Craftsman 917.273261, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...sly built engines Before you start the engine read and understand this Owner s Manual IMPORTANT Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equip ment For answers to your questions about this product Call 1 800 659 5917 Sears Craftsman Help Line 5 am 5 pm Mort Sat Sears Roebuck and Co Hoffman Estates IL 60179 U S A Visit our Craftsman website www sears com craftsman ...

Page 2: ...cause of operator abuse including but not limited to damage caused by towing objects beyond the capability of the riding equipment impacting objects that bend the frame or crankshaft or over speeding the engine Repairs necessary because of operator negligence including but not limited to elec trical and mechanical damage caused by improper storage failure to use the proper grade and amount of engi...

Page 3: ...own by the blade Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing Stop machine if anyone enters the area Never carry passengers Do not mow in reverse unless abso lutely necessary Always look down and behind before and while backing Be aware of the mower discharge direc tion and do not point it at anyone Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the guard in place S...

Page 4: ...onsible adult Be alert and turn machine off if children enter the area Before and when backing look behind and down for small children Never carry children They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation Never allow children to operate the machine Use extra care when approaching blind corners shrubs trees or other objects that may obscure vision IV SERVICE Use e...

Page 5: ... down slowly Do not turn on slopes unless necessary and then turn slowly and gradually downhill if possible PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS Gasoline 4 Gallons Capacity Unleaded and Type Regular Oil Type SAE 10W30 API SF SJ above 32 F SAE 5W 30 below 32 F Oil Capacity W filter 4 0 Pints W O filter 3 5 Pints Spark Plug Champion RC12YC Gap 030 Ground Speed MPH Forward 0 5 5 Reverse 0 2 4 Tire Pressure Front 1...

Page 6: ... the Agreement Expert service by our 12 000 profe sional repair specialists Unlimited service and no charge for parts and labor on all covered repairs Product replacement if your covered product can t be fixed Discount of 10 from regular price of service and service related parts not covered by the agreement also 10 off regular price of preventive mainte nance check Fast help by phone phone suppor...

Page 7: ...and tighten adjustment knob securely Adjustment Knob 7 NOTE You may now roll or drive your tractor off the skid Follow the appropriate instruction below to remove the tractor from the skid TO ROLLTRACTOR OFF SKID See Operation section for location and function of controls 1 Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever to its highest po sition 2 Release parking brake by depressing brake...

Page 8: ...tion from this Quality Product Please review the following checklist All assembly instructions have been completed No remaining loose parts in carton Battery is properly prepared and charged Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps Seat is adjusted comfortably and tight ened securely All tires are properly inflated For ship ping purposes the tires were overin flated at the factory Be sure mower deck is properly l...

Page 9: ...result in serious injury or death The safety alert symbol is used to identify safety inform ation about hazards which can result in death serious injury and or property damage DANGER indicatesa hazard which if not avoided will result in death or serious injury WARNING indicatesa hazard which if not avoided could result in death or serious injury CAUTION indicatesa hazard which if not avoided might...

Page 10: ...he headlights on and off THROTTLE CONTROL Used to control engine speed CHOKE CONTROL Used when starting a cold engine BRAKE PEDAL Used for braking the tractor and starting the engine FREEWHEEL CONTROL Disengages transmission for pushing or slowly towing the tractor with the engine off ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER Used to raise lower and adjust the mower deck or other attachments mounted to your tractor L...

Page 11: ...ey to STOP position and remove key Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized use 11 Never use choke to stop engine IMPORTANT Leaving the ignition switch in any position other than STOP will cause the battery to discharge and go dead NOTE Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running hot engine exhaust gases may cause browning of grass To elimin...

Page 12: ...ower to desired cutting height 2 Remove retainer spring and clevis pin which secure each gauge wheel bar 3 Lower gauge wheels to ground Raise gauge wheels slightly to align holes in bracket and gauge wheel bar and insert clevis pin Gauge wheels should be slightly off the ground 4 Replace retainer spring into clevis pin 5 Be sure all gauge wheels are in the same setting IMPORTANT Be sure to readjus...

Page 13: ...change engine oil see the Mainte nance section in this manual ADD GASOLINE Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck Do not overfill Use fresh clean regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life Do not mix oil with gasoline Purchase fuel in quanti ties that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel...

Page 14: ...y require the choke control be pulled out slightly NOTE If at a high altitude above 3000 feet or in cold temperatures below 32 F the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be adjusted for best engine performance See TO ADJUST CARBURETOR in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual PURGE TRANSMISSION _CAUTION Never engage or dis engage freewheel lever while the engine is running To ensure pro...

