Operator's Manual

®

LAWN TRACTOR

17.5 HR*42" Mower

Electric Start

6 Speed Transaxle

Model No.

917.28903

o EspaSol, p. 33

operating this equipment.

this product, Call:

t=800-659=5917

Sears Craftsman Help Line

5 am - 5 pro, Mon - Sat

n the USA.,

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.

Visit our Craftsman website.www searscom/craftsman 'As raled by lhe engine manufaclurer

Warranty ........................................................... 2

Safety Rules .........................................................3

Service and Adjustments .......................... 22

CRAFTSMAN LIMITED WARRANTY

TWO YEARS ON TRACTOR

When operated and maintained according to all supplied instructions, if this tractor fails

due to a defect in material or workmanship within two years from the date or purchase,

call 1-800-4-MY-HOME® to arrange for free repair.

During the first year of purchase, there will be no charge for warranty service in your home..

For your convenience, in-home warranty service will still be available after the first year

of purchase, but a trip charge will apply. This charge will be waived if you transport the

tractor to an authorized Craftsman drop-off location. For the nearest authorized location,

call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.

blades, spark plugs, air cleaners, belts, and oil filters.

• Standard maintenance servicing, oil changes, or tune-ups.

• Tire replacement or repair caused by punctures from outside objects, such as nails,

thorns, stumps, or glass.

• Tire or wheel replacement or repair resulting from normal wear, accident, or improper

operation or maintenance°

. Repairs necessary because of operator abuse, including but not limited to damage

caused by towing objects beyond the capability of the tractor, impacting objects that

bend the flame or crankshaft, or over-speeding the engine..

• Repairs necessary because of operator negligence, including but not limited to, electrical

• Normal deterioration and wear of the exterior finishes, or product label replacement,.

All tractor and battery warranty coverage is void if this product is ever used for

commercial or rental purposes.

This warranty applies only while this product is within the United States.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which

vary from state to state.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

objects, Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious

injury or death,

_,WARNING: Inorderto prevent accidental

_,WARNING: Do not coast down a hilt in

that are recommended by and comply with

specifications of the manufacturer of your

tractor Use common sense when towing.

Operate only at the lowest possible speed

when on a slope. Too heavy of a load, while

on a slope, is dangerous. Tires can lose

traction with the ground and cause you to

lose control of your tractor_

of California to cause cancer and birth defects

or other reproductive harm,

_WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and

. Read, understand, and follow all instruc-

• Only allow responsible adults, who are

• Clear the area of objects such as rocks,

• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders

. Never direct discharged material toward

• Do not operate machine without the entire

• Slow down before turning.,

. Never leave a running machine unat-

• Do not operate the machine while under

• Watch for traffic when operating near or

• Use extra care when loading or unloading

. Always weareye protection when operat-

. Data indicates that operators, age 60

• Keep machine free of grass, leaves or

Slopes are a major factor related to loss of

control and tip-over accidents, which can

• Choose a low ground speed so that you

• Do not mow on wet grass, Tires may lose

• Use extra care while operating machine

rides in the past may suddenly appear in

IV, TOWING

age, use extreme care in handling gasoline.

Gasoline is extremely flammable and the

vapors are explosive.

° Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes,

other appliances.

° Never fill containers inside a vehicle or

away from your vehicle when filling.

• Removegas-poweredequipmentfromthe

• Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas cap

GENERAL SERVICE

• Be sure the area is clear of bystanders

before operating Stop machine if anyone

• Never carry passengers..

• Do not mow in reverse unless absolutely

before and while backing,.

, Nevercarrychildren, even with the btades

other than the operator.

, Before andwhile backing, Iookbehind and

, Choose alowgroundspeedsothatyouwill

and Type: Regular

Oil Type SAE 30 (above 32°F)

API-SG-SL): SAE 5W-30(below 32°F

Spark Plug. Champion RC12YC

(Gap: ,030")

(MPH):

Forward:

t st 1.1

2nd 1..4

4th 3,4

5th 4,3

Charging System: 3 Amps Battery

5 Amps Headlights

Min.. CCA: 230

cannot easily remedy, please contact a Sears

or other qualified service center,, We have

competent, well-trained representatives

and 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

• Follow the instructions under "Mainte-

Resources Code),. Other states may have

similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal

lands. A spark arrester for the muffler is

availablethrough your nearest Sears service

REPAIR PROTECTION

Congratulations on making a smart purchase.

Your new Craftsman® product is designed

and manufactured for years of dependable

operation,. But like all products, it may require

repair from time to time That's when having

a Repair Protection Agreement can save you

money and aggravation.

