MTD 17AK9TKR099 Owner’s Manual

Operator's Manual

CRRFr MRN

REVOLUTION

ZERO TURN RiDiNG MOWER

Model No. 247.28933

For answers to your questions about this product, call 1-800-659-5917.

CAUTION: Before using this product, read this

manual and follow all safety rules and operating

instructions.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com FORMNO.769-04608

o SAFETY

ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE PARTS LIST

ESPANOL, p. 58

1/7/2009

WarrantyStatement.................... Page2

SafeOperationPractices.............. Pages3-8

SafetyLabels......................... Page9

Assembly........................... Page10

Operation........................ Pages11-17

Service&Maintenance.............. Pages18-29

Off-SeasonStorage................... Page30

Troubleshooting...................... Page31

PartsList......................... Pages32-53

RepairProtectionAgreement............ Page57

Espadol............................. Page58

ServiceNumbers................... BackPage

Craftsman Limited Warranty

Two Years on Riding Equipment

Whenoperatedand maintainedaccordingto allsuppliedinstructions,ifthis ridingequipmentfailsduetoa defectin materialorworkmanship withintwoyearsfromthedateorpurchase,call1-800-4-MY-HOME®toarrangefor freerepair.

Duringthefirstyearofpurchase,therewillbe nochargeforwarrantyserviceinyourhome.Foryourconvenience,in-homewarrantyservicewill stillbeavailableafterthefirstyearof purchase,butatripchargewillapply.Thischargewillbe waivedif youtransportthe ridingequipmenttoan authorizedCraftsmandrop-offlocation.Forthenearestauthorizedlocation,call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

90 Days on Battery Forninety(90)daysfromdateofpurchase,ifthebatteryincludedwiththisridingequipmentisdefectiveinmaterialorworkmanship(ourtesting

provesitwill notholdacharge),it willbe replacedfreeofchargein yourhome. This warranty covers ONLYdefects in material andworkmanship. Searswill NOTpayfor:

• Expendableitemsthatbecomewornduringnormaluse,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,sparkplugs,aircleaners,belts,andoil filters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,or glass.

• Tireor wheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,orimproperoperationor maintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframeor crankshaft,or over-speedingthe engine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbut notlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedby improper storage,failureto usethe propergradeandamountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe ridingequipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedin theoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningorrepairscausedbyfuel determinedto becontaminatedoroxidized(stale).In general,fuelshouldbeused within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

• Normaldeteriorationandwearof theexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

All ridingequipmentandbatterywarrantycoverageis voidif thisproductis everusedforcommercialor rentalpurposes.

Thiswarrantyappliesonlywhilethisproductiswithinthe UnitedStates.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyoumayalso haveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears, RoebuckandCo.,Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

GrossHP: 22 EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline SparkPlug: Champion®RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& StrattonIntekV-Twin

©SearsBrands,LLC

ModelNumber.................................................................

Serial Number.................................................................

Dateof Purchase.............................................................

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber

anddateof purchaseabove

Thissymbolpointsout importantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof yourselfandothers. Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingto operatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultinpersonalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothe safeopera- tionpracticesinthismanual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment, carelessnessorerroronthepartofthe operatorcanresultin serious injury.Thismachineiscapableof amputatingfingers,hands,toes andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle componentscontainoremitchemicalsknownto StateofCalifornia tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorother reproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknownto theStateof Californiato causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson the machineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate. Keepthis manualina safeplacefor futureand regularreference andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsoldtooperatethis machine. Children14yearsoldandovershouldreadandunderstandthe operationinstructionsandsafetyrulesinthismanualandshould betrainedandsupervisedbya parent.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethismachinewithoutproper instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe machinewhileitis in operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used. Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbytheblade(s). Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeof materialtoward roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthe like.Also,avoiddischarg- ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

Your Responsibility--Restrict theuseofthispowermachineto personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandonthemachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation andwhileperforminganadjustmentor repairto protectyoureyes. Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbe caughtin movable parts.Neveroperatethismachineinbarefeetorsandals.

• Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand do notpointitatanyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherinitsproperplace.

Donot puthandsor feetnearrotatingpartsorunderthecutting

deck.Contactwiththe blade(s)can amputatehandsandfeet. A missingordamageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,orroads andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineisnotintendedforuseonanypublicroadway.

• Donot operatethemachinewhile undertheinfluenceofalcohol or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Disengageblade(s)beforeshiftingintoreverse.Backupslowly. Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile backingtoavoida

back-overaccident.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil theblade(s)cometoacompletestopbeforeremovinggrass catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor debris,or makinganyadjustments.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff blade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandremovekeybefore dismounting.

Useextracarewhenloadingorunloadingthe machineintoa trailerortruck.Thismachineshouldnot bedrivenupor down ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtip over,causingserious personalinjury.Themachinemustbe pushedmanuallyon ramp(s)to loador unloadproperly.

Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancauseaburn.Do not touch.

Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow hangingtreebranches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould resultinseriousinjury.

Disengageallattachmentclutchesanddepressthebrakepedal completelybeforeattemptingtostart engine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesofdryleaves.Drygrassor leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthis machine bythe machinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall instructionsprovidedwiththeapprovedaccessoryorattachment. Fora list ofapprovedaccessoriesandattachments,call 1-800-

659-5917. Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries. Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom seriousinjury.

If situationsoccurwhicharenot coveredinthismanual,usecare andgoodjudgment.Contact1-800-659-5917forinformationand

assistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-over accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackupthe slopeor if youfeeluneasyon it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheSlopeGuideincludedaspartof this manual to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthismachineona slopedor hilly area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe Slope Guide,do notoperatethismachineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowupanddownslopes,not across.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsettingsothat youwill nothavetostopor shiftwhileon theslope.Tiresmay losetractionon slopeseventhoughthe brakesarefunctioning properly.Alwayskeepmachineingearwhen goingdownslopes totakeadvantageofenginebrakingaction.

• Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweights or counterweightsto improvestability.Forrecommendations,call

1-800-659-5917.

• Useextracarewithgrasscatchersor otherattachments.These canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

Keepallmovementonthe slopesslowandgradual.Donotmake suddenchangesinspeedor direction.Rapidengagementor brakingcouldcausethefrontofthemachinetoliftandrapidlyflip overbackwardswhichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

• Avoidstartingorstoppingona slope.Iftireslosetraction,disen- gagetheblade(s)andproceedslowlystraightdowntheslope.

DoNot:

• Donot turnon slopesunlessnecessary;then,turnslowlyand graduallydownhill,ifpossible.

• Donot mowneardrop-offs,ditchesorembankments.The mower couldsuddenlyturnoverif a wheelisovertheedgeofa cliff, ditch,or if an edgecavesin.

• Donot try tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the ground.

• Donot usea grasscatcheronsteepslopes.

• Donot mowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donot attempttocoastdownhill.Over-speedingmaycausethe operatortolosecontrolofthemachineresultingin seriousinjury

or death.

• Donot towheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart, lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5degrees.Whengoing downhill,theextraweighttendstopushthetractorandmay causeyouto loosecontrol.(e.g.tractormayspeedup,braking and steeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeand causetractorto overturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccurifthe operatorisnotalert tothepresence ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedto themachineandthemowing activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthe mowingareaand inwatchfulcare ofa responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifachildentersthe area.

• Beforeandwhilebacking,lookbehindanddownfor small children.

Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay falloffandbeseriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways, shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionof a child whomayrunintothe machine.

Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwaysdisengagethecutting blade(s)beforeshiftingintoReverse.Ifequipped,the"Reverse CautionMode"(bladesoperatewhilemachineridesinreverse)

shouldnotbe usedwhenchildrenorothersarearound. Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedto preventunauthorized operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine. Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfor towing.Do notattachtowedequipmentexceptat thehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfor towedequipmentandtowingonslopes.Forrecommendations,

call1-800-659-5917. Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment.

Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof tractionandlossof control.

Alwaysuseextracautionwhentowingwitha machinecapableof makingtightturns(e.g."zero-turn"ride-onmower). Makewide turnstoavoidjack-knifing.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop. Donotcoastdownhill.

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineis spilled on yourselforyour clotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailer bed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe truck or trailerandrefuelitontheground.Ifthis isnot possible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

Keepthenozzleincontactwiththe rimofthe fueltankor containeropeningatalltimesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donot use a nozzlelock-opendevice.

Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors. Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineis hotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling. Neveroverfillfuel tank.Filltanktonomorethan1/2inchbelow

bottomoffillernecktoallowspaceforfuel expansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff the engineandequipment.Move machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineorfuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlightasonawaterheater,spaceheater, furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

Allowa machineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunanengineindoorsorinapoorlyventilatedarea.Engine exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,anodorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,orinspecting,makecertainthe blade(s)andallmovingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark plugwireandgroundagainsttheenginetopreventunintended starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocomplete stopwithinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingthe bladedisengagementcontrol.Ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthe thistimeframe,yourmachineshouldbeservicedprofessionally byanauthorizedSearsParts&RepairCenter.

• Checkbrakeoperationfrequentlyasitissubjectedtowearduring normaloperation.Adjustandserviceasrequired.

• Checktheblade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s) fordamage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked).Replacethe blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.) blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdonot meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesaresharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

insafeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemorothersafety devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikingaforeignobject,stopthe engine,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsor repairstothe machine whilethe engineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthe dischargecoverare subject towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof partswhichdo notmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donot changetheenginegovernorsettingsorover-speedthe engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed ofthe engine.

Maintainor replacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.to protecttheenvironment.

• Accordingtothe ConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC) andthe U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct hasanAverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or270hours ofoperation.Attheendofthe AverageUsefulLife,buyanew machineor havethemachineinspectedannuallybya Searsor otherqualifiedservicedealerto ensurethatall mechanicaland safetysystemsareworkingproperlyandnotwornexcessively.

