Owner's Manual Ma. J LAWN TRACTOR 18.0 HP, 42" Mower Electric Start Automatic Transmission Model No. 917.273402 [_ This product a low emission engine which differently fromhaspreviously built engines. Before operates you start the engine, read and understand this Owner's Manual. IMPORTANT: For answers to your questions Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment.
Warranty................................................ 2 SafetyRules............................................ 3 ProductSpecifications ........................... 6 AssembtyPre-Operation ........................ 8 Operation............................................. 11 Maintenance....................................... 18 MaintenanceSchedule........................18 ServiceandAdjustments..................... 23 Storage................................................ 29 Troubleshooting ..............
IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects_ Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. o Be aware of the mower discharge direction 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 unattended.
DO: • Mow up and down slopes, not across. o Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc. o 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 recommendations for wheel weights or counter_ weights to improve stability. o Use extra care with grass catchers or other attachments. These can change the stability of the machine.
• Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc_ o 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. o Avoid starting or stopping on a slope. If tires lose traction, disengage the blades and proceed slowly straight down the slope. • If machine stops while going uphill, disengage blades, shift into reverse and back down slowly.
PRODUCT Gasoline 1,25 Gallons Capacity and Type: Unleaded Regular Oil Type API-SF-SJ): SAE 30 (above 32°F) SAE 5W-30 (Below 32°F) Oil Capacity: W/Filter: 3_5 Pints W/O Filter: 3_0 Pints Spark Plug: GAP: _030") Champion Ground (MPH): Speed Tire Pressure: Charging 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.
Steering Steering Wheel Insert Wheel (1) Large Flat Washer (1) Locknut 1/2-20 (1) Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 1-1/4 (1) Locknut 1/4-28 Boot Steerin_ ' _ ' Steering Wheel Adapter (1) Washer 17/32 x1-3/16 Gauge @ _(1) _ Extension Shaft Steering x12 Knob For Future Use Keys Slope Sheet Video Cassette 7
Your' new tractor has been assembled at the factory with the 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.
4. 5, 6_ 7. 8, 9, Push down on seat to engage shoulder bolts in slots and pull seat towards rear of tractor, Pivot seat and pan forward and assemble adjustment knob and flat washer loosely, Do not tighten. Lower seat into operating position and sit in seal 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.
INSTALL MULCHER PLATE CHECK (If previously removed) 1. Raise and hold deflector shield in upright position. 2. Place front of mulcher plate over front of mower deck opening and slide into place, as shown. 3_ Hook front latch into hole on front of mower deck. 4 Hook rear latch into hole on back of mower deck. Mulcher Deflector Shield f Latch Hooks A _JLCAUTION: Do not remove deflector shield from mower. TO CONVERTTO BAGGING OR DISCHARGING Simply remove mulcher plate and store in a safe place.
Thesesymbolsmayappearon your tractor or in literature supplied with the product.
KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READTHIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrationswith your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustrnents, Save this manual for future reference. Attachment Clutch Lever' Ammeter ...... Ignition Switch Light Switch 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 while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs, We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectacle& HOW TO USE YOUR TO SET PARKING TRACTOR BRAKE Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch.
o For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice. Make the first cut relatively 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 arrd the attachment clutch engaged will shut off the engine.
o For cold weather operation you should change oil for easier starting ((See the oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance section of this manual). • To change engine oil, see the Maintenance section in this manual ADD GASOLINE o Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck_ De not overfill 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.
PURGE TRANSMISSION To ensure proper operation and performance, it is recommended that the transmission be purged before operating tractor for the first time_ This procedure will remove any trapped air inside the transmission which may have developed during shipping of your tractor. IMPORTANT: Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement, it should be purged after reinstallation before operating the tractor.
MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. Clean after each use. o The special mulching blade will recur the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall 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 recutting action of the blades.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE j_._ .EOU 0E.
TRACTOR IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly, cent_er hole in blade must align with star on mandrel assembly. 4. Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown. 5. Tighten blade bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. torque). IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. If bolt needs replacing, replace only with approve bolt shown in the Repair Parts. Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance.
