CRAFTSMAN 917.27581 User Manual
Owner’s Manual  
LAWN TRACTOR  
18.5 HP, 42” Mower  
Electric Start  
6 Speed Transaxle  
Model No.  
917.27581  
02494  
This product has a low emission engine which operates  
differently from previously built engines. Before you start the  
engine, read and understand this Owner’s Manual.  
For answers to your questions about  
IMPORTANT:  
this product, Call:  
Read and follow all Safety  
Rules and Instructions before  
operating this equipment.  
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  
SAFETY RULES  
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.  
•
Never direct discharged material  
toward anyone. Avoid discharging  
material against a wall or obstruction.  
Material may ricochet back toward the  
operator. Stop the blades when cross-  
ing gravel surfaces.  
WARNING: In order to prevent ac-  
cidental starting when setting up, trans-  
porting, adjusting or making repairs,  
always disconnect spark plug wire and  
place wire where it cannot contact spark  
plug.  
•
Do not operate machine without the  
entire grass catcher, discharge guard,  
or other safety devices in place and  
working.  
WARNING: Do not coast down a hill in  
neutral, you may lose control of the tractor.  
WARNING: Tow only the attachments  
that are recommended by and comply with  
specifi cations 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.  
WARNING: Engine exhaust, some of  
its constituents, and certain vehicle com-  
ponents contain or emit chemicals known  
to the State of California to cause cancer  
and birth defects or other reproductive  
harm.  
•
•
Slow down before turning.  
Never leave a running machine  
unattended. Always turn off blades,  
set parking brake, stop engine, and  
remove keys before dismounting.  
Disengage blades when not mowing.  
Shut off engine and wait for all parts to  
come to a complete stop before clean-  
ing the machine, removing the grass  
catcher, or unclogging the discharge  
guard.  
•
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•
•
•
Operate machine only in daylight or  
good artificial light.  
Do not operate the machine while  
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  
Watch for traffic when operating near  
or crossing roadways.  
Use extra care when loading or un-  
loading the machine into a trailer or  
truck.  
Always wear eye protection when oper-  
ating machine.  
Data indicates that operators, age 60  
years and above, are involved in a  
large percentage of riding mower-re-  
lated injuries. These operators should  
evaluate their ability to operate the  
riding mower safely enough to protect  
themselves and others from serious  
injury.  
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals  
and related accessories contain lead and  
lead compounds, chemicals known to the  
State of California to cause cancer and  
birth defects or other reproductive harm.  
Wash hands after handling.  
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I. GENERAL OPERATION  
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Read, understand, and follow all  
instructions on the machine and in the  
manual before starting.  
Do not put hands or feet near rotating  
parts or under the machine. Keep clear  
of the discharge opening at all times.  
Only allow responsible adults, who are  
familiar with the instructions, to operate  
the machine.  
•
•
Follow the manufacturer’s recommen-  
dation for wheel weights or counter-  
weights.  
Clear the area of objects such as  
rocks, toys, wire, etc., which could be  
picked up and thrown by the blades.  
Be sure the area is clear of bystand-  
ers before operating. Stop machine if  
anyone enters the area.  
Keep machine free of grass , leaves or  
other debris build-up which can touch  
hot exhaust / engine parts and burn.  
Do not allow the mower deck to plow  
leaves or other debris which can cause  
build-up to occur. Clean any oil or fuel  
spillage before operating or storing the  
machine. Allow machine to cool before  
storage.  
•
•
Never carry passengers.  
Do not mow in reverse unless abso-  
lutely necessary. Always look down  
and behind before and while backing.  
3
SAFETY RULES  
•
Never carry children, even with the  
II. SLOPE OPERATION  
blades shut off. They may fall off and  
be seriously injured or interfere with  
safe machine operation. Children who  
have been given rides in the past may  
suddenly appear in the mowing area  
for another ride and be run over or  
backed over by the machine.  
Slopes are a major factor related to loss of  
control and tip-over accidents, which can  
result in severe injury or death. Opera-  
tion on all slopes requires extra caution. If  
you cannot back up the slope or if you feel  
uneasy on it, do not mow it.  
•
•
Mow up and down slopes, not across.  
Watch for holes, ruts, bumps, rocks, or  
other hidden objects. Uneven terrain  
could overturn the machine. Tall grass  
can hide obstacles.  
•
•
Never allow children to operate the  
machine.  