Failuretodosocanresultinaccidents,injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoid seriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway. Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadto a runawayengineand causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting ofenginegovernor.

NOTICE REGARDING EMISSIONS

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are certifiedto operateonregularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineis equippedwithan internalcombustionengineand shouldnotbe usedonornearanyunimprovedforest-covered, brushcoveredorgrass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestermeetingapplicablelocalor statelaws(if any).

Ifa sparkarresteris used,itshouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveisrequired bylaw (Section4442of theCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarresterforthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearestSears

PartsandRepairServiceCenter.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthisproduct.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson the machine beforeattemptingto assembleandoperate.

READ THE OPERATOR'S MANUAL(S) Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual(s) before attempting to assemble and operate

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES Never carry passengers. Never carry children, even with the blades off.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

Always look down and behind before and while backing to avoid a back-over accident.

WARNING-- ROTATING BLADES

Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the cutting deck. Contact with the blade(s) can amputate hands and feet.

WARNING--THROWN OBJECTS This machine may pick up and throw and objects which can cause serious personal injury.

BYSTANDERS Keep bystanders, helpers, children and pets at least 75 feet from the machine while it is in

operation.

WARNING-- SLOPE OPERATION

Do not operate this machine on a slope greater than 15 degrees.

WARNING-- HOT SURFACE

Engine parts, especially the muffler, become extremely hot during operation. Allow engine and muffler to cool before touching.

DANGER-- ROTATING BLADES

To reduce the risk of injury, keep hands and feet away. Do not operate unless discharge cover or grass

catcher is in its proper place. If damaged, replace immediately.

Sightandholdthis levelwith averticaltree...

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or acorner of a building...

,_ or afencepost

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#Old ',

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_. :,uog dotto,_'.

"T,"_ _Presen_ts

alo

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15 °

Use this page as a guideto determine slopes whereyou may not operate safely.

Donot operateyourlawnmoweron suchslopes.Do notmowoninclineswitha slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a riseofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet). A ridingmower

couldoverturnandcauseseriousinjury.Operateridingmowersupanddownslopes,neveracrossthefaceofslopes.

ROTATING BLADES CAUSE

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

DONOTMOWWHENCHILDRENDROTHERS AREAROUND

• NEVERCARRYCHILDRENEVENWITH BLADE(S)OFF.

• LOOKDOWNANDBEHINDBEFORE ANDWHILEBACKING.

* MOWINGINREVERSEISNOT

_WARNING

1.DISENGAGEBLADES/PTO,(POWERTAKEOFF)

2, ENGAGETHETRACTOR'SPARKINGBRAKE.

3.SETTHROTTLETOFAST"RABBIT"POSITIONANDPULLCHOKEKNOBOUT.

;. TURNKEYTOSTARTENGINE.AFTERSTARTRELEASEKEY&DEACTIVATECHOKE.

REVERSE CAUTION MODE

t. TURN KEYTO REVERSECAUTIONMODEPOSITION,

2, DEPRESSREVERSEPUSHBUTTON,(RED INDICATORLIGHT "ON")

WHENREDLIGHTIS "ON" MACHINECANBEOPERATEDIN REVERSE WITHMOWERBLADESENGAGED.

mMPORTANT:MOWING iN REVERSEiS NOT RECOMMENDED.

3, AFTERRESUMINGFORWARDOPERATION,RETURNKEYTO

"NORMALMOWING"POSITION,

NOTE: IN BOTH MODES,WHEN OPERATORLEAVESSEAT,ENGINEWILL

STOPUNLESSPARKINGBRAKEIS SETANDBLADESAREDISENGAGED,

IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroil in theengine. However,youMUSTcheckthe oil levelbeforeoperating.Referto the Service& Maintenancesectionforinstructionson checkingtheoil

level.

OPENING THE TRACTOR HOOD

Toattachthebatterycablesandchecktheengineoil levelthehood mustbeopen. Locatethe hoodlift notch(Referto Figure2on page11) atthe front/centerofthe dashpanel.Graspingthehoodat thenotch, lift andpivotthehoodforwardtoopen.

ATTACHING THE BATTERY CABLES

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

Batteryposts,terminals,andrelatedaccessoriescontainleadand leadcompounds,chemicalsknownto theStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red) wireto its terminalfirst,followedby theNEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Figure1

TIRE PRESSURE

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycablesonyourequipmentmay havebeenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsatthefactory.To connectthebatterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative batteryterminalis markedNeg.(-).

1. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe positivebattery terminaland attachthe redcableto the positivebatteryterminal (+)withthebolt andhexnut.See Figure1.

2. Removethe plasticcover,if present,fromthe negativebattery terminaland attachtheblackcabletothenegativebattery terminal(-) withthe boltandhexnut.SeeFigure1.

3. Positionthe redrubberbootoverthepositivebatteryterminalto helpprotectit fromcorrosion.

NOTE:If thebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownon topof battery,chargethebatteryas instructedinthe Service& Maintenance sectionofthis manualpriortooperatingthetractor.

3ressureshouldbemaintainedatall times.

Thetiresonyourunitmaybeover-inflatedforshippingpurposes.

Reducethetirepressurebeforeoperatingthe tractor.Recommended operatingtirepressureisapproximately10p.s.iforthe reartires & 14 p.s.i,forthe fronttires.Checksidewalloftirefor maximump.s.i.

L--

A SystemsIndicatorMonitor/HourMeter

B ThrottleControlLever

C KeySwitchModule D ChokeControlKnob

E PTO(BladeEngage)ControlKnob F ParkingBrakeLever

G ForwardControlPedal H ReverseControlPedal

I BrakePedal

Figure2

J DeckLiftLever

K CupHolder

L SeatAdjustmentLever

M FuelFillCap N IVTTransmissionDumpRods

0 FuelLevelWindow P CargoNet

Q HoodLiftNotch

NOTE: Any referenceinthismanualtotheRIGHTorLEFTside ofthe tractorisobservedfromoperator'sposition.

Meets ANSI Safety Standards

CraftsmanTractorsconformtothesafetystandardof theAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI).

SYSTEMS iNDiCATOR MONITOR/HOUR METER

Yourtractorisequippedwitha SystemsIndicatorMonitoras shown in Figure3.Themonitorrecordstheaccumulatedhoursoftractor operation,anddisplaystheinformationontheLCDhourmeterdisplay (tenthsofan hour- rightmostdigit).The monitoralsohasfour indicator lightsthat showthestatusofvariousfunctionsof thetractor.

Battery Oil

Oil PressureindicatorLight

Thiswarninglampindicateslowengineoil pressure.Ifthisindicator illuminates,stopthetractorimmediatelyandchecktheengineoil level.

Iftheoilleveliswithintheoperatingrange,butthelight remainson, contactyourSearsParts& RepairServiceCenter.

NOTE:The oilpressureindicatormayilluminatewhenthe keyswitchis turnedto an onposition,butshouldturnoff whentheengineisstarted.

PTO(Power Take-Off) Engaged indicatorLight

Thisindicatorilluminateswhenthekeyswitchisturnedtothe"START" positionwhilethe PTOknobisinthe"ENGAGED"position.Checkthis indicatorif theenginewillnotcrankwiththekeyswitchinthe"START" position.Movethe PTOknobtothe"DISENGAGED"position.

Brake Engaged indicator

Thisindicatorilluminateswhenthekeyswitchisturnedtothe"START" positionandthebrakepedalisnotfullydepressed.Checkthis indicatoriftheenginewillnotcrankwiththekeyswitchinthe"START" position.If necessary,fullydepressthebrakepedal.

PTO ParkingBrake

"-.. j

Figure3

Thesystemindicatormonitorfeaturesareasfollows:

LCD Hour Meter Display

Thehourmeterdisplayis activatedwhenthe keyswitchisturnedto eitherthe"NORMALMOWING"orthe"REVERSECAUTIONMODE"

switchpositions.Whenthekeyswitchis turnedto anon position, thebatteryindicatorlight brieflyilluminatesandthe batteryvoltageis bridly displayed.Thedisplaythenchangesto theaccumulatedhours.

NOTE:A recordoftheactualhoursofoperationshouldbekeptto assuremaintenanceproceduresarecompletedaccordingtothe

scheduleinthismanual.

TheIndicatorMonitorwillalsoremindtheoperatorofmaintenance intervalsforchangingtheengineoil.The LCDwillalternatelyflash therecordedhours,"CHG"and"Oil" for fiveminutes,afterevery50 hoursof recordedoperationelapse.The maintenanceintervallastsfor twohours(from50-52,100-102,150-152,etc.).The LCDwillflashas describedforfiveminuteseverytimethe tractor'sengineisstarteddur- ingthis maintenanceinterval.Followthe oilchangeintervalsprovided

inthe Service& Maintenancesectionof thisManual.

Battery indicator Light

ThisindicatorilluminateswhentheignitionswitchitturnedtoanON positionandtheengineis notstarted.

Thisalsoilluminatesto indicatethebatteryvoltagehasdroppedbelow

11.5(+0.5/-1.0)DCvolts(the batteryvoltageisalsodisplayedonthe hourmeter).Ifthisindicatorand displaycomeonduringoperation,

checkthe batteryandchargingsystemforpossiblecausesand/or contactyourSearsParts& RepairServiceCenter.

THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER

Thethrottlecontrollevercontrolsthespeedof theengine.Whenset inagivenposition,the throttlewill maintaina uniformenginespeed.

IMPORTANT:Whenoperatingthetractorwith thecuttingdeckengaged,thethrottlecontrol levermustalwaysbeintheFAST(rabbit) position.

