Craftsman 917.27103 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

16 HP

ELECTRIC START 42" MOWER 6 SPEED TRANSAXLE

LAWN TRACTOR

Model No.

917.271030

® Safety ® Assembly ® Operation ® Maintenance ® Repair Parts

This product has a low emission engine which operates differenlfy from previously built engines. Before you start the engine, read and understand this Owner's Manual.

CAUTION“

Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equip ment.

For answers to your questions about this product, Call:

1 »800-659-5917 Sears Craftsman Help Line 5 am - 5 pm, Mon - Sat

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL60179

Warranty

Safety Rules

Assembly

Operation......

Maintenance Schedule.....

Maintenance........

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON CRAFTSMAN RIDING EQUIPMENT For two (2) years from the date of purchase, if this Craftsman Riding Equipment is main

tained, lubricated and tuned up according to the instructions in the owner's manual, Sears will repair or replace, free of charge, any parts found to be defective in material or

workmanship. This Warranty does not cover: ® Expendable Items which become worn during normal use, such as blades, spark

plugs, air cleaners, belts, etc.

0 Tire replacement or repair caused by punctures from outside objects, such as nails,

thorns, stumps, or glass, ,

® Repairs necessary because of operator abuse, negligence, irnproper storage or acci

dent or the failure to maintain the equipment according to the instructions contained in the owner’s manual.

® Riding equipment used for commercial or rental purposes.

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.........2 Product Specifications

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2 Service and Adjustments,

.........8 Storage.,...................................

.......12 Troubleshooting................................ ...28

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.18 Repair Parts

.,..„.18 Parts Ordering

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.......................Back Cover

LIMITED 90 DAY WARRANTY ON BATTERY

For ninety (90) days from date of purchase, if any battery included with this riding equip ment proves defective in material or workmanship and our testing determines the bat tery will not hold a charge, Sears will replace the battery at no charge. In-home warranty service on your Craftsman riding equipment is available at no charge for 30 days from the date of purchase. Please contact your nearest service center. After 30 days from the date of purchase, warranty service is available by taking your Craftsman riding equip ment to your nearest Sears Service Center. (In-home warranty service will still be avail able after 30 days from the date of purchase but a standard trip charge will apply). This warranty applies only while this product is in the United States. This Warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which may vary from state to

state. Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

GENERAL OPERATION

® Read, understand, and follow all instruc

tions fn the manual and on the machine

before starting.

« Only allow responsible adults, who are

familiar with the instructions, to operate the machine.

« Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blade.

® Be sure the area is clear of other people

before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

Never carry passengers. Do not mow In reverse unless absolute ly necessary. Always look down and

behind before and while backing.

Be aware of the mower discharge direc tion and do not point it at anyone. Do not operate the mower without either the entire grass catcher or the guard in place. Slow down before turning.

Never leave a running machine unat tended. Always turn off blades, set park ing brake, stop engine, and remove keys before dismounting.

« Turn off biades when not mowing. « Stop engine before removing grass

catcher or unclogging chute.

•» Mow only in daylight or good artificial light.

® Do not operate the machine white under

the influence of alcohol or drugs,

» Watch for traffic when operating near or

crossing roadways.

« Use extra care when loading or unload

ing the machine into a trailer or truck.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopes are a major factor related to loss-

of-control and tipover accidents, which can result in severe injury or death. All slopes require extra caution, if you cannot

back up the slope or if you feel uneasy on

it, do not mow it.

DO;

« Mow up and down slopes, not across.

* Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree

limbs, etc.

® Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven

terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles.

® Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so

that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope.

« Follow the manufacturer’s recommen

dations for wheel weights or counter weights to improve stability.

® Use extra care with grass catchers or

other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine,

» Keep all movement on the slopes slow

and gradual. Do not make sudden changes in speed or direction.

» Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If

tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

DO NOT;

® Do not turn on slopes unless necessary,

and then, turn slowly and gradually downhiil, if possible.

® Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches, or

embankments. The mower could sud denly 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.

CHILDREN

Tragic accidents can occur if the operator

is not alert to the presence of children. Children are often attracted to the machine and the mowing activity. Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them. « Keep children out of the mowing area

and under the watchful care of another responsible adult.

e Be alert and turn machine off if children

enter the area.

■» Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children,

e |\|ever carry children. They may fall off

and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation.

® Never allow children to operate the

machine.

• Use extra care when approaching blind

corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision.

SERVICE

» Use extra care in handling gasoline and

other fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.

- Use only an approved container,

- Never remove gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow en

gine to cool before refueling. Do not

smoke.

- Never refuel the machine indoors.

- Never store the machine or fuel

container inside where there is an open flame, such as a water heater.

® Never run a machine inside a closed

area.

« Keep nuts and bolts, especially blade

attachment bolts, tight and keep equip ment in good 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. Allow machine to cool before storing.

® Stop and inspect the equipment if you

strike an object. Repair, if necessary,

before restarting. Never make adjustments or repairs with the engine running. Grass catcher components are subject to wear, damage, and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and replace with

manufacturer's recommended parts, when necessary. Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves, and

use extra caution when servicing them. Check brake operation frequently. Adjust and service as required.

Be sure the area is clear of other people before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area.

Never carry passengers.

Do not mow in reverse unless absolute

ly necessary. Always look down and

behind before and while backing.

Never carry children. They may fall off

and be seriously injured or interfere with

safe machine operation.

Keep children out of the mowing area

and under the watchful care of another

responsible adult.

Be alert and turn machine off if children

enter the area.

Before and when backing, look behind

and down for small children.

.Look for this symbol to point out impor tant safety precautions. It means CAU TION!!! BECOME AWARE!!! YOUR SAFE TY IS INVOLVED.

Mow up and down slopes (15° Max), not across. Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc. Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine, 7a//

grass can Me obstacles.

Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope.

Do not turn on slopes unless necessary, and then, turn slowly and gradually downhill, if possible.

AwARNING: The engine exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

CAUTION; in order to prevent acciden

tal starting when setting up, transporting,

adjusting or making repairs always discon nect spark plug wire and place wire where it cannot contact spark plug.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

GASOLINE CAPACITY AND TYPE:

OIL TYPE (API-SF/SG/SH):

1.25 GALLONS UNLEADED

REGULAR SAE 10W-30

(above 32° F) SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F)

Should you experience any problem you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center.

We have competent, well-trained techni

cians and the proper tools to service or repair this tractor.

Please read and retain this manual The instructions will enable you to assemble and maintain your tractor property. Always observe the “SAFETY RULES”.

OIL CAPACITY:

SPARK PLUG:

4.0 PINTS

Champion RC12YC

(GAP: .030“) GROUND SPEED

(MPH):

TIRE PRESSURE:

FORWARD:

'jST

2ND

3RD 4TH 5TH

gTH

FRONT: 14PSI

1.1

1.4

2.3

3.5

4.5

6.0 1J

REAR: 10PSI

CHARGING SYSTEM:

15 AMPS @ 3600 RPM

AMP/HR: 30

MIN. CCA:240

CASE SIZE: U1R

OLuAOE BOLT

27-35 FT. LBS.

TORQUE;

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase

of a Craftsman Tractor. It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance.

MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

A Sears Maintenance Agreement is avail able on this product Contact your nearest Sears store for details.

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

® Read and observe the safety rules. « Follow a regular schedule in maintain

ing, caring for and using your tractor,

o Follow the instructions under “Mainte

nance” and “Storage” sections of this owner’s manual.

AwARNING: This tractor is equipped

with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unim proved 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. A spark arrester for the muffler is available through

your nearest Sears Authorized Service

Center (See REPAIR PARTS section of

this manual).

