Craftsman 917252641 Owner’s Manual
lSearsj
OWNERS
MANUAL
MODEL NO_
917,252641
CautiOn:
Read Rules_e_r _
Safe Opera_d_, _,
and Instructi_,
Caref_ll_ "
_VVN T_A_C
Assembly
Installation
Operation
Repair Parts
Sears, Roebuck and Co .Chicago, Lft 60684, LJ..S..A
TOR
MODEL
NUMBER
SERIAL
NUMBER
THE MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBERS
WILL BE FOUND ON THE MODEL
PLATE ATTACHED TO THE DRAW-
BAR, (REFER TO PAGE 24),
YOU SHOULD RECORD BOTH MODEL
AND SERIAL NUMBERS AND KEEP
IN A SAFE PLACE FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE,
CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Lawn
Tractor It has been designed, engineered and manufactured
to give you the best possible dependability and performance,,
Should you experience any problem you cannot easily tame,.
dy, please contact your nearest Sears, Roebuck and Co Store
They have competent, well-trained technicians and the proper
too{s to service or repair this unit
Please read and retain this manuat The instructions will enable
you to assemble, operate and maintain your Tractor properly.,
Always observe the "RULES FOR SAFE OPERAT|ON"
IC START LAWN TRACTOR
rchase, when this Lawn Tractor' is used for personal household
fect in material or workmanship in this Lawn Tractor, except <=>
<_ the battery, at no charge. O
If this Lawn Tractor is used for commercial or rental purposes, this warranty applies for only 30
days from the date of purchase.
FULL SO-DAY WARRANTY ON BATTERY
For 90 days from the date of purchase, if any battery included with the Lawn Tractor proves
defective in material or workmanship and will not hold a charge, Sears will replace the battery, C:>
at no charge. <:>
<:> <:>
_=> LIMITED WARRANTY ON BATTERY
From the 91st day until one year from the date of purchase, if any battery included with the
<=> Lawn Tractor proves defective in material or workmanship and will not hold a charge, Searswill
replace the battery, charging 1/i2th of the price of the new battery for each full month from the
date of purchase,
Warranty service is available at your home, at no charge, by simply contacting the nearest Sears
store or Service Center throughout the United States,
<::>
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may aiso have other rights which vary from
<=>
<:>
state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co,
Sears Tower
BSC 41-3
_=_ Chicago, IL 60684 €=>1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION .................. 1
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS ..................... 2
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS - TRACTOR .............. 5
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS - 'TRACTOR ............. 8
TROUBLE SHOOTING ........................ 15
OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS - MOWER ............ 17
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS - MOWER ......... 18
REPAIR PARTS ........................................ 22
RULES FOR SAFE OPERAT O
WARNING: This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest-
covered, brush-covered or grass-covered land unless the engine s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable
local or state laws (if any) If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained 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 See your Sears Authorized Service Center for spark arrester kit part number
677S8,
. I
1. Know the controls and how to stop quickly., READ THE
OWNER'S MANUAL,
2. Do not allow children to operate the vehicle° Do not allow
adults to operate it without proper instruction.
3. Do not carry passengers, Keep children and pets a safe dis-
tance away,,
4. Always wear substantial footwear. Do not wear loose fitting
clothing that could get caught in moving parts.
5. Keep your eyes and mind on your tractor, mower and the
area being cut. Don=t let other interests distract you..
60 Do not attempt to operate your tractor or mower when
not in drivers seat.
7. Always get on or off your tractor from the operators left
hand side,
8. Clear the work area of objects which might be picked up
and thrown,
9, Disengage all attachment clutches and shift into neutral be-
fore attempting to start the engine,
10, Disengage power to attachments and stop the engine be-
fore leaving the operator's position
11. Disengage power to mower, stop the engine and disconnect
spark plug wlre(s) from spark plug(s) before cleaning, mak*
ing an adjustment or repairs.
!2. Disengage power to attachments when transporting or not
in usa,
13, Take all possible precautions when leaving the vehicle un-
attended, such as disengaging the power-take-off, lowering
the attachments, shifting into neutral, setting the parking
brake, stopping the engine, and removing the key.
t4. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or down-
hill, Mow up and down the face of slopes (not greater than
15°); never across the face.
15. Reduce speed on slopes and make turns gradually to pre-
vent tipping or loss of control, Exercise extreme caution
when changing direction on slopes.
16 While going up or down sfopes choose 1st gear to negotiate
the slope without stopping To reduce speed, move Vari-
drive Control toward slow position
t7. Never mow in wet or slippery grass, when traction is un-
sure or at a speed which could cause a skid,
t8, Stay alert for holes in the terrain and other hidden hazards.
