Craftsman 917203831 User Manual

Operator's Manual
i iiii iiiii /
! RAFTSMANoI
| II IIII •
LAWN TRACTOR
19 HP,* 46" Mower
Electric Start
Automatic Transmission
Model No.
917.20383
• Espahol, p. 34
This product has a low emission engine which operates
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the
engine, read and understand this manual.
IMPORTANT:
Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Instructions before
operating this equipment.
For answers to your questions
about this product, call:
1-888-331-4569
Craftsman Customer Help Line
Sears Brands Management Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A.
Visit our Craftsman website: www.craftsman.com
* The power rating as declared bythe engine manufacturer isthe * La potencla nominal declarada pot elPabricaote del motores la
average gross power output at the speci_ed RPM of a typiCat salida media de potencia bruta a ]as RPM especificadas de un
produotion engine for the engine model measured using SAE motor de sede t(pico para el modalo de motor, medida seg_n
Standards for engine gross power, Please refer to the engine las narmas SAE sobre potencia breta de motor, Para n_
rmu_ufacturerfor dotalts, lnfomtad6n, ¢ortsulte al fabdcante deI motor,
588806526

Craftsman 917203831 Specifications

General

Engine	Briggs & Stratton
Engine Type	4-Cycle
Engine Displacement	190cc
Cutting Width	21 inches
Cutting Positions	6
Speed Settings	Variable
Oil Capacity	20 oz
Drive System	Rear Wheel Drive
Warranty	2 Year Limited
Cutting Height	1.25 - 3.75 in.

Summary

WARRANTY INFORMATION

CRAFTSMAN LIMITED WARRANTY COVERAGE

Covers non-expendable parts against defects in material or workmanship for two years.

SAFETY RULES - PART 1

CHILDREN SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Advises on safety precautions concerning children around the equipment.

GENERAL OPERATION SAFETY GUIDELINES

Provides instructions for safe operation of the tractor.

SAFETY RULES - PART 2

SLOPE OPERATION SAFETY GUIDELINES

Details safe operating procedures for slopes, including angle limits.

TOWING SAFETY GUIDELINES

Provides guidelines for safely towing attachments and equipment.

SAFETY RULES - PART 3

GASOLINE HANDLING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Outlines precautions for handling gasoline safely due to flammability.

GENERAL SERVICE SAFETY PRACTICES

ASSEMBLY AND PRE-OPERATION

CONNECTING THE BATTERY

Provides step-by-step instructions for connecting the tractor battery.

PRE-OPERATION CHECKS AND PROCEDURES

PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST

A pre-operation checklist to ensure the tractor is ready for use.

TIRE PRESSURE AND DECK LEVELNESS CHECKS

OPERATION SYMBOLS AND HAZARDS

OPERATION SYMBOL INTERPRETATION

SAFETY HAZARD DEFINITIONS

Defines DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, and HOT SURFACES symbols for safety.

KNOW YOUR TRACTOR

KNOW YOUR TRACTOR: CONTROL LAYOUT

Identifies and explains the function of each control on the tractor.

OPERATING THE TRACTOR - CONTROLS

USING THE PARKING BRAKE

MOVING FORWARD AND BACKWARD

Instructions on operating the motion control lever for movement.

USING THE THROTTLE CONTROL

MOWER AND REVERSE OPERATION

ADJUSTING MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT

Instructions for setting the desired cutting height of the mower.

OPERATING THE MOWER BLADES

REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS) EXPLANATION

Explanation of the Reverse Operation System and its safety precautions.

ADVANCED OPERATION AND TRANSPORT

USING THE REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM

OPERATING ON HILLS SAFETY GUIDELINES

Safety guidelines for operating the tractor on slopes.

TRANSPORTING THE TRACTOR

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL

FUELING AND STARTING PROCEDURES

ADDING GASOLINE PRECAUTIONS

STARTING THE ENGINE

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

WEATHER-SPECIFIC STARTING PROCEDURES

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

A schedule outlining required maintenance tasks and frequencies.

BEFORE EACH USE CHECKS

TRACTOR MAINTENANCE CHECKS

BRAKE AND TIRE MAINTENANCE CHECKS

SAFETY SYSTEMS CHECK (OPS & ROS)

Checking operator presence and reverse operation systems.

BLADE CARE AND BATTERY MAINTENANCE

COMPONENT MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

ENGINE LUBRICATION AND OIL CHANGE

Guidance on oil selection and procedure for changing engine oil.

SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS - MOWER

MOWER DECK REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Step-by-step guides for removing and installing the mower deck.

MOWER DECK LEVELING

SIDE-TO-SIDE MOWER DECK ADJUSTMENT

How to visually and precisely level the mower deck side-to-side.

FRONT-TO-BACK MOWER DECK ADJUSTMENT

How to adjust the mower deck for proper front-to-back leveling.

DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES

MOWER BLADE DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT

MOTION DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT

BATTERY STARTING AND REPLACEMENT

STARTING WITH A WEAK BATTERY (JUMP START)

BATTERY REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

STORAGE PROCEDURES

FUEL SYSTEM STORAGE PREPARATION

How to prepare the fuel system for storage to prevent gum deposits.

ENGINE OIL AND CYLINDER STORAGE PREPARATION

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE - STARTING ISSUES

TROUBLESHOOTING: ENGINE STARTING PROBLEMS

Common causes and corrections for engine starting issues.

TROUBLESHOOTING: ENGINE NOT TURNING OVER

Troubleshooting steps for when the engine does not crank.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE - PERFORMANCE ISSUES

TROUBLESHOOTING: LOSS OF POWER AND VIBRATION

Reasons for reduced engine power and excessive vibration.

TROUBLESHOOTING: SAFETY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION

TROUBLESHOOTING: POOR CUTTING PERFORMANCE

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE - OPERATIONAL ISSUES

TROUBLESHOOTING: MOWER BLADE AND DISCHARGE PROBLEMS

TROUBLESHOOTING: HEADLIGHT AND BATTERY CHARGING PROBLEMS

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE - DRIVE AND ENGINE ISSUES

TROUBLESHOOTING: LOSS OF DRIVE AND ENGINE BACKFIRE

TROUBLESHOOTING: ENGINE STALLING IN REVERSE

SLOPE OPERATION GUIDE

SIGHTING SLOPES FOR SAFE OPERATION GUIDE

Guide for measuring and understanding slope angles for safe operation.