Fast Position

Slow

Position

KEY SWITCH MODULE

Thekeyswitchmoduleisusedto startandstoptheengine.Itisalso

usedto activatetheReverseCaution

Mode(bladesoperatewhileriding in reverse).Insertkeyintothekey

switchmoduleandturn clockwiseto theSTARTposition.Releasethe key

intothenormalmowingpositiononce enginehasstarted.

Tostopthe engine,turntheignition keycounterclockwiseto theSTOP position.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO, setparkingbrake,stopengineand removekeyto preventunintended starting.

IMPORTANT:Priorto operatingthetractor,referto both"Safety

InterlockSystem"on page14and"StartingThe Engine"on page15 ofthis manualfordetailedinstructionsregardingthe IgnitionSwitch

ModuleandoperatingthetractorinREVERSECAUTIONMODE.

NevermovethekeyintotheStartpositionwhiletheengineis

running.Doingsomaycausedamagetoyourengine'sstarter.

CHOKE CONTROL

Thechokecontrolknobislocatedonthe lowerIdt sideofthedash paneland isactivatedby pullingoutward.Activatingthe chokecontrol

closesthechokeplateonthecarburetorandaidsinstartingthe engine.

PTO (BLADE ENGAGE) CON-

TROL KNOB

Toengagethe electricPTOand providepowerto thecuttingdeck,pulloutwardonthePTOcontrol knob.PushtheknobinwardtodisengagethePTO andstopthecuttingdeck.

NOTE:The PTOControlKnobmustbe inthe disengaged(OFF)positionwhenstartingthe

engine.

F PTO

o I

BRAKE PEDAL

Thebrakepedalislocatedatthe frontoftheleft runningboardandis

usedforquickstops,or settingtheparkingbrake.Thispedalmustbe

fullydepressedtoactivatethesafetyinterlockswitchwhen startingthe tractor.

DECK LIFT LEVER

Thedeckliftleverislocatedintherightfenderandisusedtochange thecuttingheightof themowerdeck.Thecuttingheightsrangefrom

1-1/2"to 4".Eachofthesix indexnotchesrepresentanapproximately 1/2"adjustmentto thedeckheight.

1. To use,graspthe lift leverhandleandpullslightlyupward(rear- ward)while pivotingtheleverinwardandoutof its indexnotch.

2. Movethe liftleverasnecessaryto placeinthe notchbestsuited foryourapplication.

Afterchangingthecuttingheightofthedeck,youmustcheckthe

positionofthedeckfrontgaugewheels.Theyshouldbeapproximately

1/2-inchabovethegroundwhenthetractorisona smooth,flatsurface

suchasa driveway.Referto "Service& Maintenance"laterinthis manual.

PARKING BRAKE LEVER

NOTE:Theparkingbrakemustbesetifthe operator ,_,_%, leavestheseatwiththeenginerunning;otherwisethe enginewillautomaticallyshutoff.

1. Tosettheparkingbrake,fullydepressthebrake pedaland pushthe bottomofparkingbrakelever

inward.Seetheimagetotherightforparkingbrake identification.Holdtheleverinwhileremovingyour footfromthebrakepedal.Bothparkingbrakelever andbrakepedalwill staydepressed.

2. Toreleasetheparkingbrake,depressthebrakepedalslightly. Theparkingbrakeleverwillthenreturntoits originalposition.

IMPORTANT:Alwayssettheparkingbrakewhenleavingthetractor unattended.

tL )

FORWARD CONTROL PEDAL

Theforwardcontrolpedalis locatedonthe rightsideofthetractor,at thefrontof the rightrunningboard.Depressthe forwardcontrolpedal

tocausethe tractortotravelinthe forwarddirection.Theforward groundspeedof thetractorisdirectlyaffectedbythedistancethe

pedalisdepressed.Thefurtherthepedalisdepressed,thefasterthe tractorwilltravel.Thetractorwillslowandthe pedalwillreturnto its originalpositionwhenreleased.

REVERSE CONTROL PEDAL

Thereversecontrolpedalis locatedinthe rightfrontrunningboard rearwardoftheforwardcontrolpedal.Depressthe reversecontrol pedaltocausethetractorto travelin reverse.Thefurtherthepedalis depressed,the fasterthetractorwilltravel.Thetractorwillslowand thepedalwill returntoitsoriginalpositionwhenreleased.

CUP HOLDER

Thetractor'scupholderis locatedon thefendertothe left oftheseat.

SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Theseatadjustmentleverisontheleftside oftheseat.Usethis lever toadjusttheseatforwardor rearwardtoacomfortableoperating

position.Seethe"Service&Maintenance"sectionlaterin thismanual

forinstructions.

FUEL FILL CAP AND FUEL LEVEL

WINDOW

Thefuelfillcapis locatedinthecenterofthe rearfender.Pivot theseatforwardtofullyaccessthefuelfill capandfillthefuel

tank.

1. Turnthefill capapproximately1/4turnandpull upwardto remove.

2. Pushthecapdownwardonthefueltankfillneckandturn 1/4turn clockwisetotighten.

Theleveloffuelinthe fueltankcanbeviewedthroughthefuel

levelwindowinthe rearhitchplate.

CARGO NET

Convenientlylocatedon thetractor'sdashpanel,thecargo netcan be usedto storepersonalitemswhileoperatingthelawntractor.

IVT (INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) DUMP RODS

TheIVTtransmissiondumprodsare locatedatthebackof thetractor abovethe rearhitchplate.Whenengaged,theseleversopena dump valveineachtransmissionwhichallowsthetractorto bemanually

pushedshortdistances.Seethe"Service& Maintenance"sectionlater inthismanualfor instructions.

Avoid Serious injury or Death

• Goupanddownslopes,notacross. Avoidsuddenturns.

Donotoperatetheunitwhereitcouldslip ortip. If machinestopsgoinguphill,stopbladesandbackdownhill

slowly.

• Donotmowwhenchildrenorothersarearound.

• Nevercarrychildren,evenwithbladesoff.

• Lookdownandbehindbeforeandwhilebacking.

• Keepsafetydevices(guards,shields,andswitches)inplace andworking.

• Removeobjectsthatcouldbethrownbythe blades.

• Knowlocationandfunctionofallcontrols.

• Besurebladesandengineare stoppedbeforeplacinghandsor feetnearblades.

• Beforeleavingoperator'sposition,stoptractor,disengage blades,engageparkingbrake,shutengineoff,and removekey.

Read Operator's Manual

OIL AND GAS FILL-UP 0il

IMPORTANT:Yourtractorisshippedwithmotoroil in theengine. However,youMUSTcheckthe oil levelbeforeoperating.Seethe

"ServiceandMaintenance"section.

Gasoline

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely flammableandthe vaporsareexplosive.Neverfuel machine

indoorsorwhiletheengineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes, cigars,pipes,andothersourcesofignition.

NOTE: Purchasegasolinein smallquantities.Donotusegasolineleft overfromthe previousseason,tominimizegumdepositsinthe fuel system.

• Donot overfillfueltank.Filltankto nomorethan1/2inchbelow bottomof fillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineis hotor run- ning.Allowenginetocoolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Ifgasolineis spilled,wipeitoff the engineandequipment.Move machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe engine.

1. Turntheengineoffandletenginecoolatleast2minutesbefore removingthefuel cap.Thegasolinetankis underthe rearfender,

withthefuelfillcaplocatedinthe centeroftherearfender. Thefuelcapistetheredtothetractorto preventitsloss.Donot attemptto removethecapfromthetractor.

2. Fillthe fueltankwithgasoline.

3. Reinstallthe fuelcap.

SAFETY INTERLOCK SYSTEM

Thesafetyinterlocksystemis designedforsafeoperationofthetrac- tor.If thissystemshouldevermalfunction,donot operatethetractor, immediatelycontactyourSearsParts& RepairServiceCenter.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromstarting unlesstheparkingbrakeisengagedandthe PTOknobis inthe disengaged(OFF)position.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutoffthe engineif theoperatorleavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillautomaticallyshutoffthe engine if theoperatorleavesthetractor'sseatwiththePTO(Blade

Engage)knobengaged,regardlessofwhethertheparkingbrake

is engaged.

• WiththeignitionkeyintheNORMALMOWINGposition,the electricPTOclutchwill automaticallyshutoff ifthe PTOknobis in theengaged(ON) positionandthe drivepedalisdepressedfor

Reversetravel.

Tamperingwithor attemptingto bypasstheSafetyInterlockSwitches in anywaywillvoidyourtractor'swarranty.Donot operatethetractor if the interlocksystemis malfunctioning.

REVERSE CAUTION MODE

• Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateon unleadedgasoline.For best results,fillthe fueltankwithonlyclean,fresh,unleadedgasoline witha pumpstickeroctaneratingof87or higher.

• Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90%unleadedgasolineby volume)isanapprovedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblends,such asE85,arenotapproved.

• MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends (uptoamaximumof 15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels. Othergasoline/etherblendsarenotapproved.

• Fillfueltankoutdoorsorin well-ventilatedarea.

Useextremecautionwhileoperatingthetractorinthe REVERSE CAUTIONMODE.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile backing.Donotoperatethe tractorwhenchildrenorothersare around.Stopthetractorimmediatelyif someoneentersthearea.

TheREVERSECAUTIONMODEpositionofthekeyswitchmodule allowsthetractortobeoperatedinreversewiththeblades(PTO) engaged.

IMPORTANT:Mowingin reverseisnotrecommended. Touse theREVERSECAUTIONMODE:

IMPORTANT:TheoperatorMUSTbe seatedin the tractorseat.

1. Startengineas instructedin the StartingTheEnginesection.

2. TurnthekeyfromtheNORMALMOWING(Green)positionto the REVERSECAUTIONMODE(Yellow)positionofthe keyswitch module.SeeFigure4.

