Craftsman 917.254531, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...all Safety Rules and Instructions Before Operating This Equipment 12 0 HP IC ELECTRIC START 38 OWER DECK 5 SPEED TRANSAXLE LAWN TRACTOR oAssembly Operation Customer Responsibilities Service and Adjustment Repair Parts Sears Roebuck and Co Chicago IL 60684 U S A ...

Page 2: ...slowly and gradually downhi if possible Do notmow near drop offs ditches or embankments The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a cliff or ditch or if an edge caves in Do not mow on wet grass Reduced traction could cause sliding Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes IlL CHILDREN Tragic accidents can...

Page 3: ...the engine s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws if any If aspark arrester ts used it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator In the state of California the above is required by law Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code Other states may have similar laws Federal laws apply on federal lands A spark arrester f...

Page 4: ...Engine Air Filter 17 Air Filter Foam Pre Cleaner 17 Air Screen 17 Cooling Fins Engine 17 Oil Change 16 Oil Level 12 16 Oil Type 16 Preparation 12 Repair Parts 44 48 Starting 13 Storage 24 F Filter Air Filter 17 Air Filter Foam Pre Cfeaner 17 Fuel 17 Fuel Type 12 Storage 24 Fuse 22 H Hood Remova Installation 22 L Leveling Mower Deck 19 Lubrication Chart 14 M Maintenance Schedule 14 Mower Adjustment...

Page 5: ...red 2 5 inch steel spikes mounted on lO inch diameter discs puncture holes in soil at close intervals to let moisture soak in Steel weight tray for increased penetration P_IULCHRAKE DETHATOHER loosens soil and flips thatch and matted leaves to lawn surface for easy pickup Twenty spring tine teeth Useful to prepare bare areas for seeding Available for front or rear mounting SPRAYERS use 12 volt DC ...

Page 6: ...olts 1 4 20 x 3 4 2 Hex Nuts 1 4 20 G 2 Lock Washers 1 4 2 Washers 9 32 x 5 8 x 16 Ga Parts packed separately in carton Seat O Battery acid Steering Wheel Steering Boot Owner s Manual i i L l Battery _ Parts bag contents not shown full size __ ___ Steering i Wheel Steering Wheel Insert Adapter 6 Steering Bushing _1_ 2 Keys I i f Battery Caps 15 Slope Sheet and Snstructions ...

Page 7: ...crews and tighten securely Position steering boot over steering shaft Place tabs of steering boot over slots in dash and push down to secure o Slide steering wheel adapter onto upper steering shaft Position front wheels of the tractor so they are pointing straight forward Position steering wheel so cross bars are horizontal left to right and slide onto adapter Assemble large flat washer and 3 8 24...

Page 8: ...s occurred in handling o Dispose of excess battery acid Neutralize acid for disposal by adding it to four inches of water in a five gallon plastic container Stir with a wooden or plastic paddle while adding baking soda until the addition of more soda causes no more foaming Follow instructions on how to install battery CUT AWAY VIEW _ VENT CAP VENT WELL E H I LEv INSTALL SEAT See Fig 3 Adjust seat ...

Page 9: ...TIVE TERMINAL FIG 4 BATTERY BO_ VENT CAPS FIG 5 CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW TRACTOR WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS QUALITY PRODUCT PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST All assembly instructions have been completed No remaining loose parts in carton_ Batteryis properly prepared and charged Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps v Seat is ad...

Page 10: ...n National Standards Institute_ ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER Used to engage the mower blades or other attachments mounted to your tractor LIGHT SWITCH Turns the headlights on and off THROTTLE CHOKE CONTROL Used for starting and controlling engine speed CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL Used for declutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine PARKING BRAKE Locks clutch brake pedat into the brake position G...

Page 11: ...te this possibility always stop engine wnen stopping unit on grass areas CAUTIO N_p unit cornpletely a_ov be efore leaving the _ poIstol _n to empty grass TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL See Fig 7 Always operate engine at full throttle o Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the battery charging rate and the engine cooling air flow Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower per formance...

