Craftsman 917.255551, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...ules and Instructions Before Operating This Equipment RAFTSMIIN 12 5 HP OHV ELECTRIC START 38 MOWE AUTOMATIC HYDROSTATIC DRIVE LAWN TRACTOR Assembly Operation Maintenance Service and Adjustment Repair Parts i i i i r J i i i 4 Sears Roebuck and Co Chicago IL 60684 U S A i l i im ...

Page 2: ...n changing direction on slopes While going up or down slopes place gearshift control lever in 1st gear posit onto negotiate the slope without stopping Never mow in wet or slippery grass when tractionis unsure or at a speed which could cause a skid Stay alert for holes in the terrain and other hidden hazards Keep away from drop offs Do not drive too close to creeks ditches and public high ways Exer...

Page 3: ...uippedwith a spark arrester meeting applicable local or state laws if any lfa spark arrester is 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 similarlaws Federal laws apply on federal lands A spark arrester for the muffler is available through...

Page 4: ...al Installation 25 L Leveling Mower Deck 19 20 Lubrication Chart 14 M Maintenance 14 18 Air Filter 17 Foam Pre cleaner 17 Air Screen Engine 17 Battery 15 Blade 15 Cooling Fins Engine 17 Engine Oil 16 Fuel Filter 18 LubricationChart 14 Schedule 14 Spark Plugs 17 Tire Care 8 15 23 Transaxle 16 Mower Adjustment Front to Back 20 Adjustment Side to Side 19 Blade Sharpening 15 Blade Replacement 15 Cutti...

Page 5: ...root growthfor a healthy fawn Ta pered 2 5 steel spikes mounted on 10 in diameter discs punc ture holes insoil at close intervalsto let moisturesoak in Steel weight tray for increased penetration DETHATCHER loosenssoil andflipsthatch and matted leaves to lawn surface for easy pick up Twenty springtine teeth Useful to prepare bare areas for seeding Available for front or rear mounting SPRAYERS use ...

Page 6: ... 1 4 20 x 3 4 2 Hex Nuts 1 4 20 2 Washers 9 32 x 5 8 x 16 Ga 2 Lockwashers 1 4 2 Wing Nuts 1 4 20 iiiii i Parts packed separately in carton H m i Seat Battery acid Steering I Wheel I I Steering Boot Owner s Manual Battery 1 Parts Bag Steering Bushing 2 Keys Steering Wheel Insert 2 Battery Carriage Bolts 1 4 20 x 7 1 2 Steering Wheel Adapter 15 Slope Sheet Terminal Guard i s Battery Caps and Instru...

Page 7: ...securely Position steering boot over steering shaft Place tabs of steering boot over slots in dash and push down to secure Siide 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 flatwasher and 1 2 20 hex Iocknut and tigh...

Page 8: ...th 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 V lEW VENT WELL BATTERY CELL ACID LEVEL INSTALL SEAT See Fig 3 Seat positionshould be adjusted forward or backward so thatthe operatorcan comfortably reachclutch brakepedal and safely operate the tractor Remove cardboard packing on sea...

Page 9: ...osion Testing battery jumping if required Periodic charging POSITIVE NEGATIVE TERMINAL TERMINAL NEGAT VE POSITIVE RED BLACK CABLE FLATWASHERS CABLE HEX NUT LOCK WASHERS HEX NUT FIG 4 9 WING TERMINAL GUARD ACCESS NUT DOOR BATTERY BOLT KEY BATTERY BATTERY HOLE DRAIN TUBE TRAY FIG 5 CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW TRACTOR WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEBEST PERFORMANCEAND SA TI...

Page 10: ...R Usedto raise and lower the mower deck orother attachments mounted to your tractor LIFT LEVER PLUNGER Used to release attachment lift lever when changingits position HEIGHTADJUSTMENT KNOB Usedto adjust themower cuttingheight CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL Used for declutching and braking the tractor and startingthe engine IGNITION SWITCH Used for startingand stopping the engine MOTION CONTROL LEVER Selects t...

Page 11: ...O USE THROTI LE CONTROL See Fig 7 Always operate engine at full throttle Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the battery charging rate and the engine coolingair flow Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower per formance TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD See Fig 6 The direction and speed of movement is controlledby the motion control lever Start tractor with motion control lever i...

