Craftsman 17AK2ACP099 Owner's manual

Brand: Craftsman

Model: 17AK2ACP099

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: Owner's manual

This manual is also suitable for

247250020

perator_s nual

I:RRFrgMRN°

ZERO=TURN RIDER

26 HP, 50" MOWER DECK

Model No. 247.25002

CAUTION: Before using this product,

read this manual and follow all safety

rules and operating instructions.

, SAFETY

, ASSEMBLY

OPERATION

MAINTENANCE

PARTS LIST

o ESPANOL

Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179, U.S.A.

Visit our website: www.craftsman.com

FormNo.769-07727

(November23,2011)

Warranty Statement .................................. Page 2

Safe Operation Practices .......................... Pages 3-8

Assembly .................................................. Pages 9-12

Operation .................................................... Pages 13-21

Service and Maintenance ......................... Pages 22-34

Off-Season Storage .................................. Page 35

Troubleshooting ........................................ Page 36-37

Parts List ..................................................... Pages 38-52

Labels ....................................................... Page 53

Repair Protection Agreement ................... Page 55

Espa_ol ..................................................... Page 60

Service Numbers ...................................... Back Cover

CRAFTSMAN FULL WARRANTY

FORTWOYEARSfromthedateofpurchase,all non-expendablepartsofthis ridingequipmentarewarrantedagainstanydefectsin materialor

workmanship.A defectivenon-expendablepartwill receivefreein-homerepairor replacementif repairisimpossible.

FOR90 DAYSfromthedateofpurchase,thebattery(anexpendablepart)ofthis ridingequipmentiswarrantedagainstanydefectsinmaterialor

workmanship(ourtestingprovesthat itwillnotholda charge).A defectivebatterywillreceivefreein-homereplacement.

WARRANTYSERVICE

Forwarrantycoveragedetailstoobtainfree repairor replacement,call1-800-659-5917or visitthewebsite:www.craftsman.com

Inallcasesabove,if partrepairor replacementis impossible,theridingequipmentwillbe replacedfreeofchargewiththesameor anequivalent

model.

Alloftheabovewarrantycoverageisvoidifthisridingequipmentiseverusedwhileprovidingcommercialservicesor if rentedtoanotherperson.

ThiswarrantycoversONLYdefectsin materialandworkmanship.WarrantycoveragedoesNOTinclude:

• Expendableparts(exceptbattery)thatcanwearoutfromnormalusewithinthewarrantyperiod,includingbutnotlimitedtoblades,spark

plugs,air cleaners,belts,andoilfilters.

• Standardmaintenanceservicing,oilchanges,or tune-ups.

• Tirereplacementor repaircausedbypuncturesfromoutsideobjects,suchasnails,thorns,stumps,or glass.

• Tireorwheelreplacementor repairresultingfromnormalwear,accident,or improperoperationor maintenance.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatorabuse,includingbutnotlimitedtodamagecausedbytowingobjectsbeyondthecapabilityofthe

ridingequipment,impactingobjectsthatbendtheframe,axleassemblyor crankshaft,orover-speedingtheengine.

• Repairsnecessarybecauseof operatornegligence,includingbutnotlimitedto,electricalandmechanicaldamagecausedbyimproper

storage,failureto usethepropergradeand amountofengineoil,failuretokeepthedeckclearofflammabledebris,orfailuretomaintainthe

ridingequipmentaccordingtotheinstructionscontainedin theoperator'smanual.

• Engine(fuelsystem)cleaningor repairscausedbyfueldeterminedto becontaminatedor oxidized(stale).Ingeneral,fuelshouldbeused

within30 daysof itspurchasedate.

Normaldeteriorationandwearoftheexteriorfinishes,or productlabelreplacement.

Thiswarrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,and youmayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstatetostate.

Sears BrandsManagementCorporation, Hoffman Estates,IL 60179

EngineOil: SAE30

Fuel: UnleadedGasoline

SparkPlug: RC12YC

Engine: Briggs& StrattonTwinPlatinumProfessional

ModelNumber

Serial Number

Dateof Purchase

Recordthemodelnumber,serialnumber,

anddateof purchaseabove.

Thissymbolpointsoutimportantsafetyinstructionswhich,if not

followed,couldendangerthepersonalsafetyand/orpropertyof

yourselfandothers.Readandfollowall instructionsin thismanual

beforeattemptingtooperatethismachine.Failuretocomplywith

theseinstructionsmayresultin personalinjury.Whenyouseethis

symbol,HEEDITSWARNING!

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65

EngineExhaust,someof itsconstituents,andcertainvehicle

componentscontainoremitchemicalsknowntoStateofCalifornia

tocausecancerandbirthdefectsorotherreproductiveharm.

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiato

causecancerandreproductiveharm.Washhandsafterhandling.

Thismachinewasbuilttobeoperatedaccordingtothesafeopera-

tionpracticesinthis manual.Aswithanytypeof powerequipment,

carelessnessorerroron thepartoftheoperatorcanresultin serious

injury.Thismachineiscapableofamputatingfingers,hands,toes

andfeetandthrowingdebris.Failuretoobservethefollowingsafety

instructionscouldresultin seriousinjuryor death.

Your Responsibility--Restricttheuseofthispowermachineto

personswhoread,understandandfollowthewarningsand instruc-

tionsin thismanualandon themachine.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

GENERAL OPERATION

• Read,understand,andfollowall instructionson themachineand

in themanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

Keepthis manualina safeplaceforfutureand regularreference

andfororderingreplacementparts.

• Befamiliarwithall controlsandtheirproperoperation.Knowhow

tostopthemachineanddisengagethemquickly.

• Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis

machine.Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandthe

instructionsandsafeoperationpracticesin thismanualandon

themachineandshouldbetrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

• Neverallowadultstooperatethis machinewithoutproper

instruction.

• Tohelpavoidbladecontactor a thrownobjectinjury,keep

bystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthe

machinewhileitisin operation.Stopmachineifanyoneenters

thearea.

• Thoroughlyinspecttheareawheretheequipmentistobe used.

Removeallstones,sticks,wire,bones,toys,andotherforeign

objectswhichcouldbe pickedupandthrownbytheblade(s).

Thrownobjectscancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

• Planyourmowingpatterntoavoiddischargeofmaterialtoward

roads,sidewalks,bystandersandthelike.Also,avoiddischarg-

ingmaterialagainstawallorobstructionwhichmaycause

dischargedmaterialto ricochetbacktowardtheoperator.

• Alwayswearsafetyglassesorsafetygogglesduringoperation

andwhileperforminganadjustmentor repairtoprotectyoureyes.

Thrownobjectswhichricochetcancauseseriousinjurytothe

eyes.

• Wearsturdy,rough-soledworkshoesandclose-fittingslacksand

shirts.Loosefittingclothesandjewelrycanbecaughtin movable

parts.Neveroperatethis machinein barefeetor sandals.

• Beawareofthemowerandattachmentdischargedirectionand

do notpointitatanyone.Donotoperatethemowerwithoutthe

dischargecoverorentiregrasscatcherin its properplace.

• Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecutting

deck.Contactwiththeblade(s)canamputatehandsandfeet.

A missingor damageddischargecovercancausebladecontact

or thrownobjectinjuries.

• Stoptheblade(s)whencrossinggraveldrives,walks,or roads

andwhilenotcuttinggrass.

• Watchfortrafficwhenoperatingnearorcrossingroadways.This

machineisnotintendedforuseonanypublicroadway.

• Donotoperatethemachinewhileundertheinfluenceofalcohol

or drugs.

• Mowonlyindaylightorgoodartificiallight.

Nevercarrypassengers.

• Backup slowly.Alwayslookdownandbehindbeforeandwhile

backingtoavoida back-overaccident.Beawareand payatten-

tiontothesafetysystemfunctionthatstopspowertothe blades

whendrivingin reverse.If notfuctioningproperly,contactan

authorizeddealerforsafetysysteminspectionand repair.

