® MODEL NUMBER 917.255981 OWNER'SMANUAL o Assembly o Operation o Customer Responsibilities o Service and Adjustments o Repair Parts CAUTION: !!!!r!r!l Read and follow all safety rules and instructiOnS r before operating , this equipment.
SAFETY Practices RULES for Ride-On Safe Operation Mowers IMPORTANT: THIS CUTTING MACHINE IS CAPABLE OF AMPUTATING HANDS AND FEETAND THROWING OBJECTS. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT 1NSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
PRODUCT CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase ef a Sears Tractor.. It has been designed, engineered and manufactured to give you the best possible dependability and performance,. Should you experience any problem you cannot easily remedy, please contact your nearest Sears Authorized Service Center/Department. We have competent, welltrained technicians and the proper tools to service or repair this unit.. Please read and retain this manual.
i .n ...i..... , ... i .. _l.u....... ,"' 'u ,.vnnl i .. "fABLE OF CONTENTS ..nn ul. ,111,11 i .............................. SAFETY RULES ............................................................ 2 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ...................................... 3 CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ..................... 3, 16-18 WARRANTY .................................................................. 3 TRACTOR ACCESSORIES .......................................... 5 ASSEMBLY ..........................
iiiiil,llr i IIIIHI'I' '1.... II, AND ATTACHMENTS i,i ...................... ,11,1, ,i These accessories and attachments we re available through most Sears retail outlets and service centers Most Sears stores can order these items for you when you provide the model number of your tractor. MAINTENANCE ENGINE "_sPABK PLUG when the tractor was purchased GAS CAN ENGINE OIL FUEL STABILIZER BLADES BELTS PERFORMANCE Sears offers a wide variety of attachments that fit your tractor..
H..II..I ...................... , ,,!ll ' ,1""'11"11"11 I.... H.. i . CONTENTS ==.... _1 ...... ..... OF HARDWARE I1 I1' 'I H" I shown full size , . ..11...i PACK .....II ' ............................. H,,=..I.= Parts Bag contents H. '".... r','," ...= ................ Parts packed separately in carton ÷ Seat Battery acid (1) Shoulder Bolt 5/16-18 (I) Knob Battery Steering Wheel (1) Washer t7/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge ,,.,H.=.1.1.i"11'1' "111'.1..
i=,1 "='H",H ................. LY i ,, H =1,=,=,,=1,= i ,1111= Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassemb}ed for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor alt parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened secure[yo Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY STEERING A socket wrench set wiII make assembly easier° Standard wrench sizes are tisted.
INSTALL PREPARE BATTERY SEAT (See Fig. 4) Adjust seat before tightening adjustment knob. (See Fig. 3) o o Remove cardboard packing on seat pan, Place seat on seat pan and assemble shoulder bolt. Wash hands or clothing immediately if accidentally in contact with batteryacid. . Assemble adjustment Do not tighten° Do not smoke. Fumes from charged battery acid are explosive. ° Tighten shoulder' bolt securely° • Lower seat into operating position and sit on seat.
_11,= ,,J i ASSEMBLY iii i,.11,,.11, ,i,i, INSTALL i..................................... MOWER AND DRIVE BELT i i, , • Carefully remove block from behind idler pulley,, • Turn height adjustment knob counterclockwise stops, o Lower mower linkage with attachment lift lever° - Relieve idler tension from belt.
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS ''":_ "-- ...... ;_ FLAT WASHER For best cutting resuits, mower housing should be properly Ieveledo See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the Service and Adjustments section of t his manual. CHECK BELTS FOR PROPER POSITION OF ALL See the figures that are shown for replacing motion, mower drive, and mower blade drive belts in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual. Verifythat the belts are routed correctly. INSTALL BATTERY OLAOKOAO (See Figs.
ii ,, iii1,11111iii i iiii ,11,11 ,i OPERATION KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR.
, ,u .... •......................... ,,,i, i, ,,., OPERATmON , u,ll,, u u,l_m, =_ The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result tn severe eye damage. AlWays wear safety glasses or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask for over the spectacles or standard safety glasses.
OPERATION TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS TO OPERATE (See Fig. 10) i,ul .... ON HILLS lU .......... ilnlU,U,,nl,,i i I • o Adjust mower to desired cutting height. Lower mower with lift control. Remove rear retainer spring and clevis pin which secure each gauge wheel , Lower gauge wheels to ground. Raise gauge wheels slightly to align holes in bracket and gauge wheel bar and insert clevis pins Gauge wheels should be slightly off the ground.
ADD GASOLINE MOWING o Fill fuel tank. Use fresh, clean, regular unleaded gasoline. (Useof leaded gasoline will increasecarbon and lead oxide deposits and reduce valve life)o IMPORTANT: WHEN OPERATING IN TEMPERATURES 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 gasohot or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage.
n,un, . ..... CUSTO i1,1,,i,,,,i,,11,,, u, i, , MAINTENANCE F,,L iNO,,TES ii RESPONSIB L TIES , ........ SCHEDULE iiii ,llll,,inu,i u .,___ ' _.,_ '._,e_ .n 1,,_o_ ......................... 'f ........ AsYOU COMPLETE REGULAR SERVICE ;_./_ _._?_. _.<,_ _<,_._ _._._ _'4_ Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure = €,iieck for Loose Fasteners T Sharpen/Replace Lubrication c"h'a'rt ............ T Check Baiiery Level/Rech arg e R .... I _' _/' _#' DATES .-.........i_ .......