Page 12: ... up to disengage transmis sion See Fig 6 Do not push or tow unit at more than five 5 MPH BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL See Fig 16 The engine in your unit has been shipped from the factory already filled with summer weight oil Check engine oil with unit on level ground Unthread and remove the oil fill cap dipstick wipe oil off Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest the oil...

Page 13: ...ys etc After one or two rounds mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished See Fig 9 F NOTE If at a high altitude above 3000 feet or in cold temperatures below 32 F the carburetor fuel mixture may needto be adjusted for best engine performance See TO ADJUST CARBURETOR in the Service and Adjust ments section of this manual MOWING TIPS Tire chains cannot be used when the mowe...

Page 14: ...tor must main tain unit as instructedin 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 year you shouTd replace the spark plug clean or replace air filter and check blades and belts for wear A new spark plug and clean air filter assu...

Page 15: ...aken to keep the blade balanced An unbalanced blade witlcause excessive vibration and even tual damage to mower and engine The blade can be sharpened with afile or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower To check blade balance drive a nail intoa beam orwall Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail If blade is ba...

Page 16: ...OOLING FINS FASTENERS FASTENERS DRAWBAR FIG 14 ENGINE LUBRICATION Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and every50hoursthereafter or at least oncea year ifthe tractor is not used for 50hours in one year Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five 5 hours of continuous use Add SAE 30W motor oil or equivalent Tighten oil fill cap dipstick securely ea...

Page 17: ... CLEANER COVER NUT FOAM PRE CLEANER AIR INTAKE SC AIR CLEANER PAPER CARTRIDGE MR CLEANER BASE ENGINE OIL AND DIPS_CK OIL DRAIN PLUG CLEAN AIR INTAKE COOLING AREAS See Fig 16 To insure proper cooling make sure the grass screen cooling fins and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times Every 100 hours of operation more often under extremely dusty dirty conditions remove the b...

Page 18: ...ity see PRO DUCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of this manual Start the engine and check for oll leaks Correct any leaks before placing engine into full operation OIL FILTER OIL FILTER DRAIN PLUG FIG 17 IN LINE FUEL FILTER See Fig 18 Fuelfiltershouldbe replacedonceeach season Iffuelfilter becomes clogged obstructingfuel flow to carburetor re placement is required With engine cool remove filter and plug...

Page 19: ...LUTCH PINS PULLEY FIG 19 TO INSTALL MOWER See Fig 19 Raise attachment lift lever to its highest position Turn height adjustment knob to lowest setting Slide mower under tractor with discharge guard to right side of tractor Install parallel link to front axle and mower with hinge pins Secure hinge pins with retainer springs Lower attachment lift lever to lower suspension arms Slide trunnions throug...

Page 20: ...justment on right side of tractor Measure dis tance D at front and rear flanges of mower housing as shown To raise rear of mower loosen nut E on both rear suspension arms Screw both nuts F on both rear suspension arms an equal number of turns When distance D is 3 4 7 8 higherat rearthan front retighten nuts E Recheck side to side adjustment REAR SUSPENSIONARM BOTTOM OF CURL NUT E REAR SUSPENSION_ ...

Page 21: ...CK NUT 3 012 BRAKE PLATE TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT See Fig 25 The mower blade drive beltmay be replacedwithouttools Park the tractor on level surface Engage parking brake Forassistance thereis a beltinstallation guidedecalonthe mower housing BELT REMOVAL Place attachment clutch in DISENGAGED position Turn height adjustment knob to lowest setting Move attachment lift lever forward to lower ...

Page 22: ...nter WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED NUT A JAM NUT OPERATING ARM FIG 26 DRAWBAR BELT KEEPER FAN MOTION DRIVE BELT INPUT PULLEY TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT See Figs 27 and 28 Park the tractor on level surface Engage parking brake For ease of service remove rear drawbar from chassis and belt keeperfromtransmission input pulley For assistance there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of lef...

Page 23: ...ve reverse adjustment plate in the same manner as forward adjustment plate described above Forward creep move plate backwards 1 16 inch Reverse creep move plate forward 1 16 inch Retighten bolts securely Repeat reverse drive test and if necessary readjust until creep is eliminated If creep cannot be eliminated by the above adjustments contact your nearest Sears Service Center FORWARD ADJUSTMENT PL...

Page 24: ...CK cable to the NEGA TIVE terminal of fully charged battery Con nect the other end of the BLACK cable to a panel bolt on the Ieft side of the chassis away from fueftank and battery TO REMOVE CABLES REVERSE ORDER BLACK cable first from left side of chassis and fully charged battery RED cable last from both batteries TO REPLACE FUSE See Fig 33 Replace with 30 amp automotive type plug in fuse The fus...

