Craftsman 917.254550, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ... Foflow AH Safety Rules And instructions Before Operating This Equipment LT 6 LA 12 HP ELECTRIC START o 38 MOWER TRACTOR Assembly Operation Maintenance Repair and Adjustment Repair Parts Sears Roebuck and Co Chicago IL 60684 U S_A 121030X 12187 Printed in U S A ...

Page 2: ...e near the vehicle while in operation 26 Handle gasoline with care it is highly flammable a Use approved gasoline containers b Never remove the fuel cap of the fuel tank or add gasoline to a running or hot engine or an engine that has not been allowed to cool for several minutes after running_ Never fill tank indoors always clean up spill ed gasoline c Open doors if the engine is run in the garage...

Page 3: ... from date of purchase 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 ridino eouiom_nt This warranty excludes blade s blade adapter s spark p uglsl air cleanerlsl and belt s which are expert dable and become wor...

Page 4: ...en 16 Battery 15 Blade Sharpening 14 Brake Adjustment 14 Engine Oil 16 Lubrication Chart 17 Spark Plugs 18 Tire Care 14 Mower Adjustment Front to Rear 23 Adjustment Side to Side 22 Blade Sharpening 14 Blade Replacement 14 Cutting Level 22 Installation 21 Operation 11 Removal 20 Muffler 17 Spark Arrester 2 0 Oil Cold Weather Conditions 16 Engine 16 Storage 23 Operation 9 12 Operating Your Mower 11 ...

Page 5: ...lumn into dashboard Fig 1 3 Installsteering wheeladapteron steeringshaft 4 Position steering wheel on steering wheel adapter with spokes pointed horizontal left to right 5 Secure steering wheel to steering shaft using 2 1 4 dia washer and hex Iocknut TEERING WHEEL INSERT _fl 2 HEX LOCKNUT 2 114 DIA WASHER STEERING WHEEL STEERING WHEEL ADAPTER STEERING SHAF_ _J_ STEERING COLUMN The operation of any...

Page 6: ...Shoulder Bolt 5 16 18 I Hex Bolt U2 13x 1 Q 1 Washer 15 32x 1x 16 Ga 1 Lockwasher 1 2 121 Hex Nut 1 4 20 1 Washer 17 32x 1 3 16 x 12 Ga u Parts Bag Contents Not Shown Full Size I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII l ll 2 Battery Carriage Bolts 1 4 20 x 7 112 TermiRal Guard __ ____ 15 Slope Instruction Sheet 12 Keys Steering Wheel Adapter Steering Column Steering Wheel Insert 16 Batter...

Page 7: ... occured in handling_ e Neutralize excess battery acid for disposal by adding it to four inches of water in a five gallon plastic 7 CUT AWAY VIEW VENTCAP BATTERY VENT TUBE BATTERY CELL FIGURE 2 container Stir with a wooden or plastic paddle while adding baking soda until the addition of more soda causes no more foaming Use a 12 volt battery charger Charge battery at a rate of 6 amperes for 1 hour ...

Page 8: ...her lock washer and hex nut shown full size on pgo 6 found in bag of parts Tighten securely Fig 4 e To prevent corrosion apply grease to the battery terminals after installing cables f Using the key hole on one side of the battery support Fig 6 slide battery bolt into frame key hole head of bolt down Fasten the battery bolt to the terminal guard using internal external Iockwasher wing nut shown fu...

Page 9: ...hrottle control lever to FAST detent then right upward to CHOKE position CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL The pedal has 2 functions a clutch and a brake To engage the brake push the pedal completely down DEPTH ADJUSTMENT KNOB Use the height adjustment knobtoadjustthemowerheight Withtheattachmentliftlever in the up position turn knob clockwise F _ to raise cutting height and counterclockwise _ to lower cutting h...

Page 10: ...RSEYOURTRACTORINALARGE OPEN AREA a This engine has been shipped filled with summer weight oil For cold weather operation see chart page 16 Check engine oil leveL Refer to REPAIR AND ADJUSTMENTsection _page 16 b_ Fill fuel tank Fig 6 _ Use fresh clean reguia unleaded gasoline Capacity is 5 quarts FILL TO BOTTOM OF GAS TANK FILLER NECK DO NOT OVERFILL WIPE OFF ANY SPILLED OIL OR FUEL DO NOT STORE SP...

Page 11: ... HANDS OR FEET IN OR UNDER ANY POWERED ATTACHMENT OR NEAR ANY MOVING PART WHILE TRACTOR OR ANY POWERED ATTACH MENT IS RUNNING 4o Operating Your Lawn Tractor Mower DO NOT OPERATE THE MOWER WITHOUT THE DEFLECTOR SHIELD DISCHARGE GUARD IN PLACE NOTE THIS TRACTOR IS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPERATOR PRESENCE SENSING SWITCH ANY ATTEMPT BY THE OPERATOR TO LEAVE THE SEAT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE ATTACHMEN...

Page 12: ...veways etc After two or three rounds mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished eo 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 mower should be used for trimming g See Speed Selection Guide 6 Operating The Tractor On Hills DO NOT DRIVE UP OR DOWN HILLS WITH SLOPES GREATE...

