Owner's Manual I(.nFT$MnN°l LAWN TRACTOR 13.5 HP, 38" Mower Electric Start 5 Speed Transaxle Model No. 917.277131 _ This product has a low emission engine which operates differently from previously built engines. Before 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 about this product, Call: operating Sears Craftsman Help Line 5 am - 5 pm, Mon- Sat this equipment.
Warranty................................................ 2 SafetyRules..........................................3 ProductSpecifications...........................6 Assembly/Pre-Operation.......................8 Operation.............................................11 MaintenanceSchedule........................17 Maintenance........................................17 Serviceand Adjustments.....................21 Storage................................................ 27 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. • 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. • Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree limbs, etc. • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall grass can hide obstacles. • Use slow speed. Choose a low gear so that you will not have to stop or shift while on the slope. • Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for wheel weights or counterweights to improve stability. • 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. • 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. • 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 SPECIFICATIONS Gasoline iCapacity iand Type: lOll Type: i (API-SF-SJ): Oil Capacity: Spark Plug: (Gap: .030") Ground Speed (MPH): Tire Pressure: Charging System: Battery: 1.25 Gallons Unleaded Regular SAE 30 (above 32°F) SAE 5W-30 (below 32°F' 3.0 Pints Champion RCl 2YC Forward: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Reverse: Front: 14 PSI Rear: 12 PSI 1.1 2.2 3.4 4.3 5.5 1.7 3 Amps Battery 5 Amps Headlights Amp/H r: 28 Min. CCA: 230 Case Size: U 1R i Blade Bolt Torque: 27-35 Ft. Lbs.
Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert (1) Large Flat Washer @(1) Locknut (1) Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 1-1/4 1/2-20 Steering Boot (1) Locknut 1/4-28 =_ Steering Wheel Adapter I Extension Shaft teering Seat (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge (_ _(1) Knob For Future Use Keys "--t 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 ASSEMBLY FOR A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes you need are listed below.
4. Push down on seat to engage shoulder bolt in slot and pull seat towards rear of tractor. 5. Pivot seat and pan forward and assemble adjustment knob and flat washer loosely. Do not tighten. 6. Lower seat into operating position and sit in seat. 7. Slide seat until a comfortable position is reached which allows you to press clutch/brake pedal all the way down. 8. Get off seat without moving its adjusted position. 9. Raise seat and tighten adjustment knob securely.
CHECKTIRE PRESSURE J CHECKLIST The tires on your tractor were overinflated at the factory for shipping purposes. Correct tire pressure is important for best cutting performance. • Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this manual. Before you operate your new tractor, we wish to assure that you receive the best performance and satisfaction from this Quality Product. Please review the following checklist: ,/All assembly instructions have been completed.
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning.
KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. Attachment Clutch Lever Ignition Switch Switch Position Lever Plunger Throttle/Choke Attachment Lift Lever o Height arking Brake Lever 1 Gearshift Lever iij Our tractors conform to the safety standards of the American National Standards Institute.
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 spectacles. HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR • Turn ignition key to "STOP" position and remove key.
These heights are approximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed. • The average lawn should be cut to approximately 2-1/2 inches during the cool season and to over 3 inches during hot months. For healthier and better looking lawns, mow often and after moderate g rewth. • 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.
ADD GASOLINE • Fill fuel tank to bottom of tank filler neck. Do 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. Purchase fuel in quantities that can be used within 30 days to assure fuel freshness. , Ai:_CAUTION" Wipe off any spilled oil or fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline near an open flame.
MOWING TIPS • If grass is extremely tall, it should be mowed twice to reduce load and possible fire hazard from dried clippings. Make first cut relatively high; the second to the desired height. • Do not mow grass when it is wet. Wet grass will plug mower and leave undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry before mowing. • Always operate engine at full throttle when mowing to assure better mowing performance and proper discharge of material.
AS YOU COMPLETE DATES i 1" Ch¢_3k Op_:_rator Pre_en_ Interlock Systems end R Check totLoo_e F_tener$ 1" Lubrication 0 A R Check Battery Level Sharpen/Repla¢o Mower Blades Clean BatteryandTerminals I_ _ 1_5 Chart I_ w I1_ Check Transe×le _ I_ Cooling Check V-Belts C_'_eck E Engine Oil Level _ Change Engine Oil (with oil filter} Change Engine Oil (without I_ Q_'_ oil filter} v, _12 . c,eanA, rF,I.e.
TRACTOR 4. Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer and flat washer in exact order as shown. 5. Tighten blade bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. torque). MPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. BRAKE OPERATION If tractor requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance at high speed in highest gear, then brake must be adjusted. (See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual).
