Craftsman 917.254530 User Manual

!
OWNER'S
MANUAL
MODEL NO.
917.254530
Caution:
Read and follow
all Safety Rules
and Instructions
Before Operating
This Equipment
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12.0 HP RC
ELECTRIC START
38" MOWER DECK
5 SPEED TRANSAXLE
LAWN TRACTOR
• Assembly
. Operation
, Maintenance
° Service and Adjustment
o Repair Parts
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Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago, IL 60684 U.S.A.

Craftsman 917.254530 Specifications

General

Model Number	917.254530
Category	Lawn Mower
Engine	Briggs & Stratton
Engine Type	4-Cycle
Engine Power	6.75 HP
Engine Displacement	190cc
Cutting Width	21 inches
Cutting Height	1.25 - 3.75 inches
Cutting Height Positions	6
Speed Settings	Variable
Oil Capacity	20 oz
Drive Type	Rear Wheel Drive
Drive System	Self-propelled
Warranty	2 years

Summary

SAFETY RULES

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

Key duties for proper unit care and warranty.

LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON ELECTRIC START RIDING EQUIPMENT

Details of the comprehensive warranty coverage for the tractor.

FULL 90 DAY WARRANTY ON BATTERY

Specific warranty terms for the tractor's battery.

ACCESSORIES AND ATTACHMENTS

PERFORMANCE

Details on various tractor attachments and their uses.

CONTENTS OF HARDWARE PACK

Parts Bag contents shown full size

Visual list of hardware items included in the main parts bag.

Parts packed separately in carton

Components provided separately in the shipping carton.

Parts bag contents not shown full size

Additional hardware items not depicted at full scale.

ASSEMBLY

TOOLS REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY

List of necessary tools for assembling the tractor unit.

TO REMOVE UNIT FROM CARTON

Step-by-step instructions for safely removing the tractor from its shipping carton.

ATTACH STEERING WHEEL (See Fig. 1)

Detailed guide for installing the steering wheel onto the tractor.

BEFORE ROLLING UNIT OFF SKID (See Fig. 6)

Essential checks and preparation before moving the tractor off its skid.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR TRACTOR

General steps for setting up the tractor after initial unpacking.

PREPARE BATTERY (See Fig. 2)

Instructions for preparing and charging the tractor's battery.

INSTALL SEAT (See Fig. 3)

Guide for correctly installing and adjusting the tractor seat.

CHECK TIRE PRESSURE

Procedure for verifying and adjusting tire pressure for optimal performance.

CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM

Instructions for checking and ensuring the brake system is functioning correctly.

INSTALL BATTERY (See Figs. 4 & 5)

Detailed instructions for safely installing the tractor battery.

✓ CHECKLIST

A final checklist of pre-operation and assembly completion items.

OPERATION

KNOW YOUR TRACTOR

Overview of tractor controls and their functions for safe operation.

TO SET PARKING BRAKE (See Fig. 7)

Step-by-step instructions for engaging the parking brake.

STOPPING (See Fig. 7)

Procedures for stopping the mower blades, ground drive, and engine.

TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD (See Fig. 6)

Instructions on using the gearshift lever for tractor movement.

TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT (See Fig. 6)

How to adjust the mower deck height for desired grass cutting.

TO OPERATE MOWER (See Fig. 8)

Detailed steps for operating the mower attachment.

TO OPERATE ON HILLS

Safety guidelines and procedures for operating the tractor on slopes.

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE

Pre-start checks, including engine oil and gasoline.

ADD GASOLINE

Instructions and precautions for adding fuel to the tractor.

TO START ENGINE (See Fig. 7)

Step-by-step guide for starting the tractor's engine.

MOWING TIPS

Advice and best practices for effective and efficient mowing.

MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

A schedule outlining regular maintenance tasks based on usage hours.

LUBRICATION CHART

A chart detailing lubrication points and types of lubricants needed.

