Craftsman EZ3 917.258691, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...tomer Responsibilities oService and Adjustments oRepair Parts CAUTION Read and follow all safety rules and instructions before operating this equipment FOR CONSUMER ASSISTANCE HOT LINE CALL THiS TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 659 5917 v II I 1 _ IIIII I lr llll I111 Irlllll ...

Page 2: ...kments The mower could suddenly turn over if a wheel is over the edge of a clil or ditch or il an edge caves in Do not mow on wet grass Reduced traction coutd cause sliding Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground_ Do not use grass catcher on steep slopes 2 III CHILDREN Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not alert to the presence of childreno Children are o...

Page 3: ...g 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 ha_ e similar laws Federal laws apply on federal lands A spark arrester for the muffler is available through your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center Department See REPAIR PARTS section of this manual u iiiiiii _ J i i r i i LIMITED TWO YEAR WARR...

Page 4: ...ir Filter 18 Air Screen 19 Cooling Fins 18 Oil Change 18 OilLevel 14 Oil Type 14 18 Preparation 14 Repair Parts 48 57 Starting 15 Storage 26 F Filter Air Fitter 18 Fuel 19 Fuel Type 14 Storage 26 Fuse 24 H Hood Removal Installation 24 L Leveling Mower Deck 20 Lubrication Chart 16 Engine 18 M Maintenance Schedule 16 Mower Adjustment Front to Back 21 Adjustment Side to Side 20 Blade Replacement 17 B...

Page 5: ...scharge or bag clippings bagger optional without changing blades For models not equipped as 34n 1 Convertible mowers See MOWER in the Repair Parts section of this manual RAMP TOPS AND FEET let you load and unload tractor from a pickup truck Use with 2 x 8 or 2 x 10 hJmber ROLLER for smoother lawn surface 36 inch wide 18 inch diameter water4ight drum holds up to 390 Ibs of we ght Rounded edges prev...

Page 6: ...rs 3 16 x 3 4 x 16 Gauge 2 Hex Bolts 1 4 20 x 3 4 2 Washers 9 32 x 5 8 x 16 Ga 2 Hex Nuts 1 4 20 2 Lock Washers 4 iii i r Parts packed separately in carton i iii1 Steering Wheel Seat Mulcher Plate Video Cassette I t Parts Bag ii Manual i i i H ll ll HII ii1 i H Parts bag contents not shown full size i H i i i HHI I 2 Shoulder 2 Center Bolts lock Nuts _ 2 Washers 3 8 Steering x 7 8 x 14 Gauge Sleev...

Page 7: ...move STEERING __ _ TEERING WHEEL INSERT HEX LOCKNUT FLAT WASHER STEERING WHEE I I I t 1 _ _ _ z I FIG 1 BEFORE ROLLING TRACTOR OFF SKiD ATTACH STEERING WHEEL See Fig 1 o Remove locknut and large flat washer from steering shaft Position front wheels of the tractor so they are pointing straight forward Slide the steering sleeve over the steering shaft Position steering wheel so cross bars are horizo...

Page 8: ...s doors Use terminal access doors for Inspection for secure connections to tighten hard ware inspection for co rosion Testing battery Jumping if required Periodic charging LOCK FLAT HEX NUT WASHER WASHER D SCARD TERM NAL _ I HEoXLT PROTECTIVE CAPS i _ _B ACCESS DOOR _ 1_ _ POSITIVE __ RED Remove cardboard packing on seat pan Place seat on seat pan and assemble shoulder bolto Assemble adjustment kn...

Page 9: ...gs as shown o Install second front link in L H front suspension bracket only and retain with single loop retainer spring as shown Turn height adjustment knob counterclockwise until it stops o Lower mower linkage with attachment lift control Place the Loll suspension arm on outward pointing deck pin If necessary rock and raise front of mower to align deck pin with the hofe in suspension arm Retain ...

Page 10: ... ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS QUALITY PRODUCT PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST All assembly instructions have been completed I No remaining loose parts in carton Battery is properly prepared and charged Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps o Seat is adjusted comfortably and tightened securely AUtires are properly inflated For shipping purposes the tires were ove...

Page 11: ...BATTERY CAUTION OR REVERSE FORWARD FAST SLOW WARNING ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE CLLITCH LIGHTS ON LIGHTS OFF FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED LOCK LOCKED MOWER LIFT REVERSE NEUTRAL ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED L HIGH LOW ATTACHMENT CLUTCH DISENGAGED PARKING BRAKE IGNITION DANGER KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY HYDROSTATIC FREE WHEEL Hydro Models only 11 ...

Page 12: ...ents mounted to your tractor ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER _ Used to raise and lower mower deck or other attachments mounted to your tractor CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL Used for declutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT KNOB Used to adjust the mower height LIGHT SWITCH oTurns the headlights on and off MOTION CONTROL LEVER Selects the speed and direction of the tractor IGNITION S...

Page 13: ...cause browning of grass_ To eliminate this possibility always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas CAUTION Always stop tractor com pletely as described above before leav ing the operator s position to empty grass catcher etc 11 i i i m i ii i TO USE CHOKE CONTROL See Fig 8 Use choke control whenever you are starting a cold engine Do not use to start a warm engine To engage choke contro...