* ■•- <__!■

____z------!-------

,'. -. - ‘ - - '

--------------------------------------------------

' ■■

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

Parts packed separately in carton

Seat

Video

f' £3 SMSCtiiEl

Muicher

Plate

Steering

Boot

Manual

(2) Shoulder

Bolts

Parts Bag

{2) Washers 3/8

x7/8x HOauge

Parts Bag contents not shown full size

Steering Extension Shaft

(2) Gauge

Wheels

Steering

Wheel

(2) Center

lock Nuts

Steering Wheel Insert

Slope Sheet

Steering Wheei

Adapter

(2) Keys

(2) Latch Hook

Assembiys

Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness. Review the video cassette before you begin.

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes you need

are listed below. (1) 9/16" wrench

(2) 7/16" wrenches (2) 1/2" wrench (1) Utility knife (1) Pliers

(1) 3/4" Socket w/ drive rächet (1) Phillips Screw driver |1) Tire pressure

gauge When right or left hand is mentioned in this manual, it means, from your point of view, when you are in the operating posi tion {seated behind the steering wheel).

TO REMOVE TRACTOR FROM

CARTON

UNPACK CARTON

® Remove all accessible loose parts and

parts boxes from shipping carton (See page 6).

■» Cut, from top to bottom, along lines on all four corners of shipping carton, and lay panels flat.

® Check for any additional loose parts or

boxes and remove,

inside boot and 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 trac

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

3/8 Hex Bolt

3/8 Lockwasher

Large Fiat

Washer

Steering Whee

Extension Shaft

5/16 Locknut

Steering Boot

Adapter

5/16 Hex Bolt

BEFORE ROLLING TRACTOR OFF

SKID

ATTACH STEERING WHEEL

ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND

BOOT

* Slide extension shaft onto lower steer

ing shaft. Align mounting holes in exten sion and lower shafts and install 5/16 hex bolt and locknut. Tighten securely.

IMPORTANT; Tighten bolt and nut secure ly to 18-22 ft. lbs. torque.

* Place tabs of steering boot over tab

slots in dash and push down to secure.

INSTALL STEERING WHEEL

» Position front wheels of the tractor so

they are pointing straight forward.

® Slide steering wheel adapter onto steer

ing shaft extension.

® Position steering wheel so cross bars

are horizontal {left to right) and slide

Lower Steering-^/^ Shaft

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

® Press lift lever plunger and raise attach

ment lift lever to its highest position. » Release parking brake by depressing

clutch/brake pedal » Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) posi

tion. * Roll tractor forward off skid. » Remove banding holding discharge

guard up against tractor.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR CONNECT BATTERY

AcAUTION: Do not short battery termi nals by allowing a wrench or any other object to contact both terminals at the same time. Before connecting battery, re move metal bracelets, wristwatch bands, rings, etc. Positive terminal must be con nected first to prevent sparking from acci dental grounding. » Remove cardboard packing from seat

pan and lift seat pan to raised position.

» Open battery box door and remove pro

tective plastic.

6 Remove terminal protective caps and

discard,

<» If this battery is put into service after

month and year indicated on label (label located between terminals) charge bat tery for minimum of one hour at 6-10 amps.

« First connect RED battery cable to posi

tive (+) terminal with hex bolt, fiat wash er, lock washer and hex nut as shown. Tighten securely.

e Connect BLACK grounding cable to

negative (-) terminal with remaining hex bolt, flat washer, lock washer and hex nut. Tighten securely.

Discard Terminal Proctective Caps

Lock Washer

Flat Washer

Seat Pan

Battery Box Door

INSTALL SEAT

Adjust seat before tightening adjustment knob.

» Remove cardboard packing on seat pan. ® Place seat on seat pan and assemble

shoulder bolt Tighten shoulder bolt securely.

® Assemble adjustment knob and fiat

washer loosely. Do not tighten.

« Lower seat into operating position and

sit on seat.

* Slide seat until a comfortable position is

reached which allows you to press

clutch/brake pedal all the way down.