BLADE CARE

Recommendations for mower blade sharpening, replacement, and care.

BLADE REMOVAL (See Fig. 10)

Step-by-step instructions for removing the mower blade.

TO SHARPEN BLADE (See Fig. 11)

Method for sharpening and balancing mower blades.

BATTERY (See Fig. 12)

Maintenance and care instructions for the tractor's battery.

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

Procedure for cleaning the battery and its terminals to prevent corrosion.

V-BELTS

Inspection and replacement advice for V-belts.

ENGINE

Engine maintenance tasks including lubrication and filter service.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 13)

Detailed steps for changing the engine oil.

AIR FILTER (See Fig. 14)

Maintenance and replacement of the air filter for engine health.

AIR SCREEN (See Fig. 13)

Cleaning the engine air screen to prevent overheating.

ENGINE COOLING FINS (See Fig. 15)

Cleaning engine cooling fins to prevent overheating.

SPARK PLUGS

Replacement schedule and type for spark plugs.

IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 16)

Replacement procedure for the in-line fuel filter.

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS

TO REMOVE MOWER (See Fig. 17)

Steps for removing the mower deck from the tractor.

TO INSTALL MOWER (See Fig. 17)

Steps for installing the mower deck onto the tractor.

TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING

Procedure for leveling the mower deck for optimal cutting.

SIDE-TO-SIDE ADJUSTMENT (See Figs.18 and19)

How to adjust the mower deck for side-to-side levelness.

FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT (See Figs. 20 and 21)

Adjusting the mower deck for proper front-to-back tilt.

TO ADJUST MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT (See Fig. 22)

How to adjust the mower blade drive belt for optimal life.

TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT (See Figs. 22 and 23)

Step-by-step guide for replacing the mower blade drive belt.

TO ADJUST BRAKE (See Fig. 24)

Procedure for adjusting the tractor's brake system.

TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BATTERY (See Figs. 27 & 28)

Instructions for jump-starting the tractor with a weak battery.

TO REPLACE FUSE (See Fig. 29)

Procedure for replacing the tractor's fuse.

TO REMOVE HOOD, GRILL AND SIDE PANELS (See Fig's. 30 and 31)

Instructions for removing the tractor's hood, grill, and side panels.

STORAGE

TRACTOR

Preparation steps for storing the tractor for extended periods.

BATTERY

Instructions for preparing the battery for storage.

FUEL SYSTEM

Important considerations for the fuel system during storage.

TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS

Will not start

Common causes and corrections for an engine that fails to start.

Hard to start

Troubleshooting steps for an engine that is difficult to start.

Engine will not turn over

Diagnosing issues when the engine starter fails to engage.

Engine clicks but will not start

Troubleshooting for starter clicking without engine turnover.

Loss of power

Identifying and resolving causes of reduced engine power.

Excessive vibration

Troubleshooting common causes of excessive vibration.

Poor cut uneven

Causes and solutions for uneven grass cutting.

Mower blades will not rotate

Troubleshooting why the mower blades are not turning.

Poor grass discharge

Identifying issues leading to poor grass discharge.

Battery will not charge

Diagnosing and fixing problems with battery charging.

REPAIR PARTS

SCHEMATIC

A wiring schematic illustrating electrical system components.

ELECTRICAL

Diagram of the tractor's electrical system components.

CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES

Diagram of chassis and enclosure parts.

DRIVE

Diagram of the drive system components.

STEERING ASSEMBLY

Diagram of the tractor's steering assembly parts.

LIFT ADJUSTMENT

Diagram of the lift adjustment mechanism parts.

MOWER

Diagram of the mower deck components.

TRANSAXLE

Diagram of the transaxle components.

ENGINE BRIGGS & STRATTON - MODEL NUMBER 281707, TYPE NUMBER 0412-01

Diagram of the engine components.

SLOPE SHEET

SUGGESTED GUIDE FOR SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION

Visual guide for safe tractor operation on slopes.