Page 15: ...ds mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished I JJ J 00272 If grass is extremely tall it should be mowed twice to reduce load and pos sible fire hazard from dried clippings Make first cut relatively high the second to the desired height Do not mow grass when it is wet Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps Allow grass to dry before mowing Always operate eng...

Page 16: ...e or negligence To receive full value from the warranty operator must maintain tractor as instructed in this manual Some adjustments will need to be made periodically to properly maintain your tractor At least once a season check to see if you should make any of the adjustments described in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual At least once a year you should replace the spark plug cl...

Page 17: ...est position to al low access to blades NOTE Protect your hands with gloves and or wrap blade with heavy cloth 2 Remove blade bolt by turning counter clockwise 3 Install new or resharpened blade with stamped THIS SIDE UP facing deck and mandrel assembly IMPORTANT To ensure proper assembly center hole in blade must align with star on mandrel assembly 4 Install and tighten blade bolt securely 45 55 ...

Page 18: ...other qualified service center V BELTS Check V belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours of operation and replace if necessary The belts are not adjustable Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear ENGINE LUBRICATION Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF SJ Se lect the oil s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature 18 Ch...

Page 19: ...r cover and secure by tightening knob CLEAN AIR SCREEN Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent engine damage from overheating Clean with a wire brush or compressed air to remove dirt and stub born dried gum fibers CLEAN AIR INTAKE COOLING AREAS To insure proper cooling make sure the grass screen cooling fins and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times Ev...

Page 20: ...ngage belt tension rod from lock bracket _ _CAUTION Rod is spring loaded Have a tight grip on rod and release slowly 5 Remove retainer spring holding anti swaybar to chassis bracket and disengage anti sway bar from bracket 6 Remove four retainer springs from front plate assembly and remove plate 7 Remove retainer springs from suspen sion arms at deck and disengage arms from deck Lock Bracket Belt ...

Page 21: ...ound such as a carport or ga rage Make sure tires are properly inflated See PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS section of this manual If tires are over or underinflated you will not properly adjust your mower SIDE TO SIDE ADJUSTMENT WITH BUBBLE LEVEL NOTE If necessary check side to side surface below tractor for levelness with a long board and the bubble level Using the lift lever place mower in position wher...

Page 22: ...en nut E on both front links an equal num ber of turns The two front links must remain equal in length When distance D is 1 8 to 1 2 lower at front than rear tighten nut F against trunnion on both front links Recheck side to side adjustment Front Plate Assembly Trunnion TO REPLACE MOWER DRIVE BELT MOWER DRIVE BELT REMOVAL 1 Park tractor on a level surface Engage parking brake 2 Lower mower to its ...

Page 23: ...RY DRIVE BELT 7 Carefully roll belt off L H mandrel pul ley 8 Remove belt from center mandrel pulley idler pulley and R H mandrel pulley 9 Remove any dirt or grass which may have accumulated around mandrels and entire upper deck surface 10 Check secondary idler arm and idler pulley to see that they rotate freely 11 Be sure spring is hooked in secondary idler arm and secondary spring arm INSTALL NE...

Page 24: ... held in the disengaged position The rear wheels must lock and skid when you try to manually push the tractor for ward If the rear wheels rotate the brake needs to be adjusted or the pads need to be replaced TO ADJUST BRAKE 1 Depress brake pedal all the way down and engage parking brake 2 Measure distance between brake oper ating arm and nut A on brake rod 3 If distance is other than 1 3 4 loosen ...

Page 25: ... _k II Keeper _ _ __ II Clutch _ _ _ _ II Wire Transmission _t Harness Input Pulley _ TRANSMISSION REMOVAL REPLACEMENT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement it should be purged after reinstallation and before op erating the tractor See PURGE TRANS MISSION in the Operation section of this manual TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGN MENT If steering wheel crossbars are not ho...

Page 26: ... accidental grounding 1 Lift hood to raised position 2 Remove terminal guard 3 Disconnect BLACK battery cable then RED battery cable and carefully remove battery from tractor 4 Install new battery with terminals in same position as old battery 5 Reinstall terminal guard 6 First connect RED battery cable to positive battery terminal with hex bolt and keps nut as shown Tighten securely 7 Connect BLA...

Page 27: ...essary proceed as follows 1 With engine not running move choke control located on dash panel to full choke position 2 Remove air cleaner cover filter and cartridge plate to expose carburetor choke See AIR FILTER in the Main tenance section of this manual 3 Choke should be closed If it is not loosen casing clamp screw and move choke cable until choke is completely closed Tighten casing clamp screw ...

