Owner's Manual CRAFTSMAN 19.5 HP ELECTRIC START 42" MOWER 6 SPEED TRANSAXLE LAWN TRACTOR Model No. 917,270912 • • • • Safety Assembly Operation Maintenance • Repair Parts CAUTION: Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions before operating this equipment. For answers to your questions about this product, Call: 1-800-659-5917 Sears Craftsman Help Line 5 am - 5 pm, Mon- Sat Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 601.79 Visit our Craftsman website: www.sears.
Warranty ............................................... Safety Rules ......................................... Product Specifications .......................... Assembly .............................................. Operation ............................................ Maintenance Schedule ...................... LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY Maintenance ....................................... 17 Service and Adjustments .................... 21 Storage ...............................................
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. GENERAL OPERATION • Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual and on the machine before starting. • Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the instructions, to operate the machine. • Clear the area of objects such as rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be picked up and thrown by the blade.
• Before and when backing, look behind and down for small children. • Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation. • Never allow children to operate the machine. • Use extra care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects that may obscure vision. SERVICE • Use extra care in handling gasoline and other fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive. Use only an approved container.
_Look for this symbol to point out important safety precautions. It means CAUTION!!! BECOMEAWARE!!I YOUR _FETY IS INVOLVED. CAUTION: In order to prevent accidental starting when setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs always disconnect spark plug wire and place wire _re it cannot contact spark plug. AUTION: Do not coast down a hill in neutral, you may lose control of the tractor. PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS GASOLINE 3.
Steering Wheel O (1) Hex Bolt 3/8-16 x 1 Steering Wheel Insert @ (1) Hex Bolt 5/16-18 x 1-1/4 _ ' (1) Locknut 5/16-18 (1) Large Flat Washer (1) Lockwasher 3/8 Steering Extension Steering Wheet L I , Steedng Boot Adapter Shaft l Seat (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge _(1) (1) Shoulder Bolt 5/16-18 Knob Keys Video Slope Sheet (2) Keys 6 Cassette
Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with exception of those parts left unassembled for shipping purposes. To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely. Use the correct tools as necessary to insure proper tightness. Review the video cassette before you begin. TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier. Standard wrench sizes you need are listed below.
TO ROLL TRACTOR 7• • ft o," "'%. INSTALL Label (See and • Press lift lever plunger and raise attachment lift lever to its highest position• • Release parking brake by depressing clutch/brake pedal. • Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position. • Roll tractor forward off skid.
ACAUTION: Do not remove deflector shield from mower. Raise and hold shield when attaching mulcher plate and allow it to rest on plate while in operation. Deflector Shield Mulcher Latch Hooks TO CONVERT DISCHARGING TO BAGGING OR Simply remove mulcher plate and store in a safe place. Your mower is now ready for discharging or installation of optional grass catcher accessory. NOTE: it is not necessary to change blades. The mulcher blades are designed for discharging and bagging also.
These symbols may appear on your tractor Learn and understand their meaning. BATTERY CAUTION OR WARNING REVERSE ENGINE ON ENGINE OFF OIL PRESSURE or in literature supplied with the product.
KNOWYOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S YOUR TRACTOR MANUALAND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustments, Save this manual for future reference.
The operation o! 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 a wide vision safety mask over spectacles, or standard safety glasses. I HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR TO SET PARKING BRAKE Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch.
TO OPERATE TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT The position of the attachment lift lever determines the cutting height. • Grasp lift lever. • Press plunger with thumb and move lever to desired position. The cutting height range is approximately 1-1/2 to 4". The heights are measured from the ground to the blade tip with the engine not running. These heights are approximate and may vary depending upon soil conditions, height of grass and types of grass being mowed.
TO TRANSPORT • Raiseattachment with attachment ADDGASOLINE lift to highest position lift control. • When pushing or towing your tractor, be sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N) position. • Do not push or tow tractor at more than five (5) MPH. NOTE: To protect hood from damage when transporting your tractor on a truck or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and secured to tractor. Use an appropriate means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord, etc.).
