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Craftsman 917.257480 Owner's Manual

18.0 hp twin cylinder electric start 38" mower deck 5 speed transaxle lawn tractor
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MODEL NO.
917.257480
Caution:
Read and follow
all Safety Rules
and Instructions
Before Operating
This Equipment
18.0 HP TWIN CYLIN
ELECTRIC
START
"
OWER DECK
5 SPEE
TRANS_LE
LAWN TRACTOR
• Assembly
• Operation
, Maintenance
• Service and Adjustment
• Repair Parts
Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, IL 60684 U.S.A.
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Summary of Contents for Craftsman 917.257480

  • Page 1 MODEL NO. 917.257480 18.0 HP TWIN CYLIN Caution: ELECTRIC START Read and follow all Safety Rules " OWER DECK and Instructions 5 SPEE TRANS_LE Before Operating This Equipment LAWN TRACTOR • Assembly • Operation , Maintenance • Service and Adjustment •...
  • Page 2 SAFETY RULES CAUTION; ALWAYS DISCONNECT SPARK PLUGWIRE AND PLACE WIRE WHERE IT CANNOT CONTACT SPARK PLUG TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL STARTING WHEN SETTING-UP, TRANSPORTING, ADJUSTING OR MAKING REPAIRS_ IMPORTANT SAFETY STANDARDS REQUIRE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJURY. YOUR UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH CONTROLS, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT THE FUNCTION OF THE OPERATOR PRESENCE CONTROLS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

  • Page 3: Customer Responsibilities

    PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Sears Tractor_ tt has been designed, engineered and manu. HORSEPOWER: 18.0 factured to give you the best possible dependability performance. GASOLINE CAPACITY: 2 GALLONS Should you experience any problem you cannot easily UNLEADED REGULAR remedy, please...
  • Page 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS OPERATION ............10-13 SAFETY RULES ............MAINTENANCE ............14-17 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS ........SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS ......18-25 CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES ......... 3 STORAGE ..............WARRANTY ..............TROUBLESHOOTING ..........27-28 TABLE OF CONTENTS ..........REPAIR PARTS - TRACTOR ......... 30-43 INDEX ................

  • Page 5: Accessories

    ACCESSORIES ANDATTACH ENT$ ........These accessories and attachments were available when the unit was purchased They are also available at most Sears retail outlets, catalog and service centers Most Sears stores can order these items for you when you provide the model number of your tractor MAINTENANCE ENGINE BLADES...
  • Page 6 1iris= CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK = ===ll Hrn, --,11 , ==1 nu =,,,,_ Parts packed separately in carton Parts Bag contents shown full size H=i,===,, = = ,ram iiirt Seat Battery acid (1) Shoulder' Bolt 5/16-18 (1) Hex Bolt 1/2-13 x 1 Steering Wheel Battery (1) Lockwasher...
  • Page 7 TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY A socket wrench set will make assembly easier+ Standard INSERT wrench sizes are listed° (1) 7/16" wrench (1) Tire pressure gauge HEX LOCKNUT (2) 9/16" wrenches (1) Screwdriver (1) Utility knife (1) 1/2" wrench (1) 3/4" wrench When right and left hand is mentioned in this manual, it means when you are in the operating position (seated be- hind the steering wheel)+...
  • Page 8 iii, iiii ,i,, HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3) Adjust seat before tightening adjustment bolt. PREPARE BATTERY (See Fig, 2) • Remove cardboard packing on seat pan. ° Ptace seat on pan and assemble shoulder bolt CAUTION: Wear eye and face shield= •...
  • Page 9 ,, i,,,,,,,, i, i i ,i ,,,,,,.,i,, , ,,,m, ,,,,, ,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'lU'"'llll'll"l'H INSTALL BATTERY (See Figs. 4 & 5) WING NUT CAUTION: Do not short battery termi- nals. Before installing battery, remove metal bracelets, wristwatch bands, TERMINAL rings, etc. ACCESS Positive terminal must be connected DOOR...
  • Page 10 OPERATION 11l= iHlil HIIHIHH = = =Ill,,= KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATING YOUR TRACTOR Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference. ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER IGNITION...
  • Page 11 H nHlll OPERATION =mmiNu your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs, We recommend wide vision safety mask for over the spectacles or standard safety glasses, available at Sears Retail or Catalog stores, HOW TO USE YOUR TRACTOR IGNITION TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig.
  • Page 12 OPERATIO iiiii iil,,i,ii,, Jl_ I_LI,IILll0 • if stopping is absolutely necessary, push clutch/brake TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig, 8) pedal quickly to brake position and engage parking Your unit is equipped with an operator presence sensing brake, switch. Any attempt by the operator to leave the seat with •...
  • Page 13 m,,,,,,,, ==,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,, OPERATIO ,re,iN,,,, ,,,,1,,1 ,m,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 1, ,m,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, The left hand side of mower should be used for trim- TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 7) ming. When starting engine for the first time or if engine has run out of fuel, it will take extra cranking time to move Drive so that clippings are discharged onto the area fuel from the tank to the engine.
  • Page 14 MAUNTENANCE O A,°TE°A.OESO.EO0"E FILL IN DATES T"i Check Brake Operation R ! Check Tire Pressure Check for Loo,se Fasteners Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades Lubricate Pivot Points Check Battery Level/Recharge '..i ..J ....Clean Battery and Terminals Check Engine Oil Level Chaje Engine Oil Clean Air Fiiter?'FoamPro-cleaner...
  • Page 15 AINTENANCE in, u ,., ii,uu,,l,uuuu, ll,,,,,,,J,J..u,., Jl,ltl TRACTOR TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 11) Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced, Always observe safety rules when performing any mainte- unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration and even- nance. tual damage to mower and engine, •...
  • Page 16 NTENANCE :u,,iJ,=_w ....Catch oil in a suitable container'. BATTERY (See Fig. 12) Remove oil fill dipstick, Be careful not to allow dirt to Your unit has a battery charging system which is sufficient enter the engine when changing oil. for normal use.
  • Page 17 == , i===== MAINTENANCE = H,H. KNOB MUFFLER Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage, WING NUT CARTRIDGE SPARK PLUGS PLATE FOAM Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing PRE-CLEANER season or after every 100 hours of use, whichever comes first.