Page 14: ...erting retainer spring into forward hole of control rod Do not push or tow tractor at more than two 2 MPH To reengage transmission reverse above procedure NOTE To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor rope cord etc FIGo 11 BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE...

Page 15: ...ke and let the clutch brake slowly return to operating position o Allow one minute for transmission to warm up This can be done during the engine warm up period The attachments can be used during the engine warm up period after the transmission has been warmed up and may require the choke control be pulled out slightly i NOTE If at a high altitude above 3000 feet or in cold temperatures below 32 F...

Page 16: ...ng attachments select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the attachment being used MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT 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 clip pings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the...

Page 17: ...ost axle pivot belt to 35 ft Ibe maximum Do not oveltlghten GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS The warranty on this 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 tracton All adjustments in the S...

Page 18: ...ain in a horizontal position If either end of the blade moves downward sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced NOTE Do not use a nail for balancing blade The lobes of the center hole may appear to be centered but are not CENTER HOLE 518 BOLT BLADE BLADE REMOVAL See Fig 14 Raise mower to highest position to allow access to blades Remove hex bolt lock washer and flat washer securing blade ...

Page 19: ... cap dipstick securely each time you check the oil level TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL See Fig 16 Determine temperature range expected before oil change All oil must meet API service classification SF SG or SHo Be sure tractor is on level surface o Oil wil drain more freely when warm Catch oil in a suitable container Remove oil fill cap dipstick1 Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changi...

Page 20: ...re are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline_ COOLING FINS SCREEN BOTH SIDES FIG 18 ENGINE OIL FILTER Replace the engine oil fitte r every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year_ MUFFLER inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester if equipped as it coufd create a fire hazard and or...

Page 21: ...d Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug 1 _ N TO INSTALL MOWER Follow procedure described in INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE BELT in the Assembly section of this manual SUSPENSION ARMS TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING Adjust the mower white tractor is parked on level ground or driveway Make sure tires are properly inflated See PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS on p...

Page 22: ...om trunnion on both front links Tighten 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 nut F against trunnion on both front links Recheck side to side adjustment MANDREL FIG 23 i ADJUSTMENTS 1 111 BOTH FRONT LINKS MUST BE EQUAL IN LENGTH NUT F _ NUT E FRONT LINKS _ _ TRUNNION _ FIG_24 TO REPLACE MOWER DRIVE BELT MOWER DRIVE BELT RE...

Page 23: ...the pulley within 5 Depress clutch brake pedal and engage parking brake Measure distance between brake operating arm and nut A on brake ro If distance is other than 1 3 4 loosen jam nut and turn nut A until distance becomes 1 3 4 Retighten jam nut against nut A _ Road test tractor for proper stopping distance as stated above Readjust if necessary If stopping distance is still greater than six 6 fe...

Page 24: ... 2 turn_ NOTE If for any reason the effort to move the motion control lever becomes too excessive reverse the above adjustment procedure by loosening Iocknut 1 4 to 1 2 turn Road test tractor after adjustment and repeat procedure if necessary TRANSMISSION REMOVAL REPLACEMENT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement it should be purged after reinstatlation and before oper...

Page 25: ... running move throttle control lever to fast _ position_ o Check that speed control lever is against stop screw If it is not loosen casing clamp screw and pull throttle cable until lever is against screw Tighten clamp screw securely CASING STOP SCREW SPEED CONTROL CLAMP LEVER SCREW THROTTLE CABLE FIG 34 STOP SCREW SPEED CONTROL LEVER FIG 35 TO ADJUST CARBURETOR See Fig 36 The carburetor has been p...

Page 26: ...se until engine begins to die and then turn out counterctockwise until engine runs rough Turn needle to a point midway between those two positions Recheck idle speed Readjust if necessary_ ACCELERATION TEST Move throttle control lever from slow _ to fast _ position _ If engine hesitates or dies turn idle mixture screw out counterclockwise 8 turn Repeat test and continue to adjust if necessary unti...

Page 27: ...E Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable alternative in minimizing the formation of fuel gum deposits during stor age Add stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or storage container Always follow the mix ratio found on stabilizer container Run engine at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer to allow the stabilizer to reach the carburetor Do not drain the gas tank and carburetor if using rue stabilizer B...

Page 28: ...ait several minutes before attempting to start 4 Replace spark plug 5 Clean replace air filter 6 Replace fuel filter 7 Drain fuel tank and carburetor refill tank with fresh gasoline and replace fuel filter 8 Check all wiring 9 See To Adjust Carburetor in Service Adjustments section 10r ContaCt an authorized servicecenter department 1 Cieanlreplace air filter 2 Replace spark plug 3 Recharge or repl...

Page 29: ...r if so equipped 4 Faulty alternator 1 Freewheel control in disengaged position 2 Motion drive belt worn damaged or broken 3 Air trapped in transmission dudng shipment or servicing u n4 Check wiring switches and connections If not corrected contact an authorized service center department 1 Replace b_ade Tighten blade bolt 2 Level mower deck 3 Clean underside of mower housing 4 Repface blade mandre...

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