• Slowdownbeforeturning.Operatethemachinesmoothly.Avoid

erraticoperationandexcessivespeed.

Disengageblade(s),setparkingbrake,stopengineandwaituntil

theblade(s)cometo acompletestopbeforeremovinggrass

catcher,emptyinggrass,uncloggingchute,removinganygrassor

debris,or makinganyadjustments.

• Neverleavea runningmachineunattended.Alwaysturnoff

blade(s),placedrivecontrollevers inneutral,setparkingbrake,

stopengineand removekeybeforedismounting.

• Useextracarewhenloadingor unloadingthemachineintoa

traileror truck.Thismachineshouldnotbe drivenupor down

ramp(s),becausethemachinecouldtipover,causingserious

personalinjury.Themachinemustbepushedmanuallyon

ramp(s)toloadorunloadproperly.

• Mufflerandenginebecomehotandcancausea burn.Donot

touch.

• Checkoverheadclearancescarefullybeforedrivingunderlow

hangingtreebranches,wires,dooropeningsetc.,wherethe

operatormaybestruckor pulledfromthemachine,whichcould

resultinseriousinjury.

• Disengageallattachmentclutches,settheparkingbraketothe

'on'positionandmovethe RHand LHdrivecontrolleverstothe

neutralpositionbeforeattemptingtostarttheengine.

Yourmachineisdesignedto cutnormalresidentialgrassofa

heightnomorethan10".Donotattemptto mowthroughunusually

tall,drygrass(e.g.,pasture)orpilesofdryleaves.Drygrassor

leavesmaycontacttheengineexhaustand/orbuilduponthe

mowerdeckpresentinga potentialfirehazard.

• Useonlyaccessoriesandattachmentsapprovedforthis machine

bythemachinemanufacturer.Read,understandandfollowall

instructionsprovidedwiththeapprovedaccessoryor attachment.

Dataindicatesthatoperators,age60yearsandabove,are

involvedin a largepercentageofridingmower-relatedinjuries.

Theseoperatorsshouldevaluatetheirabilitytooperatetheriding

mowersafelyenoughto protectthemselvesandothersfrom

seriousinjury.

• Ifsituationsoccurwhicharenotcoveredinthismanual,usecare

andgoodjudgment.ContacttheCraftsmanHelpLineat1-800-

659-5917forassistance.

SLOPE OPERATION

Slopesarea majorfactorrelatedtolossofcontrolandtip-over

accidentswhichcanresultinsevereinjuryor death.Allslopesrequire

extracaution.Ifyoucannotbackuptheslopeor ifyoufeeluneasyon

it, do notmowit.

Foryoursafety,usetheslopegaugeincludedaspartofthismanual

to measureslopesbeforeoperatingthis machineona slopedor hilly

area.Iftheslopeisgreaterthan15degreesasshownonthe slope

gauge,donotoperatethis machineonthatareaor seriousinjurycould

result.

Do:

Mowacrossslopes,notupanddown.Exerciseextremecaution

whenchangingdirectionon slopes.

Watchforholes,ruts,bumps,rocks,orotherhiddenobjects.

Uneventerraincouldoverturnthemachine.Tallgrasscanhide

obstacles.

Useslowspeed.Choosea lowenoughspeedsothatyouwillnot

havetostopwhileon theslope.Avoidstartingor stoppingon a

slope.Ifthetiresareunableto maintaintraction,disengagethe

bladesandproceedslowlyandcarefullystraightdowntheslope.

Followthemanufacturer'srecommendationsforwheelweightsor

counterweightsto improvestability.

Useextracarewithgrasscatchersor otherattachments.These

canchangethestabilityofthe machine.

• Keepallmovementontheslopesslowandgradual.Donot

makesuddenchangesin speedor direction.Rapidacceleration

or decelerationcouldcausethefrontofthemachinetolift and

rapidlyrolloverbackwards,whichcouldcauseseriousinjury.

DoNot:

• Donotturnon slopesunlessnecessary;thenturnslowlyuphill

and useextracarewhileturning.

• Donotmowneardrop-offs,ditchesor embankments.Themower

couldsuddenlyturnoverifa wheelisovertheedgeofa cliff,

ditch,or ifan edgecavesin.

• Donottry tostabilizethemachinebyputtingyourfooton the

ground.

• Donotusea grasscatcheron steepslopes.

• Donotmowon wetgrass.Reducedtractioncouldcausesliding.

• Donottowheavypull behindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,

lawnroller,etc.)on slopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoing

downhill,theextraweighttendstopushtheridingmowerand

maycauseyoutoloosecontrol(e.g.ridingmowermayspeed

up,brakingandsteeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmay

jack-knifeandcauseridingmowertooverturn).

CHILDREN

Tragicaccidentscanoccuriftheoperatorisnotalerttothepresence

ofchildren.Childrenareoftenattractedtothemachineandthemowing

activity.Theydo notunderstandthedangers.Neverassumethat

childrenwillremainwhereyoulastsawthem.

• Keepchildrenoutofthemowingareaand inwatchfulcareofa

responsibleadultotherthantheoperator.

• Bealertandturnmachineoff ifa childentersthearea.

• Toavoidback-overaccidents,alwayslookbehindanddownfor

smallchildren.

• Nevercarrychildren,evenwiththeblade(s)shutoff.Theymay

falloffandbe seriouslyinjuredorinterferewithsafemachine

operation.

• Useextremecarewhenapproachingblindcorners,doorways,

shrubs,treesorotherobjectsthatmayblockyourvisionofa child

whomayrunintothe pathofthemachine.

• Keepchildrenawayfromhotor runningengines.Theycansuffer

burnsfroma hotmuffler.

• Removekeywhenmachineisunattendedtopreventunauthorized

operation.

Neverallowchildrenunder14yearsofagetooperatethis machine.

Children14andovershouldreadandunderstandtheinstructionsand

safeoperationpracticesinthismanualandon themachineandshould

betrainedandsupervisedbyan adult.

TOWING

Towonlywitha machinethathasa hitchdesignedfortowing.Donot

attachtowedequipmentexceptatthehitchpoint.

Followthemanufacturersrecommendationforweightlimitsfortowed

equipmentandtowingonslopes.

Neverallowchildrenor othersinoron towedequipment.

Onslopes,theweightof thetowedequipmentmaycauselossof

tractionandlossofcontrol.

Travelslowlyandallowextradistancetostop.

Donotshifttoneutralandcoastdownhill.

Donottowheavypullbehindattachments(e.g.loadeddumpcart,

lawnroller,etc.)onslopesgreaterthan5 degrees.Whengoingdown

hill,theextraweighttendsto pushtheridingmowerandmaycause

youto loosecontrol(e.g.ridingmowermayspeedup,brakingand

steeringabilityare reduced,attachmentmayjack-knifeandcause

ridingmowertooverturn).

SERVICE

SafeHandlingof Gasoline:

Toavoidpersonalinjuryorpropertydamageuseextremecarein

handlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremelyflammableandthevaporsare

explosive.Seriouspersonalinjurycanoccurwhengasolineisspilled

on yourselforyourclotheswhichcanignite.Washyourskinand

changeclothesimmediately.

• Useonlyanapprovedgasolinecontainer.

• Neverfillcontainersinsidea vehicleoron a truckortrailerbed

witha plasticliner.Alwaysplacecontainerson thegroundaway

fromyourvehiclebeforefilling.

• Whenpractical,removegas-poweredequipmentfromthetruck

or trailerandrefueliton theground.Ifthis isnotpossible,then

refuelsuchequipmentona trailerwitha portablecontainer,rather

thanfroma gasolinedispensernozzle.

• Keepthenozzleincontactwiththerimofthefueltankor

containeropeningatall timesuntilfuelingiscomplete.Donotuse

a nozzlelock-opendevice.

• Extinguishall cigarettes,cigars,pipesandothersourcesof

ignition.