N O CHILDREN AROUND

BUTTON

Light

Stop

Position

Reverse Push Button

Reverse

Mode

Position

1, Insertthetractorkeyintothekeyswitchmodule,

2. DisengagethePTO(BladeEngage)knob.

3. Engagethetractor'sparkingbrake.

4. Pullthechokecontrolknoboutwardintothe fullchokeposition(a warmenginemaynotrequirechoking).

5. MovethethrottlecontrollevertomidwaybetweentheSLOWand

FASTpositions.

6. Turnthe ignitionkeyclockwisetothe STARTposition.After theenginestarts, releasethekey.Itwillreturntothe NORMAL

MOWINGposition.

IMPORTANT:Do notholdthekeyinthe STARTpositionfor longer thantensecondsata time.Doingso maycausedamageto your engine'selectricstarter.

7. Afterthe enginestarts,graduallypushthechokeknobfully inward asthe enginewarmsup.

NOTE:Donotusethechokecontrolto enrichthefuel mixture,except

as necessarytostartandwarmuptheengine.

IMPORTANT

Figure4

3. DepresstheREVERSEPUSHBUTTON(Orange,Triangular Button)atthe top,rightcornerofthekeyswitchmodule.Thered indicatorlightatthe top,leftcornerofthe keyswitchmodulewill beONwhileactivated.SeeFigure4.

4. Onceactivated(indicatorlightON),thetractorcanbedrivenin reversewiththecuttingblades(PTO)engaged.

5. Alwayslookdownand behindbeforeandwhilebackingto make surenochildrenarearound.

6. Afterresumingforwardmotion,returnthekeytothe NORMAL MOWINGposition.

IMPORTANT:The REVERSECAUTIONMODEwill remainactivated until:

a. Thekeyis placedin eitherthe NORMALMOWINGposition

orSTOPposition.

b. Theoperatorleavestheseat.Followthepreviousinstruc-

tionstore-activate.

STARTING THE ENGINE

wasdesic )rotection.

If leavingthetractorunattended,alsoturnthe ignitionkeyoff and removethekey.

Donot mowon slopeinexcessof 15degrees(a rise ofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).

Planyourmowingpatternto avoiddischargeof materialstowardroads,sidewalks,bystandersand thelike.Also,avoiddischargingmaterialagainst a wallor obstructionwhichmaycausedischarged materialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

Ifyoustrikea foreignobject,stopthe engineanddisconnectthe sparkplugwire(s).Thoroughlyinspectthemachineforany damage.Repairthedamagebeforerestartingandoperating.

1. Ifthebladesareengaged,disengagethePTO.

2. Movethethrottlecontrollevertomidwaybetweenthehalfandfull throttle.Thenturn theignitionkeycounterclockwisetotheOFF

position.

3. Removethe keyfromtheignitionswitchtopreventunintended

starting.

DRiViNG THE TRACTOR

iMPORTANT:Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedandsudden stops.

NOTE:YourRevolutiontractorisequippedwithan innovativedrive system.Itis normalforsomeforwardmovementofthetractortooccur

whenthe brakeis released.

Brieflydepressthebrakepedalto releasethe parkingbrake. MovethethrottleleverintotheFAST(rabbit)position.

Totravelforward:Slowlydepresstheforwarddrivecontrolpedal untilthe desiredspeedisachieved.SeeFigure5.

ForwardDrivef Pedal

1. The steeringwheel rotatesapproximatelytwofullturnsfromits stoppingpointonone sidetoitsstoppingpointonthe other,with thecenterpositionbeingthe straightaheadposition.

2. Minorturnsof thesteeringwheelfromthe centerposition (approximately100to 150) turnonly thefrontaxlesandwillresult

in widerturns.

3. Increasingtheturnofthesteeringwheel(beyond100.150) results in increasinglytighterturns.Asthesteeringmechanismturnsthe frontwheels,it alsochangesthepositionofthetransmissiondrive controllinkagetoslowdowntheinnerrearwheelin theturn,and adjuststhe speedof theouterwheelasnecessaryto complete thedesiredturn.Turnthesteeringwheelbacktothe center positionasthe turniscompleted.

NOTE:Itisnotnecessaryto releasethedrivepedalwhenmakinga turn.Thechangetothetransmissionlinkageoccursregardlessofhow farthe drivepedalisdepressed.Whenthesteeringwheelis straight- ened,the tractorwill returntothespeedsetby thedrivepedal.

4. Turningthesteeringwheelfullytoits stopineitherdirection willfullyturnthefrontwheels,reversethedirectionoftheinner wheelandadjusttheouterwheelspeedtoexecutea zeroturn in thechosendirection.Turnthe steeringwheelbackto thecenter positionasthe turniscompleted.

NOTE:The steeringwheelhasto beturnedallthewayUNTILIT STOPStocompleteazeroturn.Asthesteeringwheelisturnedfurther towardits stop,theeffortneededtoturnthesteeringwheelincreases.

Figure5

3. Totravelin reverse:Checkthattheareabehindisclear,then slowlydepressthe reversedrivecontrolpedaluntilthe desired

speedis achieved.SeeFigure5.

4. Releasethedepresseddrivepedalanddepressthebrakepedal tostopthetractor.

Donotleavetheseatof thetractorwithoutfirstplacingthePTO/ BladeEngageknobin thedisengaged(OFF)positionandengaging

theparkingbrake.If leavingthetractorunattended,alsoturnthe

_engne offand removethe gnton key.

STEERING THE TRACTOR

YourRevolutiontractorisequippedwithan innovativesteeringsystem. Turningthe steeringwheelnotonlyturnsthefrontwheels,butalso adjuststhepositionofthe drivecontrollinkageofthetransmissions thatdrivethe tractor.Thissteeringsystemallowsyouto varythe radius ofturnsfromanormalwideU-turndowntoa zeroturn (a tight"about- face"turn).Somepracticemaybe neededtobecomeaccustomedto thesteeringofyourtractor.Thesteeringworksasfollows:

IMPORTANT:Makingtightor zeroturnsongrasswill greatlyincrease thepotentialfordamageto theturf.

DRIVING ON SLOPES

IMPORTANT:Referto theSLOPEGAUGEonpage8 to helpdeter- mineslopeswhereyoumayoperatethe tractorsafely.

• Mowupanddownslopes,neveracross.

• Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects. Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

• Avoidturnswhendrivingon a slope,if a turnmustbemade,turn

downhillonthe slope.Turninguphillincreasesthe possibilityofa tractorrollover.

• Avoidstoppingwhendrivingup a slope,if itis necessarytostop

whiledrivingupa slope,start upsmoothlyandcarefullyto reduce thepossibilityof flippingthetractoroverbackward.

ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE

NOTE:The parkingbrakemustbe setiftheoperatorleavestheseat withtheenginerunningor theenginewill automaticallyshutoff.

Tosettheparkingbrake:

1. Pressthe brakepedalcompletelydownwithyourIdt footand holdit thatposition.

2. Pushtheparkingbrakeleverdownwardandholdit in that position.

3. Removeyourfootfromthebrakepedal.

4. Releasepressurefromtheparkingbrakelever. Aftercompletingstep3,thebrakepedalshouldremaininthe down

position.Ifit doesn't,the parkingbrakeis notengaged.Repeatsteps

1-4toengagethe parkingbrake.

Todisengagetheparkingbrake,lightlypressthe brakepedal.

Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.AlwaysdisengagePTO, setparkingbrake,stopengineand removekeyto preventunintended starting.

2. Shutengineoffand removethekey. Doingsowillminimizethe possibilityofhavingyourlawn"browned"by

hotexhaustfromyourtractor'srunningengine.

MOVING THE TRACTOR MANUALLY

Ifforanyreasonthetractorwillnot driveoryouwishtomovethe

tractor,engagethetwo transmissiondumprodstomanuallymovethe tractorshortdistances.

IMPORTANT:Nevertowor dragthetractorwiththerearwheelsonthe

ground.Evenwiththedumprodsengaged.Doingsowill damagethe transmissions.

ENGAGING THE PTO

EngagingthePTOtransferspowertothe cuttingdeckor other (separatelyavailable)attachments.ToengagethePTO:

1. Movethe throttlecontrollevertotheFAST(rabbit)position.

2. PullthePTO/BladeEngageknoboutwardintothe engaged(ON) position.

NOTE:Alwaysoperatethetractorwiththe throttleleverin theFAST (rabbit)positionforthemostefficientuseofthe cuttingdeckorother (separatelyavailable)PTOdrivenattachments.

MOWING

Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keepbystand- ers,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachine whileit is inoperation.Stopmachineifanyoneentersthearea.

ThistractorisequippedwithoneofCraftsman'shighqualitycutting decks.Thefollowinginformationwillbehelpfulwhenusingthecutting deckwithyourtractor.

• Donot mowathighgroundspeed,especiallyif a mulchkitor grasscollectoris installed.

• Forbestresultsitis recommendedthatthefirsttwolapsbecut withthedischargethrowntowardsthecenter.Afterthefirsttwo laps,reversethedirectiontothrowthe dischargeto theoutside forthe balanceofcutting.Thiswillgivea betterappearancetothe

lawn.

• Donotcut thegrasstooshort.Shortgrassinvitesweedgrowth andyellowsquicklyindryweather.

• Mowingshouldalwaysbedonewiththeengineat fullthrottle.

• Underheavierconditionsitmaybenecessaryto go backoverthe cutareaa secondtimetogeta cleancut.

• Donotattempttomowheavybrushandweedsandextremelytall grass.Yourtractorisdesignedto mowlawns,notclearbrush.