Use extra care when approaching blind  
corners, shrubs, trees, or other objects  
that may block your view of a child.  
•
•
Choose a low ground speed so that  
you will not have to stop or shift while  
on the slope.  
Do not mow on wet grass. Tires may  
lose traction.  
IV.TOWING  
•
Tow only with a machine that has a  
hitch designed for towing. Do not at-  
tach towed equipment except at the  
hitch point.  
Always keep the machine in gear when  
going down slopes. Do not shift to  
neutral and coast downhill.  
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on  
a slope. If the tires lose traction, dis-  
engage the blades and proceed slowly  
straight down the slope.  
Keep all movement on the slopes slow  
and gradual. Do not make sudden  
changes in speed or direction, which  
could cause the machine to roll over.  
Use extra care while operating ma-  
chine with grass catchers or other at-  
tachments; they can affect the stability  
of the machine. Do no use on steep  
slopes.  
•
Follow the manufacturer’s recom-  
mendation for weight limits for towed  
equipment and towing on slopes.  
Never allow children or others in or on  
towed equipment.  
On slopes, the weight of the towed  
equipment may cause loss of traction  
and loss of control.  
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Travel slowly and allow extra distance  
to stop.  
V. SERVICE  
SAFE HANDLING OF GASOLINE  
To avoid personal injury or property  
damage, use extreme care in handling  
gasoline. Gasoline is extremely flammable  
and the vapors are explosive.  
•
•
Do not try to stabilize the machine by  
putting your foot on the ground.  
Do not mow near drop-offs, ditches,  
or embankments. The machine could  
suddenly roll over if a wheel is over the  
edge or if the edge caves in.  
•
Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes,  
and other sources of ignition.  
Use only approved gasoline container.  
Never remove gas cap or add fuel with  
the engine running. Allow engine to  
cool before refueling.  
Never fuel the machine indoors.  
Never store the machine or fuel con-  
tainer where there is an open flame,  
spark, or pilot light such as on a water  
heater or other appliances.  
Never fill containers inside a vehicle  
or on a truck or trailer bed with plastic  
liner. Always place containers on the  
ground away from your vehicle when  
filling.  
•
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III. CHILDREN  
Tragic accidents can occur if the operator  
is not alert to the presence of children.  
Children are often attracted to the machine  
and the mowing activity. Never assume  
that children will remain where you last  
saw them.  
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Keep children out of the mowing area  
and in the watchful care of a respon-  
sible adult other than the operator.  
Be alert and turn machine off if a child  
enters the area.  
Before and while backing, look behind  
and down for small children.  
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4
SAFETY RULES  
•
•
Remove gas-powered equipment from  
•
Keep machine free of grass, leaves, or  
other debris build-up. Clean oil or fuel  
spillage and remove any fuel-soaked  
debris. Allow machine to cool before  
storing.  
If you strike a foreign object, stop and  
inspect the machine. Repair, if neces-  
sary, before restarting.  
the truck or trailer and refuel it on the  
ground. If this is not possible, then  
refuel such equipment with a portable  
container, rather than from a gasoline  
dispenser nozzle.  
•
Keep the nozzle in contact with the rim  
of the fuel tank or container opening at  
all times until fueling is complete. Do  
not use a nozzle lock-open device.  
If fuel is spilled on clothing, change  
clothing immediately.  
•
•
Never make any adjustments or repairs  
with the engine running.  
•
•
Check grass catcher components and  
the discharge guard frequently and  
replace with manufacturer’s recom-  
mended parts, when necessary.  
Mower blades are sharp. Wrap the  
blade or wear gloves, and use extra  
caution when servicing them.  
Check brake operation frequently. Ad-  
just and service as required.  
Maintain or replace safety and instruc-  
tion labels, as necessary.  
Never overfill fuel tank. Replace gas  
cap and tighten securely.  
•
GENERAL SERVICE  
•
•
Never operate machine in a closed are.  
Keep all nuts and bolts tight to be sure  
the equipment is in safe working condi-  
tion.  
Never tamper with safety devices.  
Check their proper operation regularly.  
•
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Before and while backing, look behind  
and down for small children.  
Mow up and down slopes (15° Max),  
not across.  
Choose a low ground speed so that  
you will not have to stop or shift while  
on the slope.  
Avoid starting, stopping, or turning on  
a slope. If the tires lose traction, dis-  
engage the blades and proceed slowly  
straight down the slope.  