Page 25: ...or Carefully remove springs from hinge brackets Stand at side of tractor Grasp hood tilt forward and liftoff hinge brackets To reinstall slide hood pivot rod into slot in hinge brackets and carefully reinstall hoodsprings HOOD HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR HOOD SPRING HINGE BRACKET HOOD PIVOT ROD HINGE BRACKET FIG 35 FIG 34 25 ...

Page 26: ...INARY SETTING Be sure you have a clean air filter and the throttre control cable is adjusted properly see above With engine off turn idle fuel adjusting needle in clockwise closing it finger tight and then turn out counterclockwise 1 turn FINAL SETTING Start engine and allow to warm forfive minutes Make final adjustments with engine running and shift motion control lever in NEUTRAL position Idle s...

Page 27: ...EPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL FUEL 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 Drain the fuel tank Start the engi...

Page 28: ...partment 1 Clean replace airfilter 2 Replace sparkplug 3 Recharge or replacebattery 4 Replace fuelfilter 5 Drainfueltank andrefillwithfreshgasoline 6 Checkallwiring 7 ContactSearsServiceDepartment 8 ContactSearsServiceDepartment 1 Depress Clutch brake pedal 2 Disengage attachment clutch 3 Connect wire to spark plug 4 Recharge or replace battery 5 Repiace fuse 6 Clean battery terminals 7 Check all ...

Page 29: ...neutral position 1 Engine speed too slow 2 Travel speed too fast 3 Wet grass 4 Mower deck not level 5 Low uneven tire air pressure 6 Wom bent or loose blade 7 Build up of grass leaves and trash under mower 8 Mower drive belt worn or out of adjustment 9 Blades improperly installed 10 Improper blades used 1 Switch is OFF 2 Bulb s burned out 3 Faulty iight switch 4 Loose or damaged wiring 5 Blown fus...

Page 30: ...SERVICE NOTES 30 ...

Page 31: ... F E DISENGAGED __ _ PEDAL UP I 8s I _ 8 EL E C C I _l _ BLACK i I I I I OPE RATO_RESE NCE I I oP _ o_ PRESENCE RELAY 2 I _ RELAY 1 BLACK Eo O r J I__ SEAl _i _ IGNITION _ SPARK SWITCH I 1 UNiT I J PLUG NOT OCCUPIED BLACK I i W 15 AMP REGULATOR YELLOW ALTERNATORI 2ovAo M N _co _ 3600 RPM I I RED IO XO I l I I J HEADLIGHT SWITCH I I J LOW FUEL SENSOR TANK FULL 1 c I B F I A PTO SWITCH POSITION CIRC...

Page 32: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 5 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 255551 ELECTRICAL 37 38 I 1 1 3 4 4 27 28 25 26 13 32 ...

Page 33: ...5603X Battery 47 STD601005 20 STD522507 Bolt Hex 1 4 20 x 3 4 48 74780408 21 STD551025 Washer 9 32 x 5 8 x 16 Ga 49 73680400 22 STD551125 Washer Lock 1 4 50 74760512 23 STD541025 Nut Hex 1 4 20 51 73680500 24 121264X Caps Battery 128343 25 I02476X Guard Terminal 101539X 26 4207J Cable Ground 27 121305X Switch Seat 120960X Ammeter Tie Cable Nut Wing 1 4 20 Cable Battery Assembly Light Package Bulb ...

Page 34: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 5 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 255551 CHASSIS 76_ J J 6O 3O 31 ...

Page 35: ...e Neutral Adjust R H 54 121246X Bracket Switch Mount 19 STD551125 Washer Lock Hvy Helical 57 123913X Bracket Pivot R H Spring 58 123914X Bracket Pivot L H 21 19131312 Washer 13 32x 13 16x 12 Ga 59 124040X Spring Extension 22 124029X Lens Assembly 60 126741X Grill 23 126598X Plate Neutral Adjust L H 63 STD533707 Bolt Carriage 3 8 16 x 3 4 24 19131210 Washer 13 32 x 3 4 x 10 Ga 64 126600X Console Sh...

Page 36: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 5 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 255551 DRIVE 3 0 gl 17 D 40 G 10 E 49 47 51 74 44 72 75 61 53 71 71 45 52 I 36 ...

Page 37: ...26590X 32 108218X Clutch Electric 80 126811X 33 109841X Pulley Engine 81 126591X 34 17030808 Screw Spiderlock Hex 8 x 1 2 82 STD581050 35 19111212 Washer 11i32x3i4x12Ga 83 STD551231 36 123674X Idler Flat 84 STD523727 37 4470J Spacer 85 121851X 38 19131312 Washer 13 32 x 13 16x 12 Ga 86 7152J 39 109070X Keeper Belt 87 STD541431 40 121218X Keeper Belt Engine L H 88 STD533107 41 109169X Locater Clutc...

Page 38: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 5 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 255551 STEERING AND FRONT AXLE 55 59 56 57 _58 6O 64 61 38 ...

Page 39: ...X Bushing Steering 124036X Bracket Steering 64 121748X 17490612 Screw Hex Washer Hd Thrd Ro31 66 126641X 3 8 16 x 3 4 Type TT 68 19272016 6266H Bearing Thrust 69 t21232X 124034X Gear Sector 70 73731000 124035X Shaft Support 71 126471X 12000029 Ring Klip 72 19212010 57079 Washer Hardened 108456X 128752 Shaft Steering _ 126775X 128341 Cover Wheel _ 126779X 17490512 Screw Hex Washer Hd Thrd Roll 1267...

Page 40: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 5 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 255551 LIFT ADJUSTMENT 42 4O ...

Page 41: ...Washer Lock Hvy Helical Spring 16 122795X Panel Dash L H 50 19112410 Washer 11 32x 1 1 2x 10 Ga 17 121794X Cover Access 51 123934X Scale Height Indicator 18 126276X Panel Dash R H 52 73710700 Nut Crownlock 7 16 20 19 19211416 Washer 21 32 x 7 8 x 16 Ga 53 122514X Rod Assembly Lever 20 STD581062 E Ring 54 105767X Pin Groove 21 124385X Button Plunger 55 STD541343 Nut HexJam 7 16 20 22 122512X Spring...

Page 42: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 5 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 255551 38 MOWER 49 I I E 42 42 ...

Page 43: ... 127162X Arm Idler 31 106902X Spacer 32 123688X Pulley Idler 33 106513X Washer Wear 1 I6 34 110445X Plate Support Mandrel L H 35 121687X 36 100668L 37 17490620 38 19131210 39 121263X 40 19132012 41 STD551137 42 STD623715 43 102727X 44 STD55 037 46 STD533712 47 7631J 48 19111016 49 108673X 50 STD533707 51 105857X 108682X 3713J 121343X 122217X Mandrel Assembly Plate Support Mandrel Screw Hex Washer ...

Page 44: ...O7 STD541437 Washer 9 32x I 1 4 x 16 Gauge Washer Lock Heavy Helical Spring Washer Lock Bracket Pnt Mounting Differential Bolt Hex 1 4 20 UNC x 3 4 Fan Hydro 7 Pulley Transaxle Standoff Fan Hydro Guard Assembly Belt Differential Assembly See pages 46 47 Pump Assembly See page 45 Bolt Hex Fin 5 16 18 UNC x 4 5 Reservoir Pump Nut Crownlock 5 16 18 Nut Crownlock 1 4 20 UNC Bolt 3 8 16 x 3 4 Nut 3 8 1...

Page 45: ... Slot Housing Kit Transmission Bearing Thrust Ball Plug Pipe Center Section Kit Bearing Needle Seal Lip Shaft Motor Swashplate Variable Seal Lip Block Kit Cylinder PUMP KEY PART NO NO 32 I27150X 36 I27151X 37 122786X 38 122718X 39 122731X 40 122730X 41 122728X 42 127152X 46 122787X 47 t22752X 50 122788X 51 122789X 52 122754X 55 127153X 58 122727X 59 122790X 60 127154X 61 121430X DESCRIPTION Block ...

Page 46: ...REPAIR PARTS 12 5 HP 38 RIDING LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 255551 AGRI FAB TRANSAXLE MODEL NUMBER 486 121431X 5R 22 62 17 45 5 16 49 SELECTIVE 43 65 I l SHELL DURINA O GREASE I 2o oz 52 ...

