Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
Owner's Manual
ICRRFTSMRN'I
LAWN TRACTOR
18.0 HP, 42" Mower
Electric Start
Automatic Transmission
Model No.
917.273403
I
[_
This product has a low emission engine which operates
I
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
I
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
Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/craftsman
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Craftsman 917.273403
Summary of Contents for Craftsman 917.273403
- Page 1 Call: Read and follow all Safety 1-800-659-5917 Rules and Instructions before Sears Craftsman Help Line operating this equipment. 5 am - 5 pm, Mon- Sat Sears, Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A Visit our Craftsman website:www.sears.com/craftsman...
- Page 2 IN HOME warranty service will still be available after the first 30 days of pur- chase, but a trip charge will apply. This charge will be waived if the Craftsman product is dropped off at an authorized Sears location. For the nearest authorized Sears location, please call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®.
- Page 3 IMPORTANT: This cutting machine is capable of amputating hands and feet and throw- ing objects. Failure to observe the following safety instructions could result in serious injury or death. • Be aware of the mower discharge direc- ,_WARNING: In order to prevent ac- tion and do not point it at anyone.
- Page 4 • Never carry children. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with • Mow up and down slopes, not across. safe machine operation. • Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree • Never allow children to operate the limbs, etc.
- Page 5 • Remove obstacles such as rocks, tree • Be sure the area is clear of other people limbs, etc. before mowing. Stop machine if anyone enters the area. • Watch for holes, ruts, or bumps. Uneven terrain could overturn the machine. Tall •...
- Page 6 REPAIR PROTECTION W/O Filter: 3.0 Pints AGREEMENTS Spark Plug: Champion RC12YC Congratulations on making a smart pur- GAP: .030") chase. Your new Craftsman® product is Ground Speed Forward: designed and manufactured for years of (MPH): Reverse: dependable operation. But like all prod-...
- Page 7 Steering Wheel Steering Wheel Insert (1) Large Flat Washer (1) Locknut (1) Hex Bolt 1/4-28 x 1-1/4 (1) Locknut 1/4-28 1/2-20 Steering Extension Shaft Steering Wheel Adapter Seat (1) Washer 17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12 Gauge _(1) Knob For Future Use Keys Slope Sheet...
- Page 8 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.
- Page 9 4. Push down on seat to engage shoulder NOTE: You may now roll or drive your bolts in slots and pull seat towards rear tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate of tractor. instruction below to remove the tractor from the skid. 5.
- Page 10 INSTALL MULCHER PLATE CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM After you learn how to operate your trac- (If previously removed) tor, check to see that the brake is properly Raise and hold deflector shield in adjusted. See "TO ADJUST BRAKE" in upright position. the Service and Adjustments section of 2.
- Page 11 These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product. Learn and understand their meaning. I',,I REVERSE NEUTRAL HIGH CHOKE FAST SLOW IGNITION ENGINE OFF LIGHTS ON ENGINE ON ENGINE START PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE LOCKED UNLOCKED...
- Page 12 KNOW YOUR TRACTOR READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND 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 Ignition Switch Clutch Lever Light Switch Position Ammeter...
- Page 13 The operation of any tractor can result in foreign objects thrown into the eyes, which can result in severe eye damage. Always wear safety glasses I or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any adjustments or repairs. We recommend standard safety glasses or a wide vision safety mask worn over spectac es.
- Page 14 TOTRANSPORT • For best cutting performance, grass over 6 inches in height should be mowed When pushing or towing your tractor, be twice. Make the first cut relatively high; sure to disengage transmission by placing the second to desired height. freewheel control in freewheeling position.
- Page 15 • For cold weather operation you should NOTE: Before starting, read the warm change oil for easier starting ((See the and cold starting procedures below. oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance 6. Insert key into ignition and turn key section of this manual). clockwise to start position and release •...