» Get off seat without moving its adjusted

position.

® Raise seat and tighten adjustment knob

securely.

Seat

Seat Pan

Positive (Red) Gable

Negative ' (Black) Cable

Close battery box door. Open battery box door for;

« Inspection for secure connections

(to tighten hardware). ® Inspection for corrosion. « Testing battery. ® Jumping (if required). ® Periodic charging.

Hex

/Bolt

Shoulder

Bolt

Flat Washer

Adjustment Knob

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

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 5 of this manual.

niiii*Kl Itou'Til* 1^- luiiT tG ni,i* It. Ir.tT.t. mnM' 'V nroff. Iim IT^ Biiui

For best cutting results, mower housing should be properly leveled. See ‘TO

level mower HOUSING” in the

Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

CHECK FOR proper POSITION OF

All pp-j YC

Cv Cil«Sin I 53

See the figures that are shown for replac ing motion and mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments sectoin of this manual Verify that the belts are rout ed correctly.

CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM

After you learn how to operate your trac tor, check to see that the brake is properly adjusted. See TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual

INSTALL MULCHER PLATE

® Install two latch hooks to mulcher plate

using screw, washer, lock washer, and

weld nut as shown. NOTE: Pre-assemble weld nut to latch hook by inserting weld nut from the top with hook pointing down. » Tighten hardware securely.

» Raise and hold deflector shield in up

right position.

® Place front of mulcher plate over front of

mower deck opening and slide into

place, as shown.

« Hook front latch into hole on front of

mower deck.

» Hook rear latch into hole on back of

mower deck.

iCAUTION: Do not remove discharge guard from mower. Raise and hold guard when attaching mulcher plate and allow it to rest on piate while in operation.

TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR DISCHARGING

Simply remove mulcher plate and store in a safe place. Your mower is now ready for discharging or installation of optional grass catcher accessory. NOTE: it is not necessary to change blades. The mufcher blades are designed

for discharging and bagging also.

ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS TO MOWER DECK

The gauge wheels are designed to keep the mower deck in proper position when operating mower. Be sure they are proper ly adjusted to ensure optimum mower per

formance. « Assemble gauge wheels with tractor on

a flat level surface.

® Adjust mower to desired cutting height

(See ‘TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT’ in the Operation section of this

manual).

® With mower in desired height of cut po

sition, gauge wheels should be assem bled so they are slightly off the ground.

Install gauge wheel in appropriate hole

with shoulder bolt, 3/8 washer, and 3/8-

16 locknut and tighten securely,

e Repeat for opposite side installing

gauge wheel in same adjustment hoie.

Gauge Wheel

^/CHECKLIST

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 6 amps),

/ Seat is adjusted comfortably and tight

ened securely,

/ Ail tires are properly inflated. (For ship

ping purposes, the tires were overinfiat-

ed at the factory).

/ Be sure mower deck is properly leveled

side-tO"Side/front-to-r#ar for best cutting results. (Tires must be properly inflated

for leveling),

/ Check mower and drive belts. Be sure

they are routed properly around pulleys and inside all belt keepers.

/ Check wiring. See that all connections

are still secure and wires are properly clamped.

While learning how to use your tractor, pay

extra attention to the following important items:

/ Engine oil is at proper level. / Fuel tank is filled with fresh, clean, regu

lar unleaded gasoline.

/ Become familiar with all controls - their

location and function. Operate them before you start the engine.

/ Be sure brake system is in safe operat

ing condition.

These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product.

Learn and understand their meaning.

BATTERY

p~| jpTj

ATTACHMENT REVERSE

CLUTCH ENGAGED

CAUTION OR

WARNING

reverse

S70P

ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE

Jim

CHOKE

MOWER HEIGHT PARKING BRAKE

NEUTRAL

FORWARD

LIGHTS ON

LOCKED

HIGH

LOW

FAST

OVER TEMP

LIGHT

UNLOCKED

SLOW

MOWER LIFT

PARKING BRAKE

ATTACHMENT >, r-r,

CLUTCH DISENGAGED SAFETY RULES SECTION)

DANGER. KEEP HANDS AND FEET AWAY

KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS

HYDROSTATIC FREE WHEEL

(Hydro Models only)

KNOW YOUB TRÄCTOB

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.