If machine stops while going uphill,  
disengage blades, shift into reverse  
and back down slowly.  
Do not turn on slopes unless neces-  
sary, and then, turn slowly and gradu-  
ally downhill, if possible.  
•
Be sure the area is clear of bystand-  
ers before operating. Stop machine if  
anyone enters the area.  
•
•
Never carry passengers.  
Do not mow in reverse unless abso-  
lutely necessary. Always look down  
and behind before and while backing.  
Never carry children, even with the  
blades shut off. They may fall off and  
be seriously injured or interfere with  
safe machine operation. Children who  
have been given rides in the past may  
suddenly appear in the mowing area  
for another ride and be run over or  
backed over by the machine.  
Keep children out of the mowing area  
and in the watchful care of a respon-  
sible adult other than the operator.  
Be alert and turn machine off if a child  
enters the area.  
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5
laws (if any). If a spark arrester is used, it  
should be maintained in effective working  
order by the operator.  
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS  
Gasoline  
Capacity and  
Type:  
3.5  
Unleaded  
Regular  
In the state of California the above is re-  
quired by law (Section 4442 of the Califor-  
nia Public Resources Code). Other states  
may have similar laws. Federal laws apply  
on federal lands. A spark arrester for the  
muffler is available through your nearest  
Sears service center (See REPAIR PARTS  
section of this manual).  
Oil Type  
(API-SG-SL):  
SAE 30 (above 32°F)  
SAE 5W-30(below 32°F)  
Oil Capacity:  
W/Filter:  
3.5 Pints  
W/O Filter: 3.0 Pints  
Spark Plug:  
(Gap: .030")  
Champion RC12YC  
REPAIR PROTECTION  
AGREEMENTS  
Ground Speed  
(MPH):  
Forward:  
1st  
2nd  
3rd  
4th  
5th  
6th  
1.2  
1.5  
2.4  
3.5  
4.8  
5.3  
Congratulations on making a smart pur-  
chase.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 yourself from unexpected  
hassle and expense.  
Reverse: 1.5  
Tire Pressure:  
Front:  
Rear:  
14 PSI  
10 PSI  
Charging System:3 Amps Battery  
5 Amps Headlights  
Here’s what’s included in the Agreement:  
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Expert service by our 12,000 profe-  
sional repair specialists.  
Unlimited service and no charge for  
parts and labor on all covered repairs.  
Product replacement if your covered  
product can’t be fixed.  
Discount of 10% from regular price of  
service and service-related parts not  
covered by the agreement; also, 10%  
off regular price of preventive mainte-  
nance check.  
Fast help by phone – phone support  
from a Sears technician on products  
requiring in-home repair, plus conve-  
nient repair scheduling.  
Battery:  
Amp/Hr:  
Min. CCA: 230  
Case Size: U1R  
28  
Blade Bolt Torque: 27-35 Ft. Lbs.  
CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase  
of a new tractor. It has been designed,  
engineered and manufactured to give  
you the best possible dependability and  
performance.  
Should you experience any problem you  
cannot easily remedy, please contact a  
Sears or other qualified service center.  
We have competent, well-trained techni-  
cians and the proper tools to service or  
repair this tractor.  
•
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 ap-  
pointment online.  
Please read and retain this manual. The  
instructions will enable you to assemble  
and maintain your tractor properly. Always  
observe the “SAFETY RULES”.  
Sears has over 12,000 professional repair  
specialists, who have access to over 4.5  
million quality parts and accessories.  
That’s the kind of professionalism you can  
count on to help prolong the life of your  
new purchase for years to come. Purchase  
your Repair Protection Agreement today!  
Some limitations and exclusions apply.  
For prices and additional information  
call 1-800-827-6655.  
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES  
• Read and observe the safety rules.  
• Follow a regular schedule in main-  
taining, caring for and using your tractor.  
• Follow the instructions under “Mainte-  
nance” and “Storage” sections of this  
owner’s manual.  