- Page 16 PURGE TRANSMISSION MOWING TIPS To ensure proper operation and per- ,, Mower should be properly leveled for formance, it is recommended that the best mowing performance. See "TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING" in the transmission be purged before operating tractor for the first time. This procedure will Service and Adjustments section of this manual.
- Page 17 MULCHING MOWING TIPS IMPORTANT: For best performance, keep mower housing free of built-up grass and trash. Clean after each use. • The special mulching blade will recut the grass clippings many times and reduce them in size so that as they fall onto the lawn they will disperse into the grass and not be noticed.
- Page 18 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ._f_ ,_-_ _ o-_ ,_/_, AS YOU COMPLETE DATES REGULAR SERVICE _'__'S E RVIC Check Brake Operation Check Tire Pressure Check Operator Presence Interlock Systems Check for Loose Fasteners _1_5 Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades Lubrication Chart Check Battery Level Clean Battery and Terminals Check Transaxle...
- Page 19 TRACTOR IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly, center hole in blade must align with star Always observe safety rules when per- on mandrel assembly. forming any maintenance. 4. Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer BRAKE OPERATION and flat washer in exact order as If tractor requires more than six (6) feet shown.
- Page 20 ENGINE • Keep battery bolts tight. • Keep small vent holes open. LUBRICATION • Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour. Only use high quality detergent oil rated NOTE: The original equipment battery on with API service classification SG-SL. your tractor is maintenance free.
- Page 21 3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward slightly and turning counterclockwise. 4. To open, pull out on the drain valve. 5. After oil has drained completely, close and lock the drain valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise until the pin is in the locked position as shown.
- Page 22 MUFFLER CLEANING Inspect and replace corroded muffler and • Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc. of all foreign matter. spark arrester (if equipped) as it could cre- ate a fire hazard and/or damage. • Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc.
- Page 23 WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS: 1. Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake. 2. Place motion control lever in neutral (N) position. 3. Place attachment clutch in "DISENGAGED" position. 4. Turn ignition key to "STOP" and remove key. 5.
- Page 24 7. Push clutch cable housing guide into • Before making any necessary adjust- ments, check that both front links are bracket, slide collar onto guide and secure with large retainer spring. equal in length. 8. Place flat washer and clutch spring on •...
- Page 25 BELT INSTALLATION - 5. Road test tractor for proper stopping distance as stated above. Readjust 1. Work belt around both mandrel pulleys if necessary. If stopping distance is and idler pulleys still greater than five (5) feet in highest 2. Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves gear, further maintenance is neces- and inside all belt guides.
- Page 26 TRANSMISSION REMOVAL/ REPLACEMENT Should your transmission require removal for Engine Pulley _ service or replacement, it should be purged after reinstallation and before operating the tractor. See "PURGE TRANSMISSION" in Clutching Idler _ the Operation section of this manual. TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGN- Stationary Idler "I MENT If steering wheel crossbars are not...
- Page 27 If "jumper cables" are used for emergency starting, follow this procedure: IMPORTANT: Your tractor is equipped with a 12 volt system. The other vehicle must also be a 12 volt system. Do not use your tractor battery to start other vehicles. TO ATTACH JUMPER CABLES - 1.
- Page 28 ENGINE IMPORTANT: Damage to the needle valve and the seat in carburetor may result Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the if screw is turned in too tight. emission control devices and systems, which are being done at the customers expense, PRELIMINARY SETTING - may be performed by any non-road engine...
- Page 29 Immediately prepare your tractor for stor- hose, or tank during storage. Also, alcohol age at the end of the season or if the trac- blended fuels (called gasohol or using tor will not be used for 30 days or more. ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture which leads to separation and formation of _CAUTION:...
- Page 30 TROUBLESHOOTING CHART: See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Will not start 1. Out of fuel. 1. Fill fuel tank. 2. See "TO START ENGINE" in 2. Engine not "CHOKED" properly. Operation section. 3.