Light Switch

Attachment

Ignition

Position

National Standards Institute,

ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER: Used to engage the mower blades, or other attach ments mounted to your tractor. LIGHT SWITCH: Turns the headlights on and off.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL; Used to control engine speed.

CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL: Used for declutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine. GEARSHIFT LEVER; Selects the speed and direction of the tractor. HEIGHT ADJUASTMENT KNOB: Used to Adjust the mower cutting height.

ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER: Used to

raise and lower the mower deck or other attachments mounted to your tractor, LIFT LEVER PLUNGER: Used to release 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.

The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses or eye shields white operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or

repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over the spectacles, or

standard safety glasses.

HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR

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

TO SET PARKING BRAKE

0 Depress clutch/brake pedal into fu!l

"BRAKE” position and hold,

9 Place parking brake lever in "EN^

GAGED” position and release pressure from clutch/brake pedal. Pedal should remain in "BRAKE” position. Make sure parking brake will hold tractor secure.

Throttle/Choke Control

Clutch/Brake Pedal “Drive” Position

“Disengaged”

Position

STOPPING

MOWER BUDES -

<■ Move attachment clutch lever to “DIS

ENGAGED” position.

GROUND DRIVE “ Depress dutch/brake pedal into full

"BRAKE” position.

* Move gearshift lever to neutral (N) posi

tion.

ENGINE" » Move throttle control to slow position.

NOTE: Failure to move throttle control to slow position and aflowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine to “backfire".

• Turn ignition key to “OFF” position and

Attachment Clutch Lever“Engaged"

Position

“Disengaged”

Position

Parking Brake “Engaged” Position

Motion Control Lever

remove key. Always remove key when leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized

Use.

« Never use choke to stop engine. NOTE: Under certain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine run

ning, hot engine exhaust gases may cause “browning” of grass. To eliminate this possibility, always stop engine when stopping tractor on grass areas.

A CAUTION: Always stop tractor com

pletely, as described above, before leaving the operator's position; to empty grass catcher, etc.

THROTTLE CONTROL

Always operate engine at full throttle.

» Operating engine at less than full throt

tle reduces the battery charging rate.

» Full throttle offers the best bagging and

mower performance.

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD

The direction and speed of movement is controlled by the gearshift lever. « Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal

depressed and gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.

a Move gearshift lever to desired posi

tion.

» Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to

start movement.

IMPORTANT: Bring tractor to a complete stop before shifting or changing gears.

Failure to do so wifi shorten the useful life of your transaxle.

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

The cutting height is controlled by turning the height adjustment knob in desired direction.

« Turn knob clockwise (6) to raise cutting

height

» Turn knob counterclockwise P) to

lower cutting height.

The cutting height range is approximately

1 -1/2" to 4". The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with the engine not running. These heights are ap proximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed.

The average lawn should be cut to

approximately 2-1/2 inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches during hot months. For healthier and better

looking lawns, mow often and after moderate growth,

« For best cutting performance, grass

over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut rela

tively high; the second to desired height.

TO OPERATE MOWER Your tractor Is equipped with an operator

presence sensing switch. Any attempt by

the operator to leave the seat with the

engine running and the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine, ® Select desired height of cut. ® Lower mower with attachment lift con

trol.

® Start mower blades by engaging attach

ment clutch control.

® TO STOP MOWER BLADES - disen

gage attachment clutch control.

CAUTION: Do not operate the mower

without either the entire grass catcher, on

mowers so equipped, or the discharge guard in piace.guard in place.

Attachment Clutch Attachment Lift

to roll slightly as you restart movement.

