Craftsman 917.273821, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...sly buimt engines Before you start the engine read and understand this Owner s Manuak Read and follow aH 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 Men Sat Sears Roebuck and Co Hoffman Estates IL 60179 U S A Visit our Craftsman website www sears com craftsman ...

Page 2: ...snecessarybecauseof operatorabuse includingbut not limitedto damage causedby towingobjects beyondthe capabilityof the ridingequipment impacting objectsthat bendthe frameor crankshaft or over speedingthe engine Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence includingbut not limitedto elec trical and mechanicaldamagecausedby improperstorage failureto usethe proper gradeand amount of engine oil failure...

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: ...ponsible 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 ...

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 stoppin...

Page 6: ...ode 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 REPAmR PROTECTION 6 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 repai...

Page 7: ...0 Steering Boot Steering Wheel 1 Locknut 1 4 28 Steering Wheel Adapter 1 Large Flat Washer 1 Hex Bolt 1 4 28 x 1 1 4 _ teering Extension Shaft Seat 1 Washer 17 32 x 1 3 16 x 12 Gauge _ 1 Knob For Future Use Keys Slope Sheet Video Cassette ...

Page 8: ...Steering Boot Tab Slots ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND BOOT 1 Slide extension 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 mMPORTANT 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 whee...

Page 9: ...ng 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 DRmVE TRACTOR OFF SKID See Operation section for location and function of controls _I WARN NG Before starting read un derstand and follow a in...

Page 10: ...djusted See TO ADJUST BRAKE in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual _CHECKMST 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 hou...

Page 11: ... could 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 indicates a hazard which if not avoided could result in death or serious injury CAUTION indicates a hazard which if not avoi...

Page 12: ...ACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER Used to engage the mower blades or other at tachments mounted to your tractor ATTACHMENT UFT 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 MOTmON CONTROL LEVER Selects the speed and direction of tractor mGNmON SWmTCH Used for starting and s...

Page 13: ... key to STOP position and remove key Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized use Never use choke to stop engine mMPORTANT 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 run ning hot engine exhaust gases may cause browning of grass To elimin...

Page 14: ...ect desired height of cut 2 Start mower blades by engaging at tachment clutch control TO STOP MOWER BLADES disengage attachment clutch control _ CAUTmON Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher on mowers so equipped or the deflector shield in place Attachment Attachemnt CUutch Lever Lift Lever Engaged High Position Position Disengaged _ Position Position Deflector TO OPERAT...

Page 15: ...gasoline near an open flame mMPORTANT When operating in tempera tures below 32 F 0 C use fresh clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting CAUTmON 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 avoi...

Page 16: ...e developed during shipping of your tractor mlVlPORTANT 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 Sit...

Page 17: ... a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the at tachment being used MULCHmNG MOWING TIPS mMPORTANT For best performance keep mower housing free of built up grass and trash Clean after each use The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be not...

Page 18: ...d 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 clean or replace air filter and check blades and belts for wear A new spark plug and clean air filter...

Page 19: ...ades 2 Removebladebolt lockwasherand flat washersecuringblade 3 Installnew or resharpenedblade withtrailingedge uptowardsdeckas shown mMPORTANT Toensure properassembly centerhole in blademustalignwith star on mandrelassembly 4 Reassemblebladebolt lockwasher and flat washer inexact orderas shown 5 Tighten bladeboltsecurely 27 35Ft Lbs torque mMPORTANT Bladebolt is heattreated If boltneeds replacing...

Page 20: ...or the life of the transaxb 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 LUBRmCATmON Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF SL...

Page 21: ...ce 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 replace cartrid...

Page 22: ...d 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 CUamp _ __ __ CUamp FueUFHter __ Clean engine battery seat finish etc of all foreign matter Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline oil etc Protect pain...

Page 23: ... 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 Small Retainer CUutch 8 9 Raise lift lever to raise suspension arms Slide mower out from under trac tor mMPORTANT If an attachment other than the mower deck...

Page 24: ...r link To lower front of mower loosen nut E on both front links an equal number of turns When distance D is 1 8 to 1 2 lower at front than rear tighten nuts F against trunnion on both front links To raise front of mower loosen nut F from trunnion on both front links Tighten 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...

Page 25: ...jam nut and turn nut A until distance becomes 1 9 16 Retighten jam nut against nut A 4 Engage transmission by placing freewheel control in transmission engaged position 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 ...