Page 28: ...ise until engine speed decreases and then turn out counterclockwise approxi mately 3 4 turn to obtain the best low speed performance 4 Recheck idle speed Readjust if neces sary ACCELERATION TEST 5 Move throttle control lever from slow to fast position If engine hesitates or dies turn idle fuel adjusting needle out counterclockwise 1 8 turn Repeat test and continue to adjust if neces sary until eng...

Page 29: ...ng in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor fuel hose or tank during storage Also 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 system of an engine while in storage Empty the fuel tank by starting the en gine and letting it run until the fuel lines and c...

Page 30: ... up of grass leaves and trash under mower i 4 Dirty air filter i 5 Low oil level dirty oil 1 Fill fuel tank 2 See TO START ENGINE in Operation section 3 Wait several minutes before attempting to start 4 Replace spark plug 5 Clean replace air filter 6 Replace fuel filter 7 Empty fuel tank and carbure tor refill tank with fresh gas oline and replace fuel filter 8 Check all wiring 9 See To Adjust Car...

Page 31: ... idler pulley 4 Frozen blade mandrel 1 Engine speed too slow 2 Travel speed too fast I CORRECTION 6 Clean and regap or change spark plug 7 Replace fuel filter 8 Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh clean gasoline 9 Empty fuel tank and carbure tor refill tank with fresh gas oline and replace fuel filter 10 Connect and tighten spark plug wire 11 Clean engine air screen fins 12 Clean replace mu...

Page 32: ...Faulty alternator 1 Freewheel control in disengaged position 2 Motion drive belt worn damaged or broken 3 Air trapped in transmission during shipment or servicing Engine throttle control not set at SLOW position for 30 30 seconds before stopping engine 3 Allow grass to dry before mowing 4 Level mower deck 5 Check tires for proper air pressure 6 Replace sharpen blade Tighten blade bolt 7 Clean unde...

Page 33: ..._ I LINE II FUEL SHUT OFF IF SO EQUIPPED OPTIONAL IGNITION UNIT OPERATOR PRESENCE RELAY 1 A SPARK _ PLUG GAP 2 PLUGS ON 3NIN CYL ENGINES CHARGING SYSTEM OUTPUT 28 VOLTS AO 360O RpM 15 AMP DC 3600 RPM R GULATOR D_SCONNECTED REOULATOO i ALTERNATOR PTO SWITCH POSITION CIRCUIT OFF C G B H O ON C F B E A D REMOVABLE NON REMOVABLE CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS WIRING INSULATED CLIPS NOTE IF WIRING INSULATED C...

Page 34: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 ELECTRICAL f I I I I 42 i i i i I i i L I _ 22 21 40 26 25 I 55 I 29 i i i i I i I I I I 34 ...

Page 35: ...6138 Switch Interlock 21 175688 Harness Light 22 4152J Bulb Light 1156 25 178909 Cable 26 175158 Fuse 27 73510400 Nut Hex Keps 1 4 20 unc 28 145491 Cable Ground 29 160784 Switch Seat 30 175442 Switch Ignition 33 175447 Key 40 179737 Harness Ignition 42 154336 Cover Terminal 45 177500 Ammeter 46 177501 Hourmeter 50 178461 Switch PTO 55 17490508 Screw Thd Roll 5 16 18 x 1 2 81 109748X Relay Assembly...

Page 36: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES 217 f 42 43 215 39 58 166 219 _ 23 _64 chassis LTX stlt 7 74 209 F142 209 13_ F145 208 36 ...

Page 37: ...ot Mower Rear 39 174988 Bracket Pivot Hood 42 172545X599 Lens Lh 43 172544X599 Lens Rh 58 174993 Duct Hood 60 STD533707 Bolt Rdhd Sqnk 3 8 16 unc x 3 4 64 174997 Dash Lower 74 STD541437 Nut Crownleck 3 8 16 unc 90 124346X Nut Self Thrd Wshd 1 4 Zinc 142 175702 Plate Reinforcement 143 154966 Bracket Swaybar Chassis 144 175582 Bracket Footrest 145 156524 Rod Pivot Chassis Hood 154 174679 Bracket Das...

Page 38: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 GROUND DRIVE 57 223 32 16 52 253 239 29 _ drive hydro stlt 31 22 y 53 55 38 ...

Page 39: ... 239 17490508 53 105710X Link Clutch 240 175610 55 105709X Spring Return Clutch 241 73930400 56 17060620 Screw 3 8 16 x 1 1 4 242 74780412 57 140294 V Belt Ground Drive 243 178289 59 169691 Keeper Center Span 244 166880 61 17120614 Screw 3 8 16 x 875 271 17000612 62 123533X Cover Pedal 251 17060516 63 174607 Pulley Engine 253 179422 65 10040700 Washer 254 178062 66 154778 Keeper Belt Engine 272 17...