19. Do not drive too close to creeks, ditches and public high-
ways_
20, Exercise special care when mowing around fixed objects
in order to prevent the blades from striking them_ Never
deliberately run tractor or mower into or over any foreign
object.
21. Never shift gears until tractor comes to a stop°
22. Never place hands or feet under the mower, in the deflector
(discharge chute) or near any moving parts while tractor or
mower are running Always keep clear of discharge chute
23 Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment
a. Use only approved drawbar hitch points.
b Limit loads to those you can safely control.
c. Do not turn sharply. Use care when backing.
d, Use counterweight or wheel weights when suggested in
this owner's manual.
24. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways,
25_ When using any attachments, never direct discharge of
material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the ve-
hicle while in operation,
26 Handle gasoline with care - it is highly flammable.
a. Use approved gasoline containers.
b. Never remove the cap of the fuel tank or add gasoline to
a running or hot engine, or fill the fuel tank indoors°
Wipe up spilled gasoline,
c. Open doors if the engine is run in the garage - exhaust
fumes are dangerous, Do not run the engine indoors.
27. Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operating con-
dition, and keep safety devices in place.
28. Keep all nuts, bolts and screws tight to be sure the equip-
ment is in safe working condition.
29. Never store the equipment with gasoline in the tank inside
a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark,
Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure.
30, To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves
or excessive grease.
31. Except for adjustment; DO NOT operate Engine if air
cleaner or cover directly over carburetor air intake is re-
moved. Removal of such part could create a fire hazard°
32, DO NOT OPERATE WITHOUT A'MUFFLER OR TAM-
PER WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. Damaged mufflers
or spark attesters could create a fire hazard. Inspect period-
ically and replace if necessary.
33. The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and inspect-
ed for damage after striking a foreign object, and the dam-
age should be repaired before restarting and operating the
equipment.
34, Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed
the engine.,
35 When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows:
a. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light,
bo Never make a cutting height adjustment while the engine
is running if the operator must dismount to do so,
c_ Shut the engine off when removing the grass catcher or
unclogging chute.
d. Check the blade mounting bolts for proper tightness at
frequent intervals.
36 Check the grass catcher bags frequently for wear or deterio-
ration Replace with new bags for safety protection.
37 Do not operate the Mower without either the entire grass
catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the deflector shield in
place°
38. Disengage power to mower before backing up. Do not mow
in reverse unless absolutely necessary and then only after
careful observation of the entire area behind the mower,,
LOOK FOR "[HIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, IT MEANS - ATTENTION!
BECOME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS INVOLVED.
-1
CAUTION: DO NOT OPERATE VARIDRIVE
CONTROL (FIG. 9) UNLESS ENGINE IS RUN-
NING. TRANSAXLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
=,, _ _.±JL]L =_= ---_
CUT AWAY VIEW
CAP
To assemble your Tractor you will need:
one 3/4" socket wrench and two 7/16" wrenches
NOTE: RIGHT HAND (R.H..) AND LEFT HAND (LH.)
ARE DETERMINED FROM OPERATOR'S POSITION
WHILE SEATED ON THE TRACTOR
ASSEMBLY
.-.-,.-,,3_ _ :_,..._./_TUBE
FIGUREI..... :ll- - - -:--
'II 'II ,,",'!,
i 'i i "n ''IIII................
WING _ BATTERY
NUT HOLD DOWN
WASHER -_
ROD
BA'ITERY
BOLT
BATTERY
TRAY
I Remove Shipping Strap Banding, Battery, Steering Wheel
and Bag of Parts
2 Fill and charge Battery (BEFORE INSTALLING ON
TRACTOR),
WEAR EYE AND FACE SHIELD.
a Battery Electrolyte: SEE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
PACKAGED WITH BATTERY,
b., Fill Battery with electrolyte to bottoms of tubes in cells
(Fig, 1), NOTE: DO NOT OVERFILL° (OVERFILLING
WILL RESULT IN DAMAGE TO TRACTORL
WASH HANDS OR CLOTHING IMMEDkl.
ATELY IF ACCIDENTALLY IN CONTACTI
WITH ELECTROLYTE, J
c Check level of electrolyte after 30 minutes. Add addi-
tional electrolyte if necessary. NOTE: TIGHTEN CAPS
SECURELY.
d Charge Battery at a rate not exceeding three amperes
for about two and one half hours,
DO NOT SMOKE. FUMES FROM CHARG.
