Craftsman 917.273403, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...iously built engines Before you start the I engine read and understand this Owner s Manual IMPORTANT Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment For answers to your questions about this product Call 1 800 659 5917 Sears Craftsman Help Line 5 am 5 pm Mon 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: ...rown 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 ...

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: ... if children enter the area Before and when backing look behind and down for small children Mow up and down slopes 15 Max not across Remove obstacles such as rocks tree limbs etc Watch for holes ruts or bumps Uneven terrain could overturn the machine Tall grass can hide obstacles Use slow speed Choose a low gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope Avoid starting or stoppi...

Page 6: ...Other states may have similar laws Federal laws apply on federal lands A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears service center See REPAIR PARTS section of this manual REPAIR PROTECTION AGREEMENTS Congratulations on making a smart pur chase Your new Craftsman product is designed and manufactured for years of dependable operation But like all prod ucts it may require ...

Page 7: ...t 1 2 20 Steering Wheel 1 Locknut 1 4 28 Steering Wheel Adapter 1 Large Flat Washer 1 Hex Bolt 1 4 28 x 1 1 4 Steering Extension Shaft Seat 1 Washer 17 32 x 1 3 16 x 12 Gauge _ 1 Knob For Future Use Slope Sheet Keys Video Cassette 7 ...

Page 8: ...ft onto lower steer ing shaft Align mounting holes in ex tension and lower shafts and install 1 4 hex bolt and Iocknut Tighten securely IMPORTANT Tighten bolt and nut se curely to 10 12 ft Ibs torque 2 Place tabs of steering boot over tab slots in dash and push down to secure INSTALL STEERING WHEEL 3 Position front wheels of the tractor so they are pointing straight forward 4 Remove steering wheel...

Page 9: ...edal 3 Place freewheel control in trans mission disengaged position See TO TRANSPORT in the Operation section of this manual 4 Roll tractor forward off skid 5 Remove banding holding deflector shield up against tractor TO DRIVE TRACTOR OFF SKID See Operation section for location and function of controls _ WARNING Before starting read un derstand and follow all instructions in the Operation section ...

Page 10: ...y adjusted See TO ADJUST BRAKE in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual v CHECKLIST Before you operate 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 Battery is properly prepared and charged Minimum ...

Page 11: ...m ation about hazards which can result in death serious injury and or property damage DANGER KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION DANGER indicates a hazard which if not avoided will result in death or serious injury WARNING indicates a hazard which if not avoided could result in death or serious injury CAUTION indicatesa hazard which if not avoided might ...

Page 12: ...ery ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER Used to engage the mower blades or other at tachments mounted to your tractor ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER Used to raise lower and adjust the mower deck or other attachments mounted to your tractor CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL Used for declutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine MOTION CONTROL LEVER Selects the speed and direction of tractor IGNITION SWITCH Used for star...

Page 13: ...hrottle reduces the battery charging rate Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower performance Disengaged Parking Brake Position Engaged Position STOPPING Brake Position MOWER BLADES To stop mower blades move attachment clutch lever to DISENGAGED position GROUND DRIVE To stop ground drive depress clutch brake pedal all the way down Move motion control lever to neutral N position IMPORTANT T...

Page 14: ...turn to neutral N position when the clutch brake pedal is depressed To restart movement slowly release parking brake and clutch brake pedal Slowly move motion control lever to slowest setting Make all turns slowly TOTRANSPORT When pushing or towing your tractor be sure to disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in freewheeling position Freewheel control is located at the rear drawbar o...

Page 15: ...trol lever in neutral N position 4 Move attachment clutch to disengaged position 5 Move throttle control to choke position NOTE Before starting read the warm and cold starting procedures below 6 Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to start position and release key as soon as engine starts Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute If the engine does not st...

Page 16: ...ready for normal operation MOWING TIPS Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance See TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual The left hand side of mower should be used for trimming Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area that has already been cut Have the cut area to the right of the trac tor This will result in a more even distr...

Page 17: ...mps and interferes with the mulching action The best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon At this time the grass has dried the newly cut area will not be exposed to direct sunlight For best results adjust the mower cutting height so that the mower cuts off only the top one third of the grass blades For extremely heavy grass re duce your width of cut on each pass and mow slowly MAXI_ Certai...

Page 18: ...his tractor does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse 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 sectio...

Page 19: ...to al low access to blades 2 Remove blade bolt lock washer and flat washer securing blade 3 Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up towards deck as shown IMPORTANT To ensure proper assembly center hole in blade must align with star on mandrel assembly 4 Reassemble blade bolt lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown 5 Tighten blade bolt securely 27 35 Ft Lbs torque IMPORTA...

Page 20: ...aintenance is not required for the life of the transaxle Should the trans axle ever leak or require servicing contact a Sears or 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 w...