TO START ENGINE When starting the engine for the first time or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move fuel from the tank to the engine. • Sit on seat in operating position, depress clutch/brake pedal and set parking brake. • Place gear shift lever in neutral (N) position. • Move attachment clutch to "DISENGAGED" position. • Move throttle control to fast position • Pull choke control out for a cold engine start attempt.
MOWING TIPS MULCHING MOWING TIPS • Mower should be properly leveled for best mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. Clean after each use. Servk:e and Adjustments section of this manual.
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TRACTOR Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance. 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). TIRES • Maintain proper air pressure in all tires (See "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this manual). • Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chemicals which can harm rubber.
BA'r'rERY Your tractor has a battery charging system which is sufficient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the battery with an automotive charger wit1 extend its tile. • Keep battery and terminals clean. • Keep battery bolts tight. • Keep small vent holes open. • Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour. NOTE: The original equipment battery on your tractor is maintenance free. Do not attempt to open or remove caps or covers. Adding or checking level of electrolyte is not necessary.
FINS I=N_ilINI¢ _UULIN_i Remove any dust, dirt or oil from engine cooling fins to prevent engine damage from overheating. Air guide covers must be removed. Remove side panels and hood (See 'q'O REMOVE HOOD AND GRILLASSEMBLY" in the Service and Adjustments section of this manual). IMPORTANT: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are not to be used to clean the cartridge. They may cause deterioration of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean or dry cartridge.
CLEANING • Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc. of all foreign matter. • Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc. • Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean your tractor unless the electdcal system, muffler, air filter and carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can result in a shortened engine life.
TO LEVELMOWERHOUSING Adjust the mower while tractor is parked on level ground or driveway. Make sure tires are properly inflated (See "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this manual). If tires are over or underinflated, you will not properly adjust your mower. SIDE-TO-SIDE ADJUSTMENT • Raise mower to its highest position. • At the midpoint of both sides of mower, measure height from bottom edge of mower to ground. Distance "A" on both sides of mower should be the same or within 1/4" of each other.
BELT INSTALLATION TO REPLACE - • Install new belt in reverse order of removal. • Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves and inside all belt guides. • Install mower in reverse order of removal instructions. Mandrel Puttey Idler Pulleys Pulley MOTION DRIVE BELT Park the tractor on level surface. Engage parking brake. For assistance, there is a belt installation guide decal on bottom side of left footrest. • Remove mower (See "TO REMOVE MOWER" in this section of this manual.
Gearshift Lever / TO ADJUST ALIGNMENT ;.. Neutral Lock Gate Adjustment Bolt i STEERING WHEEL If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right) when wheels are positioned straight forward, remove steering wheel and reassemble per instructions in the Assembly section of this manual. FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN/CAMBER TO START BATTERY ENGINE WITH A WEAK _CAUTION: Lead-acid batteries generate explosive gases. Keep sparks, flame and smoking materials away from batteries.
REPLACING TO REPLACE BATTERY ACAUTION: Do not short battery terminals by allowing a wrench or any other object to contact both terminals at the same time. Before connecting battery, remove metal bracelets, wristwatch bands,rings,etc. Positive terminal must be connected first to prevent sparking from accidental grounding. • Lift hood to raised position. • Remove terminal guard. • Disconnect BLACK battery cable then RED battery cable and carefully remove battery from tractor.
FINAL SETTING • Remove air cleaner cover, filter and cartridge plate to expose carburetor choke (see "AIR FILTER" in the Maintenance section of this manual). • Choke should be closed. If it is not, loosen casing clamp screw and move choke cable until choke is completely closed. Tighten casing clamp screw securely. • Reassemble air cleaner. Cla::a_iec rclW_ Swivel • Start engine and allow to warm for five minutes.