• Neverfuelmachineindoors.

• Neverremovegascapor addfuelwhiletheengineishotor run-

ning.Allowengineto coolatleasttwominutesbeforerefueling.

• Neveroverfillfueltank.Filltanktono morethan1/2"belowbottom

offillernecktoallowspaceforfuelexpansion.

• Replacegasolinecapandtightensecurely.

• Ifgasolineisspilled,wipeitoff theengineandequipment.Move

machinetoanotherarea.Wait5 minutesbeforestartingthe

engine.

• Toreducefirehazards,keepmachinefreeofgrass,leaves,or

otherdebrisbuild-up.Cleanup oilor fuelspillageandremoveany

fuelsoakeddebris.

• Neverstorethemachineor fuelcontainerinsidewherethereisan

openflame,sparkor pilotlightasona waterheater,spaceheater,

furnace,clothesdryeror othergasappliances.

• Allowamachineto coolatleastfiveminutesbeforestoring.

GeneralService

• Neverrunan engineindoorsorina poorlyventilatedarea.Engine

exhaustcontainscarbonmonoxide,an odorless,anddeadlygas.

• Beforecleaning,repairing,or inspecting,makecertainthe

blade(s)andall movingpartshavestopped.Disconnectthespark

plugwireandgroundagainsttheengineto preventunintended

starting.

• Periodicallychecktomakesurethebladescometocompletestop

withinapproximately(5)fivesecondsafteroperatingtheblade

disengagementcontrol,ifthebladesdonotstopwithinthethis

timeframe,aveyourmachineservicedprofessionallybySearsor

anotherqualifieddealer.

• Regularlycheckthesafetyinterlocksystemforproperfunction,as

describedlaterinthis manual.Ifthesafetyinterlocksystemdoes

notfunctionproperly,haveyourmachineservicedprofessionally

bySearsoranotherqualifieddealer.

• Checkthe blade(s)andenginemountingboltsatfrequent

intervalsforpropertightness.Also,visuallyinspectblade(s)for

damage(e.g.,excessivewear,bent,cracked). Replacethe

blade(s)withtheoriginalequipmentmanufacturer's(O.E.M.)

blade(s)only,listedinthismanual.Useofpartswhichdo not

meettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmayleadtoimproper

performanceandcompromisesafety!

• Mowerbladesare sharp.Wrapthebladeorweargloves,anduse

extracautionwhenservicingthem.

• Keepallnuts,bolts,andscrewstighttobesuretheequipmentis

in safeworkingcondition.

• Nevertamperwiththesafetyinterlocksystemor othersafety

devices.Checktheirproperoperationregularly.

• Afterstrikinga foreignobject,stoptheengine,disconnectthe

sparkplugwire(s)andgroundagainsttheengine.Thoroughly

inspectthemachineforanydamage.Repairthedamagebefore

startingandoperating.

• Neverattempttomakeadjustmentsorrepairstothemachine

whiletheengineis running.

• Grasscatchercomponentsandthedischargecoverare subject

towearanddamagewhichcouldexposemovingpartsor allow

objectsto bethrown.Forsafetyprotection,frequentlycheck

componentsand replaceimmediatelywithoriginalequipment

manufacturer's(O.E.M.)partsonly,listedinthis manual.Useof

partswhichdo notmeettheoriginalequipmentspecificationsmay

leadtoimproperperformanceandcompromisesafety!

• Donotchangetheenginegovernorsettingsor over-speedthe

engine.Thegovernorcontrolsthemaximumsafeoperatingspeed

oftheengine.

• Maintainorreplacesafetyandinstructionlabels,asnecessary.

• Observeproperdisposallawsandregulationsforgas,oil,etc.to

protecttheenvironment.

• AccordingtotheConsumerProductsSafetyCommission(CPSC)

andtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),thisproduct

hasan AverageUsefulLifeof seven(7)years,or270hoursof

operation.Attheendof theAverageUsefulLifehavethemachine

inspectedannuallybySearsor anotherqualifieddealertoensure

thatall mechanicalandsafetysystemsareworkingproperlyand

notwornexcessively.Failuretodo socan resultinaccidents,

injuriesor death.

DO NOT MODIFY ENGINE

Toavoidseriousinjuryor death,do notmodifyengineinanyway.

Tamperingwiththegovernorsettingcanleadtoa runawayengineand

causeittooperateat unsafespeeds.Nevertamperwithfactorysetting

ofenginegovernor.

Notice RegardingEmissions

Engineswhicharecertifiedto complywithCaliforniaandfederal

EPAemissionregulationsforSORE(SmallOffRoadEquipment)are

certifiedtooperateon regularunleadedgasoline,andmayinclude

thefollowingemissioncontrolsystems:EngineModification(EM)and

ThreeWayCatalyst(TWO)if soequipped.

SPARK ARRESTOR

Thismachineisequippedwithan internalcombustionengineand

shouldnotbeusedonor nearanyunimprovedforest-covered,

brush-coveredor grass-coveredlandunlesstheengine'sexhaust

systemisequippedwitha sparkarrestormeetingapplicablelocalor

statelaws(ifany).

Ifa sparkarrestoris used,itshouldbe maintainedin effectiveworking

orderbytheoperator.IntheStateof Californiatheaboveis required

bylaw(Section4442of theCaliforniaPublicResourcesCode).Other

statesmayhavesimilarlaws.Federallawsapplyonfederallands.

A sparkarrestorforthemufflerisavailablethroughyournearest

engineauthorizedservicedealeror contacttheservicedepartment,

RO.Box361131Cleveland,Ohio44136-0019.

SAFETY SYMBOLS

Thispagedepictsanddescribessafetysymbolsthatmayappearonthis product.Read,understand,andfollowallinstructionson themachine

beforeattemptingtoassembleandoperate.

sJ / _

READTHEOPERATOR'SMANUAL(S)

Read,understand,andfollowall instructionsinthemanual(s)beforeattemptingtoassembleand

operate

WARNING--ROTATINGBLADES

Donotputhandsor feetnearrotatingpartsor underthecuttingdeck.Contactwiththeblade(s)can

amputatehandsandfeet.

WARNING--THROWNOBJECTS

Thismachinemaypickupandthrowandobjectswhichcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

WARNING--THROWNOBJECTS

Thismachinemaypickupandthrowandobjectswhichcancauseseriouspersonalinjury.

BYSTANDERS

Keepbystanders,helpers,childrenandpetsatleast75feetfromthemachinewhileitis inoperation.

WARNING--SLOPEOPERATION

Donotoperatethismachineona slopegreaterthan15degrees.

DANGER-- ROTATINGBLADES

Toreducetheriskofinjury,keephandsandfeetaway.Donotoperateunlessdischargecoveror grass

catcherisin itsproperplace.Ifdamaged,replaceimmediately.

(OK)

15° Slope

(TOO STEEP)

15° Slope

'_. _ Figure1

USETHISSLOPEGAUGETODETERMINE

IFA SLOPEISTOOSTEEPFORSAFEOPERATION!

Tochecktheslope,proceedasfollows:

1. Removethis pageandfoldalongthedashedline.

2. Locatea verticalobject onor behindtheslope(e.g.a pole,building,fence, tree,etc.)

3. Align eithersideoftheslopegaugewith theobject(SeeFigure1 and Figure2 ).

4. Adjust gaugeupor downuntilthe left cornertouchestheslope(SeeFigure1and Figure2).

15°

dashedline

If thereisagap belowthegauge,theslopeistoo steepfor safeoperation(SeeFigure2above).

Figure2

Slopesare a majorfactor relatedtotip-over and roll-overaccidentswhichcan resultin severe injury ordeath. Donot operatemachine onslopes

in excessof 15degrees.All slopesrequireextracaution. Ifyou cannotbackup the slope or if you feeluneasyon it, do not mowit.

Always mowacross theface of slopes, nevermowupand downthe face of slopes.