Page 21: ...ery season Service paper cartridge every 100 hours of operation or every season whichever occurs first Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions 1 Pull up on air filter cover handle and rotate towards engine 2 Remove cover 3 Carefully remove air filter cartridge and pre cleaner from base 4 Clean base carefully to prevent debris from falling into carburetor NOTE If very dirty or damaged...

Page 22: ...er and plug fuel line sections 2 Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow pointing towards carbu retor 3 Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned 4 Immediately wipe up any spilled gaso line CLEANING Clean engine battery seat finish etc of all foreign matter Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline oil etc Protect painted surfaces with a...

Page 23: ...uide out of bracket 6 Disconnect anti sway bar from chassis bracket by removing retainer spring 7 Disconnect suspension arms from rear deck brackets by removing retainer springs 8 Disconnect front links from deck by removing retainer springs Small Clutch S Small Retainer Clutch 9 Raise lift lever to raise suspension arms Slide mower out from under trac tor IMPORTANT If an attachment other than the...

Page 24: ...ssary be sure to adjust both front links equally so mower will stay level side to side To obtain the best cutting results the mower housing should be adjusted so that the front is approximately 1 8 to 1 2 lower than the rear when the mower is in its highest position Check adjustment on right side of trac tor Measure distance D directly in front and behind the mandrel at bottom edge of mower housin...

Page 25: ...nce becomes 1 9 16 Retighten jam nut against nut A 4 Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in transmission engaged position 5 Road test tractor for proper stopping distance as stated above Readjust if necessary If stopping distance is still greater than five 5 feet in highest gear further maintenance is neces sary Replace brake pads or contact a Sears or other qualified service center W...

Page 26: ...ter reinstallation and before operating the tractor See PURGE TRANSMISSION in the Operation section of this manual TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGN MENT If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal left to right when wheels are positioned straight forward remove steer ing wheel and reassemble with crossbars horizontal Tighten securely FRONT WHEEL TOE IN CAMBER The front wheel toe in and camber are...

Page 27: ...osition 2 Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery cable and carefully remove battery from tractor 3 Install new battery with terminals in same position as old battery 4 First connect RED battery cable to positive terminal with hex bolt and keps nut as shown Tighten securely Slide terminal cover over terminal 5 Connect BLACK grounding cable to negative terminal with remaining hex bolt...

Page 28: ...ine giving a leaner fuel air mix ture Turning the idle mixture valve out counterclockwise increases the supply of fuel to the engine giving a richer fuel air mixture IMPORTANT Damage to the needle valve and the seat in carburetor may result if screw is turned in too tight PRELIMINARY SETTING 1 Air cleaner assembly must be assem bled to the carburetor when making carburetor adjustments 2 Be sure th...

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: ...sh under mower 4 Dirty air filter 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 Carburetor in Service and Adjustme...

Page 31: ... idler pulley 4 Frozen blade mandrel 1 Engine speed too slow 2 Travel speed too fast 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 muff...

Page 32: ... air pressure 6 Replace sharpen blade Tighten blade bolt 7 Clean underside of mower housing 8 Replace mower drive belt 9 Reinstall blades sharp edge down 10 Replace with blades listed in this manual 11 Clean around mandrels to open vent holes 1 Turn switch ON 2 Replace bulb s or lamp s 3 Check replace light switch 4 Check wiring and connections 5 Replace fuse Bad battery cell s 1 Poor cable connec...

Page 33: ...NITION UNIT BLACK CHARGENG SYSTEM OUtpUT 28 VOLTS AC MIN 3600 RPM 3 AMP DO 3600 RpM CHARGING SYSTEM DESCONNECTE D LE PrCENREI TEM_ _j_ _J_ 14 VOLTS AC MEN 3600 RpM UGHTS OFF I HEADLIGHTS NOTE YOUR TRACTOR IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPECIAL ALTERNATOR SYSTEM THE LIGHTS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY BUT HAVE THEIR OWN ELECTRICAL SOURCE BECAUSE OF THIS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LIGHTS WILL CHANGE WITH ENGINE ...

Page 34: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273403 ELECTRICAL I 42 41 I I 26 27 _x I I I I I 52 29 28 I I 34 ...

Page 35: ...147 Cable Battery 6 Ga w 16 wire red 26 175158 Fuse 20 AMP 27 73510400 Nut Keps Hex 1 4 20 unc 28 4207J Cable Ground 6 Ga 12 black 29 121305X Switch Plunger Nc Gray 30 175566 Switch Ign 33 140403 Key lgn 40 179720 Harness Ign 41 71110408 Bolt BIk Fin Hex 1 4 20 unc x 1 2 42 131563 Cover Terminal Red 43 178861 Solenoid 45 121433X Ammeter Rectangular 6 Amp 52 141940 Protection Wire Loop 90 180449 Co...