Page 12: ... MPH BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL See Fig 13 The engine in your unit has been shipped from the factory already filled with summer weight oil o Check engine oil with unit on level ground o Remove oil fill dipstick and wipe clean replace and screw cap tight wait for a few seconds remove and read oil level If necessary add oil until FULL mark on dipstick is reached_ Do not overfi...

Page 13: ...roperly leveled for best mowing performance See TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual Use the runner on the right hand side of mower as a guide The blade cuts approximately an inch outside the runner See Fig 8 _ The left hand side of mower should be used for trim ming Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has been cut Have the cut area to ...

Page 14: ... vehicle does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence To Ifequipped receive ful value from the warranty operator must main tain unit as instructed in this manual Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your unit All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should be checked at least once each season Once a ye...

Page 15: ...and flat washer securing blade Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up towards deck as shown Reassemble hex bolt lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown Tighten bolt securely 30 35 Ft Lbs torque IMPORTANT BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED DE f _ _ _ MANDREL _ A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BYSIXLINESONTHEBOLTHEAD FIG 10 TO SHARPEN BLADE See Fig 11 Care sh...

Page 16: ...are not adjustable Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear TRANSAXLE COOLING Keep transaxle free from build up of dirt and chaff which can restrict cooling ENGINE LUBRICATION Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and every 25 hours thereafter or at least once a year ff the tractor is not used for 25 hours in one year Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine an...

Page 17: ... of dirt o Remove screws from blower housing and lift housing off engine Remove the screws securing the starter housing and lift housing off engine o Use compressed air or stiff bristle brush to thoroughly ctean engine cooling fins To reassemble reverse above procedure SCREWS BLOWER HOUSING STARTER HOUSING 17 OIL FILL DIPSTICK 1 SPARK ENGINE COOLINGFINS PLUG FIG 15 MUFFLER Inspect and replace corr...

Page 18: ...on_ Move attachment lift lever forward to lower mower to its lowest position Roll belt off engine pulley Disconnect clutch rod from clutch lever by removing retainer spring Disconnect suspension arms from rear deck brackets by removing retainer springs_ Disconnect front links from deck by removing retainer springs Raise lift lever to raise suspension arms Slide mower out from under tractor IMPORTA...

Page 19: ...lts the mower housing should be adjusted so that the front is approximately 3 8 to 1 2 lower than the rear when the mower is in its highest position_ Check adjustment on right side of tractor Measure dis tance D at front and rear flanges of mower housing as shown To lower front of mower turn nut E counterclockwise on both front links an equal number of turns When distance D is 3 8 to 1 2 lower at ...

Page 20: ...lation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest Remove mower See TO REMOVE MOWER in this section of this manual Remove belt from stationary idler and clutching idler Remove belt from engine pulley Roll belt over top of transaxle pulley Install new belt by reversing above procedure ONLY WITH BELT LISTED FRAME IMPORTANT REPLACE IN THtS MANUAL FIG 22 TO ADJUST BRAKE See Fig 23 Your unit is equippe...

Page 21: ...only align grooves in rear wheel hub and axle Insert square key Replace washers and snap retaining ring securely in axle groove Replace axle cover If your battery is too weak to start the engine it should be recharged tf jumper cables are used for emergency starting follow this procedure IMPORTANT YOUR UNIT tS EQUIPPED WITH A 12 VOLT NEGATIVE GROUNDED SYSTEM THE OTHER VEHICLE MUST ALSO BE A 12 VOL...

Page 22: ... holder and push bulb holder securely back into the hole in the backside of the grill Close hood INTERLOCKS AND RELAYS Loose or damaged wiring may cause your tractor to run poorly stop running or prevent it from starting Check wiring See electrical wiring diagram in Repair Parts section of this manual Raise hood_ Unsnap headright wire connector o Remove retainer springs from hood pivot brackets St...

Page 23: ...or dies turn idie mixture valve out counterclockwise 1 8 turn Repeat test anc continue to adjust if necessary until engine acceler ates smoothly High speed stop is factory adjusted_ Do not adjust damage may result IMPORTANT NEVER TAMPER WtTH THE ENGINE GOVERNOR WHICH iS FACTORY SET FOR PROPEF ENGINE SPEED OVERSPEEDING THE ENG1NEABOVE THE FACTORY HIGH SPEED SETTING CAN BI DANGEROUS IF YOU THINK THE...

