Craftsman EZ3 917.259521, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...on oCustomer Responsibilities oService and Adjustments oRepair Parts OWNER S MANUAL CAUTION Read and follow all safety rules and instructions before operating this equipment FOR CONSUMER ASSISTANCE HOT LINE CALL THIS TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800o659 5917 H ...

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

Page 3: ...tained in effective working 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 have 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 UMUTED TWO YEAR WARR...

Page 4: ...een 18 Cooling Fins Engine 18 Oil Change 17 Oil Level 13 17 Oil Type 17 Preparation 13 Repair Parts 48 53 Starting 14 Storage 26 F Filters Air 18 Fuel 19 Fuel Type 13 Storage 26 Fuse 24 G Gauge Wheels 8 H Hood Removal Installation 24 L Leveling Mower Deck 21 Lubrication Chart 15 M Maintenance Schedule 15 Mower Adjustment Front to Back 21 Adjustment Side to Side 21 Blade Sharpening 16 Blade Replace...

Page 5: ...u mulch discharge or bag clippings bagger optional without changing blades For models not equipped as 3 in 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 lumber ROLLER for smoother lawn surface 36 inch wide 18 inch diameterwater tight drum holds up to 3901bs ofweight Rounded edg...

Page 6: ... 8 2 Lock Washers 10 __ 2 Washers 3 16 x 3 4 x 16 Gauge 2 Weld Nuts 10 2 Hex Bolts 1 4 20 x 3 4 2 Hex Nuts 1 4 20 2 Washers 9 32 x 5 8 x 16 Gauge F_ 2 Lock Washers 1 4 Parts packed separately in carton Seat Mulcher Plate Steering Wheel EB Manual Video Cassette Parts Bag Parts bag contents not shown full size x 7 8 x 14 Gauge 2 Shoulder Bolts _ 2 Center lock Nuts Steering Steering Wheel Adapter Ste...

Page 7: ... of the tractor so they are pointing straight forward Slide steering wheel adapter onto steering shaft exten sion Position steering wheel so cross bars are horizontal left to right and slide onto adapter Assemble large flat washer 3 8 lock washer 3 8 hex bolt and tighten securely Snap steering wheel insert into center of steering wheel Remove protective materials from tractor hood and grill IMPORT...

Page 8: ...The tires on your tractor were overinflated at the factory for shipping purposes Correct tire pressure is important for best cutting performance Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of this manual CHECK DECK LEVELNESS For best cutting results mower housing should be properly leveled See TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual CH...

Page 9: ...n of optional grass catcher accessory DEFLECTOR LATCH HOOKS FIG 7 CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW TRACTOR WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEBES T PERFORMANCE AND SATISFAC 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...

Page 10: ...FORWARD FAST SLOW WARNING ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE CLUTCH LIGHTS ON LIGHTS OFF FUEL CHOKE MOWER HEIGHT DIFFERENTIAL PARKING BRAKE UNLOCKED LOCK LOCKED MOWER LIFT REVERSE NEUTRAL ATTACHMENT CLUTCH ENGAGED H L c I HIGH LOW PARKING BRAKE ATTACHMENT CLUTCH DISENGAGED IGNITION DANGER KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY HYDROSTATIC FREE WHEEL Hydro Models only 10 ...

Page 11: ... LEVER Used to engage the mower blades or other attachments mounted to your tractor LIGHT SWITCH Turns the headlights on and off THROTTLE CHOKE CONTROL Used for starting and controlling engine speed_ CLUTCH BRAKE PEDAL Used for declutching and brak ing the tractor and starting the engine PARKING BRAKE Locks clutch brake pedal into the brake position GEARSHIFT LEVER Selects the speed and direction ...

Page 12: ...ing idle with the engine running hot engine exhaust gases may cause browning of grass To eliminate this possibility always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas i corn _ I CAUTION Always stop tractor I pletely as described above before leav ing the operator s position to empty I grass catcher etc I TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL See Fig 9 Always operate engine at full throttle Operating engine...

Page 13: ...actor rope cord etc _ BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL See Fig 16 o The engine in your tractor has been shipped from the factory a ready f led with summer weight oil Check engine oil with tractor on level ground_ o Remove oil fill cap dipstick and wipe clean reinsert the dipstick and screw cap tight wait for a few seconds remove and read oil level If necessary add oil until FULL m...

Page 14: ...r_ This will result in a more even distribution of clippings and more uniform cutting When mowing large areas start by turning to the right so that clippings will discharge away from shrubs fences driveways etc_ After one ortwo rounds mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished See Fig_ 11 _ If grass is extremely tall it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fir...