SET-UP

Moving The Riding mower Manually

Yourridingmower'stransmissionisequippedwitha hydrostaticrelief

valveforoccasionswhenitisnecessarytomovethe ridingmower

manually.Openingthisvalvepermitsthefluidinthetransmissionto

bypassitsnormalroute,allowingthereartiresto"freewheel."Toopen

thehydrostaticreliefvalve,proceedasfollows:

1. Locatethehydrostaticbypassrodintherearoftheridingmower.

SeeFigure1.

RH Transmission

Bypass

PullOut Bypass

RodThenLower

IntoSlot

Keyhole Slot

Figure1

2. Pullthehydrostaticbypassrodoutward,thendown,tolockit in

place.

3. Repeattheaboveproceduretoengagetheotherbypassrodon

theothersideofthe ridingmower.

4. Withthe bypassrodsengagedandwiththeaidofanassistant,

carefullypushtheridingmoweroff oftheshippingpallet.

5. Aftermovingthe ridingmower,disengagebothbypassrods.Lift

therodandguidetheflangeoftherod backthroughthelarger

circularopeningof thekeyhole,thenreleasetherod.

NOTE:ThetransmissionwillNOTengagewhenthehydrostatic

bypassrodispulledout. Returntherodto itsnormalpositionpriorto

operatingthe ridingmower.

Neverattemptto movetheridingmowermanuallywithoutfirstopen-

ling thehydrostaticr,eliefvalve.Doingsowillresultinseriousdamage

[to theridingmowerstransmission.

Removethedeckwashsystemnozzleadapterandoildraintubefrom

themanualbagandstoreforfutureuse.

Install Operator's Seat

Toinstalltheseatproceedasfollows:

NOTE:Theseatisshippedwiththeseatswitchandseatpanattached.

1. Cutanystrapssecuringtheseatassemblyand thedrivecontrol

leverstotheridingmower.Removeanypackingmaterial.

NOTE:Becarefulnottocut thewiringharnessconnectingtheseat

andtheseatswitch.

Removethetwoshoulderboltsandlocknutsin theseatpanas

showninFigure2.

Shoulder

Bolt

Seat Pan

Shoulder

Bolt

Figure2

Rotatetheseatintopositionandsecuretheseatintoplacewith

thepreviouslyremovedshoulderboltsand locknuts.Becareful

nottocrimpordamagethewireharnesswhileinstallingtheseat.

See Figure3.

iHarness ii

Seat Bracket /

Shoulder

Bolts

Figure 3

Position Drive Control levers

Thedrivecontrolleversof theridingmowerareloweredforshipping

purposes.Theflangelocknuts,hexscrews,andflatwashersthat

normallysecurethecontrolleversintheiroperatingpositionare

unfastenedandinstalledintheslottedholesofthecontrolleversfor

shipment.Thecontrolleversmustbe repositionedtooperatethe

ridingmower.Torepositionthecontrolleversforoperation,proceedas

follows:

1. Removethehexscrew,flat washer,andflangelocknutfromthe

slotofoneofthedrivecontrollevers.

2. Liftand swingthatcontrolleverupwarduntiltheslottedholeinthe

leverbracketalignswithoneoftheholesinthepivotbracket.See

Figure4.

SlottedHole

Pivot

Figure4

3. Slidetheflatwasherontothe hexscrew.Fromtheoutside,insert

thehexscrewwithwasherthroughthecontrolleverslotandthe

holeofthepivotbracket.Securewiththeflangelocknut.See

Figure4.

4. Notethe relativepositionofthecontrollevertothepivotbracket,

thenrepeatthepreviousstepsto repositiontheothercontrollever

inapproximatelythesame position.

5. Referto"AdjustingtheDriveControlLevers"intheMaintenance&

Adjustmentsforinstructionsonthefinaladjustmentofthelevers.

Connecting the Battery Cables

Batteryposts,terminals,and relatedaccessoriescontainleadand

leadcompounds,chemicalsknowntotheStateof Californiatocause

cancerand reproductiveharm.Washhandsafter handling.

Whenattachingbatterycables,alwaysconnectthePOSITIVE(Red)

wireto itsterminalfirst,followedbytheNEGATIVE(Black)wire.

Forshippingreasons,bothbatterycableson yourequipmentmay

havebeenleftdisconnectedfromtheterminalsatthefactory.To

connectthebatterycables,proceedasfollows:

NOTE:ThepositivebatteryterminalismarkedPos.(+).Thenegative

batteryterminalismarkedNeg.(-).

NOTE:If thepositivebatterycableisalreadyattached,skipaheadto

step2.

1. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthepositivebattery

terminalandattachtheredcabletothepositivebatteryterminal

(+)withtheboltandhexnut.SeeFigure5.

Figure5

2. Removetheplasticcover,ifpresent,fromthenegativebattery

terminalandattachtheblackcableto thenegativebattery

terminal(-) withtheboltand hexnut.SeeFig.3-5.

3. Positiontheredrubberbootoverthe positivebatteryterminalto

helpprotectitfromcorrosion.

NOTE:If thebatteryisputintoserviceafterthedateshownon top

or sideof battery,chargethebatteryasinstructedintheServiceand

MaintenancesectionyourOperator'sManualpriortooperatingthe

ridingmower.

Lower Deck Discharge Chute Deflector Adjusting the Gauge Wheels

Neveroperatethemowerdeckwithoutthechutedeflectorinstalled

andinthedownposition.

Checkthe mowerdeckfora shippingbrace(withtag)that maybe

holdingthechutedeflectorupwardforshipment. Ifa braceis present,

itmustberemovedbeforeoperatingthe ridingmower.Holdingthe

chutedeflectorfullyupward,removetheshippingbracebygraspingit

androtatingitclockwise.Lowerthechutedeflector.SeeFigure6.

Figure6

Checking Tire Pressure

Donotoverinfiatetires.Checksidewalloftiresformaximumpsi.

Equaltirepressureshouldbemaintainedatalltimes.

Thetireson yourridingmowermaybeoverinflatedforshipping

purposes.Reducethetirepressurebeforeoperatingthe ridingmower.

Checksidewalloftiresformaximumpsi.

Keephandsandfeetawayfromthedischargeopeningofthecutting

deck.

NOTE:Thedeckgaugewheelsarean anti-scalpfeatureof thedeck

andare notdesignedtosupporttheweightofthecuttingdeck.

Themowerdeckcuttingheightcanbe setinanyof sixheightsettings

usingthe ridingmower'sdecklift handle.Thedeckheightsrangefrom

1-1/2"to4".Thedeckgaugewheelpositionshouldbeapproximately

1/4"to 1/2"abovethegroundwhenthedeckissetinthedesiredheight

setting.

Usingthelifthandle,setthedeckinthedesiredheightsetting,then

checkthegaugewheeldistancefromthegroundbelow.If necessary

adjustasfollows:

1. Visuallycheckthedistancebetweenthefrontgaugewheelandthe

ground.Ifthegaugewheelisnearortouchingtheground,itshould

be raised.If morethan1/2"abovetheground,itshouldbelowered.

2. Removetheflangelocknutsecuringthefrontgaugewheel

shoulderbolttothedeck.Removethegaugewheelandshoulder

bolt. RefertoFigure7.

Figure7

3. Insert the shoulder bolt into the one of four index holes in the

front gauge wheel bracket that will give the gauge wheel a W'

to W' clearance with the ground and secure with the flange

locknut.

4. Note the index hole of the just adjusted wheel, and adjust the

rear gauge wheel into the respective index holes of the other

gauge wheel bracket on the deck.

Adjusting the Seat

Toadjustthepositionoftheseat,pullupand holdthe seatadjustment

lever.Slidetheseatforwardor rearwardtothedesiredposition;then

releasetheadjustmentlever.Makesureseatislockedintoposition

beforeoperatingtheridingmower.SeeFigure8.