Page 24: ...L SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS 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 DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE o Drain the fuel tank Start the engine and let it run until the fuel li...

Page 25: ...damaged part s CORRECTION 1 Flit fuel tank 2o See TO START ENGINE in Operation section 3 Wait several minutes before attempting to start 4 Replace spark pTug 5 Clean replace air filter 6 Replace fuel filter 7o Drain fuel tank and carburetor refill tank with fresh gasoline and repfaca fuel fitter 8 Check aU wEdng 9 Contact Sears Service DepartmenL 10 Contact Sears Service Department 1 Clean replace...

Page 26: ...Bulb s burned out 3 Faulty tight switch 4 Loose or damaged wiring 5 Blown fuse 1 Bad battery ce_I s 2 Poor cabte connections 3 Faulty regulator if so equlppsd 4 Faulty alternator CORRECTION 1 1 1 ii 1 Check wiring switches and connections If not corrected contact Sears Service Department I Rep ace blade Tighten blade boll 2 Leve_ mower deck 3 Clean undersideofmower housing 4 Replace blade mandrel ...

Page 27: ...EIR OWN ELECTRICAL SOURCE BECAUSE OF THIS THE BRIGHT NESS OF THE LIGHTS WILL CHANGE WITH ENGINE SPEED AT IDLE THE LIGHTS WILL DIM AS THE ENGINE tS SPEEDED UP THE LIGHTS WILL BECOME THEIR BRIGHTEST ATT MENT CLUTCH CLUTCH OFF I i l I _ J SOLENOID STARTER BLACK I I I SEAT SWITCH NOT OCCUPIED oN T oN SPARK UNIT PLUG 3AMPS OC DIODE ALTERNATOR 3600 RPM 20 VOLTS AC MfN BATTERY _N LINE 5 AMPS ALTERNATOR 1...

Page 28: ...REPAnR PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 ELECTRICAL A B C 12 13 18 8 28 I 4 32 33 31 34 19 28 ...

Page 29: ...42 red Cable Battery 6ga 11 red Case Battery Hinge Mechanical Clamp Hose Olive Solenoid Washer Lock 1 4 Nut Jam Hex 1 4 20 Unc Bolt Fin Hex 1 4 20uncxl 2 Gr5 Washer Lock Ext Tooth 1 4 Nut Keps Hex 1 4_20 Unc Cover Terminal Red Switch lntlk Clutch Red 4 Term Screw Tap Hex 10 24unc X 1 2 Switch lntlk Clutch Red 2 Term Screw Tap Hex 10 24unc X 1 2 Switch Plunger Nc Gray Caps Battery 25 30 Amp Bolt He...

Page 30: ...REPAUR PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES 9 10 6 31 A B D E F G H K L _2s 23_ _ 21 o 21 t7 3O 33 11 13 A 2 F 34 3O ...

Page 31: ...lkscreen 5sp English Screw Thdrol 3 8 16xl 2 Ty tt Clip Line Fuel t3 32 Mtg Hole Dash Siikscreened Sears Eng Plug Button Blk 359 Dia Panel Pnt Dash Lh Cover Access Black Square Panel Slkscr Dash Rh Weldment Screw Thdrol 3 8q 6xl 2 Ty tt Screw Mach Trhd 5 16 18uncx3 4 Nut Keps 5 16 18 Unc Hood Asm Pnt Weld Silver Powde Bumper Hood Bolt Fin Hex 1 4 20unc X 1 2 Washer Lock Hvy Helical 1 4 Rivet Ratch...

Page 32: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 DRIVE 57 D 30 _ 13 39 _ E_L _1 _1 12 14 17 0 21 E 10 8 34 37 A B C D E F G H I 15 6 18 1 67 0 32 72 _ 19_o_ 68 32 ...

