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Craftsman 917.98636, Operator'S Manual, Page: 26 / 36

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Craftsman 917.98636 Operator'S Manual Download Page 26

26

FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN/CAM BER
Your new tractor front wheel toe-in and 
camber is set at the factory and is normal. 
The front wheel toe-in and camber are not 
adjustable.  If damage has occurred to 
affect the factory set front wheel toe-in or 
camber, contact a Sears or other qualified 
service center.

00663

Retaining 
Ring

Washers

Axle Cover

Square Key (Rear 
Wheel Only)

TO REMOVE WHEEL FOR REPAIRS 
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.  Replace washers and snap retaining ring 

securely in axle groove.

5.  Replace axle cover.
NOTE: To seal tire punctures and pre vent 
flat tires due to slow leaks, purchase and 
use tire sealant from Sears. Tire sealant also 
pre vents tire dry rot and corrosion.

TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BAT-
 TERY 

 WARNING:  Lead-acid batteries gen er ate 

ex plo sive gases.  Keep sparks, flame and 
smoking ma 

te ri als away from bat 

ter ies.  

Always wear eye pro tec tion when around 
batteries.
If your battery is too weak to start the engine, it 
should be recharged. (See "BATTERY" in the 
MAINTENANCE section of this man u al).
If “jumper ca bles” are used for emer gen cy 
starting, follow this pro ce dure:
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 -
1.  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 ca ble 

to the NEGA TIVE (-) terminal (C) of fully 
charged battery.

3.  Connect the other end of the BLACK 

cable (D) to good chassis ground,  away 
from fuel tank and bat tery.

TO REMOVE CABLES, REVERSE ORDER 
-
1.  BLACK cable first from chassis and then 

from the fully charged battery.

2.  RED cable last from both batteries.

Weak or Dead
Battery

Fully Charged
Battery

TO CHECK BRAKE 
If tractor requires more than five (5) feet (1,5 
m) to stop at highest speed in high est gear 
on a level, dry concrete or paved surface, 
then brake must be serviced.
You may also check brake by:
1.  Park tractor on a level, dry concrete or 

paved surface, depress brake pedal all 
the way down and engage parking brake.

2.  Disengage transmission by placing 

freewheel control in “transmission dis-
engaged” position. Pull freewheel control 
out and into the slot and release so it is 
held in the disengaged position.

The rear wheels must lock and skid when 
you try to manually push the tractor forward. 
If the rear wheels rotate, then the brake 
needs to be serviced. Contact a Sears or 
other qualified service center.

Summary of Contents for 917.98636

Page 1: ...rating 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 The power rating as declared by the engine manufacturer is the average gross power output at the specified RPM of a typical production engine for the engine model measured using SAE Standards for engine gross power Please refer to the engine manufacturer for detail...

Page 2: ...ause of operator abuse including but not limited to damage caused by towing objects beyond the capability of the riding equipment impacting objects that bend the frame or crankshaft or over speeding the engine Repairsnecessarybecauseofoperatornegligence includingbutnotlimitedto electrical and mechanical damage caused by improper storage failure to use the proper grade and amount of engine oil fail...

Page 3: ...ge 60 years and above are involved in a large percentage of riding mower related inju ries These operators should evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safelyenoughtoprotectthemselvesand others from serious injury Followthemanufacturer srecommenda tionforwheelweightsorcounterweights Keep machine free of grass leaves or otherdebrisbuild upwhichcantouchhot exhaust engine parts and burn ...

Page 4: ...hine and the mowing activity Never assume that children will remain where you last saw them Keep children out of the mowing area and in the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator Be alert and turn machine off if a child enters the area Before and while backing look behind and down for small children Nevercarrychildren evenwiththeblades shutoff Theymayfalloffandbeseriously inj...

Page 5: ...in the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the operator Nevertamperwithsafetydevices Check their proper operation regularly Keep machine free of grass leaves or other debris build up Clean oil or fuel spillageandremoveanyfuel soakedde bris Allowmachinetocoolbeforestoring If you strike a foreign object stop and inspectthemachine Repair ifnecessary before restarting Never make any adjust...

Page 6: ...ONGRATULATIONS onyourpurchaseof a new tractor It has been designed engi neeredandmanufacturedtogiveyouthebest possible dependability and performance Shouldyouexperienceanyproblemyoucan not easily remedy please contact a Sears or otherqualifiedservicecenter Wehavecom petent well trained representatives and the proper tools to service or repair this tractor Please read and retain this manual The ins...