WARNING: This tractor is equipped  
with an internal combustion engine and  
should not be used on or near any unim-  
proved forest-covered, brush-covered or  
grass-covered land unless the engine’s  
exhaust system is equipped with a spark  
arrester meeting applicable local or state  
SEARS INSTALLATION SERVICE  
For Sears professional installation of home  
appliances, garage door openers, water  
heaters, and other major home items, in  
the U.S.A. call 1-800-4-MY-HOME®  
6
UNASSEMBLED PARTS  
Steering Wheel  
Steering  
Wheel Insert  
(1) Large Flat Washer  
Steering  
Wheel Adapter  
Steering  
Extension  
Shaft  
Steering  
Boot  
(1) 5/16 Lock Washer  
(1) Hex Bolt  
5/16-18 x 4  
Seat  
(1) Washer  
17/32 x 1-3/16 x 12  
Gauge  
(1) Knob  
(1) Oil Drain Tube  
For Future Use  
Keys  
Slope Sheet  
7
ASSEMBLY/PRE-OPERATION  
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.  
TOOLS REQUIRED FOR  
Insert  
ASSEMBLY  
5/16 Hex Bolt  
5/16 Lock Washer  
A socket wrench set will make assembly  
easier. Standard wrench sizes you need  
are listed below.  
(1) 3/4" wrench  
(1) 1/2" wrench  
Large Flat  
Washer  
(1) Pliers  
(1) Utility knife  
(1) Tire pressure gauge  
Steering  
Wheel  
Steering  
Boot  
When right or left hand is mentioned in  
this manual, it means when you are in  
the operating position (seated behind the  
steering wheel).  
Tabs  
Adapter  
TO REMOVE TRACTOR FROM  
CARTON  
UNPACK CARTON  
Extension  
Shaft  
1. Remove all accessible loose parts and  
parts boxes from carton.  
Lower  
Steering  
Shaft  
2. Cut along dotted lines on all four pan-  
els of carton. Remove end panels and  
lay side panels flat.  
3. Check for any additional loose parts or  
cartons and remove.  
Tab  
Slots  
BEFORE REMOVING TRACTOR  
FROM SKID  
ATTACH STEERING WHEEL  
IMPORTANT: Check for and remove any  
staples in skid that may puncture tires  
where tractor is to roll off skid.  
ASSEMBLE EXTENSION SHAFT AND  
BOOT  
1. 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 SEAT  
Adjust seat before tightening adjustment  
knob.  
INSTALL STEERING WHEEL  
1. Remove adjustment knob and flat  
washer securing seat to cardboard  
packing and set aside for assembly of  
seat to tractor.  
2. Pivot seat upward and remove from  
the cardboard packing. Remove the  
cardboard packing and discard.  
3. Place seat on seat pan so head of  
shoulder bolt is positioned over large  
slotted hole in pan.  
4. Push down on seat to engage shoulder  
bolt in slot and pull seat towards rear of  
tractor.  
5. Pivot seat and pan forward and as-  
semble adjustment knob and flat  
washer loosely. Do not tighten.  
3. Position front wheels of the tractor so  
they are pointing straight forward.  
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.  
6. Assemble large flat washer, 5/16 lock  
washer, 5/16 hex bolt and tighten  
securely.  
7. Snap steering wheel insert into center  
of steering wheel.  
8. Remove protective materials from trac-  
tor hood and grill.  
8
6. Lower seat into operating position and  
sit in seat.  
7. Slide seat until a comfortable position  
is reached which allows you to press  
clutch/brake pedal all the way down.  
8. Get off seat without moving its ad-  
justed position.  
NOTE: You may now roll or drive your  
tractor off the skid. Follow the appropriate  
instruction below to remove the tractor  
from the skid.  
TO ROLL TRACTOR OFF SKID (See  
Operation section for location and  
function of controls)  
1. Press lift lever plunger and raise  
attachment lift lever to its highest po-  
sition.  
9. Raise seat and tighten adjustment  
knob securely.  
Seat  
2. Release parking brake by depressing  
clutch/brake pedal.  
3. Place gearshift lever in neutral (N)  
position.  
Seat Pan  
4. Roll tractor forward off skid.  
5. Remove banding holding deflector  
shield up against tractor.  
Shoulder  
Bolt  
TO DRIVE TRACTOR OFF SKID (See  
Operation section for location and  
function of controls)  
WARNING: Before starting, read, un-  
derstand and follow all instructions in the  
Operation section of this manual. Be sure  
tractor is in a well-ventilated area. Be sure  
the area in front of tractor is clear of other  
people and objects.  
Flat Washer  
02464  
Adjustment Knob  
1. Be sure all the above assembly steps  
have been completed.  
2. Check engine oil level and fill fuel tank  
with gasoline.  
3. Sit on seat in operating position,  
depress clutch/brake pedal and set the  
parking brake.  
4. Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)  
position.  