• Rechargeat 6-10 amperesfor 1 hour. NOTE:The original equipmentbattery on your tractor Jsmaintenancefree. Do not attemptto open or removecaps or covers. Adding or checking levelof electrolyteis not necessary. TO CLEAN BATTERYANDTERMINALS Corrosionand dirt on the battery and terminals can causethe batteryto "leak" power. 1. DisconnectBLACKbattery cable first then RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor. 2. Rinse the battery with plain water and dry. 3.
1. Pull up on air filter cover handle and rotate towards engine. 2. Remove cover. 3. Carefully remove air filter cartridge and pre-cleaner from base. 4. Clean base carefully to prevent debris from falling into carburetor. NOTE: If very dirty or damaged, replace cartridge. 5. Place new pre-cleaner and cartridge firmly in base. 6. Align tabs on cover with slots in blower housing and replace cover. 7. Hook handle on cover and push down on handle to close.
& WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. Place attachment clutch in "DISENGAGED" position. Turn ignition key to "STOP" and remove key. Make sure the blades and all moving parts have completely stopped. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
TRACTOR TO REMOVE FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT IMPORTANT: Deck must be level side-to side. If the following front-to-back adjustment is necessary, be sure to adjust both front links equally so mower will stay level side-to-side. To obtain the best cutting results, the mower housing should be adjusted so that the front is approximately 1/8" to 1/2" lower than the rear when the mower is in its highest position. Check adjustment on right side of tractor.
TO REPLACE BELT MOWER BLADE TO CHECK AND ADJUST BRAKE DRIVE- Your tractor is equipped with an adjustable brake system which is mounted on the right side of the transaxle. If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to stop at highest speed in highest gear on a level, dry concrete or paved surface, then brake must be checked and adjusted. The mower blade drive belt may be replaced without tools. Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake. BELT REMOVAL 1.
TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT TO REMOVE WHEEL FOR REPAIRS Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake. For assistance, there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest. 1. Block up axle securely. 2. Remove axle cover, retaining ring and washers to allow wheel removal (rear wheels have a square key - Do not lose). 3. Repair tire and reassemble. NOTE: On rear wheels only: align grooves in rear wheel hub and axle. Insert square key. 4.
TO REMOVE ORDER - CABLES, TO REPLACE REVERSE 1. BLACK cable first from chassis and 2. then from the fully charged battery. RED cable last from both batteries. HEADLIGHT BULB 1. Raise hood. 2. Pull bulb holder out of the hole in the backside of the grill. Replace bulb in holder and push bulb holder securely back into the hole in the backside of the grill. 4. Close hood. INTERLOCKS AND RELAYS 3.
FINAL SETTING - 2. Check that holes "A" in governor control lever and hole in governor plate line-up. If holes "A" are net aligned, loosen clamp screw and move throttle cable until holes are aligned. Tighten clamp screw securely. Governor Governor Control Lever Control Plate 1. Start engine and allow to warm for five minutes. Make final adjustments with engine running and shift/motion control lever in neutral (N) position. 2. Move throttle control lever to slow position.
Also, alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas can damage the fuel system of an engine while in storage. • Empty the fuel tank by starting the engine and letting it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty. • Never use engine or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel tank or permanent damage may occur. • Use fresh fuel next season.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART: See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center PROBLEM CAUSE Will not start CORRECTION 1. Out of fuel. 2. Engine not "CHOKED" properly. 3. Engine flooded. 10. Engine valves out of adjustment. 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. See "TO START ENGINE" in Operation section. 3. Wait several minutes before attempting to start. 4. Replace spark plug. 5. Clean/replace air filter. 6. Replace fuel filter. 7.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART: See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center PROBLEM LOSS of power CAUSE CORRECTION 1. Cutting too much grass/too fast. , Throttle in "CHOKE" position. of grass, leaves and trash under mower. 3. Build-up , Dirty air filter. 5. Low oil level/dirty oil. 6. Faulty spark plug. 7. 8. Dirty fuel filter. Stale or dirty fuel. 9. Water in fuel. 10. Spark plug wire loose. 11. Dirty engine air screen/fins. 12. Dirty/clogged muffler. 13.