Page 7: ...m carton Cut along dotted lines on all four pan els of carton Remove end panels and lay side panels flat Check for any additional loose parts or cartons and remove TO CHECK BATTERY 1 Lift seat to raised position NOTE If this battery is put into service after month and year indicated on label label is located between terminals charge battery for minimum of one hour at 6 10 amps See BATTERY in Maint...

Page 8: ... controls their lo cation and function Operate them before you start the engine Be sure brake system is in safe operating condition Be sure Operator Presence System and Reverse Operation System ROS are working properly See the Operation and Maintenance sections in this manual Itisimportanttopurgethetransmissionbefore operating your tractor for the first time Fol lowproperstartingandtransmissionpur...

Page 9: ...entify safety inform ation about hazards which can result in death serious injury and or property damage DANGER indicates a hazard which if not avoided will result in death or serious injury WARNING indicates a hazard which if not avoided could result in death or serious injury CAUTION indicates a hazard which if not avoided might result in minor or moderate injury CAUTION when used without the al...

Page 10: ...arting and controlling engine speed E ATTACHMENT CLUTCH SWITCH Used to engage the mower blades or other at tachments mounted to your tractor F IGNITION SWITCH Used for starting and stopping the engine G REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM ROS ON POSITION Allows operation of mower or other powered attachment while in reverse H LIGHT SWITCH Turns the headlights on and off J CRUISE CONTROL LEVER Used to set for...

Page 11: ...w position Attachment Clutch Control Disengaged Attachment Clutch Control Engaged NOTE Failuretomovethrottlecontroltoslow position and allowing engine to idle before stopping may cause engine to backfire Turn ignition key F to STOP position andremovekey Alwaysremovekeywhen leavingtractortopreventunauthorizeduse Never use choke to stop engine IMPORTANT Leaving the ignition switch in anypositionothe...

Page 12: ...s For healthier and better look ing lawns mow often and after moderate growth For best cutting performance grass over 6 152 4 mm in height should be mowed twice Makethefirstcutrelativelyhigh the second to desired height TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS Gauge wheels are properly adjusted when they are slightly off the ground when mower is at the desired cutting height in operating position Gauge wheels then ...

Page 13: ...g up or down hills Avoidstoppingorchangingspeedonhills If stopping is absolutely necessary push brake pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking brake To restart movement slowly release park ing brake and brake pedal Slowly depress appropriate drive pedal to slowest setting Make all turns slowly TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH MENTS Tow only the attachments that are recom mended by and compl...

Page 14: ...weather starting CAUTION Alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol can attract moisture which leads to separation andformationofacidsduringstorage Acidic gascandamagethefuelsystemofanengine while in storage To avoid engine problems the fuel system should be emptied before storage of 30 days or longer Drain the gas tank start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines an...

Page 15: ...ore operating tractor for the first time Thisprocedurewillremoveanytrapped air inside the transmission which may have developed during shipping of your tractor IMPORTANT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement itshouldbepurgedafterreinstallationbefore operating the tractor 1 Place tractor safely on a level surface that is clear of objects and open with engine off and pa...

Page 16: ...ces driveways etc After one or two rounds mow in the opposite direction making left hand turns until finished 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 undesir able clumps Allow grass to dry before...

Page 17: ...dry powdered graphite type lubricant sparingly T R A C T 0 R 1 Change more often when operating under a heavy load or in high ambient temperatures 2 Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions E N G I N E 3 2 2 2 2 3 Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil 4 Not required if equipped with maintenance free battery 5 See Cleaning in Maintenance Section 1 1 2 2 4 5 1 2 B...

Page 18: ...attachment clutch control is in the disen gaged position CHECK OPERATOR PRESENCE SYSTEM When the engine is running any attempt by the operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking brake should shut off the engine When the engine is running and the at tachment clutch is engaged any attempt by the operator to leave the seat should shut off the engine The attachment clutch should never...

Page 19: ...TION Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG SL Select the oil s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature NOTE Although multi viscosity oils 5W30 10W30etc improvestartingincoldweather they will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32 F 0 C Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from...

Page 20: ...inting towards carburetor SPARK PLUG S Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation whichever occurs first Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS section of this manual 3 Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned 4 Immediatelywipeupanyspilledgasoline CLEAN AIR SCREEN The air screen is ove...

Page 21: ...ater on 6 While sitting in the operator s position on the tractor re start the engine and place the throttle lever in the Fast position IMPORTANT Rechecktheareamakingcertain the area is clear 7 Move the tractor s attachment clutch con trol to the ENGAGED position Remain in the operator s position with the cutting deck engaged until the deck is cleaned 8 Move the tractor s attachment clutch con tro...