• Keepthebladessharpandreplacethebladeswhenworn.Refer tothe "Service& Maintenance"sectionofthis manualforproper bladesharpeninginstructions.

IMPORTANT:Whenstoppingthetractorfor anyreasonwhileona grasssurface,always:

1. Engagethe parkingbrake.

Toengagea dump rod:

1. Pullthe rodrearwardso thattheflangeontherodpassesthrough thelarge#roundedpartd thekeyholeslot.

2. Withtheflangeoftherodoutside(rearward)ofthe hitchplate, pushthe rodinwardinthesmallpartofthe keyholeslotso that rod'sflangeis lockedagainstthebackofthe hitchplate.

Repeattoengagetheotherdumprodto allowthetractortobe manuallymoved.SeeFigure6.

...............................f_J

Figure6

4. Tomovethetractormanually,thebrakemustbedisengagedby releasingthe parkingbrakeanddepressingthe forwardor reverse

drivepedal.

5. Todisengage,movetherodtoalign itsflangewiththe larger/ roundedpartd the keyholeslotand releasetherodbackthrough

thehitchplate.

NOTE:Thetransmissionwill NOTengagewhenthedump rodispulled

out. Returnthe rodto itsnormalpositionpriorto operatingthetractor.

HEADLIGHTS

Thetractorheadlightsare turnedonwheneverthe ignitionswitchis turnedto eitherof therunpositions.

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Beforeperforminganytypeofmaintenance/service,disengageall controlsandstoptheengine.Waituntilallmovingpartshavecometo acompletestop.Disconnectsparkplugwireandgrounditagainstthe enginetopreventunintendedstarting.Alwayswearsafetyglassesduring operationor whileperforminganyadjustmentsor repairs.

BeforeEachUse

Inthe FirstFiveHours Every10Hours

1. Engineoil level

2. Mufflerareaandcontrols

3. Fingerguard

1. EngineOil

1. Hood/Dashairvents

2. Batteryterminals

3. Deckspindlesandidler

1. Check

2. Clean

3. Clean

1. Change

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

bracket

Every25 hours

1. Air filter'sprecleaner*

2. Air filter*

3. Midsteeringarms,pivot

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

shafts,andaxles

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

1. Change/Replace

2. Check

1. Replace

2. Replace

3. Replace

4. Clean

5. Replace

1. Clean

2. Clean

3. Lubricate

Every50 hours

Annually

BeforeStorage

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

1. Engineoil/Oil filter

2. Muffler

1. Air filter

2. Air filter'spre-cleaner

3. Sparkplug

4. Air coolingsystem*

5. Fuelfilter

1. Hood/Dashairvents

2. Batteryterminals

3. Midsteeringarms,pivot shafts,andaxles

4. Frontwheelbearings

5. Frontdeckwheels

6. Deckspindlesandidler

4. Lubricate

5. Lubricate

6. Lubricate

bracket

7. Pedalpivotpoints

7. Lubricate

*Servicemorefrequentlyunderdustyconditions.

Followthemaintenanceschedulegivenbelow.Thischartdescribes serviceguidelinesonly.UsetheServiceLogcolumntokeeptrackof completedmaintenancetasks.Tolocatethe nearest Sears Service Centeror toscheduleservice,simplycontactSearsat

1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

Beforeperformingany maintenanceor repairs,disengagethePTO,

engagetheparkingbrake,stoptheengineandremovethekeyto

3reventunintendedstarting.

Iftheenginehasbeen recentlyrun,theengine,mufflerandsur- roundingmetalsurfaceswillbehotand cancauseburnsto theskin.

Exercisecautionto avoidburns.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Checking the Engine Oil Onlyuse highqualitydetergentoil ratedwithAPIserviceclassification

SF,SG,SH,or SJ, Selecttheoil'sSAEviscositygradeaccordingto theexpectedoperatingtemperature.Followthechartbelow.

f_older _ 32°F _Warmer _

Oil Viscosity Chart

Althoughmulti-viscosityoils (5W20,10W30,etc.)improvestarting in coldweather,theywill resultinincreasedoil consumptionwhen

usedabove32°RCheckyourengineoillevelmorefrequentlytoavoid possibleenginedamagefromrunninglowonoil.

Tochecktheengineoil,proceedasfollows:

1. Ensurethatthetractorisona levelsurface.

2. Cleantheoil fillareaofanydebris.

3. Removethedipstickandwipewithacleancloth.

4. Insertandtightendipstick.

5. Removethedipstickandcheckthe oil level.It shouldbeatthe Fullmarkonthedipstick.SeeFigure7.

Dipstick

Changing Engine Oil

Theengineoil shouldbechangedinthefirst5 hoursandthenevery 50 hoursoroncea season.Tochangetheengineoil, proceedas

follows:

1. WithengineOFFbut stillwarm,disconnectsparkplugwireand keepit awayfromsparkplug.

2. Popoff theprotectivecapon theendoftheoil drainvalveto exposethedrainport.SeeFigure7.

3. Removethe oilfillcap/dipstickfromtheoil fill tube.SeeFigure7.

4. Pushtheoil drainhose(packedwiththis manual)ontotheoil drainport. Routethe oppositeendofthehoseintoan appropriate oil collectioncontainerwithacapacitygreatenoughtocollectthe

usedoil.

5. Releasethevalvebytwistingandpullingthe valveout.Theoilwill

begintodrainoutoftheengine.

6. Aftertheoil hasfinisheddraining,pressthetwotabsinwardand

pushtheoil drainvalvebackinto lockthevalveclosed.Remove thehose,twist andpushinto lockvalve,and re-captheendof theoil drainvalvetokeepdebrisfromenteringthe drainport.

7. Refilltheenginewithnewmotoroil untiltheoil levelonthe dipstickreadsFULL.Replacetheoil fillcap/dipstick.

Usedoil isahazardouswasteproduct.Disposeofusedoil properly.

IDonotdiscardwithhouseholdwaste.Checkwithyourlocal authori- [tiesor SearsServiceCenterforsafedisposal/recyclingfacilities.

Changing the Oil Filter

1. Draintheoil fromtheengineasdescribedabove.

2. Removetheoilfilteranddis ure8.

OilDrain

Valve

il Drain

Hose

Figure7

6. If low,addoil slowlyintotheengineoilfill. Donotoverfill.After addingoil,waitoneminuteand thenrechecktheoillevel.

7. Replaceandtightendipstick.

Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoil maycausetheengineto notstart, hardstarting,orenginesmoking.If overtheFULLmarkonthe dipstick,drainoil to reduceoilleveltoFULLmarkondipstick.

Oil Filter

Figure8

3. Beforeyouinstallthenewoilfilter,lightlylubricatetheoilfilter gasketwithfresh,cleanoil.

4. Installtheoil filterbyhanduntilthe gasketcontactstheoil filter adapter,thentightentheoilfilter 1/2to3/4 turns.

5. Addoilasdescribedabove.

6. Startandruntheengine.Astheenginewarmsup,checkforoil leaks.

7. Stoptheengineandchecktheoillevel.ItshouldbeattheFULL markonthedipstick.

Fuel Filter

3losioncan causesevereburnsor death.

Keepgasolineawayfromsparks,openflames,pilotlights,heat, andotherignitionsources.

Checkfuellines,tank,cap,andfittingsfrequentlyforcracksor leaks.Replaceif necessary.

Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltankor closethe fuel shut-offvalve.

Replacementpartsmustbethesameand installedinthe same positionastheoriginalparts.

Iffuelspills,waituntilitevaporatesbeforestartingengine.

Beforereplacingthefuelfilter,drainthefueltankor closethe fuel shut-offvalve.Otherwise,fuel canleakoutandcauseafireor explosion.

Usepliersto squeezetabsonthe clamps,thenslidetheclamps awayfromthefuel filter.Twistand pullthefuellinesoff ofthefuel filter.SeeFigure9.

Air Cleaner

Iffilters,or coversarenotinstalledcorrectlyseriousinjuryordeath

couldresultfrombackfire.Donotattemptto startthe enginewith themremoved.

Donot usepressurizedair or solventstocleanthe aircleaner

cartridge.

Removethe airfiltercover.

Toremovetheairfilter,lifttheendof thefilter.SeeFigure10.

Cover

Pre-cleaner

Filter

Clamp

Fuel Line

Tab

Figure9

3. Checkthefuellinesforcracksorleaks.Replaceifnecessary.

4. Replacethefuelfilterwithan originalequipmentreplacement filter.

5. Securethefuellineswiththeclamps.

Figure10

3. Removethe pre-cleanerfromthefilter.

4. Toloosendebris,gentlytapthe filteron a hardsurface.If thefilter is excessivelydirty,replacewithanewfilter.

5. Washthepre-cleanerinliquiddetergentandwater.Allowit to thoroughlyair dry.Do not oilthepre-cleaner.

6. Assemblethedrypre-cleanertothefilter.

7. Installthefilterintotheenginebaseand pushdownuntilthe filter snapsin place.

8. Installthecover.

Spark Plug

1. Cleanareaaroundthesparkplugbase.Donotsandblastspark plug.Sparkplugshouldbecleanedby scrapingorwirebrushing andwashingwitha commercialsolvent

2. Removeandinspectthesparkplug.Checkgaptomakesureit is setat.030".SeeFigure11.

f- -._

Electrode Porcelain

3. Replacethesparkplug(Champion®RC12YC)oncea season.

Muffler o inspectmufflerperiodically,and replaceifnecessary.Replace-

mentpartsforthemufflermustbethe sameand installedin the same the oric

Temperatureof mufflerandnearbyengineareasmayexceed150°F

(65°0).Avoidcontactwiththeseareas.