Page 33: ... 1 X 16 Ga 37 STD57t8t0 Pin Roll 3 16 X 1 38 123674X Pulley tdter Flat 39 STD523727 Bolt Fin Hex 3 8 t6unc X 2 3 4 40 4470J Spacer Split 395 X 59 Bzp 41 09070X Keeper Belt Retainer 42 19131312 43 STD541437 44 105706X 45 1108t2X 46 12000039 47 127783 48 123789X 49 123205X 50 STD523715 51 STD54t437 52 STD55t037 53 t05710X 54 STD5612t0 55 t05709X 56 STD56t210 57 125907X 58 127274X 59 104777X 60 19131...

Page 34: ...I _J_I _ tl I t 2 _ i q l_ lii I _o s _ t tp ...

Page 35: ...1 Uric X 3 1 2 Nut Hex Jam Lk W wh 5 8 11 Unc Pin Axle 5 8 X 1 55 1 54 Lg Shaft Asm Strg 5 8 X 15 19 Lt Washer Thrust 515x 750x 033 Support Shaft Washer Shim 1 4 X 5 8 X 062 Washer Lock HW Helical 1 4 Screw Hex Socket 1 4 20 X 5 8 Shaft Asm Pittman Nyliner Snap tn Bracket Steering Ring Klip t5304 75 Gear Sector BearingRace Thrust Harden Screw rhdrol 3 8 16x3 4 Ty tt Washer Lock HW Hlcl Spr 3 8 Nut...

Page 36: ... Pnt Seat blk Strio Foam Gray Or Black Bracket Pnt Mounting Switch Bushing Soap Blk Nyl 50 ld Bolt Rdhd Sht Nk t 4 20xl 3 8 Spacer Split 28 X 88 Zinc A B C D E _19 _22_ 4 _ 8 _ 17 KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 16 t21250X 17 123976X 8 8TD51t005 19 73951000 20 4171R 21 105529X 22 8TD541431 23 74780814 24 19171912 25 127018X 26 Spring Cprsn 1 27 BIk Pnt Nut Lock t 4 Lge Fig Gr 5 Zinc Screw Sltd Pan Hd 1...

Page 37: ...713J 17 133179 18 132267 133947 DESCRIPTION Decal Clutch brake English Decal V belt Dr Sch Tractor E Decal Chassis 5 Sp 38 Decal Mower Drive Schematic 38 Decal Danger English Decal Rota Blades English Decal Mower Qc System Decal Insr Wh Strg Crafts Usa Manual Owners 254531 WHEELS TIRES 10 37 KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION t 2 3 59192 65139 t24157X 4 59904 5 106732x361 6 278H 7 9040H 8 t06108x361 9 123...

Page 38: ...PAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 ENGINE 1 27 30 B 34 38 36 F 3236 33 25 29 OPTIONAL EQU IPM ENT Spark Arrestet II 23 C D E F G H I J 9 6 1 5 4 2 7 _8 _16 _ _ 11 _7 _10 lg 38 ...

Page 39: ... X 16 Ga Washer Lock Hvy Helicat 1 4 Bolt Fin Hex 1 4 20 UncX 1 Nut Fin Hex 5 16 18 Unc Washer Lock Hvy H cl Spr 5 16 Screw Hexhd Cap 5 16 18x5 8 Gasket t 313 ld Tin Plated Nipple Pipe 3 8 Npt X 3 Elbow Std 90 Degree 3 8 8 Npt Washer Lock Ext Tooth 3 8 Screw Thdrol 3 8 16xl 1 4 Tytt Shield Pnt Heat Receptacle 1 4 Turn Dacrotized Retainer 1 4 Turn 365odx 222id Washer 9 32 X 5 8 X 16 Ga Stud 1 4 Tur...

Page 40: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 38 MOWER 45 45 44 77 71 _ 57 58 C L 63 1 51 50 37 24 56 57 52 53 55 15 27 o 22 J 19 17 10 _ 11 14 4O ...

Page 41: ...16_3 4 Arm Suspens on Rear Asm Link Lift R H Nut Hex Jam ASF 7 t6 20 UNF Trunnion Lift Nut Crownlock Jam 7 16 20 UNF Idler Arm Asm Washer Spacer Mower Vented Pulley Mandrel Single Nut Flangelock 9 16 Pulley Idler Flat Spacer Retainer 1 3 4 Washer 13 32 x I x 12 Ca 45 STD541437 Nut Crownlock 3 8 16 46 131290 Belt 47 133502 Spacer Retainer 48 33503 Stiffener Arm Idler 49 120183X Bearing Nylon 50 122...

