Craftsman 917.27581 Owner'S Manual Download

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Owner’s Manual

LAWN TRACTOR

18.5 HP, 42” Mower
Electric Start
6 Speed Transaxle

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:

Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Instructions before
op er at ing 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 60179 U.S.A.

Model No.

917.27581

Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/crafts man

02494

Summary of Contents for 917.27581

Page 1: ...art the engine read and understand this Owner s Manual IMPORTANT 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 60179 U S A Model No 917 27581 Visit our Craftsman website www sears com craftsman 02494 ...

Page 2: ...rs necessary because 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 Repairs necessary because of operator negligence including but not limited to elec trical and mechanical damage caused by improper storage failure to use the proper grade and...

Page 3: ...hat operators age 60 years and above are involved in a large percentage of riding mower re lated injuries These operators should evaluate their ability to operate the riding mower safely enough to protect themselves and others from serious injury Follow the manufacturer s recommen dation for wheel weights or counter weights Keep machine free of grass leaves or other debris build up which can touch...

Page 4: ... area and in the watchful care of a respon sible 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 Never carry children even with the blades shut off They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe machine operation Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appe...

Page 5: ... blade or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them Check brake operation frequently Ad just and service as required Maintain or replace safety and instruc tion labels as necessary Be sure the area is clear of bystand ers before operating Stop machine if anyone enters the area Never carry passengers Do not mow in reverse unless abso lutely necessary Always look down and behind before a...

Page 6: ...regular price of service and service related parts not covered by the agreement also 10 off regular price of preventive mainte nance check Fast help by phone phone support from a Sears technician on products requiring in home repair plus conve nient repair scheduling Once you purchase the Agreement a simple phone call is all that it takes for you to schedule service You can call anytime day or nig...

Page 7: ...1 3 16 x 12 Gauge 1 Knob Seat Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert 1 Large Flat Washer 1 5 16 Lock Washer 1 Hex Bolt 5 16 18 x 4 Steering Boot Steering Extension Shaft Steering Wheel Adapter Keys Slope Sheet 1 Oil Drain Tube For Future Use ...

Page 8: ...om the cardboard packing Remove the cardboard packing and discard 3 Place seat on seat pan so head of shoulder bolt is positioned over large slotted hole in pan 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 as semble adjustment knob and flat washer loosely Do not tighten 0 2 8 2 3 Lower Steering Shaft Steering Boot Extens...

Page 9: ...t posi tion 6 Start the engine After engine has started move throttle control to idle position 7 Depress clutch brake pedal into full BRAKE position and hold Move gear shift lever to 1st gear 8 Slowly release clutch brake pedal and slowly drive tractor off skid 9 Apply brake to stop tractor set park ing brake and place gearshift lever in neutral position 10 Turn ignition key to STOP position Conti...

Page 10: ...Quality Product Please review the following checklist All assembly instructions have been completed No remaining loose parts in carton Battery is properly prepared and charged Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps Seat is adjusted comfortably and tight ened securely All tires are properly inflated For ship ping purposes the tires were overin flated at the factory Be sure mower deck is properly leveled side to ...

Page 11: ...s injury or death The safety alert symbol is used to identify 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 mi...

Page 12: ...H BRAKE PEDAL Used for declutching and braking the tractor and starting the engine GEARSHIFT LEVER Selects the speed and direction of tractor IGNITION SWITCH Used for starting and stopping the engine LIFT LEVER PLUNGER Used to release attachment lift lever when changing its position LIGHT SWITCH Turns the headlights on and off PARKING BRAKE LEVER Locks clutch brake pedal into the brake position RE...

Page 13: ...ine at full throttle Operating engine at less than full throttle reduces the battery charging rate Full throttle offers the best bagging and mower performance Ignition Key HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR TO SET PARKING BRAKE Your tractor is equipped with an operator presence sensing switch When engine is running any attempt by the operator to leave the seat without first setting the parking brake will shu...

Page 14: ...al 2 With mower in desired height of cut position gauge wheels should be assembled so they are slightly off the ground Install gauge wheel in ap propriate hole with shoulder bolt 3 8 washer and 3 8 16 locknut and tighten securely 3 Repeat for opposite side installing gauge wheel in same adjustment hole For best cutting performance grass over 6 inches in height should be mowed twice Make the first ...

Page 15: ...wipe clean reinsert the dipstick and screw cap tight wait for a few seconds re move and read oil level If necessary add oil until FULL mark on dipstick is reached Do not overfill TO TRANSPORT Raise attachment lift to highest position with attachment 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 N...

Page 16: ...d speed that will suit the terrain and give best performance of the at tachment being used 5 Insert key into ignition and turn key clockwise to start position and release key as soon as engine starts Do not run starter continuously for more than fifteen seconds per minute If the engine does not start after several attempts move throttle control to fast position wait a few minutes and try again If ...

