Craftsman EZ3 917.259531, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...tion o Customer Responsibilities Service and Adjustments Repair 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 1 800 659 5917 ...

Page 2: ...ankments 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 try 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 o...

Page 3: ...ive 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 LiMiTED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSM...

Page 4: ...reen 19 Cooling Fins Engine 19 OIl Change 18 Oil Level 13 18 Oil Type 18 Preparation 13 Repair Parts 50 55 Stading 15 Storage 27 F Filters Air 19 Fuel 20 Fuel Type 14 Storage 27 Fuse 25 G Gauge Wheels 8 H Hood RemovaVInstallation 25 L Leveling Mower Deck 22 Lubdcal on Chart 16 M Maintenance Schedule _ 16 Mower Adjustment Front to Back 22 Adjustment Side4o Side 22 Blade Sharpening 17 Blade Replacem...

Page 5: ...ts you mulch discharge or bag clippings bagger optional without changing blades For models not equipped as 3 in 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 lumber ROLLER for smoother lawn surface 36 inch wide 18 inch diameter water tight drum holds upto 390 Ibs of weighL R...

Page 6: ...3 16 x 3 4 x16 Gauge _ I 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 2 Lock Washers 1 4 Parts packed separately in carton Seat Mulcher Plate Manual Steering Wheel Steering Boot Eli Video Cassette Pa_s Bag Parts bag contents not shown full size _ 2 Washers 3 8 k J x7 8x 14 Gauge 2 Shoulder fF _ _ 2 Center Bolts _ _ lock Nuts _j 2 Gauge Wheels I teering ...

Page 7: ...o 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 plastic from tractor hood and grill IMPORTANT CHECK FOR AND REMOVE ANY STAPLES IN SKID THAT MAY PUNCTU RE TIRES WHERE TRACTOR IS TO ROLL OFF SKID ADAPTER STEERING SOOT EXTENSION SHAFT...

Page 8: ...OLT FLAT WASHER ADJUSTMENT BOLT LOCK WASHER FIG 4 ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS TO MOWER DECK See Fig 5 The gauge wheels are designed to keep the mower deck in proper position when operating mower Be sure they are properly adjusted to ensure optimum mower performance o Assemble gauge wheels with tractor on a flat level surface o Adjust mower to desired cutting height See TO AD JUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT in...

Page 9: ...ation of optional grass catcher accessory DEFLECTOR LATCH HOOKS 9 FIG 7 CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU OPERATE AND ENJOY YOUR NEW TRACTOR WE WISH TO ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE BEST PERFORMANCE AND SATISFACTION FROM THIS QUALITY PRODUCT PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST v All assembly instructions have been completed No remaining loose parts in carton Batteryis proper ly prepared and charged Minimum 1 h...

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

Page 11: ...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 fordeclutching and brak _ ing the tractor and starting the engine PARKING BRAKE Locks clutch brake pedal into the brake position MOTION CONTROL LEVER Selects the speed and direction of...

Page 12: ...e key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized use_ o Never use choke to stop engine NOTE Under certain conditions when tractor is standing 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 area I CAUTION Always stop tractor com pletely as described above before leav n ing the operat...

Page 13: ...to forward hole of control rod o 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 FIG 11 FIG 10 BEFORE STARTNNG THE ENGINE TO OPERATE ON HILLS I _ CAUT...

Page 14: ...ept the load restart the engine and allow it to warm up for one minute using the choke as described above COLD WEATHER STARTING 50 F and below When engine starts allow engine to run with thethrottle control inthe choke l l position until the engine runs roughly then move throttle control to fast _ position This may require an engine warm up period from several seconds to several minutes depending ...

Page 15: ...esirable clumps Allow grass to dry before mowing Always operate engine at full throttle when mewing to assure better mowing performance and proper dis charge of material Regulate ground speed by select ing a low enough gear to give the mower cutting performance as well as the quality of cut desire o When operating attachments select a ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performan...

Page 16: ...en 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 section of this manual should be c...

Page 17: ...wards deck as shown Reassemble hex bolt lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown Tighten bolt securely 30 35 Ft Lb torque IMPORTANT BLADE BOLT IS GRADE 8 HEATTREATED NOTE We do not recommend sharpening blade but ifyou do be sure the blade is balance BLADE FLAT_ LOCK WASHER_ HEX BOLT GRADE 8 _ TRAILING EDGE A GRADE 8 HEAT TREATED BOLT CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY SIX LINES ON THE BOLT HEAD FIG 1...

Page 18: ...O CHANGE ENGINE OIL See Figs 16 and 17 Determine temperature range expected before oil change All oil must meet API service classification SP SG or SH Be sure tractor is on level surface Oil will drain more freely when warm Catch oil in a suitable container Remove oil fill cap dipstick Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil o Remove drain plug After oil has drained comp...

Page 19: ...e by tapping gently on flat surface Ifvery 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 _ _ _ PAPER PRE CLEANER CARTRIDGE CLE...

Page 20: ... to carburetor replacement is required W th engine coot remove fitter arrd plug fuet line sections_ 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 FUEL FIG 20 CLEANING Clear engine battery seat finish etc of aJI foreign matter Keep finished surface...

Page 21: ...ts lowest position Roll belt off engine pulley o Disconnect clutch rod from clutch lever by removing retainer spring Disconnect anti sway bar from chassis bracket by removing retainer spring o Disconnect suspension arms from rear deck brackets by removing retainer springs Disconnect front links from deck by removing retainer spnngs Raise lift lever to raise suspension arms Slide mower out from und...

Page 22: ...SIDE TO SIDE IF THE FOLLOWING FRONT TO SACK 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 8 to 1 2 lower than the rear when the mower is in its highest position Check adjustment on right side of tractor_ Measure dis tance D directl...

Page 23: ...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 center department WITH PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED NUT A jA M NUT _ 3_F ___ OPERATING _J o _ _ 1 I ARM DO NOT TOUCH THIS NUT IF FURTHER BRAKE ADJUSTMENT IS...

Page 24: ...center department TO REMOVE WHEEL FOR REPAIRS See Fig 30 Block up axle securely Remove axle cover retaining ring and washers to allow wheel removal rear wheel contains a square key Do not lose o Repair tire and reassemble_ On rear wheels only align grooves in rear wheel hub and axle_ Insert square key o Replace washers and snap retaining ring securely in axle groove o Replace axle cover NOTE To se...

Page 25: ...ig 32 Raise hood Unsnap headlight wire connector Stand in front of tractor Grasp hood at sides tilt toward engine and lift off of tractor To replace reverse above procedures HOOD HEADLIGHT WIRE CONNECTOR FIG 32 ENGUNE TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE See Fig 33 The throttle control has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary Check adjustment as described below before loos...

Page 26: ...five minutes Make final adjustments with engine running and shift motion control lever in neutral N position Move throttle cgntrol 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 ...

Page 27: ...NT 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 o Drain the fuel tank Star...

Page 28: ... Wait several minutes before attempting to start 4 Replace spark plug 5 Clean replace ak 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 10 Contact an authodzed service center department 1 Clean replace air filter 2 Replace spark plug 3 Recharge or repl...

Page 29: ...itch 4 Loose or damaged widng 5 Blown fuse 1 Bad battery cell s 2 Poorcable connectfons 3 Faultyregulator if so equipped 4 Faulty alternator 1 Engine throttlecontrol not set at SLOW position for 30 seconds before slopping engine 1 Checkwtring switches and connections If not corrected contact an authorized service center depadment 1 Replace blade Tighten blade bolt 2 Level mower deck 3 Clean unders...

Page 30: ...SERVICE NOTES 3O ...