Purchase a Repair Protection Agreement

now and protect yourseff from unexpected

hassle and expense

Here's what's included in the Agreement:

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 night, or schedule a service appoint-

ment online.

for years to come.. Purchase your Repair

For prices and additional information call

SEARS INSTALLATION SERVlCE

For Sears professional insta!lation of home

appliances, garage door openers, water

heaters, and other major home items, in the

USA. call t-80O-4-MY.HOr_E®

Wheel Insert

5116-18 x 4

(1) Large Flat Washer

(1) 5/16 Lock Washer

(I) Seat

Slope Sheet

Your new tractor has been assembled at the factory with the exception of those parts left

unassembled for shipping purposes,, To ensure safe and proper operation of your tractor

all parts and hardware you assemble must be tightened securely Use the correct tools as

necessary to insure proper tightness.

(I) 3/4"wrench (1) Pliers

this manual, it means when you are in the

operating position (seated behind the steer-

CARTON

UNPACK CARTON

1, Remove all accessible loose parts and

2, Cut along dashed lines on all four panels

3,, Check for any additional loose parts or

ATTACH STEERING WHEEL

ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND

BOOT

t. Slide extension shaft onto lower steer-

ing shaft.

2. Place tabs of steering boot over tab

slots in dash and push down to secure,

INSTALL STEERING WHEEL

4. Remove steering wheel adapter from

steering wheel and slide adapter onto

steering shaft extension.

5, Position steering wheel so cross bars

are horizontal (left to right) and slide

inside boot and onto adapter,

Large Flat

IMPORTANT: Check for and remove any

staples in skid that may puncture tires where

tractor is to roll off skid,

INSTALL SEAT

knob,

t_ Removeadjustmentknoband flatwasher

2, Pivot seat upward and remove from the

3. Place seat on seatpan so head ofshoul-

4, Push down on seat to engage shoulder

6. Lower seat into operating position and

7, Slide seat until a comfortable position

is reached which allows you to press

clutchlbrake pedal all the way down.

8. Get off seat without moving its adjusted

d"-,-. _ Seat

ulder

NOTE: You may now roll your tractor off

below to remove the tractor from the skid

and function of controls)

I. Press lift lever plunger and raise attach-

ment lift lever to its highest position.

2_ Release pa[king brake by depressing

clutchlbrake pedal°

3. Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) po-

sition.

5. Remove banding holding the deflector

CHECK BATTERY

I, Lift seat pan to raised position.

NOTE: tfthis battery is put into service after

month and year indicated on label (label

for minimum of one hour at 6-t0 amps, (See

"BATTERY" in Maintenance section of this

manual for charging instructions).

Terminal

COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50 ° F and

below)

in choke position until engine warms up

and begins to run roughly, Once rough

running begins, immediately move the

feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)

the carburetor fuel mixture may need to be

"TOADJUSTCARBURETOR"in the Service

mowed twice to reduce toad and possible

first cut relatively high; the second to the

desired height.

grass will plug mower and leave undesir-

able clumps. Allow grass to dry before

ing performance and proper discharge

ground speed that will suit the terrain and

16

MAINTENANCE eEFo.E EVE.Y EVE.Y EVE.'r EVERY EVERY SEFO.E

USE HOURS HOU}3S HOURS HOUriS

items that have been subjected to operator

from the warranty, operator must maintain

Some adjustments will need to be made pe-

you should make any of the adjustments

At least once a year you should replace

the spark plug, clean or replace air filter,

and check blades and belts for wear, A

proper air-fuel mixture and help your en-

gine run better and last longer

2 Check brake operation

5 Check for loose fasteners,

LUBRICATION CHART

Zerk

(_Front Wheel ,-

2, General Purpose Grease

bricant sparingly,,

Engine "ON" Position

(Normal Operating)

by the operator to shift into reverse should

NOT shut off the engine,

BLADE CARE

For best results mower blades must be kept

IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly,

center hole in blade must align with star

t8

BATTERY

which is sufficient for normal use. However,

tomotive charger will extend its life.

, Keep battery and terminals clean,,

Corrosion and dirt on the battery and termi-

nals can cause the battery to "leak" power,

I. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first

4. Coat terminals with grease or petroleum

jelly,,

BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-

TRANSAXLE COOLING

Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and

chaff which can restrict cooling,

Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after

100 hours of operation and replace if neces-

sary. The belts are not adjustable, Replace

ENGINE

oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your

tion or at least once a year if the tractor is

not used for 50 hours in one year. 19

Check the crankcase oil level before starting

operation, Tighten oil fill captdipstick se-

Determine temperature range expected

Closed and

Yellow

Cap

_Drain

4. To open, pull out on the drain valve.

7. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick

used more than 100 hours in one year_

3, Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and