Craftsman 917.986360 Operator'S Manual Download Page 1

Summary of Contents for 917.986360

Page 1: ...ructions before operating this equipment For answers to your questions about this product Call 1 800 659 5917 SEARS Craftsman Help Line 5 am 5 prn Mon Sat Sears Brands Management Corporation Hoffman Estates IL 60179 U S A Visit ourCraftsmanwebsite www sears comicraftsman 586027826 The power ra_ingas declared by the engine n _ufactur_ Is the average gross power output at the specked RPM of a typ_ c...

Page 2: ... 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 Repairs necessary because ofoperator negligence including but not limitedto electrical and mechanical damage caused by improperstorage failure to use the proper grade and amount of engine oil failure to kee...

Page 3: ...by the blades Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operating Stop machine ifanyone enters the area Never carry passengers o Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary Always lookdown and behind before and while backing Never direct dischargedmaterialtoward anyone Avoid discharging material against a wail or obstruction Material may ricochet back toward the operator Stop the blades...

Page 4: ... stability of the ma chine Do no use on steep slopes Do not try to stabilize the machine by putting your foot on the ground Do not mow near drop offs ditches or embankments The machine could suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the edge or if the edge caves in II1 CHILDREN _IbWARNING CHILDRENCANBE INJURED BYTHISEQUIPMENT The American Acade my of Pediatrics recommends that children be a minimum of...

Page 5: ...ng them Checkbrakeoperationfrequently Adjust and service as required Maintain or replace safety and instruction labels as necessary Be sure the area is clear of bystanders before operating Stopmachine ifanyone enters the area Never carry passengers Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely necessary Always look down and behind before and while becking Never carry children even with the blades shut o...

Page 6: ... the proper tools to service or repair this tractor Please read and retain this manual The instructions will enable you to assemble and maintain your tractor properly Always observe the SAFETY RULES CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES Read and observe the safety rules Follow a regular schedule in maintaining caring for and using your tractor Follow instructions under Maintenance and Storage sections of this...

Page 7: ...ed 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 BEFORE REMOVING TRACTOR FROM SKID TO CHECK BATTERY 1 Liftseat to raised position NOTE If this battery is put into service after month and year indicatedon label label is located between terminals charge battery for minimum of one hour at 6 10 amps See BATTERY...

Page 8: ...ly See TO CHECK BRAKE intheService and Adjustments section of this manual CHECKLIST 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 com pleted J No remaining loose parts in carton Battery is properly prepared and charged Seat isadjusted co...

Page 9: ...n about hazards which can result in death serious injury and or property damage GNPRON SWITCH MOWER LIFT KEEP AREA CLEAR SLOPE HAZARDS SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION 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 mi...

Page 10: ...OL Used for starting and controlling engine speed E ATTACHMENT CLUTCH SWITCH Usedto engagethe mowerbladesor otherat tachmentsmountedto 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 ...

Page 11: ...eywhen leavingtractorto prevent unauthorized use Never use choke to stop engine IMPORTANT Leaving the ignition switch in any position otherthan STOP willcausethe battery to discharge and go dead NOTE Undercertain conditions when tractor is standing idle with the engine running hot engine exhaust gases may cause brown ing of grass To eliminate this possibility always stop engine when stopping tract...

Page 12: ...t level surface 1 Adjust mower to desired cutting height See TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT in this section of manual 2 With mower in desired height of cut posi tion gauge wheels should beassembled so they are slightly offthe ground Install gauge wheel inappropriate hole Tighten securely 3 Repeat for all installing gauge wheel in same adjustment hole Put attachment lift lever in desired cutting he...

Page 13: ...up or down hillswithslopes greaterthan 15 and do not drive across any slope Use the slope guide provided at the back of this manual Choose the slowest speed before start ing up or down hills Avoid stopping orchanging speed onhills If stopping is absolutely necessary push brake pedal quickly to brake positionand engage parking brake Torestart movement slowly release park ing brake and brake pedal S...

Page 14: ... cold weather starting CAUTION Alcohol blended fuels called gasohol or using ethanol or methanol can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation ofacids during storage Acidic gas candamagethefuelsystem ofanengine while in storage Toavoid 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 fu...

Page 15: ...e operatingtractorfor the first time Thisprocedurewillremove anytrapped air insidethe transmissionwhich may have developed duringshipping of your tractor IMPORTANT Should your transmission require removal for service or replacement itshould be purgedafter reinstallation before operating the tractor 1 Place tractor safely on a level surface that is clear of objects and open with engine off and park...

Page 16: ...ences driveways etc After one or two rounds mow inthe 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 befor...

Page 17: ...the warranty operator must maintain tractor as instructed in this manual Wheel Some adjustments will need to be made Bearing periodically to properly maintain your tractor Zerk At least once a season check to see if _ Steerinc you should make any of the adjustments Sector Gear described in the Service and Adjustments Teeth section of this manual At least once a year you should replace the spark pl...