Page 13: ... CLUTCH SWITCH 5 SHUT OFF THE ENGINE 6 MAKE ABSOLUTELY SURE THE BLADES AND ALL MOVING PARTS HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED 7 DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM THE SPARK PLUG AND KEEP WIRE AWAY FROM THE SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT INJURY FROM ACCIDENTAL STARTING BE CAREFUL TO AVOID TOUCH ING HOT ENGINE OR MUFFLER COMPONENTS SERVICE RECORD Enter Date Maintenance Performed SERVICE RECORD Fill in dates as you co...

Page 14: ...3 Blade Care For best results mower blades must be kept sharp The blades can be sharpened with a few strokes of a file or on a grinding wheel We suggest they be sharpened after every 25 hours of mowing Do not attempt to sharpen while on mower ff you mow in sandy soil check the blades after each two mowings The sand wears the blade away rapidly a Blade Replacement Raise mower to highest position to...

Page 15: ... Clean Battery and Terminals Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals cause the battery to leak power and hinders the operation of the charger LEAD ACID BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES KEEP SPARKS FLAME AND SMOKING MATERIALS AWAY FROM BATTERIES ALWAYS SHIELD YOUR EYES AROUND BATTERIES a Remove terminal guard b Disconnect BLACK battery cable then RED battery cable and remove battery from ...

Page 16: ... 14 20 o 0 o 32 60 80 100 6 Check Engine 011Level NOTE DO NOT CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL WITH ENGINE RUNNING Several minutes after stopping engine check engine oil level with tractor on level ground Wipe dipstick Fig 14 clean screw it down tight for a few seconds remove and read oil level If necessary add oil until FULL mark is reached See chart above NOTE DO NOT OVERFILL 7 Clean Air _eaner Element Fi...

Page 17: ...ubricate Pivot Points Place several drops of SAE 30 oil at points where parts move against each other especially a Front axle pivot b Hood hinges c Foot pedal shaft both ends d Lift shaft both ends a b C_ LUBRICATION LEAD ACID BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES KEEP SPARKS FLAME AND SMOKING MATERIALS AWAY FROM BATTERIES ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN AROUND BATTERIES Connect each end of the RED c...

Page 18: ...sition engine should idle at 1750 RPM If engine idles too slow push throttle control lever above idle and turn idle speed screw one turn clockwise F_ Set throttle control lever at SLOV Repeat until satisfactory idle is attained f If engine idles too fast with throttle control lever in SLOW position push throttle control lever above idle and turn idle speed screw one turn counterclock wise f _ Set ...

Page 19: ...actor Fig_ 20 _ d Roll belt over top of transaxle pulley e Roll belt over engine pulley and off idler Fig 22 L Release parking brake Pull belt as far as possible over top of clutch pulley 11 I RETAINER BELT GUIDE RETAINER SPRING BRACKET SPRING FIGURE 2 0 BELT g Reset parking brake Pull belt over top of clutch pulley Fig_ 22 _ h Pullbelt out through shift gate to remove from tractor Fig 21 Install ...

Page 20: ...al a Remove mower belt per instructions under Mower Drive Belt Removal through step c b Puff retainer springs out of rear suspension trur nions Remove roar suspensions trunnions from lift brackets Fig 25 c Pull retainer spring out of tear hinge pin Remove rear hinge pin Fig 25 d Pull rotainer spring out of front hinge pin Remove front hinge pin Fig 25 _ e Use lift lever to raise suspension arms Sl...

Page 21: ...ainer spring d_ Move lift lever forward to lower suspension arms e Slide trunnions through lift brackets holes and secure with retainer spring Fig27 f With belt routed around R H mower pulley and idler pulley roll belt over mower drive pulley Fig27 Drive schematic decal on mower housing g Roll belt over L H mower pulley h Use lift lever to raise mower i Turn height adjustment knob clockwise _ to t...

Page 22: ... GROUND LINE 22 Level Mower Housing Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground or driveway Make sure tire pressures are 14 PSI in front tires and12 PSl in rear tires If tires are over or under inflated you will not properly adjust your mower Side to Side Mower Adjustment a Depress lift lever plunger and use lift lever to raise mower to maximum cutting heighL Fig 30 b Measure height f...

Page 23: ...ENSION TRUNNION _GURE 32 REAR SUSPENSI TRUNNION NUT F REAR SUSPENSION ARM LIFT BRACKET 23 Storage Removemowerfromtractorforwinterstorage Whenmower is to be stored for a period of time clean it thoroughly remove all dirt grease leaves etc Give blades and underside of housing a good coat of grease or rust preventative Store in a clean dry area FIGURE 3 3 A Fuel System NOTE GASOLINE STORAGE STABILIZE...

Page 24: ...ne running and the attchment clutch engaged will shut down the en_line Piace Throttle Control in FAST position and run starter several times to clear out gas Remove and clean Fuel Tank and lines Replace Fuel Filter Remove Air Filter and clean Replace Spark Plug and adjust gap Replace Battery Check the wiring and Spark Plug Drain Fuel Tank and Carburetor use fresh fuel Make necessary adjustments to...

Page 25: ...op of blade up Replace with proper mower blades Re adjust mower drive belt Install new Mower Drive Belt Reinstall Mower Drive Belt MOWER BLADES WILL NOT ROTATE Adjust Mower Drive Belt Replace Frozen Mandrel Replace Frozen Idler Pulley Replace Bent or Unbalanced Blades EXCESSIVE MOWER VIBRATION Replace Mandrel Straighten Deck or replace WIND ROWING STRIPPING OR DROPPING Let grassdry out Clean under...

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