® To restart movement, slowly release

parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.

® Make all turns slowly.

TO TRANSPORT

» Raise attachment lift to highest position

with attachment lift control.

* When pushing or towing your tractor, be

sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N) position.

» Do not push or tow tractor at more than

five (5) MPH. 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.).

TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

Tow only the attachments that are recom mended by and comply with specifications of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use common sense when towing. 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.

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

^CAUTION: Do not drive up or down hills with slopes greater than 15“ and do not drive across any slope,

« Choose the slowest speed before start

ing up or down hills,

« Avoid stopping or changing speed on

hills.

« If slowing is necessary, move throttle

control lever to slower position.

» If stopping is absolutely necessary, push

clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi tion and engage parking brake.

® Move gearshift lever to 1 st gear. Be

sure you have allowed room for tractor

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/dip-

stick; 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 nec essary, add oil until “FULL” mark on

dipstick is reached. Do not overfill.

® For cold weather operation you should

change oil for easier starting (See “OIL VISCOSITY CHART” in the Customer

Responsibilities section of this manual).

» To change engine oil, see the Customer

Responsibilities section in this manual.

ADD GASOLINE

® Fill fuel tank. 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.

IMPORTANT: When operating in tempera tures below 32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean winter grade gasoline to help insure good cold weather starting.

^WARNING; 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 white in storage. To avoid engine

problems, the fuel system should be emp tied before storage of 30 days or longer.

Drain the gas tank, start the engine and

let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor

are empty. Use fresh fuel next season.

See Storage Instructions for additional

information. Never use engine or carbure tor cleaner products in the fuel tank or per-

anent damage may occur.

kCAUTION: Fill to bottom of gas tank filler neck. Do not overfill. Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.

TO START ENGINE

When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine. ® Sit on seat in operating position,

depress dutch/brake pedal and set parking brake.

» Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) posi

tion.

® Move attachment clutch to “DISEN

GAGED” position.

® Move throttle control to choke position.

Note: Before starting, read the warm and

cold starting procedures below. ® Insert key into ignition and turn key

clockwise to “START” position and

release key as soon as engine starts.

Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute. If the engine does not start after several attempts, move throttle control to fast position, wait a few minutes and try again. If engine still does not start, move the throttle control back to the choke position and retry.

o When engine starts, move the throttle

control to the fast position.

» The attachments and ground drive can

now be used. If the engine does not accept 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 the throttle control in the choke position until the engine runs roughly, then move throttle control to fast posi tion. This may require an engine warm up period from several seconds to sev eral minutes, depending on the temper ature.

“ The attachments can also be used dur

ing the engine warm-up period.

NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000 feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F) the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be adjusted for best engine performance. See ‘TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

MOWING TIPS

» Tire chains cannot be used when the

mower housing Is attached to tractor,

» Mower should be properly leveled for

best mowing performance. See “TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual.

o The left hand side of mower should be

used for trimming.

«• Drive so that clippings are discharged

onto the area that has been cut. Have the cut area to the right of the tractor. This will result in a more even distribu tion of clippings and more uniform cut ting.

® When mowing large areas, start by turn

ing to the right so that clippings will dis charge away from shrubs, fences, drive

ways, etc. After one or two rounds, mow

in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished.

WARM WEATHER STARTING (50“ F AND ABOVE)

■» Jf grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce toad and possi ble fire hazard from dried clippings. Make first cut relatively high; the second

to the desired height. Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass win plug mower and leave unde sirable clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing.

o Always operate engine at full throttle

when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper discharge of material. Regulate ground speed by se lecting a low enough gear to give the mower the best cutting performance as well as the quality of cut desired,

o When operating attachments, select a

ground speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the at tachment being used.

