Craftsman 917.273820, 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: ...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: ... 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: ...ther 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 r...

Page 7: ...Steering Wheel 1 Locknut 1 4 28 1 Large Flat Washer 1 Hex Bolt 1 4 28 x 1 1 4 Steering Wheel Adapter 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: ...shaft 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 wh...

Page 9: ...brake by depressing clutch brake pedal 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 instr...

Page 10: ...justed 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 1 ho...

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: ...le reduces the battery charging rate Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower performance _ Brake Disengaged Parking Brake Position Position Engaged Position STOPPING 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 The ...

Page 14: ... Start mower blades by engaging at tachment clutch control TO STOP MOWER BLADES disengage attachment clutch control _ICAUTION Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher on mowers so equipped or the deflector shield in place Attachment Attachemnt Clutch Lever _ _ Li t Lever Engaged _ _ _d4 _Ljj _ High Position i _ 1 Positron _ _i_i Position uisengaged _1 _ _ F Position _ _ _J_...

Page 15: ... gasoline near an open flame IMPORTANT When operating in tempera tures below 32 F 0 C use fresh clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting CAUTION Alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol can attract moisture which leads to separa tion and formation of acids during storage Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage To avo...

Page 16: ...ve developed during shipping of your tractor IMPORTANT Should your transmission require removal for service or replace ment it should be purged after reinstall ation before operating the tractor 1 Place tractor safely on level surface with engine off and parking brake set 2 Disengage transmission by placing freewheel control in disengaged posi tion See TO TRANSPORT in this section of manual 3 Sitt...

Page 17: ...ulching 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 f 1 1 00272 If grass is extremely tall it...

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: ...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 replace cartridge 5 Place new pre ...

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: ... 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 _Nut...

Page 26: ...purged after 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 c...

Page 27: ...erminal 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 BLACK grounding cable to negative battery terminal with re maining...

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: ..._ UGHTENG SYSTEM OUTPUT i I 5AMP AC 3600 RPM f DIODE ALTERNATOR i CHARGING SYSTEM OUTPUT 28 VOLTS AC M N 3600 RPM 3 AMP DC 360O RPM CHARGING SYSTEM DESCONNECTED 14 VOLTS AC M_N 3660 RPM LEGHTS QF_ 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 WI...

Page 34: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273820 ELECTRICAL i 22 I f 41 I Jl I 26 I I 29 T I I I k I I I f_ I I 34 ...

Page 35: ...ocket w 4152J 22 4152J Light Bulb 24 4799J Cable Battery 25 146148 Cable Battery 26 175158 Fuse 27 73510400 Nut Keps Hex 1 4 20 unc 28 145491 Cable Ground 29 121305X Switch Seat 30 175566 Switch Ignition 33 140403 Key Molded 40 179720 Harness Ignition 41 71110408 Belt BIk Fin Hex 1 4 20uncx1 2 42 131563 Cover Terminal 43 178861 Solenoid 45 121433X Ammeter Rectangular 52 141940 Protection Wire Loop...

Page 36: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273820 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES 259 260 273 I _1_275 31 217 39 58 166 209 209 208 20 23 219 145 2O8 chassis Lase r It stlt 24 36 ...

Page 37: ...ir Duct 60 72140606 Bolt Rdhd Sqnk 3 8 16 uric x 3 4 64 154798 Dash Lower STLT 74 STD541437 Nut Crewnlock 3 8 16 unc 90 124346X Nut 1 4 142 175702 Plate Reinforcement STLT 143 186689 Bracket Swaybar Chassis 144 175582 Bracket Footrest STLT 145 156524 Red Pivot Chassis Hood 159 179950X428 Cupholder 166 171875 Screw 13 16 x 3 4 206 170165 Bolt Shoulder 5 16 18TT 207 17670508 ScrewThdrel 5 16 18 x 1 ...

Page 38: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273820 GROUND DRIVE 36 55 drive hydro stlt 29 38 ...