5. Press lift lever plunger and raise  
attachment lift lever to its highest posi-  
tion.  
CHECK BATTERY  
1. Lift hood to raised position.  
NOTE: If this battery is put into service  
after month and year indicated on label  
(label located between terminals) charge  
battery for minimum of one hour at 6-10  
amps. (See "BATTERY" in Maintenance  
section of this manual for charging instruc-  
tions).  
6. Start the engine. After engine has  
started, move throttle control to idle  
position.  
Label  
7. Depress clutch/brake pedal into full  
"BRAKE" position and hold. Move gear-  
shift lever to 1st gear.  
8. Slowly release clutch/brake pedal and  
slowly drive tractor off skid.  
02173  
9. Apply brake to stop tractor, set park-  
ing brake and place gearshift lever in  
neutral position.  
10.Turn ignition key to "STOP" position.  
Continue with the instructions that follow.  
9
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE  
✓CHECKLIST  
The tires on your tractor were overin-  
flated at the factory for shipping purposes.  
Correct tire pressure is important for best  
cutting performance.  
Before you operate and enjoy your new  
tractor, we wish to assure that you receive  
the best performance and satisfaction  
from this Quality Product.  
• Reduce tire pressure to PSI shown in  
“PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section  
of this manual.  
Please review the following checklist:  
✓ All assembly instructions have been  
completed.  
✓ No remaining loose parts in carton.  
✓ Battery is properly prepared and  
charged. (Minimum 1 hour at 6 amps).  
✓ Seat is adjusted comfortably and tight-  
ened securely.  
✓ All tires are properly inflated. (For ship-  
ping purposes, the tires were overin-  
flated at the factory).  
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS  
For best cutting results, mower hous-  
ing should be properly leveled. See “TO  
LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the Service  
and Adjustments section of this manual.  
CHECK FOR PROPER POSITION  
OF ALL BELTS  
See the figures that are shown for replac-  
ing motion and mower blade drive belts  
in the Service and Adjustments section  
of this manual. Verify that the belts are  
routed correctly.  
✓ Be sure mower deck is properly leveled  
side-to-side/front-to-rear for best cutting  
results. (Tires must be properly inflated  
for leveling).  
✓ Check mower and drive belts. Be sure  
they are routed properly around pulleys  
and inside all belt keepers.  
✓ Check wiring. See that all connections  
are still secure and wires are properly  
clamped.  
While learning how to use your tractor, pay  
extra attention to the following important  
items:  
CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM  
After you learn how to operate your trac-  
tor, check to see that the brake is properly  
adjusted. See “TO ADJUST BRAKE” in  
the Service and Adjustments section of  
this manual.  
✓ Engine oil is at proper level.  
✓ Fuel tank is filled with fresh, clean, regu-  
lar unleaded gasoline.  
✓ Become familiar with all controls - their  
location and function. Operate them  
before you start the engine.  
✓ Be sure brake system is in safe oper-  
ating condition.  
✓ Be sure Operator Presence System  
and Reverse Operation System (ROS)  
are working properly (See the Opera-  
tion and Maintenance sections in this  
manual).  
10  
OPERATION  
These symbols may appear on your tractor or in literature supplied with the product.  
Learn and understand their meaning.  
FAST  
SLOW  
REVERSE  
HIGH  
LOW  
NEUTRAL  
CHOKE  
IGNITION SWITCH  
P
ENGINE START  
ENGINE ON  
PARKING BRAKE  
REVERSE  
OPERATION  
SYSTEM (ROS)  
PARKING BRAKE PARKING BRAKE  
ENGINE OFF  
LOCKED  
UNLOCKED  
OIL PRESSURE  
BATTERY  
REVERSE  
FUEL  
FORWARD  
OVER TEMP  
LIGHT  
MOWER HEIGHT  
MOWER LIFT  
15  
15  
ATTACHMENT  
CLUTCH ENGAGED  
ATTACHMENT  
CLUTCH DISENGAGED  
SLOPE HAZARDS  
KEEP AREA CLEAR  
(SEE SAFETY RULES SECTION)  
DANGER, KEEP HANDS  
AND FEET AWAY  
DANGER indicates a hazard which, if not avoided,  
will result in death or serious injury.  
LIGHTS ON  
WARNING indicates a hazard which, if not avoided,  
could result in death or serious injury.  