TROUBLESHOOTING See appropriate CHART: section PROBLEM Mower blades will not rotate Poor grass discharge in manual unless directed CAUSE to Sears service center CORRECTION 1. Obstruction in clutch mechanism. 2. Worn/damaged mower drive belt. 3. Frozen idler pulley. 4. Frozen blade mandrel• 1. Remove obstruction. 1. Engine speed too slow. 1. Place throttle control in "FAST" position. 2. Shift to slower speed. 3. Allow grass to dry before mowing• 4. Level mower deck. 5.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 SCHEMATIC 4" olll& L.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER !)17,277131 ELECTRICAL 26 ? 7 I 16 / / I I I I I i / / \ I I I 28 27 I I I 90 32 i \ /
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 ELECTRICAL KEY NO. PART NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES 29 P 12 28 25 26 5 26 31 55 57 208 54 26 33 10 Y 34 2O8 26 38 209 chassis-pl.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 CHASSISAND ENCLOSURES KEY NO. PART NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 GROUNDDRIVE KEY NO. 1 PART NO. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 1I 12 13 14 15 18 18 19 2I 22 24 25 28 27 28 29 30 32 34 35 38 37 38 39 146682 123666X 12000028 121520X 17000512 162240 131679 76020416 10570IX 19151216 74550412 10040400 74490544 73800500 74780616 73800600 106938X 130804 73350800 108888X 19131316 76020412 175765 71873 174973 74760512 175578 1201&3X 19211816 1572H 179114 72110622 4I 175556 KEY NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 STEERING /_ - - .
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 STEERING KEY PART NO. NO. DESCRIPTION I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 I0 11 I2 I3 I5 17 26 28 29 30 32 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 46 47 51 54 65 67 68 71 82 85 88 91 95 Steering Wheel Axle Aasembly Spindle Aasembly, LH. Spindle Aasembly, R,H.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 ENGINE 72 V 81 13 4 I 38 14 78 33 29 \ 4O OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Spark Arrester engine-bs, lcyl 49 KEY NO. PART NO. 1 2 3 170551 17720408 4 13 14 23 29 3I 32 33 37 179758 165291 148458 169837 137180 184900 140527 123487X 137040 KEY PART NO. NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 SEAT ASSEMBLY \ 21 J I I _f J f_ I I I 11 _J f I h_\_ Ii Ii 17 KEY NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1I 12 PART NO. 127427 140551 71110616 19131610 145006 73800600 12418IX 17000616 19131614 182493 166369 121246X 12 KEY NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 DECALS 6 7 13 15 I 12 KEY NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 PART NO. 177109 189455 171704 163204 149516 189461 172275 156867 WHEELS DESCRIPTION Decal Lower Dash Decal Engine Decal Hood Decal Fender Decal Battery Danger Decal Replacement Decal Steering Decal, Oper sdl PIL Gear ANDTIRES 4,10 KEY NO. 9 11 12 13 15 -- PART NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 LIFT ASSEMBLY 7 5 13 6 13 19 2O 13 20 2O 19 /Tft-rh.1piece_3 KEY NO. PART NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1I 12 13 159460 159471 105767X 12000002 19211621 1201&3X 12563IX 122365X 139865 139866 4939M DESCRIPTION Wire Asm Inner W/plunger Shaft Asm Lift Pin Groove I 500 Zinc E Ring I_5133-62 Washer PItd 21/32 × 1 × 2I ga Bearing Nylon BIk 629 Id Grip Handle Fluted BIk Button Plunger Red Link Lift LH Link Lift RH Retainer Spring KEY NO. PART NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 MOWER DECK 67 \ 2 2 .
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 MOWER DECK KEY NO. PART NO. 1 2 3 4 170280 72140506 138017 169970 5 6 8 9 10 4939M 178024 850857 10030800 140298 1I 134148 -- 139774 - - 138497 13 137645 14 15 18 19 2I 23 24 25 28 27 28 29 30 3I 32 33 38 128774 110485X 174493 132827 73880500 137607 105304X 123713X 110452X 108738)(428 19111016 108735X 173984 187690 153532 178342 131494 DESCRIPTION Mower Housing Aasembly Bolt, Carriage 5/18-I8 x 3/4 Bracket Asm. Fram Sway Bar Bracket, Asm.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 DANA TRANSAXLE-MODEL D4360-139 19._ 20 /" 21 , / 4 3 22 u _s I -? _ ....
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 DANA TRANSAXLE-MODEL D4360-139 KEY NO. PART NO. 1 2 3 4 5 170981 2274J 134400 105904X 160940 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 DESCRIPTION Housing, Upper Screw. Tapping, 1/4_20 X .734 Ball, Detent Spring, Detent Screw. Tapping, No. 10-24 X .482 138235 Assy, Kit, Shifter 108727X V-Ring 148266 Bearing, Flange 148269 Seal, Oil 2225J Ring, Retaining 134793 _ Assy, Kit, Shim, .
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 21B807,TYPE KEY NO. PART NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.277131 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 21B807,TYPE KEY NO. PART NO.
SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION _n _n 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.
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