Page 18: ...TEM When the engine is running withtheignition switch inthe engine ON position and the attachment clutch engaged any attempt by the operator to drive in reverse should shut off the engine Whenthe engine is running withtheignition switch in the ROS ON position and the attachment clutch engaged any attempt by the operator to drive in reverse should NOT shut off the engine Ros On Engine On Position P...

Page 19: ...ice classification SG SL Selectthe oil s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature F _ 8 _ _ 4o 6_ 8 1_ NOTE Although multi viscosity oils 5W30 10W30 etc improve starting incold weather 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 running low on oil Change the oil a...

Page 20: ...ne leaks and clamps are properlypositioned lmmediatelywipe upanyspilled gasoline Clamp Fuel Filter_ j _ _ _ CLEANING Clean engine battery seat finish etc of all foreign matter Clean debris from steering plate Debris canrestrictclutch brake pedalshaftmove ment causing belt slip and loss of drive _ CAUTION Avoid all pinch points and movable parts Clutch brakePedal_6 __ _ _i Clean _ _Z Plate_ Steerin...

Page 21: ...a concrete or paved area Place the at tachmentclutch control in the ENGAGED position to remove excess water and to _wAheip dry before putting the tractor away RNING A broken or missing washout fitting could expose you or others to thrown objects from contact with the blade Replace broken or mlsslng washout fitting immediately prior to using mower again Plug any holes in mower with bolts and Iocknu...

Page 22: ...bracket D remove retainer springs and washers Go to other side of mower and disconnect the suspension arm and rear lift link iLCAUTION After rear lift links are discon nected the attachment lift everw ll bespring 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 Besure tractor is onlevel surface andengage pa...

Page 23: ...embly 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 Install belt onto electric clutch pu ley M IMPORTANT Check beltfor proper routing in all mower pulley grooves Raise attachment lift lever to highest position Ifnecessary adjust gauge wheels before operating mower as shown inthe Opera ti...

Page 24: ...ment is necessary see steps in Visual Adjustment instructions above 5 Recheck measurements adjustif neces sary until both sides are equal A IA 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 I 8 to 1 2 3 1 to 12 7 mm lower than the rear tip when the mower is in its highest position _tkCAUT...

Page 25: ...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 keepers 7 Install mower See TO INSTALL MOW ER in this sectionof manual TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT Park the tractor on level surface ...

Page 26: ... 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 prevent flat tires due to slow leaks purchase and usetire sealantfrom Sears Tire sealant also prevents tire dry rot and corrosion Washers TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BAT TERY _WARNING Lead acid batteries generate explosive gases Keep sparks fl...

Page 27: ...or Grasp hood at sides tilt toward engine and lift off of tractor 4 When replacing hood be sure to recon nect the headlight wire connector Headlight Wire Connector Terminal Cover Negative Black Positive Red Nut Bolt TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB 1 Raise hood 2 Remove bulb holder from the hole in the backside of the grill 3 Replace bulb in holder and install bulb holder securely back into the hole in t...

Page 28: ... prior to long term storage with charger connected ENGINE FUEL SYSTEM IMPORTANT it is important to prevent gum deposits from forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor fuel hose ortank during storage 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 fue...

Page 29: ...perator presence 9 switch es Weak or dead battery 1 Corroded battery terminals 2 Loose or damaged wiring 3 Faulty solenoid or starter 4 1 2 3 4 Fil fuel tank See TO START ENGINE in Operation section Wait several minutes before attempting to start Replace spark plug Clean replace air filter Replace fuel filter Empty fuel tank and carburetor refill tank with fresh gasoline and replace fuel filter Ch...

Page 30: ...ent blade mandrel Clogged mower deck vent from build up of grass leaves and trash around mandrels 14 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 CORRECTION Raise cutting height reduce speed Adjust throttle control Clean underside of mower housing Clean replace air filter Check oil level change oil Clean regaporchangesparkplug Replace fuel f_Iter Empty fuel tank and refill tank witt fresh clean gasoline Empty fuel tank and carb...

Page 31: ...around mandrels Light switch is OFF t Bulb s or lamp s burned out 2 Faulty light switch 3 Loose or damaged wiring 4 Blown fuse 5 Bad battery cell s 1 Poor cable connections 2 Faulty regulator if so equipped 3 Faulty alternator 4 11 CORRECTION Remove obstruction Replace mower drive belt Replace idler pulley Contact a Sears or other qualified service center Piace throttle control in FAST position Sh...

Page 32: ...servicing Axle key missing 5 1 Engine throttle control not set 1 between half and full speed fast position before stopping engine 1 Reverse operation system ROS 1 is not ON while mower or other attachment is engaged CO ECTiO Place freewheel control in ENGAGED position See CLEANING in the maintenance section Replace motion drive belt Purge transmission Install axle key at rear wheel See TO REMOVE W...

Page 33: ... along dotted line indicated above 2 Hold page before you so that its felt 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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