Craftsman 917.24903 User Manual
Owner’s Manual
GRASS CATCHER
46" Mower
Model No.
917„249030
Safety
Assembly
Operation
iiaintenance
Repair Parts
CAUTION:
Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Instructions be
fore operating this equip
ment.
For answers to your questions
about this product, Caii:
1-800=659=5917
Sears Craftsman Help Line
5 am - 5 pm, Mon - Sat
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/craftsman
SAFETY RULES
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IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEET AND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE
TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
WARNING: In order to prevent ac
cidental starting when setting up,
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transporting, adjusting or making re
pairs, always disconnect spark plug
wire and place wire where It cannot
contact spark plug.
WARNING: Do not coast down a hill
In neutral, you may lose control of the
tractor.
WARNING: Tow only the attachments
that are recommended by and com
ply with specifications of the manu
facturer of your tractor. Use common
sense when towing. Operate only at
the lowest possible speed when on a
slope. Too heavy of a load, while on
a slope. Is dangerous. Tires can lose
traction with the ground and cause you
to lose control of your tractor.
I. GENERAL OPERATION
Read, understand, and foiiow aii instructions on the
machine and in the manuai before starting.
Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under
the machine. Keep ciear of the discharge opening at
aii times,
Oniy aiiow responsibie aduits, who are famiiiar with
the instructions, to operate the machine,
Ciear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc,,
which couid be picked up and thrown by the biades.
Be sure the area is ciear of bystanders before operat
ing, Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Never carry passengers.
Do not mow in reverse uniess absoiuteiy necessary, Aiways iook down and behind before and whiie backing.
Never direct discharged matehai toward anyone. Avoid
discharging materiai against a waii or obstruction,
Matehai may ricochet back toward the operator. Stop
the biades when crossing gravei surfaces.
Do not operate machine withoutthe entire grass catcher,
discharge guard, or other safety devices in piace and
working,
Siow down before turning.
Never ieave a running machine unattended, Aiways
turn off biades, set parking brake, stop engine, and
remove keys before dismounting.
Disengage biades when not mowing. Shut off engine
and wait for aii parts to come to a compiete stop before
cieaning the machine, removing the grass catcher, or
unciogging the discharge guard.
Operate machine oniy in dayiight or good artificiai
iight.
Do not operate the machine whiie under the influence
of aicohoi or drugs.
Watch for traffic when operating near or crossing
roadways.
Use extra care when ioading or unioading the machine
into a traiier or truck,
Aiways wear eye protection when operating machine.
Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
• Data indicates that operators, age 60 years and above,
are invoived in a iarge percentage of riding mowerreiated injuries. These operators shouid evaiuate their
abiiity to operate the riding mower safeiy enough to
protect themseives and others from serious injury,
• Foiiow the manufacturer's recommendation for wheei
weights or counterweights,
• Keep machine free of grass , ieaves or other debris
buiid-up which can touch hot exhaust/engine parts
and burn. Do not aiiow the mower deck to piow ieaves
or other debris which can cause buiid-up to occur,
Ciean any oii or fuei spiliage before operating or
storing the machine, Aiiow machine to cooi before
storage.
II. SLOPE OPERATION
Siopes are a major factor reiated to ioss of controi and
tip-over accidents, which can resuit in severe injury or
death. Operation on aii siopes requires extra caution. If
you cannot back up the siope or if you feei uneasy on it,
do not mow it.
Mow up and down siopes, not across.
Watch for hoies, ruts, bumps, rocks, or other hidden
objects. Uneven terrain couid overturn the machine,
Taii grass can hide obstacies.
Choose a iow ground speed so that you wiii not have
to stop or shift whiie on the siope.
Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may iose traction,
Aiways keep the machine in gear when going down
siopes. Do not shift to neutrai and coast downhiii.
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a siope. If the
tires iose traction, disengage the biades and proceed
siowiy straight down the siope.
Keep aii movement on the siopes siow and graduai.
Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction,
which couid cause the machine to roii over.
Use extra care while operating machine with grass
catchers or other attachments; they can affect the
stabiiity of the machine. Do no use on steep siopes.
Do not try to stabiiize the machine by putting your foot
on the ground.
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or embankments.
The machine couid suddeniy roii over if a wheei is over
the edge or if the edge caves in,
III. CHILDREN
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator is not aiert to
the presence of chiidren, Chiidren are often attracted to
the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that
chiidren wiii remain where you iast saw them,
• Keep chiidren out of the mowing area and inthe watchfui
care of a responsibie aduit other than the operator,
• Be aiert and turn machine off if a chiid enters the
area,
• Before and whiie backing, iook behind and down for
smaii chiidren,
• Never carry chiidren, even with the biades shut off. They
may faii off and be seriousiy injured or interfere with
safe machine operation, Chiidrenwho have been given
rides in the past may suddeniy appear in the mowing
area for another ride and be run over or backed over
by the machine,
• Never aiiow chiidren to operate the machine,
• Use extra care when approaching biind corners, shrubs,
trees, or other objects that may biock your view of a
chiid.