Figure8

GAS AND OIL

Fuel Recommendations

Useautomotivegasoline(unleadedor lowleadedtominimizecombus-

tionchamberdeposits)witha minimumof87octane.Gasolinewith

upto 10%ethanolor 15%MTBE(MethylTertiaryButylEther)canbe

used.Neveruseanoil/gasolinemixtureor dirtygasoline.Avoidgetting

dirt,dust,or waterin thefueltank.DONOTuseE85gasoline.

• Refuelina well-ventilatedareawiththeenginestopped.Donot

smokeor allowflamesor sparksintheareawheretheengineis

refueledorwheregasolineis stored.

Donotoverfillthefueltank.Afterrefueling,makesurethetank

capisclosedproperlyand securely.

Becarefulnottospillfuelwhenrefueling.Spilledfuelor fuelvapor

mayignite.Ifanyfuelisspilled,makesuretheareaisdrybefore

startingtheengine.

Avoidrepeatedorprolongedcontactwithskinor breathingofvapor.

Adding Fuel

Useextremecarewhenhandlinggasoline.Gasolineisextremely

flammableandthevaporsareexplosive.Neverfuelthe ridingmower

indoorsor whiletheengineishotor running.Extinguishcigarettes,

cigars,pipesand othersourcesofignition.

1. Besureengineisoutdoorsandin awell-ventilatedarea.

2. Cleanareaaroundthefuelfillcapandremovethefuelfillcap.

3. Usingan approvedredGASOLINEcontainer,addfuelslowly,being

carefultoavoidspilling.

4. Fillthetankuntilthefuelreachesthebottomofthefueltankneck.

5. Replacethefuelcapandtightensecurely.Wipeupspilledfuel

beforestartingengine.IffuelisspilledDONOTstartengine.Move

ridingmowerawayfromareaof spillage.Avoidcreatinganysource

ofignitionuntilfuelvaporsaregone.

Checking and Adding Oil

Yourridingmowerisshippedwithoilintheengine.However,youMUST

checktheengineoil levelbeforeeachuseasinstructedin theIAlways

Serviceand Maintenancesection.Addoilas necessary.Failuretodo I

[so mayresut nser ousdamagetoyourengne. J

1. Placetheridingmoweron a flat,levelsurface.

2. Removetheoilfillercap/dipstickandwipethedipstickclean.See

Figure9.

Figure9

3. Insertthecap/dipstickintotheoilfillerneck,butdonotscrewitin.

4. Removetheoilfillercap/dipstick.Ifthe levelislow,slowlyaddoil

untiloillevelregistersbetweenFULLandADD,Figure8.

NOTE:Donotoverfill.Overfillingwithoil maycausesmoking,hard

starting,or sparkplugfouling.

5. Replaceandtightencap/dipstickfirmlybeforestartingengine.

NOTE:DONOTallowoil leveltofallbelowtheADDmarkonthe

dipstick.Doingsomayresultinequipmentmalfunctionsor damage.

NOTE:Tochangetheoil inyourengine,seethe Serviceand

Maintenancesectionofthismanual.

Parking

Deck Lift

Deck Height Handle

Throttle/Choke Control

Hour Meter/

indicator Panel

SeatAdjustmentLever

FuelTankCap

// _ / -PTOSwitch

LH Drive RH Drive nition Switch

Control Lever Control Lever

Cup Holder

Storage Tray

Figure11

Nowthat youhavesetup yourridingmower,it'simportanttobecome

acquaintedwith itscontrolsandfeatures.RefertoFigure11.

NOTE:ReferencestoLEFT,RIGHT,FRONT,andREARindicatethatposi-

tionontheridingmowerwhenfacingforwardwhileseatedintheoperator's

seat.

DECK HEIGHT INDEX

Thedeckheightindexconsistsofsixindexnotcheslocatedon

thefront!rightd theseatboxframe.Eachnotchcorrespondsto

a 1/2"changein thedeckheightpositionrangingfrom1-1/2"at

thelowestnotchto4 inchesatthehighestnotch.

DECK LIFT HANDLE

Thedecklift handleislocatedon thefront!rightofthe seat

boxframe,andisusedto raiseand lowerthemowerdeck.

Pullthehandletotheleftoutoftheindexnotchandpush

downwardtolowerthedeck,or pullupwardtoraisethedeck.

Whenthedesiredheightisattained,movethelifthandletothe

rightuntilfullyintheindexnotch.

CUP HOLDER

ThecupholderislocatedtowardtherearoftheRHconsole

totherightoftheoperator'sseat.

STORAGE TRAY

Thestoragetrayislocatedattherearofthe RHconsole.

RH AND LH DRIVE CONTROL LEVERS

TheRHandLHcontrolleversarelocatedon eachsideoftheopera-

tor'sseat.Thesehingedleverspivotoutwardtoopenspacetopermit

theoperatortoeither sitintheridingmowerseat,orto dismountthe

ridingmower.Theleversmustbefullyopenedoutand intheneutral

positionto starttheridingmowerengine.

Eachlevercontrolsthe respectiveRHorLHtransmission.Conse-

quently,theseleverscontrolallofthemovementsoftheridingmower.

Drivingand steeringutilizingthesecontrolleversisquitedifferentfrom

conventionalridingmowers,andwilltakesomepracticetomaster.

RefertotheDrivingthe Ridingmowersectionforinstructionsonusing

thecontrollevers.

Meets ANSI Safety Standards

CraftsmanTillersconformtothesafetystandardoftheAmericanNationalStandardsInstitute(ANSI)

iGNiTiON SWITCH

Theignitionswitchislocatedon

theRHconsoletotherightofthe

operator'sseat.Theignitionswitch

hasthreepositions.

STOP_ -- Theengineandelectri-

calsystemisturnedoff.

RUN_ I

RUN_ -- Theridingmowerelectricalsystemisenergized.

START_ -- Thestartermotorwillturnovertheengine.Releasethe

keyimmediatelywhentheenginestarts

NOTE:Topreventaccidentalstartingand/orbatterydischarge,

removethekeyfromtheignitionswitchwhenthe ridingmowerisnot

inuse.

POWER TAKE-OFF (PTO) SWITCH

ThePTOswitchislocatedontheRHconsoletotherightoftheopera-

tor'sseat.ThePTOswitchoperatestheelectricPTOclutchmounted

onthebottomoftheenginecrankshaft.Pullthe switchknobupward

toengagethePTOclutch,or pushtheknobdownwardtodisengage

theclutch.ThePTOswitchmustbeinthe"disengaged"positionwhen

startingtheengine.

TRANSMiSSiON BYPASS RODS

Thetransmissionbypassrods(oneforeachtheRHandLHtransmis-

sion)arelocatedbeneaththeframeplatform,justinsideeachrear

wheel.

Whenengaged,thetwo rodsopena bypasswithinthe hydrostatic

transmissions,whichallowstheridingmowertobe pushedshort

distancesbyhand.RefertotheAssemblysectionforinstructionson

usingthebypassfeature.

Nevertowyourridingmower.Towingtheridingmowerwiththerear

wheelsonthegroundmaycauseseveredamagetothetransmissions.

SEAT ADJUSTMENT LEVER

Theseatadjustmentleverislocatedbelowthefront!leftoftheseat.

Theleverallowsforadjustmentoftheforetoaft positionofthe

operator'sseat.RefertoServiceand Maintenanceforinstructionson

adjustingtheseatposition.

FUEL TANK CAP

ThefueltankcapislocatednearthemiddleoftheLHconsole.Turn

thefillcapapproximately1/4turnandpull upwardtoremove.Thefuel

capistetheredtothe ridingmowertopreventitsloss.Donotattempt

toremovethecapfromtheridingmower.

Pushthecapdownwardonthefueltankfillneckand turnapproxi-

mately1/4turnclockwisetotightenAlwaysre-installthefuelcaptightly

ontothefueltankafter removing.