Clean Engine o Dailyor beforeeveryuse,cleangrass,chaff oraccumulated

debrisfromengine.Keeplinkage,spring,andcontrolsclean. Keepareaaroundandbehindmufflerfreeofanycombustible

debris. Keepingenginecleanallowsairmovementaroundengine.

• Enginepartsshouldbekeptcleanto reducetheriskofoverheat- ingandignitionofaccumulateddebris.

Deck Spindles and Idler Bracket Lubricatethedeckspindlesandidlerbracketwitha No.2 multipurpose

lithiumgreaseafterevery10hoursof operation.

• Thedeckspindlelubefittingsareinthe spindlehousings,and canonly beaccessedfromthe undersideof thedeck.

• Lubricatetheidlerbracketthroughthelubefitting inthetopof the

shoulderbolt.Usea pressuregreaseguntolubricatethespindles

and idlerbracket.

Pivot Points & Linkage Lubricateallthepivotpointsonthedrivesystem,parkingbrakeandlift

linkageatleastonceaseasonwithlightoil.

Rear Wheels

Therearwheelsshouldberemovedfromtheaxlesoncea season.

Lubricatetheaxlesandtherimswellwithan all purposegreasebefore re-installingthem.

IVT Transmission

TheIVTtransmissionissealedatthefactoryandis maintenancefree. Thefluidlevelcannotbecheckedandcannotbe changed.Keepthe areaaroundthetransmissioncoolingfanfreeofgrassanddebrisatall

times.

Steering

Thesteeringarms,pivotshafts,andaxlesmustbelubricatedif ever thesteeringeffortincreases,or afterevery25 hoursofoperation.

Lubricateusingapressuregreasegunanda No.2 multipurpose lithiumgrease.

1. Applygreasethroughthelubefittingonthe RHandLH (right handandleft hand,fromoperator'sposition)steeringarmswhich

are locatedat rearwardendofthetwo steeringdraglinks.See

Figure12.

Steering SteeringArm

LubeFitting

Donot usewatertocleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel

system.Usea brushordrycloth.

Carburetor Adjustment

Thecarburetoronthisengineisnotadjustable.

LUBRICATION

Front Wheel Bearings Lubricatethefrontwheelbearingswitha No.2 multipurposelithium

greaseafterevery25hoursofoperation.Thelubefittingsarelocated in therimhubinsideeachfrontwheel.

Tab

AxlePivotBar

Lubefittings

Figure12

Locatethelubefittingsforthe pivotshaftandaxleonthe frontof

oneendof theaxle pivotbar.Applygreasethroughthe twolube fittings,then repeattolubricatetheother endof thepivotbar.See

Figure12.

TIRES

Neverexceedthe maximuminflationpressureshownont!e sidewall oftire.Refertothetiresidewallforexacttire manufacturers recom-

_mendedor maxmumps. Donotovernfate. Therecommendedoperatingtire pressureis:

• Approximately10psifor thereartires Approximately14psifor thefronttires

IMPORTANT:Uneventire pressurecouldcausethe cuttingdeckto mowunevenly.

CLEANING STEERING GEARS

Oncea year,or ifa tightspotisexperiencedwhenturningthe steering wheel,removethesteeringgearcoveroneachendofthepivotbar andcleanthe twosteeringgears.

1. Frombeneaththecoverbaseplateon eachendofthe pivotbar, removethethreehexscrewssecuringthesteeringgearcover. Removethe coversandcleanthegears.Itisnot necessaryto lubricatethegears.RefertoFigure12.

2. Insertthe tabof theLHsteeringgearcoverintothesquarehole inthe LHbaseplate,positionthecover,andsecurewiththethree hexscrews.Donot overtighten.Repeatto installthecoveronthe

RHside.

CLEANING THE TRACTOR AND DECK

Anyfuel oroil spilledonthemachineshouldbewipedoff promptly.Do NOTallowdebristoaccumulatearoundthedeckpulleysor anyother partof themachine.

Periodicallyremovethe beltcoversandremoveany accumulated grassclippingsfromaroundthespindlepulleysandthedeckbelt.

IMPORTANT:The useof a pressurewasherto cleanyourtractoris NOTrecommended,itmaycausedamageto electricalcomponents, spindles,pulleys,bearingsortheengine.

4. Pullbackthelockcollarofthenozzleadapterandpushthe adapterontothedeckwashnozzleattheleftendofthemower deck.Releasethelockcollartolockthe adapteronthenozzle. See Figure13.

Nozzle

Adapter

PullLock

Collar Back

Deck Wash Nozzle

Figure13

5. Turnthe wateron.

6. Whilesittingin theoperator'spositionon the tractor,re-startthe engineand placethethrottleleverintheFAST(rabbit)position.

7. Movethetractor'sPTO(BladeEngage)intotheON position.

Remainintheoperator'spositionwiththe cuttingdeckengaged fora minimumoftwominutes,allowingtheundersideofthe cuttingdeckto thoroughlyrinse.

8. Movethetractor'sPTO(BladeEngage)intotheOFFposition. Turnthe ignitionkeytotheSTOPpositiontoturnthe tractor's engineoff.

9. Pullbackthelockcollarofthenozzleadaptertodisconnectthe adapterfromthe nozzle.

Using Deck Wash System TM UsetheDeckWashSystemTM to rinsegrassclippingsfromthe deck's

undersideandpreventthebuildupofcorrosivechemicals.Yourtrac- tor'sdeckis equippedwitha waternozzleonthe leftendof thedeck.

Completethe followingstepsAFTEREACHMOWING:

1. Drivethetractortoalevel,clearspotonyour lawn,nearenough toa watersillcock(spigot)foryourgardenhoseto reach.

IMPORTANT:Makecertainthetractor'sdischargechuteisdirected AWAYfromyourhouse,garage,parkedcars, etc.

2. DisengagethePTO(BladeEngage),settheparkingbrake,and stoptheengine.

3. Threadthenozzleadapter(packagedwithyourtractor'sOpera- tot'sManual)ontotheendof yourgardenhose.

BATTERY

Thebatteryissealedand ismaintenance-free.Acidlevelscannotbe checked.

Alwayskeepthebatterycablesandterminalscleanandfreeof corrosivebuild-up.

Aftercleaningthebatteryandterminals,applya lightcoatof petroleumjellyorgreaseto bothterminals.

Alwayskeepthe rubberbootpositionedoverthepositiveterminal to preventshorting.

IMPORTANT:If removingthe batteryforanyreason,disconnect the NEGATIVE(Black)wirefromitsterminalfirst, followedby the

POSITIVE(Red)wire.Whenre-installingthebattery,alwaysconnect the POSITIVE(Red)wire itsterminalfirst,followedbytheNEGATIVE (Black)wire.Becertainthatthewiresareconnectedtothecorrect terminals;reversingthemcouldchangethepolarityandresultin damagetoyourengine'salternatingsystem.

Charging the Battery If thetractorhasnotbeenputintouse foranextendedperiodof

time,chargethe batterywithanautomotive-type12-voltchargerfora minimumof onehourat sixamps.

Batteriesgiveoffan explosivegaswhilecharging.Chargebatteryin awellventilatedareaandkeepawayfromanopenflameorpilot light asonawaterheater,spaceheater,furnace,clothesdryerorother gasappliances.

Cleaning the Battery Cleanthe batterybyremovingitfromthetractorandwashingwith

a bakingsodaandwatersolution.Ifnecessary,scrapethebattery terminalswitha wirebrushtoremovedeposits.Coatterminalsand exposedwiringwithgreaseorpetroleumjellytopreventcorrosion.

Battery Failures

Somecommoncausesforbatteryfailureare:

• Incorrectinitialactivation•undercharging

• Overcharging• corrodedconnections

• Freezing ThesefailuresareNOTcoveredbyyourtractor'swarranty.

Seat

Afteradjustingtheseator beforedrivingthetractor,makesurethat theseatadjustmentleveris engagedin the seatindexplateand thattheseatwillnotmove.Donotadjustthe seatwhilethetractor is beingdriven.Adjustingtheseatwhilethetractorismovingcould causetheoperatorto losecontrolofthetractor.

1. Whilesittingintheseat,graspthe seatadjustmentleveronthe Idt sideofthe seatandpullit upwardtodisengagefromtheseat indexplate.SeeFigure14.

CHECKING MAIN HARNESS FUSE

• A20ampfuseis installedin yourtractor'swiringharnessto protectthetractor'selectricalsystemfromdamagecausedby excessiveamperage.

• Iftheelectricalsystemdoesnotfunction,oryourtractor'sengine willnotcrank,firstchecktobecertainthatthefuse hasnotblown.

• Thefusecan befoundinsideof thedashpanelbehindthebattery tray.Youmayneedto removethebatterytogainaccesstothe fuse.Alwaysusea fusewiththesameamperagecapacityfor replacement.

NOTE:A secondfuseholdercanbe foundinsidethedash panel.This fuseholderisusedfortheoptional12voltpoweroutlet.

ADJUSTMENTS

Neverattemptto makeanyadjustmentswhiletheengineis running, exceptwherespecifiedintheoperator'smanual.Disconnectspark plugwire(s)beforeperforminganyadjustments,repairsormainte-

nance.

Steering and Transmission Linkage Thesteeringtie rodanddraglinksandthe relatedtransmissionlinkage

aresetatthefactoryandshouldnotrequirefurtheradjustment. Becauseofthecomplexadjustmentprocedure,the steeringand transmissionlinkageshouldonlybe servicedoradjustedbya qualified

mechanic.If youexperienceproblemswith steering,or withthe IVT transmission,contactyournearestSearsParts& RepairService Centertohavethetractorinspected.

Figure14

2. Slidetheseattothedesiredposition.SeeFigure14.

3. Oncethedesiredpositionis reached,releasetheseatlever.Slide theseatslightlybackandforthasnecessaryto engagetheseat

leverintooneoftheeightadjustmentpositionsinthe indexplate. Makecertaintheseatislockedin position.