- Page 31 TROUBLESHOOTING CHART: See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center CAUSE PROBLEM CORRECTION 6. Faulty spark plug. 6. Clean and regap or change LOSS of power spark plug. (continued) 7. Dirty fuel filter. 7. Replace fuel filter. 8.
- Page 32 TROUBLESHOOTING CHART: See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION Poor grass Wet grass. 3. Allow grass to dry before discharge mowing. Mower deck not level. 4. Level mower deck. (continued) Low/uneven tire air pressure. 5.
- Page 33 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 SCHEMATIC ,,Ik o111 °LACK BATTERY RE° FUSE STARTER (OPTIONAL) BLACK • WHITE AMMETER SOLENOID CLUTCH / BRAKE _ _G A_/_ (PEDAL WHITE IGNITION (NOT OCCUPIED) SWITCH WHITE SEAT SWITCH BLACK LACK I BLACK BLACK _A'_MENT CLUTCH "_ BLACK (CLUTCH OFF)
- Page 34 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 ELECTRICAL...
- Page 35 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 ELECTRICAL KEY PART DESCRIPTION 163465 Battery 74760412 Bolt Hex Hd 1/4-20 unc x 3/4 176689 Box Battery Fender 176138 Switch, Interlock 183759 Harness Asm Light W/4152j 4152J Bulb Light #1156 4799J Cable Battery 6 Ga. 11" red 146147 Cable Battery 6 Ga.
- Page 36 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES 212 -- _142 -209 _209 chassis-Laser -It,stlL27...
- Page 37 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES PART DESCRIPTION 174619 Chassis Stamping 176554 Drawbar 155272 Bumper Hood/Dash 187846X013 Dash STD533710 Bolt, Carriage 3/8-16 x 1 174996 Panel, Dash, L.H. 172105X010 Panel, Dash, R.H. 17490608 Screw Thdrol 3/8-16 x 1/2 185682X558 Hood Assembly Laser 184921...
- Page 38 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 GROUND DRIVE _120 _202 _150 16 3 252 25 78 76 drive*hydro,stlt...
- Page 39 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 GROUND DRIVE PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION Screw Hex Wsh Hi-Lo 1/4 x 1/2 Transaxle (See Breakdown) 142432 Peerless LTH2000 165866 Rod Shift Fender Adjust 134683 Keeper Belt Engine STD561210 Pin Cotter 1/8 x 1 CAD 137057 Spacer Washer 25/32 x 1-1/4 x 16 Ga.
- Page 40 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 STEERING ASSEMBLY _"-"_42 steering_pl,It47...
- Page 41 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 STEERINGASSEMBLY PART DESCRIPTION 139768 Steering Wheel 184706 Axle Assembly 169840 Spindle Assembly, LH. 169839 Spindle Assembly, R.H. 6266H Bearing, Race, Thrust, Hardened 121748X Washer 25/32 x 1-5/8 x 16 Ga. 12000029 Ring, Klip 175121 Draglink STD551137 Washer, Lock...
- Page 42 TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 ENGINE "33 OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Spark Arrester engine-bs.lcyl PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 170545 Control Thret/Ch 181654 Plug drain oil easy 17720408 Screw Hex Thd Cut 1/4-20 x 1/2 124028X Bushing Snap Nyl BIk Fuel Line Engine (See Breakdown) 17670412 Screw Hexwsh Thdrol 1/4-20 x Briggs Model 31P777-0299-E1...
- Page 43 TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 SEAT ASSEMBLY seat ..It,knob9 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 121248X 188716 Seat Bushing Snap BIk Nyl 50 td 180166 Bracket Fender Pivot 72050412 Bolt Rdhd Sht Nk 1/4-20 x 1-1/2 1343O0 71110616 Bolt Fin Hex 3/8-16 unc x 1 Spacer Split 28 x 96 Zinc 121250X 19131610...