FREE WHEEL  
(Automatic Models only)  
CAUTION indicates a hazard which, if not avoided,  
might result in minor or moderate injury.  
CAUTION when used without the alert symbol,  
indicates a situation that could result in damage  
to the tractor and/or engine.  
Failure to follow instructions  
could result in serious injury or  
death. The safety alert symbol  
is used to identify safety inform-  
ation about hazards which can  
result in death, serious injury  
and/or property damage.  
HOT SURFACES indicates a hazard which,  
if not avoided, could result in death, serious injury  
and/or property damage.  
FIRE indicates a hazard which, if not avoided,  
could result in death, serious injury and/or  
property damage.  
11  
KNOWYOUR TRACTOR  
READ THIS OWNER'S MANUAL AND SAFETY RULES BEFORE OPERATINGYOUR  
TRACTOR  
Compare the illustrations with your tractor to familiarize yourself with the locations of  
various controls and adjustments. Save this manual for future reference.  
ROS "ON"  
Position  
Attachment  
Clutch Lever  
Ignition Switch  
Ammeter  
Light Switch  
Lift Lever  
Plunger  
Attachment  
Lift Lever  
Throttle/Choke  
Control  
Height  
Adjustment  
Indicator  
Clutch/Brake  
Pedal  
Parking Brake Lever  
Gearshift Lever  
02817_lsw  
Our tractors conform to the safety standards of the  
American National Standards Institute.  
AMMETER - Indicates charging (+) or  
discharging (-) of battery.  
ATTACHMENT CLUTCH LEVER - Used  
to engage the mower blades, or other at-  
tachments mounted to your tractor.  
ATTACHMENT LIFT LEVER - Used to  
LIFT LEVER PLUNGER - Used to release  
attachment lift lever when changing its  
position.  
LIGHT SWITCH - Turns the headlights on  
and off.  
PARKING BRAKE LEVER - Locks clutch/  
raise, lower, and adjust the mower deck or brake pedal into the brake position.  
other attachments mounted to your tractor. REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS)  
CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL - Used for  
declutching and braking the tractor and  
starting the engine.  
GEARSHIFT LEVER - Selects the speed  
and direction of tractor.  
"ON" POSITION - Allows operation of  
mower deck or other powered attachment  
while in reverse.  
THROTTLE/CHOKE CONTROL - Used  
for starting and controlling engine speed.  
IGNITION SWITCH - Used for starting  
and stopping the engine.  
12  
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 or eye shields while operating your tractor or performing any  
adjustments or repairs. We recommend a wide vision safety mask over  
spectacles or standard safety glasses.  
00155  
IMPORTANT: Leaving the ignition switch  
in any position other than "STOP" will  
cause the battery to discharge and go  
dead.  
NOTE: Under certain conditions when  
tractor is standing idle with the engine  
running, hot engine exhaust gases may  
cause “browning” of grass. To eliminate  
this possibility, always stop engine when  
stopping tractor on grass areas.  
HOW TO USEYOUR TRACTOR  
TO SET PARKING BRAKE  
Your tractor is equipped with an operator  
presence sensing switch. When engine  
is running, any attempt by the operator  
to leave the seat without first setting the  
parking brake will shut off the engine.  
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way  
down and hold.  
2. Pull parking brake lever up and release  
pressure from clutch/brake pedal.  
Pedal should remain in brake position.  
Make sure parking brake will hold trac-  
tor secure.  
CAUTION: Always stop tractor com-  
pletely, as described above, before leaving  
the operator's position.  
TO USE THROTTLE CONTROL  
Attachment Clutch Lever  
Always operate engine at full throttle.  
• Operating engine at less than full  
throttle reduces the battery charging  
rate.  
• Full throttle offers the best bagging and  
mower performance.  
Throttle/  
Choke  
Control  
“Engaged” Position  
Ignition Key  
“Disengaged”  
Position  
Parking Brake  
“Engaged”  
Position  
TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD  
01844  
“Brake”  
Position  
The direction and speed of movement is  
controlled by the gearshift lever.  
1. Start tractor with clutch/brake pedal de-  
pressed and gearshift lever in neutral  
(N) position.  
2. Move gearshift lever to desired po-  
sition.  
3. Slowly release clutch/brake pedal to  
start movement.  
IMPORTANT: Bring tractor to a complete  
stop before shifting or changing gears.  
Failure to do so will shorten the useful life  
of your transaxle.  
