART DESCRIPTION Your Sears merchandise has added value when you consider Sears has service units nationwide staffed with Sears trained technicians profes_...