Page 40: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 STEERING ASSEMBLY 88 13 65 67 67 steering pLIt 45 29 4O 10 34 40 43 6 8 40 ...

Page 41: ...f Spacer Bearing Axle Front Nut Hex Flange Lock Shaft Asm Steering Screw 3 8 16 x 3 4 Rod Tie Washer Lock Hlcl Spr 3 8 Bushing Strg Screw 175140X418 Insert Cap Strg Wh STD541537 Lock nut Center 3 8 24 159945 Adaptor Wheel Strg 174530X418 Boot Steering 121749X Washer 25 32 1 1 4x 16Ga 184946X505 Cap Spindle 16O367 72140618 169827 175146 19182411 169835 173966 175118 175553 19121214 17490608 Spacer ...

Page 42: ...ipe Exhaust RH Bolt 5 16 18 unc x 3 4 w Sems Shield Heat Muffler Gasket Tube Drain oil Washer Lock Ext Tooth 3 8 Screw Thdrol 3 8 16 x 1 1 2 Shield Heat Choke Control KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 26 73920600 Nut Keps 3 8 24 unf 29 137180 Kit Spark Arrestor Flat Scrn 31 179022 Tank Fuel 4 0 Rear 32 179124X428 Cap Asm Fuel 33 123487X Clamp Hose Black 37 8543R Line Fuel 38 181654 Plug Drain Oil Easy 41...

Page 43: ...40X Clip Push In 17 123976X Nut Hex w Ins 3 8 16 uric 18 124238X Spring Seat Cprsn 21 171852 Screw 3 8 16 x 1 1 2 22 STD541431 Washer 13 32 x 1 x 14 Ga 24 19171912 Pan Seat 25 127018X Knob Seat Adj Wingnut Bracket Mounting Switch DESCRIPTION Bushing Snap BIk Ny150 Id Bolt Rdhd Sqnk 1 4 20 x 1 1 2 Spacer Split 28x 88 Zinc Spring Cprsn Plate 1 310 Ga Nut Lock 1 4 Lge Fig Gr 5 Zinc Cap Spring Seat Bo...

Page 44: ...5 188056 15 j12 1 6 DESCRIPTION Decal Steering Wheel Decal Fender Cruise Decal Engine Kohler Decal Engine KP Sears LTX VTwin Decal Battery Decal Hood Side Panel Decal Grille Decal Engine Decal Deck level Pad Footrest ST LT LH Pad Footrest ST LT RH Decal Handle Lft Height Adjust Decal By Pass Manual Owner s English Manual Owner s Spanish WHEELS TIRES 2 _ 5 8 7 4 10 wheel 1 11 KEY PART NO NO DESCRIP...

Page 45: ...Link Lift R H Retainer Spring Plate Asm Suspension Front Nut Hex Jam 1 2 13 uric Trunnion Front Susp Nut Lock w Wsh 1 2 13 unc Retainer Spring KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 31 176205 Trunion Sups Arm 32 175994 Nut Lift Link 7 16 20 36 155097 Pointer Height Indicator 37 123935X Plug Hole 38 17060516 Screw 5 16 18 x 1 40 19112410 Washer 11 32 x 1 1 2 x 10 Ga 41 155098 Indicator Height Stlt 49 145212 Nu...

Page 46: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 MOWER DECK 46 132 95 116 112 21 12k _ 5 114 130 49 33 1 o 110 I 21 46 _132 mower deck 48prem stl 46 ...

Page 47: ...crew Thdroll 1 4 20 x 5 8 V Belt Mower Secondary V Belt Mower Primary Nut Crownlock 3 8 16 uric 50 72110612 52 175820 54 74780616 55 72140608 56 155986 57 156941 72 19131312 91 180535 92 73800600 94 176066 95 180534 97 178515 98 179479 99 184058 100 72110616 110 175016 112 174387 113 72110506 114 174384 115 174609 116 184219 117 174873 118 73930600 119 19121414 121 174371 122 174606 126 174372 130...

Page 48: ... 130 16 19 24 108 6 Sealant Joint d etancheite 57 20W50 Oil 78 80Z OZ de 78 820 d Huile 127 Seal and O ring Kit Phoque 0 Sonne Jeu 88 123 128 X _O 0 rrl I _ I i o_ Z m cr _z 00c m _rrl 6_ 0 1 L_ I Ok co to o ...