ED ELECTROLYTE ARE EXPLOSIVE,!
1
FIGURE 2
i ill I
CABLE
BATTERY
FIGURE 3
ITII II I1'11111
i]ir'
HEX
NUT
Ill IIII
BLACKGROUND
a===_ BATTERY
FLAT WASHER_
_EGATIVE
TERMINAL
e. Neutralize excess electrolyte for disposal by adding it to
four inches of water in a five gallon plastic container,
Stir with a wooden or plastic paddle while adding bak.
ing soda until the addition of more soda causesno more
foaming_
3, Install Battery using: two Flat Washers, two Wing Nuts
(shown full size below) and
two Battery Bolts and Battery Hold Down Rod found in
Bag of Parts.
a. Remove tape from plastic Battery Tray. Hook one Bat-
tery Bolt into slot in the one side of the Battew Support
(Fig, 2).
b. Place Battery in Battery Tray (Battery Terminals to
inside) (Fig. 3).
c. Fasten Battery to installed Battery Bolt with the Battery
Hold Down Rod, Washer and W_ng Nut (Fig. 2)°
d. Hook remaining Battery Bolt to other side of Battery
/
Support and fasten Battery Hold Down Rod to it wilJ1
remaining Flat Washer, and Wing Nut,. Tighten Wing
Nuts securely by hand (Fig. 3)
4 Connect Battew Cables using: lwo Hex Bolls lv,,n Ftal
Washers. two Lockwashers and lwo Hex Nuts (si_ov, n full
size below} and a Terminal Cover |ound in Bag o{ Parts
a Position Terminal Cover over RED Battery Cable (Fig
4}
POSITIVE TERMINAL MUST BE CON-
NECTED FIRST TO PREVENT SPARKS
FROM ACCIDENTAL GROUNDING_
b. Connect RED Battery Cable to Positive (+) Battery Ter-
minal with Hex Bolt, Flat Washer, Lockwasher and Hex
Nut (Fig 3) Form Cable in an upward position (Fig
4) and tighten securely. Place Terminal Cover over Ter.
minal. NOTE: PULL TERMINAL COVER FORWARD
TO ENCLOSE BATTERY TERMINAL (FIG, 5),
co Connect BLACK Ground Cable to Negative (-) Battery
Terminal with remaining Hex Bolt, Flat Washer, Lock-
washer, and Hex Nut. Tighten securely (Fig, 3).
5, Install Steering Wheel using Flat Washer, Hex Jam Nut
(shown full size below) and
I II I IIIUIII IIIlllll
STEERING
WHEEL@
INSERT
HEX JAM NUT _
STEERING
Steering Wheel insert found in Bag of Parts,
a, Secure the Steering Wheel to Steering Shaft with Washer
and Hex Jam Nut !Fig= 6)- Tighten securely.
b, Install the Steering Wheel Insert,
NOTE: A SPARK ARRESTOR KIT (PAGE 3t) IS AVAIL-
ABLE AS AN ACCESSORY PART FOR YOUR TRACTOR.
CHECK LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN YOUR AREA,
BATTERY
I T
/
ERMINAL
COVER
WASHE_ WHEEL
STEERING
SHAFT
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 4
-3_
INtTIAL ADJUSTMENTS
1 REDUCE TIRE PRESSURE TO 14 POUNDS IN FRONT
AND 12 POUNDS IN REAR TIRES° (Tires were overin-
ffated for shipping purposes)
2. Seat position should be adjusted forward or backward so
that operator can comfortably reach Clutch-Brake Pedal
(Fig 1t)
a Loosen the Bolt beneath the Seat Spring (Fig 7) Slide
the Seat forward or backward Tighten Bolt securely
3 Check mower adjustment page 16 and adjust if necessary
INITIAL SERVICE
NOTE: BE CAREFUl_ NOT TO ALLOW DIRT TO ENTER
THE ENGINE WHEN CHECKING OR ADDING OIL OR
FUEL.
1 Raise Hood.
2 Check Engine Oil Level with Tractor on leve! ground Re-
move Dipstick, wipe Dipstick (Fig. 8) clean, screw i_ in
tight for a few seconds, remove and read Oil Level tf neces-
sary, add Oil until "FULL" mark is reached In summer use
S.A_E.. 30 (SC, SD, SE or SF) OiL In winter (below 32°F.)
use SA.E 10W30 (SC, SD, SE or SF) or 10W40 (SC, SD,
SE or SF) In extreme cold (below 0°F.) use S,AE. 5W20
(SC, SD, SE or' SF)_ NOTE: DO NOT OVERFILL.