Side to Side Leveling the Deck NOTE:Checkthetractor'stirepressurebeforeperforminganydeck

levelingadjustments.Referto"Tires"earlierinthissectionfor informa-

tionregardingtirepressure.

Ifthecuttingdeckappearstobe mowingunevenly,a sideto side

adjustmentcanbeperformed.Adjustif necessaryas follows:

1. Withthetractorparkedona firm, levelsurface,movethedeckto themid heightposition(thirdorfourthnotch)usingthedecklift

lever.Rotatetheleft bladeso thatit isperpendiculartothetractor

frame.Measureandrecordthedistancefromtheoutsideofthe

leftbladetiptotheground.

2. Movingtotheothersideofthetractor,rotatetheright bladeso thatit isperpendiculartothetractorframe,andmeasurethe distancefromits outerbladetipto theground.

3. Bothmeasurementstakenshouldbeapproximatelyequal.If they'renot,notewhethertheleftside ofthedeckis loweror

higherandproceedtothenextstep.

4. Workingfromtheleftsideof thetractor,loosen,butdonot remove,the hexcapscrewin theleftdeckadjustmentbracket. SeeFigure15.

AdjustmentGear

HexCapScrew

Figure15

5. Toeventhedeckturntheadjustmentgear,locatedimmediately behindthehexcapscrew,clockwise(rearward)to lowertheleft sideof thedeck.Turnthegearcounter-clockwise(towardfront)to raisethe left sideofthedeck.SeeFigure15.

6. Thedeckis properlyleveledwhenbothbladetip measurements, asdescribedearlier,areequal.

7. Retightenthe hexcap screwin theleftdeckadjustmentbracket whenproperadjustmentisachieved.

Front To Rear Deck Leveling Thefrontof thecuttingdeckissupportedbyanadjustablefrontdeck

hangerrod.This rodcanbeadjustedtosetthefrontto rearpitchof thedeck. Thefrontofthedeckshouldbeapproximately1/4-inchlower

thanthe rearofthedeck. Adjustifnecessaryasfollows:

NOTE:Thedeckshouldfirstbeleveledsideto side.Checkthesideto sidelevelofthedeckandadjustif necessary.

1. Withthetractorparkedonafirm,levelsurface,movethedeckto themidheightposition(thirdor fourthnotch)usingthedeck lift lever.Carefullyrotatethe RHblade(nearestthedischargechute) sothatitis parallelwiththe tractorframe.

2. Measurethedistancefromthefrontof thebladetiptotheground andtherearofthebladetipto theground.The frontmeasure- menttakenshouldbeapproximately1/4"lessthanthe rear

measurement.Determinewhetherthefrontofthe deckhasto be raisedorlowered.

3. Workingatthefrontof thetractor,loosenthe twohexlocknutsat thefrontof thedeckhangerrod.Threadthelocknutsawayfrom thehexnutsbehindthem.Referto Figure16.

)eck ofDeck

Figure16

4. Usea openendwrenchtoturntheinnerhexnutsto adjustthe frontofthedeck.Turnthehexnutsclockwisetoraisethefront

ofthe deck,orcounterclockwiseto lowerthefrontofthe deck. Adjustthe hexnutsevenlysothatthedeckhangerrod isat the

frontofbothslotsinthe hangerbracketon the frontofthe deck. See Figure16.

5. Refightenthe twohexlocknutswhenproperlyadjusted.

Deck Gauge Wheel

NOTE:The deckgaugewheelsareananti-scalpfeatureofthe deck andare notdesignedto supporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.

Thedeckgaugewheelsshouldneithercontacttheground,norbehigh off theground,whenthedeckismovedtothedesiredheightsetting.If youchangeyourcuttingheightduringthe mowingseason,thegauge wheelsshouldbecheckedandadjustedas necessary.

Adjustthegaugewheelsasfollows:

1. Placethetractorona fiatsurfaceandmovethe decktothe desiredmowingheightusingthe decklift lever.

2. Checkgaugewheelsdistancefromtheflat surfacebelow.Ifthe gaugewheelscontacttheground,theymustberaised.Ifthe gaugewheelsare higherthan1/2"abovethe ground,theyshould

be lowered.

3. Removethe hexflangelocknutandshoulderboltsecuringoneof thefrontgaugewheelstothefrontindexbracket.Repositionthe gaugewheelto alignwiththeoneoffiveindexholesthatplaces thewheel 1/4"to 1/2"abovetheground.Securethegaugewheel tothe indexbracketwiththe shoulderboltandflangelocknut.

Notetheindexholeusedandsecuretheothergauge

wheelin the sameposition.SeeFigure17.

FrontGauge Lock ............

Wheel

Wheel Shoulder BracketIndexHoles Bolt

'_. j

Figure17

Pivot Bar If excessiveplay isexperiencedin thesteeringwheel,checkthe pivot

barforforward/rearwardmovement.

1. Raisethe frontofthetractorand setitonjackstands,sothefront wheelsaresuspendedabovetheground.

2. Graspingtheendsof thepivotbar,attempttomoveeachend ofthe axleforwardandrearwardtocheckfor sideplay.There shouldbeminimalornosideplay.

3. If thereis no sideplay,lowerthetractortothegroundandhave thesteeringlinkageinspectedbyyourSearsParts& Service RepairCenter.Ifthereis sideplay,tightenthepivotbarasfollows:

a. Supportthepivotbar,thenremovethehexlocknutssecur-

ingthetwoshoulderboltsthatpassthroughthe pivotbar bracket,thepivotbar,andframe.RefertoFigure18.

b. Slidea halfinchflatwasher,witha maximumthicknessof

.030inch,onto eachshoulderbolt.Reinstalltheshoulder boltsw/washersandfastenwiththetwohexlock nuts.

c. Graduallyandevenlytightenthehexlocknut whilecontinu-

ingtochecktheforward/rearwardmovementofthe pivotbar.

Tightenthelocknutsuntilminimumplay,withoutbindingthe

pivotbar'supanddownmovement,isachieved.

CUTTING DECK REMOVAL

Toremovethecuttingdeck,proceedasfollows:

1. DisengagethePTO(BladeEngage)andengagethe parking brake.

2. Placethedeckgaugewheelsin theirhighestsetting(lowestdeck setting).

3. Lowerthedeck bymovingthe decklift leverintothe bottomnotch

on therightfender.

4. Lookingatthecuttingdeckfromtheleftsideof thetractor,locate

thedecksupportpinontherearleftside ofthedeck.Referto

Figure19.

5. Pullthedecksupportpinoutwardtoreleasethedeckfromthe

decklift arm.Pivotthesupportpinhandledownwardto lockthe

pininthedisengagedposition.RefertoFigure19.

DeckLiftArm

Figure18

DeckSupportPin

Figure19

6. Moveto therightsideofthe tractorandrepeatthe previousstep

to releasethedeckfromtheRHlift arm.

7. Movethedecklift leverintothetopnotchon therightfenderto raisedeckliftarmsupandoutof theway.

8. Carefullyslidethecuttingdeckforwarduntilthefrontdeckhanger rodcanbe removedfromthe slotsof thehangerbracketat the

frontofthedeck.

9. ThePTObeltiscapturedinsidethePTOpulleyonthebottomof

theengineby a beltkeeper.Frombeneaththefront/leftsideof thetractor,locatethe hextappingscrewsecuringtheleftsideof thebelt keepertothebottomofthetractorframe.

10. Afternotingtheframeholeintowhichrightsideofthebelt keeper isinserted,removethehextappingscrewandbelt keeper.Slide

thePTObeltoffthetractor'sPTOpulley.

11. Whileholdingthe frontdeckhangerrodupwardtoclearthedeck

fronthangerbracket,carefullyslidethedeckout fromtheright

sideof thetractor.

BLADES

Besureto shutthe engineoff,removeignitionkey,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)topreventunintendedstartingbeforeremovingthe

cuttingblade(s)forsharpeningor replacement.Protectyourhands

b_ usng heavygovesor a ragtograspthecuttng bade. Thebladesmayberemovedas follows:

1. Removethe deckfrombeneaththetractor,(referto CuttingDeck Removal)then gentlyflipthedeckoverto exposeitsunderside.

NOTE:Placea blockofwoodbetweenthedeck housingandthe cuttingedgeof the bladeto helpin breakingloosethehexnut securing

theblade.

2. Usea 15/16"wrenchtoloosenthehexflangenutsecuringthe bladetothe bottomof thespindleassembly.Securethespindle byeitherholdingthebladetightly,orbyusinga secondwrenchto holdthenutatthetopofthe spindle.

3. Continueholdingthebladeontothestarhubofthespindle,and removetheflangenutandcuttingblade.

4. Repeatthepreviousstepstoremovetheotherblade.

5. Toproperlysharpenthecuttingblades,removeequalamounts ofmetalfrombothendsofthebladesalongthecuttingedges, paralleltothe trailingedge,ata250to300angle.

iMPORTANT:ifthecuttingedgeofthebladehasalreadybeen sharpenedto within1-5/8"widthfromtheoppositeedge,or ifany metalseparationis present,replacethebladeswith newones.See Figure20.

_aration

Itis importantthateach cuttingbladeedgebegroundequallyto

maintainproperbladebalance.