Page 36: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273403 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES 212 28 39 278 31 208 209 208 64 6O 74 _142 209 _209 209 208 chassis Laser It stlL27 36 ...

Page 37: ... 16 x 1 Panel Dash L H Panel Dash R H Screw Thdrol 3 8 16 x 1 2 Hood Assembly Laser Bumper Extrusion Nut Grille Lens Asm Includes s 29 and 212 Fend Ftrest Pnt STLT Bracket Fender Support ScrewThdrol 5 16 18x 1 2 Tyt Bracket Asm Pivot Mower Rear Bracket Pivot Laser Bolt Rdhd Sqnk 3 8 16 uric x 3 4 Dash Lower STLT Nut Crownlock 3 8 16 uric Plate Reinforcement STLT Bracket Swaybar Chassis Bracket Pnt...

Page 38: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273403 GROUND DRIVE 32 16 3 52 3O _120 158 156 49_ 35 39 47 62 12_ 36 _34 28_ 70 116 _202 _150 48 51 51 29 252 22 15 1 96 252 25 _77 74 75 19 78 76 55 drive hydro stlt 72 38 ...

Page 39: ...541437 Nut Crownlock 3 8 16 uric 168 165492 52 STD541431 Nut Crownlock 5 16 18 unc 169 165580 53 105710X Link Clutch 197 169613 55 105709X Spring Return Clutch 198 169845 56 17060620 Screw 3 8 16 x 1 1 4 202 72110614 57 178138 V Belt 212 145212 59 169691 Keeper Center Span 245 178122 61 17120614 Screw 3 8 16 x 875 246 178121 62 8883R Cover Pedal 247 181463 63 175410 Pulley Engine 251 17060516 64 1...

Page 40: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273403 STEERING ASSEMBLY IL_ _38 _ _42 88 I 29 68 t3 65 67 67 67 15 15 15_ steering_pl It47 29 43 _ 4O ...

Page 41: ... 3 4 30 STD561210 Pin Cotter 32 130465 Rod Tie 36 155099 Bushing Steering 37 152927 Screw 38 139769 Insert Steering Wheel 39 19183812 Washer 9 16 x 2 3 8 40 73540600 Nut Crownlock 3 8 24 unf 41 186737 Adaptor Steering Wheel 42 145054X428 Boot Steering Shaft 43 121749X Washer 25 32 x 1 1 4 x 16 Ga 44 180640 Extension Shaft Steering 46 184946X505 Cap Spindle 51 73540400 Nut Crownleck 1 4 28 54 71130...

Page 42: ...ffler Exhaust B S Lt Gasket 1 313 Id Tin Plated Tube Drain oil easy Shield Browning Debris Guard Arrestor Spark Tank Fuel 1 25 Fr Cap Asm Fuel Clamp Hose BIk Line Fuel 20 KEY PART NO NO 38 181654 40 124028X 44 17670412 45 17000612 46 19091416 72 183906 78 17060620 81 735104O0 DESCRIPTION Plug drain oil easy Bushing Snap Nyl BIk Fuel Line Screw Hexwsh Thdrol 1 4 20 x 3 4 Screw 3 8 16 x 3 4 Washer 9...

Page 43: ...n Hinged Nut Hex Lock w ins 3 8 16 unc Spring Seat Cprsn 2 250 BIk Zi Screw 3 8 16 x 1 Washer 13 32 x 1 x 14 Ga Pan Pnt Seat Knob Seat Adj Wingnut Bracket Pnt Mounting Switch 13 121248X 14 72050412 15 1343O0 16 121250X 17 123976X 21 171852 22 STD541431 24 19171912 Bushing Snap BIk Nyl 50 td Bolt Rdhd Sht Nk 1 4 20 x 1 1 2 Spacer Split 28 x 96 Zinc Spring Cprsn 1 27 BIk Pnt Nut Lock 1 4 Lge Fig Gr ...

Page 44: ...ION Decal Dash Panel Decal V Belt Schematic Decal Engine Decal Mower Hvy Duty 12 Ga Decal Battery Dngr Psn Eng Decal Disconnect Decal Lift Handle Pad Footrest LH STLT Pad Footrest RH STLT Owner s Manual English Owner s Manual Spanish WHEELS TIRES 2 _ 5 8 7 4 10 wheeL1 11 KEY PART NO NO 1 59192 2 65139 3 106222X 4 59904 5 106732X624 6 278H 7 9040H 8 106108X624 9 106268X 10 7152J 11 104757X428 14433...

Page 45: ... Nut Jam Hex 1 2 13 unc 3 105767X Pin Groove 17 175689 Trunnion 4 12000002 E Ring 5133 62 18 73800800 Nut Lock w Wsh 1 2 13 unc 5 19211621 Washer 21 32 x 1 x 21 Ga 19 139868 Arm Suspension Mower 6 120183X Bearing Nylong 20 163552 Retainer Spring 7 125631X Grip Handle Fluted 31 169865 Bearing Pvt Lift 8 122365X Button Plunger Read 32 73540600 Nut Crownlock 3 8 24 11 139865 Link Asm Lift L H 12 1398...