TRACTOR TO SHARPEN Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced, An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and eventual damage to mower and engine° BRAKE o The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.
....... i,,unu,l,u,,,u u' , i Ul CUSTOMER RESPONSBBmL ................. in i, inlll = Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor. o Wash battery with solution of four tablespoons of baking sodato one gallon of water, Be careful netto get the soda solution into the cells. o Rinse the battery with plain water and dry o Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright.
CUSTOM CLEAN AIR SCREEN RESIPO ILmTUlE$ (See Fig. 20) Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent engine damage from overheating_ Clean with a wire brush or compressed air to remove dirt and stubborn dried gum fibers FOAM ENGINE COOLING FINS (See Fig. 20) PRE_CLEANER,...,__...._._ Remove any dust, dirt or oil from engine cooling fins to prevent engine damage from overheating. Engine blower housing must be removed.
w, i', ,,,,, ............ , , , I,,H ,,, ,,,,,,,,, ,, ir,lr,,, ,H,,, ¸ , , SERVDCE AND ADJUSTMENTS , r , ,,', ,,,H,,,, , ,, , ,,, i,mrvN,,ir .... ,H,, _,HHr'H CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: • Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • -o o o iii1,,,111, i Place attachment clutch in "DISENGAGED" position. Place ignition gearshift keylever in neutral (N) position. Turn "OFF" and remove key.
.................................................................. SERVICE AN i ,, IH''N'IIII ...................... I1' i ...................... ADJUSTMENTS r I' ' I I I TO REPLACE FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT (See Figs. 25 and 26) IMPORTANT: DECK MUST BE LEVEL SIDE-TO-SIDE, IF THE FOLLOWING FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT tS NECESSARY, BE SURE TO ADJUST BOTH FRONT LINKS EQUALLY SO MOWER WILL STAY LEVEL SIDE-TO*SIDE.
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS lunl TO REPLACE (See Fig. 28) MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake, Remove mowerdrive belt (See'_FO REPLACE MOWER DRIVE BELT" in this section of this manual). o Remove mower (See "TO REMOVE MOWER" in this section of this manual) • Remove four screws from Roll mandrel cover and remove cover° Unhook spring from bolt on mower housing° . Carefully roll belt off Roll. mandrel pulley.
=, Hi , i, i,, ,,= $ CE AN .................... TO REPLACE MOTION ADJUSTMENTS ii DRIVE BELT TO ADJUST (See Fig. 31) STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake. For ease of service there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom of Ieft footresto It isnot necessaryto rernove mower.
ii1,, i iiii i ,,11 ii iii $ERVHCE AND ADJUSTMENTS i ,,111 i1,11111,1,, TO REMOVE ,i i WHEEL ii, i ii iii i1,,i,,11 FOR REPAIRS FRONT WHEEL (See Fig. 34) ° BIockup axle securely_ • Remove axle cover, retaining ring and washers to allow wheel removal • Repair tire and reassemble. • Replace washers and snap retaining ring securely in axle groove. • Replace axle cover. "POSITIVE"(+) "NEGATIVE"(-) o PANEL WASHERS RETAINING RIN( AXLE COVER \ FIG. 35 TO REPLACE FIG.
TO ADJUST ATTACHMENT (See Fig. 36) LIFT SPRING ,, While holding spring bushing with wrench, loosen jam nut. ,, Turn adjustment bolt clockwise to extend spring and reduce lift effort for heavier attachments. o Turn adjustment bolt counterclockwise tachments. ADJUSTMENT SPRING for lighter ato JAM NUT Retighten jam nut against spring bushing. IMPORTANT: DO NOTADJUST FOR MAXIMUM SPRING TENSION WHEN USING LIGHT ATTACHMENTS SUCH ASA MOWER.
,..i ..... i .IL.I. i _mlll.........i ........ i1..i...i, i ii SERVICE AN ...................................... i . ..r....11.1 i Jl _ i iiiii i ii ii CONTROL ,, CABLE The throttle control has been preset at the factory and adjustment should notbe necessary, Checkadjustment as described below before loosening cable.
..................... i , i,, =, 'mH"H" STORAGE l , 1, Hm ,11,,,,1,1 ENGINE Immediately prepare your tiactor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or lore, ................. 1..1 = 1.1.1,. 11 FUEL SYSTEM .mi=_ IMPORTANT: iT IS iMPORTANT TO PREVENT GUM DEPOSITS FROM FORMING IN ESSENTIAL FUEL SYSTEM PARTS SUCH AS CARBURETOR, FUEL FILTER, FUEL HOSE, OR TANK DURING STORAGE.
SERVICE NOTES 27
TROUBLESHOOTING IPOJNT$ i1,1,1,1,11111111, ,,11 PROBLEM Wilt not start CAUSE i iiii CORRECTION 1 Out of fuel 2 3 4 5 6. 7. Engfne not "CHOKED" Engine flooded Bad spark plug Dirty air filter Didy fuel fitter Water in fuel. 8, Loose or damaged wiring. Carburetor out of adjustment. Engine valves out of adjuslmenL 9 10 iii propedy 1 Fill fuel tank 2. 3. 4 5. 6 7 See "TO START ENGINE" in Operation section Wait several minutes before attempting to start. Reptace spark plug.
.. ' ' ,, ,,,,,i,i ........ i,,,i,,_,,,,,,ii TROUBLESHOOTmNG ..... PROBLEM i,,, ,,,,i ..... ,....... , ,,, i ........ i,,i,i, , POINTS _ .............................. CAUSE CORRECTION ................