Page 49: ...uator 117 178799 49 170401 Arm Bypass 119 170439 50 170402 Retaining Ring 250 External 120 170440 51 170403 Seal Lip 741 X 250 X 250 Tc 121 170441 52 170404 Flat Washer 5 8 ld X 1 00d X 05 Thk 122 170442 53 170405 Retaining Ring 123 178800 54 170406 Bearing Center Block 124 170444 55 142977 Spring Helical Compression 56 142978 Washer 125 170445 57 150798 20w 50 Oil 126 170446 58 170407 Brake Yoke ...

Page 50: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 KOHLER ENGINE MODEL NUMBER CV674TYPE NUMBER 75574 CYLINDER HEAD VALVE AND BREATHER 1 2 29 F I iij _ 7 I __ 13 CRANKCASEJ O 19 _sJ O IO L i 50 ...

Page 51: ...17 01 S Valve intake Std 2 24 017 02 S Valve intake 25 2 17 12 123 04 S 23 24 032 05 S Seal valve stem 2 18 M 545016 S 24 235011 S Retainer spring 4 25 24 089 02 S Spring valve 4 19 12 153 02 S 26 12 173 01 S Cap valve spring 4 20 24 038 04 S 27 12 755 03 S Kit retainer 4 28 24 318 67 S Head assembly 1 cylinder 21 24 755 46 S 22 25 153 02 S 29 24 755 76 S Kit valve cover breather 23 24 018 09 S In...

Page 52: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 KOHLER ENGINE MODEL NUMBER CV674TYPE NUMBER 75574 t I BLOWEF HOUSING AND BAFFLES 1 11 52 ...

Page 53: ...ower Includes 2 2 24 100 01 S Nut plastic 2 3 M 545020 S Screw hex flange M5x0 8x20 4 4 M 545016 S Screw hex flange M5x0 8x16 3 5 M 551016 S Screw hex flange M5x0 8x16 6 M 645016 S Screw hex flange M6xl 0x16 6 7 24 146 16 S Plate backing 2 side 8 24 146 20 S Plate backing 1 side 9 24 063 20 S Baffle cylinder barrel 2 side 10 24 063 23 S Baffle valley 1 side 11 M 545010 S Screw hex flange M5x0 8xl0...

Page 54: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 KOHLER ENGINE MODEL NUMBER CV674TYPE NUMBER 75574 STARTING SYSTEM 6 5 ENGIN E CONTROLS I 5 I q 3 J i i i 23 _ 25 HL PAN I LU B RICATION J r llJl J 19 54 ...

Page 55: ... Spring choke return Bracket control Screw hex flange M6x1 0xl 6 4 Clamp cable 2 Screw thread forming 2 Washer lock 1 4 Nut hex flange M5x0 8 Washer plain 5 5 mm 3 Lever throttle actuator Nut hex M4x0 7 Lever throttle control Screw hex flange M5x0 8x20 Lever choke Washer spring 1 4 Screw hex cap M4x0 7x25 Linkage choke Spring throttle limiter Spring governor DESCRIPTION 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1...

Page 56: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273261 KOHLER ENGINE MODEL NUMBER CV674TYPE NUMBER 75574 CRANKSHAFT 1 EXHAUST _f2 FUELSYSTEMJ 2 6 9 9 J 8 11 10 13 14 9 15 56 ...

Page 57: ... 24 393 16 S 24 100 01 S 15 353 04 S 24 050 02 S 52 353 22 S NOT ILLUSTRATED Kit carburetor w gaskets includes 2 4 Gasket carburetor Carburetor assembly For information only not available separately Service with kits 24 757 18 S 24 757 19 S 24 757 20 S 24 757 22 S Gasket air cleaner base Stud M6x1 0x95 2 Nut hex flange M6x1 0 2 Clip cable Line fuel 10 5 8 2 Clamp hose 6 Screw hex cap M6x1 7xl 8 2 ...

Page 58: ...58 ...

Page 59: ...ake turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes 1 Fold this page along dotted line indicated above 2 Hold page before you so that its left edge is vertically parallel to a tree trunk or other upright structure 3 Sight across the fold in the direction of hill slope you want to measure 4 Compare the angle of the fold with the slope...

Page 60: ...ment and electronics call or go on hne for the nearest Sears Parts and Repair Center 1 800 488 1222 Anytime day or night U S A only www sears com To purchase a protection agreement U S A or maintenance agreement Canada on a product serviced by Sears 1 800 827 6655 u SA 1 800 361 6665 Canada Para ped_rservicio de reparaci6n a dom_ciho y para ordenar ptezas 1 888 SU HOGAR sM 14388 784 6427 Au Canada...