Neverfillthefueltankwhentheengineisrunning.Iftheengineis

hotfrom recentlyrunning,allowtocoolforseveralminutesbefore

refueling.Highlyflammablegasolinesplashingontoa hotengine

couldcausea fire.

HOUR METER/INDICATOR

PANEL

Thehourmeter/indicatorpanelislocatedonthe

LHconsoletotheIdtoftheoperator'sseat.

Hour Meter Features

Thehourmeterrecordsthehoursthatthe

ridingmowerhasbeenoperatedinthedigital

display(tenthsofanhour-- rightmostdigit).

NOTE:Thehourmeterisactivatedwhenevertheignitionswitchis

turnedtotheRUN_ position.Keepa recordoftheactualhoursof

operationtoassureall maintenanceproceduresarecompletedaccord-

ingtotheinstructionsinthis manualandtheenginemanual.

WhenkeyisturnedtotheRUN_ position,thebatteryindicatorlight

brieflyilluminatesandthebatteryvoltageis brieflydisplayed.The

displaythenchangestotheaccumulatedhours.

TheIndicatorMonitorwillalsoremindtheoperatord maintenanceinter-

valsforchangingtheengineoil.TheLCDwillalternatelyflash,CHG;OIL

andtherecordedhoursforfiveminutesafterevery50hoursofrecorded

operation.Themaintenanceintervallastsfortwohours(from50-52,100-

102,150-152,etc.).TheLCDwillflashasdescribedforfiveminutesevery

timetheridingmower'sengineisstartedduringthismaintenanceinterval.

Followtheoilchangeintervalsprovidedintheenginemanual.

indicator Panel Features

Battery Indicator

Illuminatesandthebatteryvoltageisdisplayedbrieflywhentheignition

switchitturnedtotheRUN_ position.

Illuminatestoindicatethebatteryvoltagehasdroppedbelow11.5(+0.5/-

1.0)volts,andthevoltageisdisplayedonthehourmeter.Ifthisindicator

anddisplaycomeonduringoperation,checkthebatteryandcharging

systemforpossiblecausesand/orcall1-800-659-5917to schedule

ridingmowerinspectionservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

Oil PressureIndicator (if EngineSo Equipped)

Thiswarninglampindicateslowengineoilpressure,iftheindicatorcomes

onwhiletheengineisrunning,stoptheengineimmediatelyandcheckfor

possiblecauses.Donotruntheenginewhilethisindicatorisilluminated.

Call1-800-659-5917toscheduleservicefromSearsParts& Repair.

NOTE:Theoil_ressureindicatormayilluminatewhentheignitionswitch

isin theRUNO position,butshouldturnoffwhentheengineisstarted.

PTOEngagedIndicator

ThisindicatorilluminateswhenthePTOswitchispulledupwardinthe

ENGAGEDpositionandtheignitionswitchisturnedtotheSTART

position.Checkthisindicatoriftheenginewillnotcrankwiththeignition

switchintheSTART_ position.Ifnecessary,movethePTOswitchto

theDISENGAGEDposition.

ParkingBrakeEngaged Indicator

Thisindicatorilluminateswhentheparkingbrakeisin theDISEN-

GAGEDpositionandtheignitionswitchisturnedtothe START

position.Checkthis indicatoriftheenginewillnotcrankwiththe

ignitionswitchin theSTART_ position.Ifnecessary,movethe

parkingbraketo theENGAGEDposition.

Thisindicatoralsoilluminateswhentheignitionswitchisturnedtothe

START_ positionandtheRHand/orLHdrivecontrolleversare in

a positionotherthanthefullyoutin neutralposition.Movethecontrol

leversfullyoutward.

THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL

Thethrottle/chokecontrolislocatedontheLHconsoleto

theleftoftheoperator'sseat.Whensetina givenposition,a

uniformenginespeedwillbemaintained.

Pushthethrottle/chokecontrolhandleforwardtoincrease

theenginespeed.Theridingmowerisdesignedtooperate

withthethrottle/chokecontrolintheFAST_ position

whentheridingmowerisbeingdrivenandthemowerdeck

isengaged.

Pullthethrottle/chokecontrolhandlerearwardtodecrease

theenginespeed.

Whenstartingtheengine,pushthecontrolhandlefully

forwardintotheCHOKEI'_,1position.

Afterstartingandwarmingtheengine,movethecontrolhandle

rearwarduntilyoufeelit movepastthechokedetent.

PARKING BRAKE ENGAGEMENT LEVER

Theparkingbrakeengagementleverislocatedonthefront/

leftoftheseatboxframe,andis usedtoengagetheparking

brake.

Pulltheleverfullyupwardandtothe left;thenlowerintothe

short"J"slottoengagethebrake.

Pulltheleverupoutofthe"J"slotandtotheright;thenlower

completelytodisengagetheparkingbrake.

NOTE:IftheLHandRHdrivecontrolleversarenotfully

openedoutto eachsidein theneutralpositionwhenengag-

ingtheparkingbrake,theenginewillstop.Theparkingbrake

mustbe placedin theengagedpositionwhenstartingthe

ridingmowerengine.

GENERAL SAFETY

• RECEIVEINSTRUCTION-- Entirelyreadthisoperator'smanual.

Learnto operatethismachineSAFELY.DonotriskINJURYor

DEATH.Allowonlythosewhohavebecomecompetentin its

usagetooperatethis ridingmower.

• Beforestartingtheengineor beginningoperation,be familiarwith

thecontrols.Theoperatorshouldbein theoperator'sseat.The

PTOswitchmustbein thedisengagedposition,theparkingbrake

engaged,andthe RHandLHdrivecontrolleversmovedfully

outwardin theneutralposition.

• Keepallshieldsin place.Keepawayfrommovingparts.

• NORIDERS!Keepall peopleandpetsa safedistanceaway.

Lookbehindand downtobothsidesoftheridingmowerbefore

andwhilebackingup.

• DONOTdirectthemowerdischargeatpeople.

• Avoidslopeswherepossible.Neveroperateon slopesgreater

than15°. Slopeswitha greaterinclinepresentdangerousoperat-

ing conditions.Ridingmowerscanbe rolledover.

• Beforeleavingtheoperator'sseat:Shutoff thePTO,move

the RHand LHdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardin theneutral

position,engagetheparkingbrake_:_, shutoff theengineand

removetheignitionkey.Waitforall movementto stopbefore

servicingor cleaning.

• Operatethedrivecontrolleverssmoothlyandavoidanysudden

movementsoftheleverswhenstartingandstopping.Keepa firm

gripon thecontrollevers.

• Becarefulwhenoperatingnearroadways.Stoptheridingmower

motionandwaitforvehiclestopassbeforeoperatingalongthe

road.

• Donotoperatetheridingmowerwiththemowerdeckremoved.

Removalofthedeckwillchangethebalanceoftheridingmower,

andcouldcontributetoa ridingmowerrollover.

• Avoidoperationontractionsurfacesthatare unstable;use

extremecautionifthesurfaceis slippery.

• Slowdownbeforeturningandcometoa completestopbefore

anyzeroturnmaneuver.

• Donotstoptheridingmoweror parktheridingmowerover

combustiblematerialssuchasdrygrass,leaves,debris,etc.

• Donotfillthefueltankwhentheengineis runningor whilethe

engineishot.Allowtheengineseveralminutestocoolbefore

refueling.Tightenthefuelcapsecurely.

BEFORE OPERATING YOUR RiDiNG MOWER

• Beforeyouoperatetheridingmower,studythismanualcarefully

tofamiliarizeyourselfwiththeoperationofalltheinstrumentsand

controls.Ithasbeenpreparedtohelpyouoperateand maintain

yourridingmowerefficiently.

• Thisengineiscertifiedtooperateonlyonclean,fresh,unleadedregu-

largasoline.Forbestresults,fillthefueltankwithonlyclean,fresh,

unleadedgasolinewitha pumpstickeroctaneratingof87orhigher.