Page 39: ...72110612 Belt 165 165623 51 73680600 Nut Crownlock 3 8 16 uric 166 17490510 52 73680500 Nut Crownlock 5 16 18 unc 168 165492 53 105710X Link Clutch 169 165580 55 105709X Spring Return Clutch 197 169613 56 17060620 Screw 3 8 16 x 1 1 4 198 169593 57 140294 V Belt Ground Drive 199 169612 59 169691 Keeper Center Span 200 72140508 61 17120614 Screw 3 8 16 x 875 202 72110614 62 8883R Cover Pedal 212 14...

Page 40: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273820 STEERING ASSEMBLY L jP _ 42 88 I 29 17 68 t3 65 67 67 J 67 i t5 steering _pl lt 47 lO 43 f 2 4O ...

Page 41: ...Thrust Hardened Washer 25 32 x 1 5 8 x 16 Ga Ring Klip Link Drag Washer Lock Nut Hex Jam Toplock 1 2 20 unf Spacer Bearing Front Axle Nut Hexflange Lock Shaft Assembly Steering Bushing Link Drag Washer 13 32 x 7 8 x 16 Ga Screw 3 8 16 x 3 4 Pin Cotter 1 8 x 3 4 Rod Tie Bushing Steering Screw TT 10 32 x 5 x 3 8 Flange Insert Steering Wheel Washer 9 16 x 1 1 16 x 11 Ga Lock Nut Center 3 8 24 Adaptor...

Page 42: ...uel Screw Hex Wsh Thdrol 3 8 16 x 3 4 Screw Socket Head 5 16 18 x 1 Screw 3 8 16 x 1 1 4 Nut Keps 1 4 20 Starter Nut T Bushing Control Throttle Paddle 33 123487X Screw Hex Thd Cut 1 4 20 x 5 8 37 8543R Engine See Breakdown Briggs 38 181654 Model No 31P777 0296 E1 41 139277 Muffler Exhaust 45 17000612 Gasket Muffler Tube Drain Oil Easy 72 183906 Washer Lock Ext Tooth 3 8 78 17060620 Shield Browning...

Page 43: ... Seat Cprsn 2 250 BIk Zi Screw 3 8 16 x 1 5 SMGML Washer 13 32 x 1 x 14 Ga Pan Pnt Seat Knob Seat Bracket Pnt Mounting Switch KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 13 121248X 14 72050412 15 1343O0 16 121250X 17 123976X 21 171852 22 STD541431 24 19171912 25 127018X Bushing Snap BIk Ny150 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 5 Zinc Bolt ...

Page 44: ...al Dash Panel Decal Mower Drive Schematic Decal Steering Decal Battery Diehard Sears Decal Deck Mower EZ3 Decal Battery Decal By Pass Lt Hydro Decal Lift Handle Pad Footrest Lh STLT Pad Footrest Rh STLT Manual Owner s English Manual Owner s Spanish WHEELS TIRES 2 _ 5 8 7 4 10 wheeE 1 11 KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 59192 Valve Cap Tire 65139 Stem Valve 106222X Tire Front 5990...

Page 45: ... 122365X Button Plunger Read 11 139865 Link Asm Lift L H 12 139866 Link Asm Lift R H 13 STD624008 Retainer Spring 3 6 4 20 20 lift rh 1 pc stir 3 KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 15 173288 Link Front 16 73350800 Nut Jam Hex 1 2 13 uric 17 175689 Trunnion 18 73800800 Nut Lock w Wsh 1 2 13 uric 19 139868 Arm Suspension Mower 20 163552 Retainer Spring 31 169865 Bearing Pvt Lift Tapered 32 73540600 Nut Crow...

Page 46: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273820 MOWER DECK _184 148 134 136_ 5 6 18 116 26 27 42_D_man t path_stlt 4 46 ...