,, KeepbatteryboltstighL o Keepsmallvent holesopen. ° Rechargeat 6-10amperesfor 1 hour, NOTE:The originalequipmentbatteryon yourtractoris maintenancefree.Do not attemptto openor removecapsor covers. Addingor checkinglevelof electrolyteis not necessary, TO CLEANBATTERYANDTERMINALS Corrosionanddirt on the batteryand terminalscan causethe batteryto "leak" power. 1o DisconnectBLACKbatterycablefirst then RED batterycableandremove batteryfromtractor. 2. Rinsethe batterywithplainwaterand dry. 3.
3. 4, 5. 6. 7, 8. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward slightly and turning counterclockwise. To open, pul! out on the drain valve. After oil has drained completely, close and lock the drain valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise until the pin is in the locked position as shown. Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto the end of the drain valve. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube.
MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage. SPARK PLUG(S) Replace spark plug(s) at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs first.
_ ARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: 1, Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. 2_ Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position° 3, Place attachment clutch in "DISENGAGED" position. 4o Turn ignition key to "STOP" and remove key, 5, Make sure the blades and all moving parts have completely stopped. 6.
7_ Push clutch cable housing guide into bracket, slide collar onto guide and secure with large retainer spring. 8. Place flat washer and clutch spring on idler pulley bolt and secure with small retainer spring, 9. Install belt onto engine pulley. TO LEVEL MOWER o Before making any necessary adjustments, check that both front links are equal in length. ,, If links are not equal in length, adjust one link to same length as other link.
BELT INSTALLATION - 5_ 1. Work belt around both mandrel pulleys and idler pulleys 2. Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves and inside all belt guides. 3. Install mower (See "To Install Mower" in this section of this manual). Mandrel Road test tractor for proper stopping distance as stated above.
TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement, it should be purged after reinstallation and before operating the tractor. See "PURGE TRANSMISSION" in the Operation section of this manual° Engine Pulley ----- Ciutohin0 ,dlor J Stationary Idler .i Center Sp__.._..
If "jumper cables" are used for emergency starting, follow this procedure: IMPORTANT: Your tractor is equipped with a 12 volt system, The other vehicle must also be a 12 volt system Do not use your tractor battery to start other vehicles, TO ATTACH JUMPER CABLES - t. Connect one end of the RED cable to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of each battery(A-B), taking care not to short against tractor chassis. 2, Connect one end of the BLACK cable to the NEGATIVE (-) terminal (C) of fully charged battery. 3.
ENGINE IMPORTANT: Damage to the needle valve and the seat in carburetor may result if screw is turned in too tight. Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems, which are being done at the customers expense, may be performed by any non-road engine repair establishment or individual Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized engine manufacturers service outlet.
Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the tractor will not be used for 30 days or more. _,CAUTION" Never store the tractor with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark. Allow the engine to cool before storing in any enclosure. TRACTOR Remove mower from tractor for winter storage. When mower is to be stored for a period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area. 1.
TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate PROBLEM CHART: section in manual unless directed CAUSE Hard to start ,,,,,,,,, 1• Out of fuel. 2. Engine not "CHOKED" PEropedy. , ngine flooded. 4. 5. 6_ 7. Bad spark plug. Dirty air filter. Dirty fuel filter. Water in fuel. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5• 6. 7• 8. Loose or damaged wiring. 9. Carburetor out of adjustment. 8. 9. 10r Engine valves out of adjustment. 10. . Dirty air filter. Badspark plug. 3. Weak or dead battery• 4. Dirty fuel filter. 5• Stale or dirty fuel.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART: See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center PROBLEM Loss of power i(continued) cAUSE & CORRECTION Faulty spark plug 7. Dirty fuel filterr 8o Stale or dirty fuel. 9. Water in fuel. lO.Spark plug wire loose. 11. Dirty engine air screen/fins. 12. Dirty/clogged muffler. 13. Loose or damaged wiring, 14_Carburetor out of adjustment. 15. Engine valves out of adjustment. ;Excessive vibration 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 2. Bent blade mandrel. 3.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART: See appropriate section in manual CAUSE PROBLEM Poor grass discharge continued) unless directed 3. Wet grass° 4. Mower deck not level. 5. Low/uneven tire air pressure. 7. Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under mower, 8. Mower drive belt worn. 9 • Blades improperly installed_ 10. Improper blades used. 11_Clogged mower deck vent holes frem buildup of grass, leaves, and trash around mandrels. 3artery will not charge Switch is "OFF". 2.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 SCHEMATIC SAT?ERY AMMETER FUSE STARTER BLACK RD SOLENOID t ....... J CLUTCH/ BRAKE (PEDAL UP) .-_( WHITE IGNITION SWITCH .... _E [ i.... _ITC (NOT SEAT OCCUPIED) SWITCH BIJ_CK _ GROUNDING I J31J, CK (OPTIONAL) UNIT BLUE j LINE I 3 Af*fP DC O 381_ RPM FUEL ......... SHUT-OFF {2PLUGS ON TWI_ICYL.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
I TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 ELECTRICAL KEY PART NO. _NO_ DESCRIPTION 1 2 8 16 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 33 40 41 42 43 45 52 90 Battery Bolt Hex Hd 1/4-20 unc x 3/4 Box Battery Fender Switch, Interlock Harness Asm Light W/4152J Bulb Light #1156 Cable Battery 6 Ga, 11" red Cable Battery 6 Ga, w/16 wire red Fuse 20 AMP Nut Keps Hex 1/4-20 unc Cable Ground 6 Ga.