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SAFEP^ RULES
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Safe Operation Practices for Ride-On Mowers
IV. TOWING
• Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for
towing. Do not attach towed equipment except at the
hitch point,
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for weight
limits for towed equipment and towing on slopes,
• Never allow children or others in or on towed equip
ment,
• On slopes, the weight of the towed equipment may
cause loss of traction and loss of control,
• Travel slowly and allow extra distance to stop,
V. SERVICE
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE
To avoid personal injury or property damage, use extreme
care in handling gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable
and the vapors are explosive,
• Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other
sources of ignition,
• Use only approved gasoline container,
• Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine
running. Allow engine to cool before refueling,
• Never fuel the machine indoors,
• Never store the machine or fuel container where there
is an open flame, spark, or pilot light such as on a water
heater or other appliances,
• Never fill containers inside a vehicle or on a truck or
trailer bed with plastic liner. Always place containers
on the ground away from your vehicle when filling,
• Remove gas-powered equipment from the truck or
trailer and refuel it on the ground. If this is not possible,
then refuel such equipment with a portable container,
rather than from a gasoline dispenser nozzle,
• Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim ofthefuel tankor
container opening at all times until fueling is complete.
Do not use a nozzle lock-open device,
• If fuel is spilled on clothing, change clothing immedi
ately,
• Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap and tighten
securely,
GENERAL SERVICE
• Never operate machine in a closed are,
• Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure the equipment
is in safe working condition,
• Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly,
• Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or other debris
build-up. Clean oil or fuel spillage and remove any
fuel-soaked debris. Allow machine to cool before
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storing.
If you strike a foreign object, stop and inspect the
machine. Repair, if necessary, before restarting.
Never make any adjustments or repairs with the engine
running.
Check grass catcher components and the discharge
guard frequently and replace with manufacturer's rec
ommended parts, when necessary.
Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the blade or wear
gloves, and use extra caution when servicing them.
Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service
as required.
Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels, as
necessary.
Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operat
ing, Stop machine if anyone enters the area.
Never carry passengers.
Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary.
Always look down and behind before and while back
ing.
Never carry children, even with the blades shut off. They
may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with
safe machine operation. Children who have been given
rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing
area for another ride and be run over or backed over
by the machine.
Keep children out ofthe mowing area and in thewatchful
care of a responsible adult other than the operator.
Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the
area.
Before and while backing, look behind and down for
small children.
Mow up and down slopes (15° Max), not across.
Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the
area.
Choose a low ground speed so that you will not have
to stop or shift while on the slope.
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on a slope. If the
tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed
slowly straight down the slope.
If machine stops while going uphill, disengage blades,
shift into reverse and back down slowly.
Do notturn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn
slowly and gradually downhill, if possible,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SAFETY RULES...............................................................................2-3
CARTON CONTENTS.........................................................................4
ASSEMBLY.......................................................................................5-8
OPERATION........................................................................................9
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
MAINTENANCE.................................................................................10
STORAGE..........................................................................................10
WARRANTY.......................................................................................10
REPAIR PARTS................................................................................11
KNOW YOUR GRASS CATCHER
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE ASSEMBLING OR OPERATING YOUR GRASS
GATGHER, Gompare the illustrations with the carton contents to famiiiarize yourseif with the parts before starting the
assembiy. Study the operating instructions and safety precautions thoroughiy to insure proper functioning of your Grass
Gatcher and to prevent injury to yourseif and others. Save this manuai for future reference.
SAFETY GLASSES
FORESIGHT IS BETTER
THAN NO SIGHT
The operation of any tractor can resuit in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can resuit in
severe eye damage, Aiways wear safety glasses or eye shields before starting your tractor and
whiie mowing. We recommend a wide vision safety mask for over the spectacies or standard safety
giasses.
UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS
• Remove aii parts and packing materiais from carton,
• Gheck carton contents against iist. Be sure aii parts
are there,
CARTON CONTENTS:
(2) Gontainers
(1) Upper Ghute
(1) Lower Ghute
(1) Support Assembiy
(1) Gover Assembiy
PARTS IDENTIFICATION
SUPPORT
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: When right hand (R,H,) and ieft hand (L,H,) are mentioned in this manuai, it means when you are seated on the
tractor, in the operator's position.
CAUTION: BEFORE ASSEMBLING GRASS CATCHER TO TRACTOR:
Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake.
Place gearshift/motion control lever In "NEUTRAL" position.
Place attachment clutch In "DISENGAGED" position.
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Turn Ignition key "OFF" and remove key.
Make sure the blade and all moving parts have completely stopped.
Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where It cannot come In contact
with plug.
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