A poorlybalancedbladewillcauseexcessivevibrationandmay causedamageto thetractorand resultin personalinjury.The bladecanbetestedbybalancingit ona roundshaftscrewdriver. Grindmetalfromtheheavysideuntilit balancesevenly.

iMPORTANT:Whenreplacingtheblades,makecertainthesideofthe blademarked"Bottom"facesthegroundwhenthemoweris turnedto theoperatingposition.

iMPORTANT:Notethatthe starsoftheblades(andspindles)arenot symmetrical.The bladecanbeinstalledoneachspindlein onlyone direction.Carefullyalignthestarholeof thebladewiththe starofthe spindleshaftwheninstallingeachblade.DO NOTimproperlyalignthe bladeandspindleshaft,andattempttoseatthe bladeontothe spindle bytighteningthehexflange nut.

8. Rotatethebladeasnecessarytoalignits starholewiththestar ofthe spindleshaft,thenslidethebladeontothespindleshaft. Threadthe hexflangeontothe spindleshaftandusea torque wrenchtotightenthe hexflangenutto 70to 90foot-pounds.

9. Repeattheaboveproceduretoinstalltheotherblade.

Checking Blade Timing

Duringnormaloperationthetimingofthecuttingbladescan bealtered byabnormalloadsonone,orboth,cuttingblades.Regularlycheckthe timingarrowsonthespindleassembliestomakecertaintheyare900

fromeachother.

Ifthetimingarrowsarenot900fromeachother,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethe deckfromthetractor.Removetheidlerbracket backstop.Referto Figure21.

SharpenEdge

Evenly

1-5/8inch

Figure20

)

lind Wing

Bracket IdlerBracket& Spring&Screw Backstop IdlerPulley

Figure21

2. Pivottheidlerbracket/idlerpulleyto relievethetensiononthe timingbelt,and repositionthedrivepulleyand/ortimingpulleyto achievethe900orientationofthetimingarrowsonthe pulleys.

3. Re-installtheidlerbracketbackstopandpositionsothatthereisa

1/8"gapbetweenthebackstopandidlerbracket.Tightenthehex

screwandflange locknutto secureinthe adjustedposition.

BELTS

Besureto shuttheengineoff,removeignitionkey,disconnectthe sparkplugwire(s)topreventunintendedstartingbeforeremovingthe belt(s).

PTO Belt Allbeltsonyourtractoraresubjecttowearandshouldbereplacedif

anysignsof weararepresent.

FixedIdler Pulley IdlerBracket

PTOBelt

IMPORTANT:Do notusesubstitutebelts.Thebeltfoundonyour tractoris speciallydesignedforoptimalperformanceandservicelife foryourdeckapplication.UseonlyOEMoriginalreplacementbelts.

Toreplacethe PTObelt,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethedeckfrombeneaththe tractor(referto CuttingDeck Removal).

2. ManeuverthePTObeltdownwardandofftheidlerpulleyonthe springloadedidlerbracket.

NOTE:It maybe necessarytoloosenthehexcapscrewandflange locknutsecuringthepulleytotheidlerbrackettofitthe beltbetween thepulleyand bracket.Slidethe beltbetweenthe bottomoftheidler pulleyandtop ofthetimingbeltidlerpulleybelow.SeeFigure22.

,,, j

Figure22

3. Loopthebeltand pushoutof theV-grooveofthedrivepulleyon theright handspindleassembly.Liftthe beltoverthepulleyand outfrombeneaththe spindlecover.SeeFigure22.

4. LoopthenewPTObeltandslidebetweenthetopofthedrive

pulleyandspindlecover.Maneuverthe beltaroundandintothe

V-grooveofthedrivepulley.

5. Routethebacksideof thebeltaroundidlerpulleyandbetween theidlerpulleyandidlerbracket.Re-tightenthehexscrewand flangelock nutifloosenedearlier.Referto Figure22.

6. Routethebelt aroundthefixedidlerpulleyas shownin Figure22 and re-installthedeckasdescribedin"ReinstallingtheCutting

Deck"laterinthis section.

Timing Belt Toreplacethetimingbelt,proceedas follows:

1. Removethe deckfrombeneaththetractor(refertoCuttingDeck Removal).

2. Removethe PTObeltdrivepulleyof the righthandspindle assemblyasdescribedin"PTOBelt."

3. Removethe hexscrew,flatwasher,lockwasher,shoulderspacer, andflangelocknutthatmakeup the idlerbracketbackstop.Refer to Figure21above.

NOTE:Itmaybenecessaryto cleantheundersideofthemowingdeck

toaccessthehexscrew.

4. Applyingforceto eitherthetimingbeltidlerpulleyor thetiming beltidlerbracket,pivotand holdtheidlerbracketagainstthe springtensionjustfarenoughto allowliftingthe timingbeltoff andabovetheidlerpulley.Carefullyreleasethe idlerbracket.See Figure21.

5. Loopthetimingbeltandlift outofthe timingpulleyandoverthe righthandspindleassembly.Maneuverthe beltbetweenthedrive pulleyontop ofthespindleassemblyandthespindlecoverto remove.

6. Repeattheaboveproceduretoremovethebeltfromthe left hand spindleassemblytimingpulley.RefertoFigure21.

7. Loopthe newtimingbeltand maneuverthebelt betweenthedrive pulleyontop oftherighthandspindleassemblyandthe spindle cover.Lowerthebeltuntil looselyaroundtherighthandtiming pulley.RefertoFigure21.

8. Notethearrowson thetopofthetimingpulleyonthe LHspindle andonthedrivepulleyofthe RHspindleassembly.Thesetiming arrowsMUSTbepositioned90ofromeachotherasshownin Figure23.

9. RotatetheRHspindleassemblyto positionthedrivepulleytiming arrowas shownin Figure19.Then withoutmovingtheRHdrive pulley,pullthetimingbelttightagainsttheRHtimingpulley,above thetimingbeltidlerpulley,andovertothe LHtimingpulley.

10. Turnthe LHtimingpulleysothat itstimingarrowis900fromthe RHspindleassemblytimingarrow.RefertoFigure23.

11. Whilemakingsure nottochangethepositionofeitherpulley,loop

thetimingbeltovertheLHtimingpulley.

12. Aftermakingsurethespringishookedontotheidlerbracketand

screw,pivotthetimingidlerbracket!idlerpulleyagainstthespring tensionjustfarenoughtoallowyouto lowerthebacksideofthe timingbeltonto theidlerpulley.SeeFigure23.

13. Re-checkthetimingarrowsonthetwopulleys.Iftheyhave

movedfromthe900positionwhentensioningthetimingbelt,pivot theidlerpulleytorelievetensiononthe beltand re-positionthe pulleys.Thetiming arrows MUSTbe positioned900from each other as shownin Figure23.

14. Re-installthe idlerbracketbackstopcomponentsasoriginally

installedin thedeck housing,andpositionsothatthereis a 1/8" gap betweenthebackstopandidlerbracket.Tightenthehex screwandflangelocknuttosecurein theadjustedposition.

Pulley

Arrow

Pulley

TimingArrow

Figure23

15. If thetimingbeltwasinstalledcorrectlyandthetimingarrows werepositionedasshownin Figure23,thecuttingbladesshould bein thepositionshowninFigure24.

-.. J

Figure24

16. ReinstallthePTObeltontothe RHspindledrivepulleyand re-installthedeckasdescribedin"Re-installingtheCuttingDeck"

below.

3. Usingthedecklift lever,lowerthedeck liftarms.Fromeitherside ofthe tractor,pullthesupportpinin thedeckrearhangerbracket outward,alignthe deckliftarmholewiththedecksupportpinand

releasethepinsothatitgoesthroughthedeck liftarm.Repeaton

theothersideofthetractorto securethedeck.

4. Afterfirstmakingsurethedeckbeltis properlyengagedinallof thedeckpulleys,routethedeckbeltforwardthroughthecenter ofthe frontdeckhangerrodandtowardthe PTOpulleyon the

bottomoftheengine.

5. Usingthedecklift handle,raisethedeckto thepositionthatgives youthe mosthorizontalrunofthebeltbetweenthedeckpulleys andthe PTOpulleyonthebottomoftheengine.

6. Sittinginfrontofthetractor,facingrearward,makecertainthe

beltis nottwisted;thenreachbeneaththetractortograspthebelt

and pullittowardthePTOpulley.

NOTE:Referencesto leftand rightarefromthefrontof thetractorin

thefollowinginstructions.

Pullthe rightsideofthebeltforwardand placethenarrowV side

ofthe beltintothePTOpulley.

Whileholdingthe beltandpulleytogether,rotatethepulleytothe

Idt. Continueholdingandrotatingthepulleyandbeltuntilthebelt isfully rolledintothe PTOpulley.SeeFigure25.

Transmission Drive Belt

NOTE:Severalcomponentsmustbe removed,includingtransmission steeringlinkagewhichwillhaveto be readjusted,inordertochange thetractor'stransmissiondrivebelt.ContactyourSearsParts& ServiceRepairCenterto haveyourtransmissiondrive beltreplaced.

REINSTALLING THE CUTTING DECK

Therearetwomethodsfor reinstallingthemowerdeckon thetractor. Onemethodinvolvesrotatingthe PTObelt idlerbrackettorelieve enoughbelttensionto allowthe belttobeplacedin eitherthe PTO pulleyorthe fixedidlerpulley.Becausethat methodis difficult,we recommendusingthesecondmethodofrollingthebeltontothePTO pulley.

Installthecuttingdeckas follows:

1. Fromthe rightside ofthetractor,slidethedeckunderthetractor andalignthereardeckhangerbracketswith thedecklift arms.

2. Slidethedeckforwardandplacethedeckfronthangerrodinto theslotsofthedeckfronthangerbracket.Thenslidethe deck rearwardsothatthefronthangerrodisat thefrontofthe slots.

PTOPulley

PTOBelt

Figure25

Usecautiontopreventpinchingyourfingerswhenrollingthe belt

ontothe PTOpulley.

+ 67 hidden pages

MTD 17AK9TKR099 Owner’s Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual