Craftsman 917.257480, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...ules and Instructions Before Operating This Equipment 18 0 HP TWIN CYLIN ELECTRIC START OWER DECK 5 SPEE TRANS_LE LAWN TRACTOR Assembly Operation Maintenance Service and Adjustment Repair Parts Sears Roebuck and Co Chicago IL 60684 U S A i i i i i i i H llll ...

Page 2: ... changing direction on slopes While going up or down slopes place gearshift control lever in 1st gear position to negotiate the slope without stopping Never mow in wet or slippery grass when traction is 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 Exe...

Page 3: ...forest covered brush covered or grass covered land unless the engine s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrestor meeting applicable local or state laws if any If a spark arrester sused 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 simitar la...

Page 4: ...Fuel 17 Fuel Type 12 Storage 26 Fuse 23 H Hood Removal Installation 23 L Leveling Mower Deck 18 19 Lubrication Chart 14 M Maintenance 14 17 Air Filter 16 Air FUter Foam Pre Cleaner 16 Air Screen Engine 16 Battery 16 Blade 15 Cooling Fins Engine 17 Engine Oil 16 Fuel Filter 17 Lubrication Chart 14 Schedule 14 Spark Plugs 17 Tire Care 8 15 22 Mower Adjustment Front to Back 19 Adjustment Side4o Side ...

Page 5: ...owth for a healthy tawn Ta pered 2 5 steel spikes mounted on 10 in diameter discs punc ture holes in se t at dose intervals to Iet moisture soak in Steel weight tray for increased penetration DETHATCHER loosens soil and flips thatch and matted leaves to lawn surface for easy pick up Twenty spring tine teeth Useful to prepare bare areas for seeding Available for front or rear mounting SPRAYERS use ...

Page 6: ... 4 20 x3 4 2 Hex Nuts 1 4 20 G 2 Washers 9 32 x 5 8 x 16 Ga 2 Lockwashers 1 4 uun H HIH 2 Wing Nuts 1t4 20 6 11 1 nu _ Parts packed separately in carton H i ram n Seat Steering Wheel Battery acid Battery Parts Bag Owner s Manual Parts bag contents not shown full size 2 Keys Steering Wheel Insert 2 Battery Carriage Bolts 1 4 20 x 7 1 2 Terminal Guard t Battery Caps 150 Slope Sheet and Instructions ...

Page 7: ...e Fig 1 Remove t 2 20 hex nut and large flat washer from steering column 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 1 2 20 hex nut and tighten securely Snap insert into center of steering wheel Remove protective plastic from tractor hood BEFORE RO...

Page 8: ...has occurred in handling Dispose of excess battery acid Neutralize acid for dis posal by adding it to four inches of water in afive 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 BATTERY CELLACID LEVEL INSTALL SEAT See Fig 3 Adjust seat before t...

Page 9: ...pection for corrosion Testing battery Jumping if required Periodic charging NUT _ LOCKWASHER o TIVE CABLE BATTERY _ BLACK _ NEGATIVE CABLE WAHSER BATTERY TRAY DRAIN TUBE KEY HOLE WING NUT _ TERMINAL ACCESS DOOR TERMINAL GUARD 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 REVIE...

Page 10: ...LIGHT SWITCH Turns the headlights on and off THROTTLE CONTROL Used for starting and controlling engine speed CHOKE CONTROL Used for starting a cold engine CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL Used for clutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB Used to adjust the mower cutting height ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER Used to engage the mower blades or other attachments mounted to your tra...

Page 11: ...See Fig 6 The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the gearshift lever Start tractor with clutch brake pedal depressed and gearshift lever in NEUTRAL position Move gearshift lever to desired position Slowly release clutch brake pedal to start movement IGNITION ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER ENGAGED POSITION THROTTLE CONTROL ENGAGED LEVER POSITION POSmON 3EAR BRAKE BRAKE SHIFT POSITION PEDAL D...

Page 12: ... with summer weight oil Check engine oil with unit on level ground 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 overfill For cold weather operation you shouldchange oil for easier starting see OIL VISCOSITY CHART in the Maintenance section of this manual To cha...

Page 13: ...mower hous ing is attached to unit Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance See TO LEVEL MOWER HOUS NG 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 The left hand side of mower should be used for trim ming Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area...

Page 14: ...it 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 year you should replace the spark plug clean or replace air filter and check blades and belts for wear_ A new spark plug and clean air filter assure proper air fuel ...

Page 15: ...batanced it should remain in a horizontal position ff either end of the blade moves downward sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced BLADE CARE For best results mower blades must be kept sharp The blades can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel We suggest they be sharpened or replaced after every 25 hours of mowing Check blades more often if mowing in sandy conditions Do not a...