Page 26: ...vice or replacement it should be 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 TOEoIN CA...

Page 27: ... to raised position 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 remain...

Page 28: ...ving 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 the thro...

Page 29: ...ing 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 ...

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: ...lt 3 Frozen idler pulley 4 Frozen blade mandrel 1 Engine speed too slow 2 Travel speed too fast 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: ...4 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 un...

Page 33: ... OUTPUT I _JRNA OR _I_ _ ORANGE 5AMP AC 3600 RPM F _ UIUUE I U C C _ 14 VOLTS AC MINI 3600 RPM LIGHTS OFF j 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 SPEED AT IDLE THE LIGHTS WILL DIM AS THE ENGINE IS SPEEDED UP THE LIGHTS WILL B...

Page 34: ...ELECTRICAL TRACTOR o o MODEL NUMBER 917 273821 42 41 I I I I I 28 29 55 i 90 I I i i i 34 ...

Page 35: ...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 Bolt BIk Fin Hex 1 4 20 unc x 1 2 42 131563 Cover TerminaI 43 178861 Solenoid 45 121433X Ammeter Rectangular 52 141940 Protection Wire Loop Hour Meter 55 17490508 ScrewThdrol 5 16 18 x 1 2 90 180449 Cover Terminal 91 190270 Str...

Page 36: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273821 CHASSmS AND ENCLOSURES 274 259 _ 260 258 273 i _275 166 208 217 31 _ 5 2O7 5 39 58 278 209 208 2_ 206 209 209 6O 74 208 chassis Laser It stlt 41 36 ...

Page 37: ...Lower STLT 74 STD541437 Nut Crownlock 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 Rod Pivot Chassis Hood 159 179950X428 CuphoIder 166 189747 Screw Hi Lo 13 16 x 5 8 w Patch 206 170165 Bolt Shoutder 5 16 18TT 207 17670508 ScrewThdrol 5 16 18 x 1 2 208 17670608 ScrewThdrol 3 8 16 x 1 2 209 17000612 S...

Page 38: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273821 GROUNDDRmVE 32 39 95 116 52 37 36 35 32 39 252 29 19 22 i 55 96 74 75 78 drive hydro stlt 53 38 ...

Page 39: ... 198 169593 51 STD541437 Nut Crownlock 3 8 16 Unc 202 72110614 52 STD541431 Nut Crownlock 5 16 18 Unc 212 145212 53 105710X Link Clutch 245 178122 55 105709X Spring Return Clutch 246 178121 56 17060620 Screw 3 8 16 x 1 1 4 247 181462 57 178138 V Belt 250 17060612 59 169691 Keeper Center Span 251 17060516 61 17120614 Screw 3 8 16 x 875 252 19131616 62 8883R Cover Pedal 263 17000612 63 175410 PulIey...

Page 40: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273821 STEERmNG ASSEMBLY _ _12 39 1 _ _ 1 _ z i 37 _ID_ 37 68 54 _4 steering put 47 88 29 46 40 10 13 65 68 67 67 67 43 4395 8 4O ...

Page 41: ...ardened 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 Steerin...

Page 42: ...77 0296 E1 45 17000612 4 137352 Muffler Exhaust 13 165291 Gasket Muffler 72 183906 14 148456 Tube Drain Oil Easy 78 17060620 23 169837 Shield Browning Debris Guard 81 73510400 29 137180 Arrestor Spark 112 3645J 31 179022 Tank Fuel 32 179124X428 Cap Fuel 33 123487X Clamp Hose B k DESCRIPTION Line Fuel Plug Drain Oil Easy Stem Tank FueI Screw Hex Wsh Thdrol 3 8 16 x 3 4 Screw Socket Head 5 16 18 x 1...

Page 43: ...ring Seat Cprsn 2 250 BIk Zi Screw 3 8 16 x 1 5SMGML Washer 13 32 x 1 x 14 Ga Pan Pnt Seat Knob Seat Bracket Pnt Mounting Switch KEY PART NO NO 13 121248X 14 72050412 15 134300 16 121250X 17 123976X 21 171852 22 STD541431 24 19171912 25 127018X DESCRIPTION Bushing Snap BIk Nyl 50 Hd 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 Hg Gr 5 Zinc Bo...