3. Fill Fuel Tank (Fig., 81 with fresh, clean regular grade lead.,
ed or low-lead automotive gasoline ontyo Capacity is 1.5
gallons. NOTE: DO NOT SWITCH FROM LEADED TO
LEAD-FREE GASOLINE,
WARNING: DO NOT USE GASOHOL. Gasohol type aF
cohols react with water content in the fuel and tend to
form strong acids which can corrode metal parts, even eat
rubber and plastics
FILL TO BOTTOM OF GAS TANK FILL-
ER NECK. DO NOT OVERFILL. WIPE
OFF ANY SPILLED OIL OR FUEL, ;
-4-
OPERAT ,O
NOTE: MOWER OPERATION IS LIS]ED ON PAGE t
THIS TRACTOR IS EQUIPPED WITH
INTERLOCK SWITCHES TO PREVENT
STARTING OF THE TRACTOR ENGINE
WHILE THE ATTACHMENT CLUTCH
LEVER (FIG, 9) IS IN THE "ENGAGED"
POSITION AND/OR THE GEAR SHIFT
LEVER IS NOT IN "'N'" NEUTRAL POSI-
TION {FIG. 9), IMMEDIATELY RE-
PLACE SWITCHES THAT ARE NOT IN
PROPER WORKING ORDER, DO NOT
ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE PURPOSE
OF THESE SWITCHES.
LEARN TO START, STOP AND REVERSE
YOUR TRACTOR IN A LARGE, OPEN
AREA,
CAUTION
ATTACI4ME/qT "
CLUTCH LEVER
...- ,_--, "DISENGAGED"
_y poSmON
GEAR f_z-:_----"_,_r_/4Y''--"""__
SHIFT LEVER _ -'_'_"_ ,/'//i_ ._ "_"-,_"-_"r'_._
-" " VARIDRtVE
IJ_ r_r_.71 _,,L) II] _"ENGAGED" _=
t lm_l° K/, I11_...PO§!TION.... /
!i - :-
/1 -_"_ _ //_/( _t, _1 FIGURE
1.. Keep all shields in place,
2, Before leaving operator s position:
a Shift gear shift lever to neutral (Fig 9)
b Set parking brake (Fig 10)
c, Disengage attachment clutch (Mower Blade Clutch Lever}
(Fig 9).
d. Shut off engine,
e, Remove ignition key
3, Wait for all movement to stop before servicing machine
4. Keep people and pets a safe distance away from machine
• I
STARTING THE TRACTOR
TROL UNLESS ENGINE IS RUNNING,
_ DO NOT OPERATE VARIDRIVE CON-
1., Place Attachment Clutch Lever in "DISENGAGED" posi-
tion (Fig 9)o
2, Push Clutch-Brake PedaE fully into "BRAKE" position
(Fig, 11),,
3, Place Parking Brake in "ENGAGE" position (Fig. 10},
4. Place Gear Shift Lever in "N" neutral position (Fig 9),
5 Move Throttle Control Lever (Fig 10) to full throttle stop,
tt_en to the right and upward for "CHOKE" position At
the "FAST" position the Lever has a stop, The stop is pro
vided so that you will know when you are at lull throttle
"FAST" position and prevent over travel into choke posi-
ti on.
6. Turn Ignition Key clockwise to "START" position and
release Key as soon as engine starts (Fig 10). Immediately
move Throttle Control Lever mid-way between "F" and
"S" pOSitions,
NOTE: DO NOT RUN STARTER CONTINUOUSLY FOR
MORE THAN THIRTY SECONDS AT A TIME, If Engine
does not start after several attempts move Throttle Control
. ,. . ilWll 11_!_ • , .
Lever m_a-way oetween and b pos_t_ons, watt a few
minutes, and try again
TRANSAXLE DAMAGE MAY RESULT.
FIGURE
ALWAYS WEAR SUBSTANTIAL FOOT-
WEAR AND AVOID LOOSE FITTING
CLOTHING THAT COULD GET CAUGHT
IN MOVING PARTS.
WARMING UP THE ENGINE
Move Throttle Control mid-way between "F" and "S" posi-
tions (Fig, 10). As engine warms up, move Throttle Control
Lever to "F" position NOTE: ALLOW ENGINE TO WARM
UP FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE OPERATING
When lesla_ling a wmm cngin{_ nlovc _ T1HOltt_; CoP,l_ol I_eve_
to "F" position, "CHOKE" may not haw: Io be used
=IGURE 11
-5-
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