Page 16: ...GE ENGINE OIL See Fig 13 Determine temperature range expected before oil change All oil must meet API service classification SD SE or SF Be sure vehicle is on level surface Oil will drain more freely when warm u iJ _w Catch oil in a suitable container Remove oil fill dipstick Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil Remove drain plug After oil has drained completely repla...

Page 17: ... first Spark plug type and gap setting is shown in PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of this manual IN LINE FUEL FILTER See Fig 16 Fuelfilter should be replaced once each season_ Iffuelfilter becomes clogged obstructing fuel flow to carburetor re placement is required With engine cool remove _ter and plug fuel line sections Place new fuel filter in position in fuel iineo Be sure there are no fuel ...

Page 18: ... RETAINER ROD SPRING ROD RETAINER SPRINGS PARALLEL LIFT t ENGINE PINS BRACKET SPRING PULLEY TO INSTALL MOWER See Fig 17 Raise attachment lift lever to its highest position Slide mower under tractor with discharge guard to right side of tractor_ tnstallparaflet link to front axte and mower with hinge pins Secure hinge pins with retainer springs install clutch rod in clutch lever and secure with ret...

Page 19: ...t 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 raise rear of mower loosen nuts 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 to 7 8 higher at rear than front retighten nuts E Recheck side to side adjustmen...

Page 20: ... BELT See Figs 22 and 23 The mower blade drive belt may be replaced without tools Park the tractor on level surface Engage parking brake For assistance there is a belt installation guide decal on the mower housing BELT REMOVAL Place attachment clutch in DISENGAGED position Move attachment lift ever forward to lower mower to its Iowest posit on_ Rotl belt off engine pulley Pull belt off both mandre...

Page 21: ...GAGED NUT A JAM NUT OPERATING ARM FIG 24 ADJUSTMENTS HH TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT See Figs 25 and 26 The tractor drive belt may be replaced without tools Park the tractor on level area Engage parking brake For assistance there is a belt installation guide decaf on bottom side of left footrest Remove mower See TO REMOVE MOWER in this section of this manual _ Remove two retainer springs from belt...

Page 22: ...INE WITH A WEAK BATTERY See Figs 28 29 CAUTION LEAD ACID BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES KEEP SPARKS FLAME AND SMOKING MATERIALS AWAY FROM BATTERIES ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN AROUND BATTERIES If your battery s too weak to start the engine it should be recharged If jumper cables are used for emergency starting follow this procedure IMPORTANT YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH A 12 VOLT NEGATIVE GR...

Page 23: ...urely 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 TO REMOVE HOOD AND GRILL ASSEMBLY See Fig s 30 and 31 Raise hood Unsnap headlight wire connector Stand in front of tractor Grasp ...

Page 24: ...ly TO ADJUST CHOKE CONTROL See Fig 33 The choke control has been preset at the factory and ad justment should not be necessary Check adjustment as described below before loosening cable If adjustment is necessary proceed as follows With engine not running move choke control located on dash panel to full CHOKE position Remove air cleaner cover filter and spitback plate to expose carburetor choke se...

Page 25: ...EUTRAL position With throttle control lever in SLOW position hold throttle lever against idle speed screw and adjust idle speed screw to obtain 1200 to 1400 RPM While still homing throttle lever against idle speed screw turn idle mixture screw in clockwise until en gine begins to die and then turn out counterclockwise until engine runs rough Turn screw to a point midway between those two positions...

Page 26: ... until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur Use fresh fuel next season_ NOTE Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in mini mizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during storage_ Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer conta...

Page 27: ...aged part s 1 FIllfuel tank 2 See TO START ENGINE In operation section 3 Walt several minutes before attempting to start 4 Replace spark plug 5 Clean replace air ftiter 6 Replace fuel filter 7 Drain fuel tank and carburetor refill tatlk with fresh gasoline and replace fuel filter 8 Check ati wiring 9 Contact Sears Service Department 10 Contact Sears Service Department 1 Cleanlrepiace air filter 2 ...

Page 28: ...d 1 Switch is OFF 2 Bulb s burned out 3 Faulty light switch 4 Loose or damaged wiring 5 Blown fuse 1 Bad battery cell s 2 Poor cable connections 3 Faulty regulator if so equipped 4 Faulty alternator CORRECTION 1_ Check wiring switches and connections tf not corrected contact Sears Service Department 1 Repiace biade Tighten blade bolt 2 Level mower deck 3 Clean underside of mower housing 4 Replace ...

Page 29: ...SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH SKY LINE OR TREE 15 MAX i i i i ii ii i iiiiii i i i i Operate your Tractor up and down the face of slopes not greater than 15 never across the face Make turns gradu ally to prevent tipping or loss of control Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes 1 0 m r m m ...

Page 30: ... 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 257480 ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 422707 TYPE NUMBER 1511 01 PART NUMBER PART DESCRIPTION Your Sears merchandise has added value when you consider Sears has service units nationwide staffed with Sears trained technicians_ profes sion...