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. #ACAUTION: 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. This will allow you to clean it thoroughly. Remove all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a clean, dry area.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART PROBLEM CAUSE Will not start • Out of fuel. CORRECTION • Engine not "CHOKED" properly. • Engine flooded. • • • • Bad spark plug. Dirty air filter. Dirty fuel filter. Water in fuel. • Loose or damaged wiring. • Carburetor out of adjustment. Hard to start • Engine valves out of adjustment. • Check all wiring. • See =To Adjust Carburetor" in Service and Adjustments section, • Contact an authorized service center. • • • • • • • • • • Dirty air filter. Bad spark plug.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Engine clicks but will not start (cont'd) • Loose or damaged wiring. • Faulty solenoid or starter. • Check all wiring. • Check/replace solenoid or starter. Loss of power • Cutting too much grass/ too fast. • Set in "Higher Cut" position/ reduce speed. • Adjust throttle control. • Throttle in "CHOKE" position. • Build-up of grass, leaves and trash under mower. • • • • Dirty fuel filter. • Stale or dirty fuel. • • • Waterin fresh gasoline.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROBLEM Poor cut- uneven (cont'd) Mower blades will not rotate Poor grass discharge CHART CAUSE CORRECTION • Clogged mower deck vent holes from buildup of grass, leaves, and trash around mandrels. • Clean around mandrels to open vent holes. • Obstruction in clutch mechanism. • Worn/damaged mower drive belt. • Remove obstruction. • Frozen idler pulley. • Frozen blade mandrel. • Replace idler pulley. • Replace blade mandrel. • Engine speed too slow.
TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 SCHEMATIC BATTERY REO FUSE AMMETER [OPTIONAL) L ....... Alt J CLUTCH / BRAKE [PEDAL UP) IGNITION SWtTCB (OPTIONAL) I I CH&RGING SYS_r EM OUTPUT 3/¢_p DC Q 3600 RPM FUEL SHUT-OFF _ VOLTS AC M_N @ 3_)0 RPM (CHARGING SYSTEM D!SCCNPi_.CTE D) SOLENOID LIGk_INGSYSTEMOUTpLR 5AMPACO3_OORPM_ ORANG£ NOTE YOUR TRACTOR IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPECIAL ALTERNATOR SYSTEM. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY, BUT HAVE THEIR OWN ELECTRICAL SOURCE.
TRACTOR- MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 ELECTRICAL . ........ ;=-.........
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 ELECTRICAL K]EY PARr NO. NO.
TRACTOR CHASSIS - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR- MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES I_Y P_R'T NO. NO.
TRACTOR GROUND - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 GROUND DRIVE {<3EY PART NO, NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 11 13 14 18 19 21 22 24 25 26 27 26 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 55 56 57 58 59 61 ........ 146682 123666X 12000028 121520X 17060512 165866 STD561210 105701X 74550412 10040400 STD523710 STD541437 106933X 130804 STD541237 106888X s'rD551037 STD561210 145204 71673 .
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR- MODEL NUMBER 917,270912 STEERING K_-Y PART NO. NO. DESCRIP'nON 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 17 18 19 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 46 47 51 54 62 63 65 66 67 68 79 80 82 85 Steedng Wheel Axle Assembly STMP Dropped STL Spindle Assembly, L.H. Spindle Assembly, R.H.
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 ENGINE PART NO. NO. 1 2 162152 17720410 3 ...... 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 23 25 26 27 29 31 32 33 34 37 149723 144069 14406o8 138129 150176 145552 STD551125 STD522507 165287 I_ 13200300 STD551237 17490624 169837 145996 73920600 152927 137180 157103 161696 123487X 106082X 8543R 3B ....... 39 45 81 109227X 17060612 128861 DESCRIPTION Control, Throt Paddle 32 22 Screw, Hex Thd Cut 1/4-20 x 5/8 Engine, B&S, (Sea Breakdown) No.