Page 47: ...40 64 29 122656X Pin Cotter 30 122653X Nut Castle 5 16 24 65 31 122659X Washer Flat 343 x 88 x 062 66 32 122660X Arm Brake Actuator 33 122662X Pin Brake Actuating 34 122663X Brake Yoke 35 122664 Disc Brake KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 123065X 122666X 122667 122668X 123066X 122670 122671X 126982X 122673X 122674 122675X 123059X 123060X 122654X 123061X 122689 121839X 126975X 122682X 122683X 122684X 122...

Page 48: ...rew mtg plate stud 9 12 041 02 Gasket air cleaner 10 12 094 01 Base air cleaner lO ENGINE CONTROLS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 I0 11 12 13 14 15 12 079 03 12 237 01 SM 0645020 SM 0545016 12 536 01 SM 0443025 12 089 11 12 089 04 12 089 12 SM 0641060 SM 0642025 12 090 05 25 158 09 12 079 01 25 158 08 Linkage choke Clamp cable Screw hex hd M6 x 1 0x 20 2 Screw cable clamp Control speed assembly Includes 6 8 Sc...

Page 49: ...2 067 02 14 12 380 01 15 12 O43O5 16 SM 0631005 17 1214402 18 52 139 09 19 12 144 01 20 SM 0631015 21 1203201 22 X 25 102 23 12380 O4 Block cylinder Use Short block part 12 522 O2 Seal crankshaft Bearing crankshaft Std Flywheel end Bearing crankshaft 25 Bearing crankshaft 50 Strap lifting Screw lifting strap Dowel locating 4 Camshaft assembly Includes 7 Spring actuating Shim camshaft Shim camshaft...

Page 50: ...22 12 089 10 Spring choke return 6 12 041 01 Gasket carburetor 23 12 146 02 Plate choke 7 12 041 02 Gasket air filter 24 12 337 01 Jet main 8 M 0629122 Stud carburetor M6 x 1 0 x 110 2 25 12 757 02 Kit loaf 9 48 154 01 Clp fuel line 26 12 041 05 Gasket bowl 10 SM 0641060 Nut carburetor M6 1 0 2 27 12 104 01 Bowl fuel 11 25 353 20 Hose fuel 28 12 041 06 Gasket bowl ret screw 12 X 426 9 Clamp fuel l...

Page 51: ...5016 9 SM 1039025 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2O 21 22 23 24 25 12 126 02 12 O89 O3 12 462 01 12 208 01 52 050 02 12 136 01 X 75 23 52 099 06 X 75 10 I2 393 01 12 032 04 12 096 02 SM 0545016 12 032 03 SM 0839045 12 199 09 Dipstick O Ring upper oil fill tube Tube oil fill Screw oil fill tube M5 x 0 8 x 20 O Ring lower oil fill tube Screen oil pick up Cover oil pick up screen Screw screen cover Sc...

Page 52: ...02 236473 12 025 01 SM 0544025 Screw flywheel mounting Washer flywheel mtg screw Screen grass Screw fan mounting 4 Spacer fan 4 Fan Key Rectifier regulator Screw rectifier regulator M6 x 1 0 x 16 2 Connector rectifier regulator Connector 3 contact Flywheel assembly Screw stator mounting M5 x 0 8 x 25 4 S 4 _1 6 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 NOT SM 0545010 12 154 02 41 085 07 12 132 02 X 728 1 SM 0545010...

Page 53: ...016 01 Valve exhaust Std 20 12 018 01 Retainer breather reed 12 016 02 Valve exhaust 25 21 12 402 01 Reed breather 7 12 112 04 Spacer head bolt exhaust port 22 SM 0642025 Screw rocker bridge M6 x 1 0 x 25 8 M 1040080 Screw cylinder head MI0 x 1 5 x 80 2 5 23 12 186 01 Arm rocker 2 9 52 018 01 Retainer spring 2 24 12 126 05 Bridge rocker arm 10 12 089 15 Spring exhaust valve green 25 12 144 03 Shaf...

Page 54: ...SERVICE NOTES 54 ...

Page 55: ...S HILL SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH SKY LINE OR TREE r 0 U m m m I II I IIIIII IU II I III A Operate your Tractor up and down the face of slopes not _ greater than 15 never across the face Make turns gradu O ally to prevent tipping or loss of control Exercise extreme H caution when changing direction on slopes ...

Page 56: ...erein may be 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 255551 ENGINE MODEL NUMBER CV12 5S Type 1438 PART NUMBER PART DESCRIPTION Your Sears merchandise has added vatue when you consider Sears has service units nationwide staffed with Sears trained technicians p...