Page 15: ...ft Ibs maximum Do nol overtighten 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 tractor All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments sec...

Page 16: ...deck as shown Reassemble hex bolt lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown o Tighten bolt securely 30 35 Ft Lbs torque IMPORTANT BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED NOTE We do not recommend sharpening blade but if you do be sure the blade is balanced BLADE _ MANDREL __ ASSEMBLY TRA L NGEOGE E LATWAS E I A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD FIG 13 TO...

Page 17: ...level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least once ayear if the tractor is not used for 25 hours in one year Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each eight 8 hours of operation Tighten oil fill cap dipstick securely each time you check the oil level TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL See F...

Page 18: ...gently on flat surface If very dirty or damaged replace cartridge Reinstall cartridge nut precleaner cover and secure with knob s IMPORTANT PETROLEUM SOLVENTS SUCH AS KEROSENE ARE NOT TO BE USED TO CLEAN THE CARTRIDGE THEY MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF THE CARTRIDGE DO NOT OIL CARTRIDGE DO NOT USE PRESSURIZED AIR TO CLEAN OR DRY CARTRIDGE COVER KNOB _ _ o COVER CARTRIDGE NUT FOAM __PAPER PRE CLEANER ...

Page 19: ...rburetor replacement is required_ With engine cool remove filter and plug fuel line sections o o Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow pointing towards carburetor Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline CLAMP FUEL FILTER FIG 19 CLEANING Clean engine battery seat finish etc of all foreign matter Keep finish...

Page 20: ...ion Roll belt off engine pulley Disconnect clutch rod from clutch lever by removing retainer spring Disconnect anti sway bar from chassis bracket by removing retainer spring Disconnect suspension arms from rear deck brackets by removing retainer springs Disconnect front links from deck by removing retainer spr ings o Raise lift lever to raise suspension arms Slide mower out from under tractor IMPO...

Page 21: ...L SIDE TO SIDE IF THE FOLLOWING FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT IS NECESSARY 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 4 to 3 4 lower than the rear when the mower is in its highest position_ Check adjustment on right side of tractor Measure dis tance D direct...

Page 22: ...and nut A on brake rod If distance is other than 1 1 2 loosen jam nut and turn nut A until distance becomes 1 1 2 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 feet in highest gear further maintenance is necessary Contact your nearest au thorized service centeddepartmenL NUT A JA...

Page 23: ... also prevents tire dry rot and corrosion WASHERS RETAINING RING Q AXLE COVER I _SQUARE KEY REAR WHEEL ONLY FIG 28 TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BATTERY See Fig 29 CAUTION Lead acid batteries gener ate explosive gases Keep sparks flame and smoking materials away from bat teries Always wear eye protection when around batteries If your battery is too weak to start the engine it should be recharged If ...

Page 24: ...necter Stand in front of tractor Grasp hood at sides tilt toward engine and lift off of tractor To replace reverse above procedures_ HOOD HEADLtGHT WIRE CONNECTOR TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE See Fig 31 The throttle control has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary Check adjustment as described below before loosening cable If adjustment is necessary proceed as follo...

Page 25: ...five minutes Make final adjustments with engine running and shift motion control lever in neutral N position Move throttle control lever to slow _ position With finger rotate and hold throttle lever against idle speed screw Turn idle speed screw to attain 1750 RPM While still holding throttle lever against idle speed screw turn idle mixture valve in clockwise until en gine begins to die and then t...

Page 26: ...GUM DEPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS CARBURETOR FUEL FILTER FUEL HOSE OR TANK DURING STORAGE ALSO EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT 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 DAMAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM OF AN ENGINE WHILE IN STORAGE_ Drain the fuel tank Start th...

Page 27: ...on 3 Wait several minutes before attempting to start 4 Replace spark plug 5 Clean replace air filter 6 Replace fuelfilter 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 10 Contact an authorized service center department Clean replace air filter 2 Replace spark plug 3 Recharge or r...

Page 28: ...itch 4 Loose or damaged wiring 5 Blown fuse 1 Bad battery cell s 2 Poor cable connections 3 Faulty regulator if so equlpped _ 4_ Faulty alternatoL 1 Engine throttle control not set at SLOW position for 30 seconds before stopping engine 1 Check wiring switches and connections If not corrected contact an authorized service center department 1 Replace blade Tighten blade bolt 2 Level mower deck 3 Cle...