  • Page 18: Adjustments Brake

    _L,== SERVICE AN ADJUSTMENTS =!= 11 llili= CAUTION: BEFORE PERFORMING ANY SERVICE OR ADJUSl"MENTS: Depress clutch!brake pedal fully and set parking brake. • Place gearshift lever in "NEUTRAL" position. • Place attachment clutch in "DISENGAGED" position. • Turn ignition key "OFF" and remove key= Make sure the blades and all moving parts have completely stopped.
  • Page 19 CE AND ADJUSTMENTS i,iLuiu, illU ,i,1,, i i , REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOM BOTTOM OFCURL OF CURL GROUND REARSUSPENSIONTRUNNION LINE FIG. 20 GROUND LINE FIG. 18 SIDE TO SIDE NUT"E" ADJUSTMENT TRUNNION '_._ REAR REAR SUSPENSION SUSPENSION TRUNNION _L_UT "C" LIFT BRACKET ..
  • Page 20 TO ADJUST MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT ENGINE PULLEY IDLER BELT BELT (See Fig. 22) GUIDE Your tractor has been manufactured with the ability to readjust the mower blade drive belt to provide you with longer belt life. MANDREL With tt_e engine off and the lift lever in the highest IDLER fposition, move clutch lever' up slowly until resistance is...
  • Page 21 ADJUSTMENTS SERVICE AN ==HH TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT (See TO ADJUST BRAKE (See Fig. 24) Figs. 25 and 26) Your unit is equipped with an adjustabte brake system which is mounted on the right side of the transaxte, The tractor drive belt may be replaced without tools If unit requires more than six (6) feet stopping distance at...
  • Page 22 CE AND ADJUSTMENTS ............. n nmm ::::::::::::::::::::::::::: TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BATTERY TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT (See Figs. 28 & 29) If steering wheel crossbars are not horizontal (left to right) when wheels are positioned straight forward, remove steer- CAUTION: LEAD-ACID BATTERIES...
  • Page 23 TO REPLACE FUSE Replace with 30 amp automotive-type plug-in fuse. fuse holder is Iocated in the engine compartment, directly in front of the dash, TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB • Raise hood,_ • Pull bulb holder out of the hole in the backside of the gdH1 •...

  • Page 24: Carburetor

    TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE CLAMP SCREW ---__\I (See Fig. 32) The throttle control has been preset at the factory and adjustment should not be necessary, Checkadjustment described below before loosening cable If adjustment is necessary, proceed as follows: With engine not running, move throttle control lever to "FAST"...

  • Page 25: Throttle Control Cable

    SERVUCE AND ADJUSTMENTS TO ADJUST CARBURETOR (See Fig. 34 & 35) The carburetor has been preset at the factory and adjust- ment should not be necessary. However, minor adjustment may be required to compensate for differences in fuel, temperature, altitude or load. If the carburetor does need adjustment, proceed as follows: In general, turning the mixture screw in (clockwise)

  • Page 26: Cleaning

    LH'J=N STORAGE lU,ULULU,J Drain the fuet tank, Immediately prepare your tractor for storage at the end of the season or if the unit will not be used for 30 days or more. Start the engine and let it run until the fuel lines and carburetor are empty, CAUTION: NEVER STORE THE TRAC-...

  • Page 27: Air Screen

    TROUBLESHOOTfNG POINTS PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Out of fuel FIll fuel tank Wilt not start See TO START ENGINE In operation section. Engine not "CHOKED" properly. Engine flooded Walt several minutes before attempting to start Bad spark plug. Replace spark plug Clean/replace air ftiter Dirty air fitter...
  • Page 28 LESHOOTNNG PORNTS ±,,H, 11,1 ,,,,, ], N=,, ,,,1 ,, ,11,, 111,1 J,,,Juuu, PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION 1. Fauity operator-safetypresencecontrolsystem Engine continues to run Check wiring, switches and connections tf not when operator leaves seat corrected, contact Sears Service Department with attachment clutch engaged POOr cUt - uneven...
  • Page 29 SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SiGHTiNG SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION ,,.,w. ONLY RIDE UP AND DOWN HILL, .,..,.. NOT ACROSS HILL SIGHTING "" SIGHT AND HOLD THIS LEVEL WITH SKY LINE OR TREE. 15° MAX. i i i i ii ii i,iiiiii greater than 15°), never across the face.

  • Page 30: Type

    ® OWNER'S 18.0 HP TWiN CYLI MANUAL ELECTRIC START 38" OWER DECK 5 SPEED TRANSAXLE LAWN TRACTOR MODEL NO. 917.257480 Each tractor has its own model number. Each engine has its own model number. The model number for your tractor will be found on the model plate located under the seat The model number for your engine will be found on the blower housing, All parts listed herein may be ordered from any Sears, Roebuck and Co.

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