Page 17: ...N CHART SAE 30 or 10w30 Motor Oil General Purpose Grease Refer to Maintenance ENGINE Section IMPORTANT Do not oil or grease the pivot points which have special nylon bearings Viscous lubricants will attract dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the self lubricating bearings If you feel they must be lubricated use only a dry pow dered graphite type lubricant sparingly 01961 Spindle Zerk Front...

Page 18: ...operator is in the seat TO SHARPEN BLADE NOTE We do not recommend sharp ening blade but if you do be sure the blade is balanced Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and eventual damage to mower and engine Blade Bolt Mandrel Assembly Trailing Edge Up Flat Washer Lock Washer Center Hole Blade Star BLADE REMOVAL 1 Raise mower to highest po...

Page 19: ...all the drain tube onto the fitting 02463 Closed and Locked Position Oil Drain Valve Yellow Cap Drain Tube BATTERY Your tractor has a battery charging system which is sufficient for normal use How ever periodic charging of the battery with an automotive charger will extend its life Keep battery and terminals clean Keep battery bolts tight Keep small vent holes open Recharge at 6 10 amperes for 1 h...

Page 20: ...w to carbu retor replacement is required 1 With engine cool remove filter and plug fuel line sections 2 Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow pointing towards carbu retor 3 Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned 4 Immediately wipe up any spilled gaso line CLEAN AIR SCREEN Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent engine damage fr...

Page 21: ...ing retainer springs 9 Raise lift lever to raise suspension arms Slide mower out from under trac tor IMPORTANT If an attachment other than the mower deck is to be mounted on the tractor remove the front links and hook the clutch spring Into square hole in frame TO INSTALL MOWER 1 Raise attachment lift lever to its highest position 2 Slide mower under tractor with deflec tor shield to right side of...

Page 22: ...k belt off both mandrel pulleys and idler pulleys 3 Pull belt away from mower BELT INSTALLATION 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 FRONT TO BACK ADJUSTMENT IMPORTANT Deck must be level side to side If the following front to back adjust ment...

Page 23: ...stopping distance is still greater than five 5 feet in highest gear further maintenance is neces sary Replace brake pads or contact a Sears or other qualified service center 1 1 2 00238 Jam Nut With Parking Brake Engaged Operating Arm Nut A TO REPLACE 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 l...

Page 24: ...etaining 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 prevent flat tires due to slow leaks purchase and use tire sealant from Sears...

Page 25: ...OVE CABLES REVERSE ORDER 1 BLACK cable first from chassis and then from the fully charged battery 2 RED cable last from both batteries 02179 Keps Nut Terminal Guard Terminal Access Door Hex Bolt Positive Red Cable Negative Black Cable REPLACING BATTERY WARNING Do not short battery terminals by allowing a wrench or any other object to contact both terminals at the same time Before connecting batter...

Page 26: ...oceed as follows In general turning idle mixture valve in clockwise decreases the supply of fuel to the engine giving a leaner fuel air mix ture Turning the idle mixture valve out counterclockwise increases the supply of fuel to the engine giving a richer fuel air mixture IMPORTANT Damage to the needle valve and the seat in carburetor may result if screw is turned in too tight PRELIMINARY SETTING ...

Page 27: ... forming in essential fuel system parts such as carburetor fuel hose or tank 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 dam age the fuel system of an engine while in storage Empty the fuel tank by starting the en gine and letting it run until the fuel lines...

Page 28: ... or damaged wiring 6 Check all wiring 7 Carburetor out of adjustment 7 See To Adjust Carburetor in Service and Adjustments section 8 Engine valves out of 8 Contact a Sears or other adjustment qualified service center Engine will not 1 Clutch brake pedal not 1 Depress clutch brake pedal turn over depressed 2 Attachment clutch is engaged 2 Disengage attachment clutch 3 Weak or dead battery 3 Recharg...

Page 29: ...ualified service center Excessive 1 Worn bent or loose blade 1 Replace blade vibration 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 dies when 1 Reverse operation system 1 Turn ignition key to tractor is shifted ROS is not ON while ROS ON position into reverse mower or other att...

Page 30: ...proper blades used 10 Replace with blades listed in this manual 11 Clogged mower deck vent 11 Clean around mandrels to holes from buildup of grass open vent holes leaves and trash around mandrels Headlight s not 1 Light switch is OFF 1 Turn Light switch ON working 2 Bulb s or lamp s burned out 2 Replace bulb s or lamp s if so equipped 3 Faulty light switch 3 Check replace light switch 4 Loose or d...

Page 31: ... 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 32: ...U S A only www sears com Your Home For repair in your home of all major brand appliances lawn and garden equipment or heating and cooling systems no matter who made it no matter who sold it For the replacement parts accessories and owner s manuals that you need to do it yourself For Sears professional installation of home appliances and items like garage door openers and water heaters 1 800 4 MY H...

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