• Unleadedgasolineisrecommendedbecauseitleavesless

combustionchamberdepositsand reducesharmfulexhaust

emissions.Leadedgasolineis notrecommendedand mustnotbe

usedwhereexhaustemissionsareregulated.

NOTE:Purchasegasolineinsmallquantities.Donotusegasolineleftover

fromthepreviousseason,tominimizegumdepositsinthefuelsystem.

• Gasohol(upto 10%ethylalcohol,90% unleadedgasolineby

volume)isanapprovedfuel.Othergasoline/alcoholblendsare

notapproved.

• MethylTertiaryButylEther(MTBE)andunleadedgasolineblends

(uptoa maximumof 15%MTBEbyvolume)areapprovedfuels.

Othergasoline/etherblendsarenotapproved.

• Checktheengineoillevel.

• Cleantheaircleanerelementif necessary.

• Checkthetireinflationpressures.

• Adjusttheseatforoperator'smaximumcomfort,visibilityandfor

maintainingcompletecontrolofthe ridingmower.

SAFETY iNTERLOCK SYSTEM

Thisridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystemforthe

protectionoftheoperator.Iftheinterlocksystemshouldevermalfunc-

tion,donotoperatetheridingmower.Call1-800-659-5917toschedule

servicefromSearsParts& Repair.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystempreventstheenginefromcranking

orstartingunlessthe RHand LHdrivecontrolleversare moved

fullyoutwardtoeachsidein theneutralposition,theparking

brakeisengaged,andthePTOisdisengaged.

• Toavoidsuddenmovementwhendisengagingtheparkingbrake,

thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheRHand/

or LHdrivecontrolleversare movedtoa positionotherthan

thefullyoutintheneutralpositionwhentheparkingbrakeis

engaged.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheoperator

leavestheseatbeforeengagingtheparkingbrake.

• Thesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutofftheengineiftheoperator

leavestheseatwiththePTOengaged,regardlessofwhetherthe

parkingbrakeisengaged.

NOTE:ThePTOswitchmustbe movedtothe"OFF"positionto restart

theengine.

• ThesafetyinterlocksystemwillshutoffthePTOandthemower

bladeswillstopif bothdrivecontrolleversare movedintothe

reverseposition.ThePTOwillre-engagewhenoneor bothofthe

leversaremovedbacktoeithertheneutralorforwardposition.

STARTING THE ENGINE

Thisridingmowerisequippedwitha safetyinterlocksystemdesignee

fortheprotectionoftheoperator.Donotoperatetheridingmowerif

anypartoftheinterlocksystemismalfunctioning.Periodicallycheck

thefunctionsofthe interlocksystemforproperoperation.

Forpersonalsafety,theoperatormustbesittingintheridingmower

seatwhenstartingtheengine.

1. Operatormustbesittinginthe ridingmowerseatwithbothdrive

controlleversoutwardtoeachsidein theneutral/startposition.

2. EngagetheparkingbrakeO. Referto Figure12.

LHControlLever RHControlLever

Outin I_eutral Out in Neutral

ParkingBreak

-- Engaged

ThrottleControl / ( PTOSwitchinDown

FullyForwardto / __ (Disengaged)Position

CHOKEPosition

Figure12

3. MakecertainthePTOswitchisin thedisengaged(down)posi-

tion. Referto Figure12.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverfullyforwardintotheCHOKEt"°,1

position.

NOTE:Iftheengineiswarmedup,itmaynotbe necessarytoplace

thethrottle/chokecontrolin theCHOKE!'_1position.

5. TurntheignitionkeyclockwisetotheSTART_ positionand

releaseitassoonastheenginestarts;however,do notcrank

theenginecontinuouslyfor morethan5 secondsata time.If the

enginedoesnotstartwithinthis time,turnthekeytoSTOP

andwaitat least15secondstoallowtheengine'sstartermotor

tocool.Tryagainafterwaiting.Ifaftera fewattemptstheengine

failstostart,do notkeeptryingtostartitwiththechokeclosedas

thiswillcausefloodingandmakestartingmoredifficult.

6. Astheenginewarmsup,graduallypullthethrottle/chokecontrollever

rearwardpastthechokedetentposition.Donotusethechokeposition

toenrichthefuelmixture,exceptasnecessarytostarttheengine.

7. Allowtheengineto runfora fewminutesatmidthrottlebefore

puttingtheengineunderload.

8. Observethehourmeter/ indicatorpanel.Ifthebatteryindicator

lightoroil pressurelightcomeon,immediatelystoptheengine.

Call1-800-659-5917toscheduleridingmowerinspectionservice

fromSearsParts& Repair.

ColdWeatherStarting

Whenstartingtheengineattemperaturesnearorbelowfreezing,

ensurethecorrectviscositymotoroilisusedintheengineandthe

batteryisfullycharged.Starttheengineasfollows:

1. Besurethebatteryisingoodcondition.Also,awarmbatteryhas

muchmorestartingcapacitythanacoldbattery.

2. Usefreshwintergradefuel.Wintergradegasolinehashighervolatility

toimprovestarting.Donotusegasolineleftoverfromsummer.

3. FollowthepreviousinstructionforStartingtheEngine.

UsingJumper CablesTo Start Engine

Batteriescontainsulfuricacidandproduceexplosivegasses.Make

certaintheareaiswellventilated,wearglovesandeyeprotection,

land avodsparksor famesnearthebattery.

Ifthe batterychargeisnotsufficienttocranktheengine,rechargethe

battery.Ifa batterychargeris unavailableandtheridingmowermust

be started,theaidof aboosterbatterywillbenecessary.Connectthe

boosterbatteryasfollows:

1. Connecttheendofonecabletothedisabledridingmowerbat-

tery'spositiveterminal;thenconnecttheotherendofthatcableto

theboosterbattery'spositiveterminal.

2. Connectoneendoftheothercabletotheboosterbattery'snega-

tiveterminal;thenconnecttheotherendofthatcabletothe frame

ofthedisabledridingmower,asfarfromthebatteryaspossible.

3. Startthedisabledridingmowerfollowingthe normalstarting

instructionspreviouslyprovided;thendisconnectthejumper

cablesin theexactreverseorderof theirconnection.

4. Havetheridingmower'selectricalsystemcheckedand repaired

assoonaspossibletoeliminatetheneedforjumpstarting.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

1. PlacethePTOswitchintheOFFposition.

2. Movethe RHandLHdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardinthe

neutralposition.

3. EngagetheparkingbrakeO.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontroltomidwaybetweentheSLOW'_

andFAST_ positions.

5. Turntheignitionkeytothe STOP_ positionand removethekey

fromtheignitionswitch.

NOTE:Alwaysremovethekeyfromtheignitionswitchtopreventacci-

dentalstartingor batterydischargeiftheequipmentisleft unattended.

PRACTICE OPERATION (INITIAL USE)

Operatinga zero-turnridingmowerisnotlikeoperatingaconventionaltype

ridingridingmower.Becausea zeroturnridingmowerismoremaneuver-

able,gettingusedtooperatingthecontrolleverstakessomepractice.

Westronglyrecommendthatyoulocatea reasonablylarge,levelandopen

"practicearea"wheretherearenoobstructions,pedestrians,oranimals.You

shouldpracticeoperatingtheridingmowerforaminimumof30minutes.

Carefullymove-- orhaveanexperiencedusermove--the ridingmower

tothepracticearea.Whenperformingthepracticesession,thePTO

shouldnotbeengaged.Whilepracticing,operatetheridingmower

atapproximately1/2to3/4throttleandatlessthanfullspeedinboth

forwardandreverse.

Carefullypracticemaneuveringtheridingmowerandproceedtodriveas

describedin thefollowingDrivingtheRidingmowerForwardsection.