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 SEAT ASSEMBLY ,!jJ7 5 21 5 I I .-.--- 16 _15 17 IQ_f PART NO, NO. 1 140123 2 140551 3 71110616 4 19131610 5 145006 5 STD541437 7 124181X 8 17000616 9 19131614 10 155925 11 166369 12 121246X 12 DESCRIPTION Seat 3350 BIk/blkCraftsman Bracket Pnt Pivot Seat (blk) Bolt Fin Hex 3/8-16unc X 1 Washer 13/32 X 3/4 X 10 Ga Clip Push In Hinged Nut Hex Lock w/|ns 3/8-16 Unc Spring Seat Cprsn 2 250 BIk Zi Screw 3/8-16 x 1.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 DECALS 4 8 7 13 7 KL='yPART NO. NO. 1 156439 2 165392 3 171696 4 171697 5 163207 6 133644 7 163259 8 171808 9 163204 11 156368 KEY PART NO. NO. 13 146046 15 160396 19 138047 20 166887 22 149516 - - 138311 - - 165800X428 - - 165799X428 - - 173529 - - 173530 DESCRIPTION Decal, FenderDangerSears Decal, Engine DecaI, Hood, R.H. Decal, Hood, L.H.
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 LIFT ASSEMBLY 7 8 ,/ /' ./ /' .
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 LIFT ASSEMBLY I_'Y PAR1" NO. NO. DESORIPTIOH 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 31 32 Lift Lever Inner Wire Assembly Shaft Assembly, Lift Pin, Groove E-Ring Washer 21132 x 1 x 21 Gauge Bearing, Nylon Grip, Handle, Fluted Button, Plunger, Red Link, Lift, L.H. Link, Uft, R.H.
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 MOWER DECK 68 >21 21 / 23 24 \ 2 26 16 28 1 29 46 \.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 MOWER DECK K]EY PART NO. NO.
TRACTOR PEERLESS - MODEL NU M BER 917.
TRACTOR PEERLESS KEY PART NO. NO.
TRACTOR BRIGGS & STRATTON - MODEL NUMBER ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 461707, TYPE NUMBER 0145-E3 t3_ _ 45 11019 LABEL KIT 634 ÷ 552A 552 404 o I 11050 OWNER'S MANUAL 1132 I * ._oumsS_C,_L_OO,S INSTRUCTIONMANUAL.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 461707, TYPE NUMBER 0145-E3 861 PUMP REPAIR KIT 3_2_ 432_ 859_ 306_-307 433_'_ 121 CARBURETOR 432_ 392_ 104_ KIT 102@ 258 Y 689 "k REQUIRES SPECIALTOOLS TO INSTALL SEE REPAIR INbT"RUC'RON MANUAL.
TRACTOR - MODEL NUMBER 917.
TRACTOR- MODEL NUMBER 917.270912 BRIGGS& STRATTONENGINE-MODEL NUMBER461707,TYPE NUMBER0145-E3 KEY NO. PART NO.
TRACTOR -- MODEL NU MBER 917.270912 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL KEY NO. PART NO.
SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION ONLY RIDE UP AND DOWN HILL, NOT ACROSS HILL SIGHTING GUIDE -_. ., CUT TFI_. s I Operate your Tractor up and down the face of slopes (not greater than 15°), never across the face. Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control. Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.
For repair of major brand appliances in your own home,.. no matter who made it, no matter who sold it! 1-800-4-MY-HOME _r_ _ar n_t (1-800.469-4663) www.sears.com To bringin products such asvacuums, lawn equipment and elecl_3nics for repair, callfor the location of your nearest Sears Parts & Repair Center 1-800-488-1222 _v_B _o_j_ www.sears.com For _ _i_ replacement parts, accessories and owner's manuals that you need to do-it-youmoelf, call Sears ParteDIrect_! 1-800-366-PART 6_n_-llp.m.