TRACTOR - - MODEL CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR - - MODEL CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES NUMBER 917.273402 KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 1 2 5 9 10 11 13 14 17 18 26 28 30 31 37 38 39 60 64 74 142 143 144 145 166 206 207 208 209 212 --* Chassis Stamping Drawbar Bumper Hood/Dash Dash Bolt, Carriage 3/8-16 x 1 Panel, Dash, LH Panet, Dash, R,H ScrewThdrol 3/8-16 x 1/2 Hood Assembly Laser Bumper Extrusion Nut Grille Lens Asm (includes #'s 29 and 212) Fend/Ftrest Pni STLT Bracket, Fender Support Screw Thdrol 5/16-18 x 1/2 Tyt Bracket Asm.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 9'17.273402 GROUND DRIVE KEY PART NO. NO. 1 ......
TRACTOR STEERING ASSEMBLY I i I i - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR STEERING ASSEMBLY - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 KEY PART NO. NO, DESCRIPTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 10 11 12 !3 15 17 26 28 29 30 32 36 37 36 09 40 41 42 43 44 46 51 54 65 67 68 71 82 67 88 91 95 Steering Wheel Axle Assembly Spindle Assembly, LH.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 ENGINE 3 2 72 81 4 78 ..- ..;,,. € ÷ 33 31 29 \ OPTIONAL 23 EQUIPMENT Spark Arrester englne-bs I cyl_l 7 KEY PART NO, NO.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 SEAT ASSEMBLY 12 seat_l_knob9 KEY PART NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 DECALS 13 7 4 2 13 !0 \ 20 11 12 15 16 14 KEY PART NOo NO, DESCRIPTION KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 Decal, Oper. Instr. Decal, Replacement Decal, Hood, R.H. Decal, Hood, L.H.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 LIFT ASSEMBLY 7 5 13 2 6 4 11__ 6 13 20 lift-rh 1piece KEY PART NO, NO. 1 159460 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 159471 105767X 12000002 19211621 120183X 125631X 122365X 139865 139866 DESCRIPTION Washer Asm Inner Spring W/Plunger Shaft Asm Lift Pin Groove E Ring #5133-62 Washer 21/32 x 1 x21 Ga Bearing Nylong Grip Handle Fluted Button Plunger Read Link Asm Lift L,H Link Asm Lilt R H KEY PART NO. NO.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
I TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 MOWER DECK KEY PART NO, NO.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 PEERLESS TRANSAXLE - - MODEL NUMBER LTH2000 KEY NO, PART NO.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31H777,TYPE NUMBER 0297-E1 718 _ 43,_ 584_ [ 1330 REPAIR MANUAL I 307_ 12641_ _32g REPLACEMENT ENGINE! 358 ENGINE GASKET SET 3@ 24 Q 668 12 45.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31H777,TYPE NUMBER 0297-E1 KEY NO. PART NO.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273402 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31H777, TYPE NUMBER 0297-E1 KEY NO, PART NO.
SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION O1 O1 1. Fold this page along dotted line indicated above. 2, Hold page before you so that its left edge is vertically parallel to a tree trunk or other upright structure. 3. Sight across the fold in the direction of hill slope you want to measure, 4. Compare the angle of the fold with the slope of the hill.
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