DRIVING THE RIDING MOWER

Avoidsuddenstarts,excessivespeedand suddenstops, j

1. Adjusttheoperator'sseattothemostcomfortablepositionthat

allowsyoutooperatethecontrols.See"AdjustingtheSeat" the

Assemblysection.

2. ReleasetheparkingbrakeO.

3. MovetheRHand LHdrivecontrolleversinwardin theneutral

position.RefertoFigure13.

Control Lever Moved

inward and in Neutral

Figure13

NOTE:Ifthecontrolleversarenotevenintheneutralposition,refer

to ServiceandMaintenanceforinstructionstoadjusttheleverssothat

theyareeven.

4. Movethethrottle/chokecontrolleverforwardtotheFAST

(fullthrottle)position.

NOTE:Althoughtheridingmower'sengineisdesignedto runatfull

throttle,whenperforminga practicesessiontheridingmowermustbe

operatedatlessthanfullthrottle.Thisonlyappliesto practice.

Alwaysmaintainafirm griponthecontrollevers.DONOTreleasethe

controlleversto slowor stoptheridingmower;moveleversto neutral

positionusingyourhands.

5. Todrivetheridingmower,firmlygrasptherespectivedrivecontrol

leverswithyourrightandleft handsandcontinuewithDrivingthe

RidingmowerForwardon thefollowingpage.

Driving the Riding mower Forward

Keepall movementofthedrivecontrolleversslowandsmooth.

Abruptmovementofthecontrolleverscanaffectthestabilityofthe

ridingmowerandcouldcausetheridingmowertoflipover,which

mayresultin seriousinjuryordeathtotheoperator.

Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversforward.The

ridingmowerwillstartto moveforward.SeeFigure14.

Driving Forward

Faster

Figure14

2. Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherforwardthespeedofthe

ridingmowerwillincrease.

3. Toslowtheridingmowermovethecontrolsleverrearwardto

attainthedesiredspeed,ormovetheleverstotheneutralposition

tostoptheridingmower.

Alwaysmaintainyourgraspon thedrivecontrollevers.Donotrelease

the leversto slowthe ridingmowerorto returntoneutral.

Turning the Riding mower While Driving Forward

Whenreversingthedirectionof travel,werecommendperforming

gradual'U' turnswherepossible.Sharperturnsincreasethepossibil-

ity ofturfdefacement,andcouldaffectcontroloftheridingmower.

ALWAYSslowtheridingmowerbeforemakingsharpturns.

Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingforward,movethecontrollevers

as necessarysothat oneleverisrearwardd theother.Theriding

mowerwillturninthedirectionofthe rearwardcontrollever.

1. Toturntotheleft,movetheleftdrivecontrolleverrearwardofthe

rightlever.SeeFigure15.

Figure15

2. Toturntotheright,movetherightdrivecontrolleverrearwardof

theleft lever.SeeFigure16.

ForwardRightTurn F

-oZ-

Figure16

3. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwolevers,the

sharpertheridingmowerwillturn.

4. Toexecuteazeroturnmovetheturnsidedrivecontrolleverto

theinwardneutralposition,whilemovingtheothercontrollever

forward.

NOTE:Makingazeroturnongrasswillgreatlyincreasethepotential

fordefacementoftheturf.

Driving the Riding mower in Reverse

1. Slowlyandevenlymovebothdrivecontrolleversrearward.The

ridingmowerwillstarttomoveinthe reversedirection.SeeFigure

17.

Turning While Driving Rearward

1. Toturntheridingmowerwhiledrivingrearward,movethecontrol

leversasnecessarysothatoneleverisforwardoftheother.The

ridingmowerwillturninthedirectionoftheforwardcontrollever.

Toturntotheleftwhiletravelinginreverse,movetheleft drive

controlleverforwardofthe rightlever.See Figure18.

Rearward Left Turn

Figure18

Toturntotherightwhiletravelinginreverse,movetherightdrive

controlleverforwardoftheleft lever.SeeFigure19.

Figure17

Asthecontrolleversarepushedfartherrearwardthespeedofthe

ridingmowerwillincrease.

Toslowtheridingmowermovethecontrolsleverforwardtoattain

thedesiredspeed,or movetheleverstotheneutralpositionto

stoptheridingmower.

Rearward Right Turn

Figure19

4. Thegreaterthefore-to-aftdistancebetweenthetwolevers,the

sharpertheridingmowerwillturn.

5. Toexecutea zeroturn,movetheturnsidedrivecontrolleverto

theneutralposition,whilemovingtheothercontrolleverrearward.

NOTE:Makinga zeroturnon grasswillgreatlyincreasethepotential

fordefacementoftheturf.

Executing a Zero Turn

When executinga zeroturn,theridingmowerMUSTBESTOPPED.

Executinga zeroturnwhiletheridingmowerismovingcansignifi-

cantlyreduceyourcontrolof theridingmowerandwillcausesevere

turf defacementtooccur.

Stoptheforwardor reversemotionoftheridingmowerbymoving

thetwodrivecontrolleverstoneutral.

2. Toturnclockwise,movetheleftcontrolleverforwardwhilesimulta-

neouslymovingtherightcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure20.

Clockwise Zero Turn

Figure20

3. Toturncounterclockwise,movetherightcontrolleverforwardwhile

simultaneouslymovingtheleftcontrolleverrearward.SeeFigure21.

Counterclockwise

Zero Turn

2. Pushthe PTOswitchdownwardtotheDISENGAGEDposition.

3. Usethedecklift handletoraisethedecktoitshighestposition.

4. Ifdismountingtheridingmower,movethedrivecontrolleversfully

outwardintheneutralposition,engagetheparkingbrakeO, move

thethrottle/chokecontrollevertotheFAST_ position,turnthe

ignitionswitchto STOP_ and removethekeyfromtheswitch.

Donotleavetheseatoftheridingmowerwithoutdisengagingthe

PTO, movingdrivecontrolleversfullyoutwardintheneutralposition,

andengagingtheparkingbrake.Ifleavingtheridingmowerunat-

tended,turntheignitionkeyoffand removekey.

DRIVING ON SLOPES

Referto theslopegaugeinthe SafeOperationSectiontohelp

determineslopeswhereyoumaynotoperatesafely.

Donotoperateon inclineswitha slopein excessof15degrees(a

riseofapproximately2-1/2feetevery10feet).Theridingmowercould

overturnandcauseseriousinjury.

1. Alwaysdriveacrossslopes,neverupanddown.Controlthe

speedanddirectionoftheridingmowerusingprimarilythecontrol

leveron thedownhillsideoftheridingmower,withtheuphill

controlleverremainingessentiallyina fixedposition.

2. Avoidturningdownhillifpossible.Startatthebottomof a slope

andworkupward.Alwaysslowdownbeforeturning.

3. Useextracareandgo slowlywhenturningdownhill.

OPERATING THE PTO

Operatethe PTOclutchasfollows:

1. Movethethrottle/chokecontrollevertoapproximatelythemid

throttleposition.

2. Pullthe PTOswitchupwardtothe ENGAGEDposition.

3. Advancethethrottle/chokelevertotheFAST_ position(full

throttle).

4. Theoperatormustremainintheridingmowerseatatall times.If

theoperatorshouldleavetheseatwithoutturningoffthe power

take-offswitch,theridingmower'senginewillshutoff.

5. ThePTOclutchcannotbeoperatedwhenthe ridingmoweris

drivinginthereversedirection.ThePTOwilldisengagewhen

bothdrivecontrolleversaremovedtothereverseposition,and

willre-engagewhenone(or both)controllever(s)ismovedtothe

neutralorforwardposition.

Figure21

STOPPING THE RIDING MOWER

1. Movebothdrivecontrolleverstotheneutralpositiontostopthe

motionoftheridingmower.

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Craftsman 17AK2ACP099 Owner's manual

Brand: Craftsman

Model: 17AK2ACP099

Category: Lawnmowers

Type: Owner's manual

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