Page 42: ...FIEPAnFI PARTS 12 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 45 54 46 56 47 57 4B __ 49 59 16 17 58 6O 19 43_ 52 61 42 62 74 _5 63 64 73 7O 68 ri 72 ...

Page 43: ...120953X 22 120468X Key Clutch 66 120954X 23 2242J Key Woodruff 3 67 120955X 24 20469X Shaft Intermediate 25 2244J Key Woodruff 6t 68 108992X 26 105916X Ring Retaining 69 108996X 27 120470X Sprocket 18Teeth 70 120956X 28 1t0070X Spacer 71 73810500 29 108977X Gear Spur 37 Teeth 72 106596X 30 120405X Gear Spur 30 Teeth 31 108980X Gear Spur 25 Teeth 73 120993X 32 120406X Gear Spur 22 Teeth 74 120951X ...

Page 44: ...REPAURPARTS 12 HP 38 R_DHNG LAWN TRACTOR o o MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 BRIGGS STRATTON ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 283707 TYPE NUMBER 0217 01 334 307 13 11 44 ...

Page 45: ... HP 38 RRDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 25453 BRIGGS STRATTON ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 283707 TYPE NUMBER 0217o01 965 53 52 164 84A _ 78 6_ 12t CARBURETOR OV_UL KIT 131 14t _ lo8 987 _ 634 127 I 125 535 17 601 601 I 45 ...

Page 46: ...nd I _Bolt I Brush I Drive __ _urer I Drive Ass__ _L_ I Assembtv I Assembly Br ggs j Housing t J J J izv 1 3 __ Ii_ _9480_ _I L_40_3_ l__39ss _O 1 4904Zl Includes BrushSet lncludGs 398003 Clutch As s_mbly Ref No 513 280104 Ge_ Ref No 783 490467 Retainer and Pin Ref No 876 94288 RO_ Pin Ref No 896 544 Armature Assembtv i 39_37 sol I eo_ T so3 l 13rtveEndC_p j End Cap Ass y I H0using j 46 ...

Page 47: ...88 93535 Ring Set Piston 010 Oversize 201 262767 Ring Set Piston 020 Oversize 209 260871 Ring Set Piston 4030 Oversize 216 262766 Lock Piston Pin 219 490815 Pin Assembly Piston Standard Pin Assyo Piston 005 Oversize 222 494887 Rod Assembly Connecting Rod Assembly Connecting 224 94513 020 Undersize Crankpin Bore 225 231058 Lock Connecting Rod Screw 227 493935 Screw Connecting Rod 230 222450 Valve E...

Page 48: ...7I 261961 Clamp Oil Filler Tube 872 281104 Screw Seres 875 494237 Cartridge Air Cleaner 877 393456 Cup Screen Mountlng Knob Air Cleaner 955 94642 Screen Flush Rotating 965 94108 Stator Alternator 975 494378 Screw Sems 977 494385 Cap and Dipstick Oil Filler 987 281166 Seal FillerTube 1005 280687 Tube Oil Filler 1006 224413 Element Air Cleaner t020 262243 O Ring Air Cleaner 1021 94160 Bushing Govern...

Page 49: ...SERVICE NOTES 49 ...

Page 50: ...5O ...

Page 51: ...WN HILL NOT ACROSS HILL SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH SKY LiNE OR TREE 15 MAX Operate your Tractor up and down the face of slopes not greater than 5 never across the face Make turns gradu ally to prevent tipping or Joss of corntrel Exercise extreme caution when changing direction en siopes ...

Page 52: ...e ordered from any Sears Roebuck and Co Service Centers and most Retail Stores WHEN ORDERING REPAIR PARTS ALWAYS GIVE THE FOLLOW ING INFORMATION PRODUCT LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 254531 ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 283707 TYPE NUMBER 0217 01 PART NUMBER o PART DESCRIPTION Your Sears merchandise has added value when you consider Sears has service units nationwide staffed with Sears trained technician _ ...