Page 44: ...191868 191869 DESCRIPTION Decal Dash Panel Decal Mower Drive Schematic Decal Steering Decal Battery Diehard Sears Decal Deck Mower EZ3 Decal Battery Decal Lift Handle Pad Footrest Lh STLT Pad Footrest Rh STLT Manual Owner s English Manual Owner s Spanish 4 10 wheeb 1 11 KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 59192 Valve Cap Tire 65139 Stem Valve 106222X Tire Front 59904 Tube Front Tire Not P...

Page 45: ...ndIe Fluted 8 122365X Button Plunger Read 11 139865 Link Asm Lift LH 12 139866 Link Asm Lift R H 13 STD624008 Retainer Spring 18 20 15 lift rh l pc stlt 3 KEY PART NO NO DESCRIPTION 15 173288 Link Front 16 73350800 Nut Jam Hex 1 2 13 unc 17 175689 Trunnion 18 73800800 Nut Lock w Wsh 1 2 13 unc 19 139868 Arm Suspension Mower 20 163552 Retainer Spring 31 169865 Bearing Pvt Lift Tapered 32 73540600 N...

Page 46: ...TRACTOR o o MODEL NUMBER 917 273821 MOWER DECK 67 58_ _ 4o 85 _ _ 36 _ 144 45 40 _J_ 119 2 5 6 f 19 i 142 1147 148 105 lOl i 102 t 103 105 106 18 i i i i 21 _o_5 42 D man t path stlt 4 46 ...

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

Page 48: ...TRACTOR MODEL NUMBER 917 273821 PEERLESS TRANSAXLE MODEL NUMBER LTH2000 106 6 31 87 200 3 25 22 203 208 lOO 210 48 ...

Page 49: ...065 Washer 627 ID 091W 113 786199 Sleeve Ass y Incl 157 31 780189 Washer 563 ID 062W 114 786200 Sleeve Ass y dnci 87 36 790071 Brake Disk 115 786198 Sleeve Assembly Incl 87 37 790007 Brake Pad Plate 127 784384 Shift Lever Ass y dncl 109 38 799021 Brake Pad 150 788093A Liquid Gasket RTV Silicon 40 792204 RolI Pin 25 157 788102 Oil Seal 9 16 1D 41 790102 Brake Lever 180 730229 BOil Spec 80W90 42 792...

Page 50: ... 307_ 3_ 358 ENGINE GASKET SET 868 12 943 0 1022 20_ 617 0 51 _ 691 _ 0 524 _ 8420 1266 I 1019 LABEL KIT I I 1088 owNeR s MANUAL I I 1036 EMISSION LABEL I I 1 I 48 SHORT BLOCK I I 133o REPAIR MANUALI I 1329 REPLACEMENT ENGINE I 750 718 _ 8_1o 24 43 _ 741 684I 11_ 584_ 1264I_ 15_ 41 12 200 89 1027 50 ...

Page 51: ... 103 z 1022 238 36 6170 54_ 654 404 _ 614 _ I 5o6 562 _ _5 188_ 267 _t 240_ e 118 141A 93 _ 95e 789 334 _ 366 1041 12_CAR BU RETOR6 4A_KIT87 t 105 _ 137_ 276 _ I 106_ _ c _ 634_ _ 1266_J I 117_ 142_ 6170 1266A _ 1 977 CARBURETOR GASKET SET 1266A _ 276 1095 VALVE GASKET SET 868_ 1022 1026 647 276 1127_ 947 51 ...

Page 52: ...CTOR o o MODEL NUMBER 917 273821 BRmGGS STRATTON ENGmNE MODEL NUMBER 31P777 TYPE NUMBER 0296 E1 305A _ 643 1267 968 801 _ 544_ 803_ 310_ _ 5o_ 579 _ 4621 797 _ _ 802 729 697 _ 363 1070 1005 _ 1044_ 1051 52 ...

Page 53: ...g Standard 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 Washer Sealing 36 691279 Spring v alve Exhaust 304 699829 Housing Blower 3...

Page 54: ...1263 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 69128...

Page 55: ...s greater than 15 degrees Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes 1 Fold this page along dotted mine indicated above 2 Hold page before you so that its left edge is vertieammy paraimei 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...

Page 56: ...0 533 6937 www sears ca 02410 Registered Trademark TMTrademark SMService Mark of Sears Roebuck and Co SM Marca Registrada TMMarca de Fabrica Marca de Servicio de Sears Roebuck and Co MD MCMarque de commerce Marque depos6e de Sears Roebuck and Co 191868 Rev 1 6 30 04 TR MH Printed in U S A ...