Page 22: ...s and rear lift link C from rear mower bracket D remove retainer springs and washers Gotoothersideofmoweranddisconnect the suspension arm and rear lift link CAUTION After rear lift links are discon nected theattachmentliftleverwillbespring loaded Have a tight grip on lift lever when changing position of the lever Slide mower out from under right side of tractor TO INSTALL MOWER Besuretractorisonle...

Page 23: ...m left side of tractor Insert rod end of link assembly through front hole in tractor front suspension bracket F Insert end of link E into hole in front mower bracket H and secure with washer and retainer spring J IMPORTANT Check belt for proper routing in all mower pulley grooves Raise attachment lift lever to highest position Ifnecessary adjustgaugewheelsbefore operating mower as shown in the Ope...

Page 24: ... tance should be the same on both sides 4 If adjustment is necessary see steps in Visual Adjustment instructions above 5 Recheckmeasurements adjustifneces sary until both sides are equal FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT IMPORTANT Deck must be level side to side To obtain the best cutting results the mower blades should be adjusted so the front tip is 1 8 to 1 2 3 1 to 12 7 mm lower than the rear tip when ...

Page 25: ...elt toward front of tractor and roll belt onto engine pulley E 3 Pull belt toward rear of tractor Carefully work belt down around transmission cooling fan and onto the input pulley D Be sure belt is inside the belt keeper 4 Install belt on centerspan idler C 5 Install belt through stationary idler A and clutching idler B 6 Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves and inside all belt guides and keep...

Page 26: ...or emergency starting follow this procedure IMPORTANT Your tractor is equipped with a12voltsystem Theothervehiclemustalso be a 12 volt system Do not use your tractor battery to start other vehicles TO ATTACH JUMPER CABLES 1 Connect one end of the RED cable to the POSITIVE terminalofeachbattery A B takingcarenottoshortagainsttractor chassis 2 Connect one end of the BLACK cable to the NEGATIVE termi...

Page 27: ...heck adjustment as described below before loosening cable If adjustment is necessary see engine manual TO ADJUST CHOKE CONTROL The choke control has been preset at the factoryandadjustmentshouldnotbeneces sary If adjustment is necessary see engine manual TO REPLACE FUSE Replace with 30 amp automotive type plug in fuse The fuse holder is located behind the dash REPLACING BATTERY WARNING Do not shor...

Page 28: ...the whichallowscondensationtoformandwill cause your tractor to rust IMPORTANT Never cover tractor while engine and exhaust areas are still warm 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 WARNING Never store the tractor with gasoline in the tank inside a building where fumes may reach an open flame or spark Allow the ...

Page 29: ... filter 4 Replace fuel filter 5 Stale or dirty fuel 5 Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh clean gasoline 6 Loose or damaged wiring 6 Check all wiring 7 Engine valves out of adjustment 7 Contact a Sears or other qualified service center Engine will not turn over 1 Clutch brake pedal not depressed 1 Depress clutch brake pedal 2 Attachment clutch is engaged 2 Disengage attachment clutch 3 Weak...

Page 30: ...lean replace muffler 13 Loose or damaged wiring 13 Check all wiring 14 Engine valves out of adjustment 14 Contact a Sears or other qualified service center Excessive vibration 1 Worn bent or loose blade 1 Replace blade Tighten blade bolt 2 Bent blade mandrel 2 Contact a Sears or other qualified service center 3 Loose damaged part s 3 Tighten loose part s Replace damaged parts Engine continues to r...

Page 31: ...n blade Tighten blade bolt 7 Buildup of grass leaves and trash under mower 7 Clean underside of mower housing 8 Mower drive belt worn 8 Replace mower drive belt 9 Blades improperly installed 9 Reinstall blades sharp edge down 10 Improper blades used 10 Replace with blades listed in this manual 11 Clogged mower deck vent holes from buildup of grass leaves and trash around mandrels 11 Clean around m...

Page 32: ... transmission during shipment or servicing 4 Purge transmission 5 Axle key missing 5 Install axle key at rear wheel See TO REMOVE WHEEL in the Service and Adjustments section Engine backfires when turning engine OFF 1 Engine throttle control not set between half and full speed fast position before stopping engine 1 Move throttle control between half and full speed fast position before stopping eng...

Page 33: ... never across the face Do not mow slopes greater than 15 degrees Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control Exercise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes 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 ...

Page 34: ...34 SERVICE NOTES ...

Page 35: ...35 SERVICE NOTES ...

Page 36: ...10 01 13 BD Printed in the U S A ...

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