Page 47: ... Spacer 152 169676 32 153535 Pulley Mandrel 158 17720408 33 178342 Nut Toplock Flanged 159 STD533717 34 72110612 Bolt Cart Sh 3 8 16 x 1 1 2 Gr 5 184 19131410 36 131494 Pulley Idler Flat 185 188234 40 73900600 Nut Lock Fig 3 8 16 unc 130794 44 140088 Guard Mandrel LH 45 STD624003 Retainer 46 137729 Screw Thd Roll 1 4 20 x 5 8 186917 48 133944 Washer Hardened 52 139888 Bolt Shoulder 5 16 18 uric 53...

Page 48: ... 3O 81 90 77 79 73 16 32 12 35 64 93 i 125 48 19 124 107 126 128 88 12 J 88 X o O m I z_ x I r O I o_ oO mo r m ZF _z NC I11 mN _m _m 4 O ...

Page 49: ...9 170434 42 170395 Magnet Ring 111 170435 43 170396 Spring Bypass 113 170437 44 150797 Hydro Mtg Screw 3 8 24 X 2 5 Long 116 170438 45 170397 Filter 119 170439 46 170398 Base Filter 120 188312 47 170399 Actuator Bypass 121 170441 48 170400 Rod Bypass Actuator 49 170401 Arm Bypass 122 170442 50 170402 Retaining Ring 250 External 123 170443 51 170403 Seal Lip 741 X 250 X 250Tc 124 170444 52 170404 F...

Page 50: ... E1 27 307 3 358 ENGINE GASKET SET 12 1022 20 617O 51 691 _ 524 842 3 I 1019 LABEL KIT I I 1058 OWNER S MANUAL I I lO36 EMISSION LABEL I _ _ I 1 I 48SHORT BLOCK I I 1330 REPAIR MANUAL I _ I 1329 REPLACEMENT ENGINE I 750 868_ 943 o 434 24 741 o84_ 11_ 584_ 9_ 12641_ 1270 41 15_ 22_ O 89 20 50 ...

Page 51: ...22 1022 914 616 _ 102 404 6141 2 6f 34o_ e 118 93_ 40 _ 35 13_ 6170 __634A_141A o 95 1266A_ 1266 0 54 _ 654 53 _ 1119_ 334 i 2o7 o6_ _J 385 1o4_AR BU RETO R6_4A_KIT 987 4 10o_ 1_7d_276 _ 11 0170 1200A 1 977 CARBURETOR GASKET SET 1370 276 _471_ 342 141 108 142 _ 1091 _106 lOS 1_6q_ 127 276 1127_ 51 ...

Page 52: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273820 BRIGGS STRATTON ENGINE MODEL NUMBER 31P777 TYPE NUMBER 0296 E1 305A 3 91 8ol 803 _ 310 I 50 _79 802 643 729 697 _ 1070 363 _005 _ 1044_ 1040 305 37_ 74 73_ 52 ...

Page 53: ...ndard 227 691374 Lever Governor Control 697263 Rod Connecting 020 Under 232 691842 Spring Governor size 238 691843 Cap Valve 32 692852 Screw Connecting Rod 240 298090 Filter Fuel 33 695760 Valve Exhaust 265 691024 Clamp Casing 34 695761 Valve Intake 267 695134 Screw Casing Clamp 35 691279 Spring Valve Intake 276 692255 Q_ Washer Sealing 36 691279 Spring Valve Exhaust 304 699829 Housing Blower 37 6...

Page 54: ... 697124 718 690959 Pin Locating 1264 697104 729 691224 Clip Wire 1265 697125 741 697128 Gear Timing 1266 691917 750 691033 Screw Oil Pump Cover 1266A 697123 757 697607 Link Counterweight 1267 697424 758 697134 Counterweight 1270 697156 759 697392 Pin Counterweight 1279 690960 783 693713 Gear Pinion 1329 789 698329 Harness Wiring 1330 797 693167 Nut Brush Retainer 801 691283 Cap Drive 802 691286 Ca...

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: ...ronics 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 sM 1 888784 6427 Au Canada pour servi...