Page 46: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273403 MOWER DECK 67 40 lo_ o2 1o31 8 102_ 34 16 21 27 5 6 19F 21 42 D man t path stlt 3 10 _ 9_ 18 46 ...

Page 47: ...3713X Spring Torsion Deflector 152 169676 26 110452X Nut Push 158 17720408 27 130968X428 Shield Deflector 159 72140614 28 19111016 Washer 11 32x5 8x16Ga 184 19131410 29 131491 Rod Hinge 185 188234 30 173984 Screw Thdrol Washer Head 130794 31 187690 Washer Spacer 32 153535 Pulley Mandrel 33 178342 Nut Toplock Flanged 34 72110612 Bolt Carr Sh 3 8 16 x 1 1 2 Gr 5 169583 36 131494 Pulley Idler Flat 40...

Page 48: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273403 PEERLESS TRANSAXLE MODEL NUMBER LTH2000 206 106 65 13 15 14 14 150 47 _S 65 115 87 5 _ _ 6 2 1 106 87 3 190 200 i _5 22 208 1oo 103 02 _07 2o_ 48 ...

Page 49: ...5 Washer 627 ID 091W 113 786199 Sleeve Ass y Incl 157 31 780189 Washer 563 ID 062W 114 786200 Sleeve Ass y Incl 87 36 790071 Brake Disk 115 786198 Sleeve Assembly Incl 87 37 790007 Brake Pad Plate 127 784384 Shift Lever Ass y Incl 109 38 799021 Brake Pad 150 788093A Liquid Gasket RTV Silicon 40 792204 Roll Pin 25 157 788102 Oil Seal 9 16 1D 41 790102 Brake Lever 180 730229 BOil Spec 80W90 42 79220...

Page 50: ...PE NUMBER 0299 E1 I 1330REPAIR MANUALI 307_ 11329 REPLACEMENT ENGINEI 358 ENGINE GASKET SET 12 20 8170 51 691 _ 868_ 943 O 1022 524_ 8420 718 _ 5_ 691 24 434 741_ 1270 T 684_ 11 584_ 9_ 1264_ 1019 LABEL KIT I 1058 OWNER S MANUAL 11036 EMISSION LABEL I 750 15_ 24 41 12 200 89 50 ...

Page 51: ... STRATTON ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 31P777 TYPE NUMBER 0299 E1 40 _J 35 1022 1029 6 o _ 404 614 914 1022 54 _ 654 216f 305A 334 _ 53 _ _ 643 1095 VALVE GASKET SET 7_ 51_ 617 0 1022 868 3091 801 803_ 310 1 802 37_ 74 73 1005 363 1070 1044 1051_ 51 ...

Page 52: ...L NUMBER 31P777 TYPE NUMBER 0299 E1 106 105 _1 137 276 950 127 o47_ 4311 1266A O 1266 0 ek 118 51 527_ 105A o_ 1127 127A 276A 947A _ NIKKI 0770ARBURETOR GASK_ SET _ 137 0 276_ 51 95A 104A 105A 121ACARBURETOR OVERHAUL KIT 6170 634A _ 1266 127AO 987A_ 1266A 0 52 ...

Page 53: ...d 141 495097 Kit Choke Shaft Manual Choke 33 695760 Valve Exhaust 141A 698778 Kit Choke Shaft Nikki 34 695761 Valve Intake 142 697140 Q Nozzle Carburetor 35 691279 Spring Valve Intake 146 691639 Key Timing 36 691279 Spring Valve Exhaust 187 699331 Line Fuel 37 697352 Guard Flywheel 188 691693 Screw Control Bracket 40 690964 Retainer Valve 192 691986 Adjuster Rocker Arm 43 691968 Slinger GovernodOi...

Page 54: ...9 Nut Starter Cable 1034 690822 Guide Push Rod 584 697112 Cover Breather Passage 1035 693784 Shaft Pump 601 95162 Clamp Hose 1036 695700 Label Emission 614 691620 Pin Cotter 1040 699852 Plate Trim 616 692012 Crank Governor 1044 698139 Screw Flywheel 617 692138 O SeaI O Ring Intake Manifold 1051 691265 Ring Retaining 634 690801 O Spring Seal Assembly Manual 1058 275038 Owner s Manual Choke 1059 698...

Page 55: ...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 56: ...lectronics call or go on line 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 S A 1 800 361 6665 Canada Para pedir servicio de reparaciSn a domicilio y para ordenar piezas 1 888 SU HOGAR _ 1 888 784_427 Au Canada pour se...