Craftsman 917273241 Automatic Transmission Lawn Tractor Owners Manual

Craftsman 917273241 Automatic Transmission Lawn Tractor

SEARS INSTALLATION SERVICE

• For Sears professional installation of home appliances, garage door openers, water heaters, and other major home items, in the U.S.A. call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®

PARTS BAG CONTENTS

ASSEMBLY/PRE-OPERATION

• Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it means, from your point of view, when you are in the operating position (seated behind the steering wheel).

TO REMOVE TRACTOR FROM CARTON

UNPACK CARTON

1. Cut along dashed lines on all four panels of the carton. Remove end panels and lay side panels flat.
2. Remove protective materials from the tractor hood and grille.

IMPORTANT: Check for and remove any staples in the skid that may puncture the tires where the tractor is to roll off the skid.

CHECK BATTERY

• Lift the hood to a raised position.
  NOTE: If this battery is put into service after the month and year indicated on label (L) (the label is located between terminals) charge the battery for a minimum of one hour at 6-1 O amps. (See “BATTERY” in the Maintenance section of this manual for charging instructions).

ADJUST SEAT

1. Raise seat and loosen adjustment knob.
2. Lower seat into operating position and sit in seat.
3. Slide seat until a comfortable position is reached which allows you to press clutch/brake pedal all the way down.
4. Get off seat without moving its adjusted position.
5. Raise seat and tighten adjustment knob securely.

NOTE: You may now roll or drive your tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate instructions below to remove the tractor from the skid.

TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Operation section for location and function of controls)

1. Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever to its highest position.
2. Release the parking brake by depressing the clutch/brake pedal.
3. Place freewheel control in the “transmission disengaged position” (See “TO TRANSPORT” in the Operation section of this manual).
4. Roll tractor forward off skid.

TO DRIVE TRACTOR OFF SKID (See Operation section for location and function of controls)

1. Be sure all the above assembly steps have been completed.
2. Check the engine oil level and fill the fuel tank with gasoline.
3. Place freewheel control in the “transmission engaged” position (see “TO TRANSPORT” in the Operation section of this manual).
4. Sit on the seat in the operating position, depress the clutch/brake pedal,, and set the parking brake.
5. Place the motion control lever in the neutral (N) position.
6. Raise the attachment lift lever to its highest position.
7. Remove the key from the bag and start the engine (see “TO START ENGINE” in the Operation section of this manual). After the engine has started, move the throttle control to the idle (slow) position.
8. Release the parking brake.
9. Slowly move the motion control lever forward and slowly drive the tractor off the skid.
   10. Apply the brake to stop the tractor, set the parking brake, and place the motion control lever in
   neutral position.
10. Turn the ignition key to the “STOP” position. Continue with the instructions that follow.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

The tires on your tractor were overinflated at the factory for shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important for the best cutting performance.

• Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual.

CHECK DECK LEVELNESS

• For best cutting results, mower housing should be properly leveled. See “TO LEVEL MOWER” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

CHECK FOR THE PROPER POSITION OF ALL BELTS

• See the figures that are shown for replacing motion and mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. Verify that the belts are routed correctly.

CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM

• After you learn how to operate your tractor, check to see that the brake is operating properly. See “TO CHECK BRAKE” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

OPERATION

These symbols may appear on your tractor or in the literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning

• Failure to follow instructions could result in serious injury or death. The safety alert symbol is used to identify safety information about hazards which can result in death, serious injury and/or property damage.

KNOW YOUR TRACTOR

READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR

Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.

• Our tractors conform to the applicable safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.
• ATTACHMENT CLUTCH SWITCH – Used to engage the mower blades, or other attachments mounted to your tractor.
• LIGHT SWITCH POSITION – Turns the headlights on and off.
• THROTTLE CONTROL – Used to control engine speed.
• CHOKE CONTROL – Used when starting a cold engine.
• BRAKE PEDAL – Used for braking the tractor and starting the engine.
• FREEWHEEL CONTROL – Disengages transmission for pushing or slowly towing the tractor with the engine off.
• ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER – Used to raise, lower, and adjust the mower deck or other attachments mounted to your tractor.
• LIFT LEVER PLUNGER – Used to release the attachment lift lever when changing its position.
• IGNITION SWITCH – Used for starting and stopping the engine.
• AMMETER – Indicates battery charging (+) or discharging (-).
• PARKING BRAKE – Locks clutch/brake into the brake position.
• FORWARD DRIVE PEDAL – Used for forward movement of tractor.
• REVERSE DRIVE PEDAL – Used for reverse movement of tractor.
• CRUISE CONTROL LEVER – Used to set the forward movement of the tractor at desired speed without holding the forward drive pedal.
• HOUR METER – Indicates hours of operation

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE

Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence-sensing switch. When the engine is running, any attempt by the operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking brake will shut off the engine.

1. Depress brake pedal  all the way down and hold.
2. Pull the parking brake lever  up and hold, release pressure from clutch/ brake pedal (B), then release the parking brake lever. The pedal should remain in the brake position. Make sure the parking brake will hold the tractor secure.

STOPPING

MOWER BLADES

• To stop the mower blades, move attachment clutch to the disengaged position

GROUND DRIVE

• To stop the ground drive, depress the brake pedal all the way down.
• ENGINE
• Move throttle control between half and full speed (fast) position.
  NOTE: Failure to move throttle control between half and full speed (fast) position, before stopping, may cause the engine to “backfire”.
• Turn the ignition key  to the “STOP” position and remove the key. Always remove the key when leaving the tractor to prevent unauthorized use.
• Never use choke to stop the engine.
  • IMPORTANT: 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 running, hot engine exhaust gases may cause the “browning” of grass. To eliminate this possibility, always stop the engine when stopping the tractor on grass areas.
  • CAUTION: Always stop the tractor completely, as described above, and set the parking brake before leaving the operator’s position

TO USE CHOKE CONTROL 

• Use choke control whenever you are starting a cold engine. Do not use it to start a warm engine.
• To engage choke control, pull the knob out. Slowly push the knob in to disengage.

TO USE CRUISE CONTROL

• The cruise control feature can be used for forward travel only.

SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS

• The cruise control should only be used while mowing or transporting on relatively smooth, straight surfaces. Other conditions such as trimming at slow speeds may cause the cruise control to disengage. Do not use the cruise control on slopes, rough terrian or while trimmimg or turning.
• With forward drive pedal depressed to desired speed, move cruise control lever forward to “SET” position and hold while lifting your foot off the pedal, then
  release the cruise control lever. To disengage the cruise control, pull the lever backward to “OFF” position, or fully depress the brake pedal.

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL

The engine in your tractor has been shipped, from the factory, already filled with summer weight oil.

• Check engine oil with tractor on level ground.
• Unthread and remove oil fill cap/ dipstick; wipe oil off. Reinsert the dipstick into the tube and rest oil fill cap on the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube. Remove and read oil level. If necessary, add oil until “FULL’ mark on dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.
• For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting (See the oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance section of this manual).
• To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in this manual.

ADD GASOLINE

• Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck.
• Do not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will increase carbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness.

MAINTENANCE

1. Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures.
2. Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions.
3. Replace blades more o_en when mowing in sandy soil.
4. Not required if equipped with maintenance-free battery.
5. Tighten front axle pivot bolt to 35 ft.dbs, maximum. Do not overtighten.

LUBRICATION CHART

1. General Purpose Grease
2. Refer to Maintenance “ENGINE” Section

ENGINE LUBRICATION

• Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF-SJ. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.
• Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one year. Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each eight (8) hours of operation.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL

Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ.

• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.

1. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the enginewhen changing oil.
2. Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve and install the drain tube onto the fitting.
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward slightly and turning counterclockwise.
4. To open, pull out on the drain valve.
5. After oil has drained completely, close and lock the drain valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise until the pin is in the locked position as shown.
6. Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto the end of the drain valve.
7. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this
   manual.

TO REMOVE MOWER

1. Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position.
2. If equipped, turn height adjustment knob to lowest setting.
3. Lower mower to its lowest position.
4. Disengage belt tension rod from lock bracket.
   • CAUTION: Rod is spring loaded. Have a tight grip on rod and release slowly.
5. Remove retainer spring holding anti-swaybar to chassis bracket and disengage anti-sway bar from bracket.
6. Remove four retainer springs from front plate assembly and remove plate.

TO INSTALL MOWER

Be sure tractor is on level surface and mower suspension arms are raised with attachment lift control. Engage parking brake.

1. Swing anti-sway bar to left side of mower deck.
2. Slide mower under tractor with deflector shield to right side of tractor.
   • IMPORTANT: Check belt for proper routing in all mower pulley grooves.
3. If equipped, turn height adjustment knob counterclockwise until it stops.
4. Lower mower linkage with attachment lift control.
5. Be sure belt tension rod is in disengaged position.
6. Install belt into electric clutch pulley g reeve.
7. Place the suspension arms on outward pointing deck pins. Retain with double loop retainer spring with loops up as shown.
8. Install front plate assembly to tractor suspension brackets and retain with single loop retainer springs as shown

TO REPLACE MOWER DRIVE BELT MOWER DRIVE BELT REMOVAL

1. Park tractor on a level surface. Engage parking brake.
2. Lower mower to its lowest position.
3. Disengage belt tension rod from lock bracket.
   • CAUTION: Rod is spring loaded. Have a firm grip on rod and release slowly.
4. Remove screws from R.H. mandrel cover and remove cover.
5. Remove any dirt or grass clippings which may have accumulated around mandrels and entire upper deck surface.
6. Disconnect R.H. suspension arm from rear deck bracket by removing retainer spring.
7. Carefully roll belt over the top of R.H. mandrel pulley.
8. Remove belt from electric clutch pulley.
9. Remove belt from idler pulleys.
10. Check primary idler arm and two idlers to see that they rotate freely

TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE (SECONDARY) DRIVE BELT

Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake.

1. Remove mower (See “TO REMOVE MOWER” in this section of manual).
2. Remove screws from R.H. and L.H. mandrel covers and remove covers. REMOVE MOWER DRIVE BELT (Refer to “TO REMOVE MOWER DRIVE BELT” illustration in this section of manual).
3. Carefully roll belt over the top of R.H. mandrel pulley.
4. Remove belt from idler pulleys.
5. Check primary idler arm and two idlers to see that they rotate freely.
6. Be sure spring is securely hooked to primary idler arm and spring arm.

TO ADJUST CHOKE CONTROL

The choke 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 follows:

1. With engine not running, move choke control (located on dash panel) to full choke position.
2. Remove air cleaner cover, filter and cartridge plate to expose carburator choke (See “AIR FILTER” in the Maintenance section of this manual).
3. Choke should be closed. If it is not, loosen casing clamp screw and move choke cable until choke is completely closed. Tighten casing clamp screw securely.
4. Reassemble air cleaner

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Craftsman 917273241 Automatic Transmission Lawn Tractor-FAQs