- Page 44 Decal, Customer Maintenance 178392 Decal, Disconnect 184730 Decal Hood Side LT1000 138311 Decal, Lift Handle Pad Footrest LH STLT 184899 Decal, Fender, Craftsman 184310X428 156439 Pad Footrest RH STLT Decal, Fender Danger 184311X428 138047 Decal, Battery 192601 Owner's Manual, English...
- Page 45 TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 LIFT ASSEMBLY lift-rh.1 piece 3 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 159460 Washer Asm Inner Spring STD624008 Retainer Spring W/Plunger 173288 Link Front 159471 Shaft Asm. Lift 73350800 Nut Jam Hex 1/2-13 unc 105767X Pin Groove 175689 Trunnion 12000002 E Ring #5133-62...
- Page 46 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 MOWER DECK 40---'¢ lo_,o2 1o31°8 102_ 19 F 10.,--,_ 42 D man*t-path stlt 3...
- Page 47 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 MOWER DECK PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION Washer, Hardened 165892 Mower Deck Assembly, 42" 133944 Bolt, Shoulder 5/16-18 uric STD533107 Bolt 139888 Arm Assembly, Pad, Brake 138017 Bracket Assembly, Sway Bar, 184907 Washer, Hardened Front 178515 Arm, Idler 165460...
- Page 48 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 PEERLESS TRANSAXLE - - MODEL NUMBER LTH2000 • 3 < ,",...
- Page 49 TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 PEERLESS TRANSAXLE - - MODEL NUMBER LTH2000 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 772151 Cover LH. 786196 Spacer .625.765 770135 Case 792201 Spring 776355 Counter Shaft 792154 Oil Fill Plug 778263 Spur Gear 11T 788088A Oil Seal 3/4" 786197 Neutral Sleeve (.572) 792141...
- Page 50 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31P777,TYPE NUMBER 0299-E1 691 @ 718 _ 684_ 11 584_ I 1330REPAIR MANUALI 307_ 1264_ 11329 REPLACEMENT ENGINEI 358 ENGINE GASKET SET 868_ 943 O 741_ 1270 T 20@ 8170 1022 691 _) 524_...
- Page 51 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31P777,TYPE NUMBER 0299-E1 1095 VALVE GASKET 617 0 1022 40 _J - 1022 1029 6,o {_ 1022 404 @ 54'_ 53,_ _ 334 _' 216f 305A 3091 803_ 310 1 1070 1051_ 1005...
- Page 52 TRACTOR - - MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31P777,TYPE NUMBER 0299-E1 105A 127A 105 _1 276A@ 947A[_ NIKKI] 1127 o47_ 276 @ 4311 1266A O 0770ARBURETOR GASK_ _ 137 0 276_ 527_ 1266 0 121ACARBURETOR OVERHAUL 6170 634A _ 1266 / 127AO...
- Page 53 TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31P777,TYPE NUMBER 0299-E1 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 697174 Cylinder Assembly 690577 Q Seat-Inlet 399265 Kit-Bushing/Seal (Magneto Side) 690464 Valve-Choke (Manual Choke) 391086 • Seal-Oil (Magneto Side) 108A 695419 Valve-Choke (Nikki) 697188 Sump-Engine 694352 Q...
- Page 54 TRACTOR -- MODEL NUMBER 917.273403 BRIGGS & STRATTON ENGINE-MODEL NUMBER 31P777,TYPE NUMBER 0299-E1 PART PART DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION 690323 Bolt (Starter Motor) 692424 Terminal-Spark Plug 497608 Brush Set 690968 Seal-Valve 495859 Armature-Magneto 691108 Screw (Rocker Cover) 691061 Screw (Magneto Armature) 690589 •...
- Page 55 SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION down the face of slopes, never across the face. Do not mow ARNING: To avoid serious injury, operate your tractor up and , slopes greater than 15 degrees. Make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control.
- Page 56 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 owner's manuals that you need to do-it-yourself. For Sears professional installation of home appliances...