MULCHING MOWING TIPS

IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of buiit-up grass and trash- Clean after each use. ® The special mulching blade will recut

the grass clippings many times and

reduce them in size so that as they fail onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed. Also, the

mulched grass will biodegrade quickly to provide nutrients for the lawn. Always

mulch with your highest engine (blade) speed as this will provide the best recut ting action of the blades,

® Avoid cutting your lawn when it is wet.

Wet grass tends to form dumps and

interferes with the mulching action. The

best time to mow your lawn is the early afternoon. At this time the grass has dried and the newly cut area will not be exposed to the direct sun.

For best results, adjust the mower cut

ting height so that the mower cuts off

only the top one-third of the grass

blades. For extremely heavy mulching, reduce your width of cut on each pass and mow siowly.

Max 1/3

Certain types of grass and grass condi tions may require that an area be mulched a second time to completely hide the clippings. When doing a sec ond cut, mow across or perpendicular to the first cut path. Change your cutting pattern from week to week. Mow north to south one week then change to east to west the next week. This will help prevent matting and graining of the lawn.

CUSTOWIER rísponsibiuties

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

FILL IN DATES AS YOU COMPLETE

Check Brake Operation | ^ Check Tire Pressure

Check Operator Presence and Interlock Systems

Check for Loose Fasteners

R A

Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades

Lubrication Chart

Check Battery Level

Clean Battery and Termlnals/Rooharge

Check Transaxle Cooling Adjust Biade 0®it(s) Tension Adj'ust Motion Drive Bett|s) Tension

Check Engine Oil Level 1

Change Engine Oi! |

Clean Air Filter |

Clean Air Screen |

inspect Muffisr/Spark Arrester |

Replace Oil Filter (If equipped) 1

Clean Engine Cooling Fins |

Replace Spark Plug

Replace Air Filter Paper Cartrfdge

RepiacB Fuel Filter

1 - Changa more oKsn whsfi operating ondar a hsavy load or in high amblanl iempBratyros.

2 " SsrvioB rtioro often whan oparating In dirty or dusty oonditions 3 - SI aqulpped with oil Star, changa oil svety SO hours

4 - Heplaca blades mors often when mowing ir» sandy soil

✓

✓ ✓ \^7

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6^2,3

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 periodi cally to properly maintain your tractor. All adjustments in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual should

be checked at least once each season.

• Once a year you should replace the

spark plug, clean or replace air filter, and

check blades and belts for wear. A new spark plug and clean air filter assure proper air-fuel mixture and help your engine run better and last longer.

BEFORE EACH USE

« Check engine oil level.

• Check brake operation.

• Check tire pressure. ® Check operator presence and interlock

systems for proper operation.

■» Check for loose fasteners.

@ Spindle Zerk

@ Front V^heel Bearing Zerk

@ Engine

® Attachment* Clutch Pivot(s)

IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease the pivot

points which have special nylon bear-ings. Viscous lubricants wili attract dust and dirt

that will shorten the life of the self-lubricating

bearings. If you feel they must be lubricated, use only a dry, powdered graphite type lubri

cant sparingly.

1/ 1

✓ 1

L/'s

|l^5

✓

j 6/i.a

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S - It equippad with adjustable syslam S - Not roquirsd il aquippod wilh maihlehancadraq battery 7 - Tighten (roni 0!«)e pivot bolt to as it -its maximum

Do not avariightart.

LUBRICATION CHART

@ Spindle

Zerk

@ Front Wheel Bearing

Zerk

@ Gear Shift Pivots

+ 42 hidden pages

Craftsman 917.27103 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

ELECTRIC START 42" MOWER 6 SPEED TRANSAXLE

917.271030

UNPACK CARTON

ATTACH STEERING WHEEL

HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR CONNECT BATTERY

INSTALL SEAT

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM

INSTALL MULCHER PLATE

TO CONVERT TO BAGGING OR DISCHARGING

ASSEMBLE GAUGE WHEELS TO MOWER DECK

TO SET PARKING BRAKE

STOPPING

THROTTLE CONTROL

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

TO START ENGINE

MOWING TIPS