Gearshift  
Lever  
“Disengaged”  
Position  
Clutch/  
Brake  
Pedal  
STOPPING  
MOWER BLADES -  
• To stop mower blades, move attachment  
clutch lever to “DISENGAGED” position.  
GROUND DRIVE -  
TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING HEIGHT  
• To stop ground drive, depress clutch/  
brake pedal all the way down.  
• Move gearshift lever to neutral (N)  
position.  
The position of the attachment lift lever  
determines the cutting height.  
• Grasp lift lever.  
• Press plunger with thumb and move  
lever to desired position.  
ENGINE -  
• Move throttle control between half and  
full speed (fast) position.  
NOTE: Failure to move throttle control  
between half and full speed (fast) posi-  
tion, before stopping, may cause engine to  
“backfire”.  
The cutting height range is approxi-  
mately 1-1/2 to 4". The heights are mea-  
sured from the ground to the blade tip with  
the engine not running. These heights  
are approximate and may vary depending  
upon soil conditions, height of grass and  
types of grass being mowed.  
• The average lawn should be cut to approxi-  
mately 2-1/2 inches during the cool season  
and to over 3 inches during hot months.  
For healthier and better looking lawns, mow  
often and after moderate growth.  
• Turn ignition key to “STOP” position and  
remove key. Always remove key when  
leaving tractor to prevent unauthorized  
use.  
• Never use choke to stop engine.  
13  
• For best cutting performance, grass over  
6 inches in height should be mowed  
twice. Make the first cut relatively high;  
the second to desired height.  
Attachment Lift  
Lever High Position  
Attachment  
Clutch Lever  
“Engaged”  
Position  
Low  
Position  
TO ADJUST GAUGE WHEELS  
Gauge wheels are properly adjusted  
when they are slightly off the ground when  
mower is at the desired cutting height in  
operating position. Gauge wheels then  
keep the deck in proper position to help  
prevent scalping in most terrain conditions.  
NOTE: Adjust gauge wheels with tractor  
on a flat level surface.  
“Disengaged”  
Position  
Deflector  
Shield  
1. Adjust mower to desired cutting height  
(See “TO ADJUST MOWER CUTTING  
HEIGHT” in this section of manual).  
2. With mower in desired height of cut  
position, gauge wheels should be  
assembled so they are slightly off the  
ground. Install gauge wheel in ap-  
propriate hole with shoulder bolt, 3/8  
washer, and 3/8-16 locknut and tighten  
securely.  
OPERATING IN REVERSE  
Your tractor is equipped with a Reverse  
Operation System (ROS). Any attempt by  
the operator to travel in the reverse direc-  
tion with the attachment clutch engaged  
will shut off the engine unless the ignition  
key is placed in the ROS "ON" position.  
WARNING: Backing up with the at-  
tachment clutch engaged while mowing  
is strongly discouraged. Turning the ROS  
"ON", to allow reverse operation with the  
attachment clutch engaged, should only  
be done when the operator decides it is  
necessary to reposition the machine with  
the attachment engaged. Do not mow in  
reverse unless absolutely necessary.  
3. Repeat for opposite side, installing  
gauge wheel in same adjustment hole.  
Gauge  
Wheel  
Mounting  
Bracket  
USING THE REVERSE OPERATION  
SYSTEM -  
3/8-16  
Locknut  
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way  
down and hold.  
2. With engine running, turn ignition key  
counterclockwise to ROS "ON" posi-  
tion.  
3/8 Washer  
Shoulder  
Bolt  
Gauge Wheel  
TO OPERATE MOWER  
Your tractor is equipped with an operator  
presence sensing switch. Any attempt  
by the operator to leave the seat with the  
engine running and the attachment clutch  
engaged will shut off the engine.You must  
remain fully and centrally positioned in the  
seat to prevent the engine from hesitating  
or cutting off when operating your equip-  
ment on rough, rolling terrain or hills.  
1. Select desired height of cut.  
2. Start mower blades by engaging at-  
tachment clutch control.  
TO STOP MOWER BLADES -  
disengage attachment clutch control.  
3. Look down and behind before backing  
up.  
4. Move gear shift lever to reverse (R) po-  
sition and slowly release clutch/brake  
pedal to start movement.  
5. When use of the ROS is no longer  
needed, turn the ignition key clockwise  
to engine "ON" position.  
ROS "ON" Position  
Engine "ON" Position  
(Normal Operating)  
CAUTION: Do not operate the mower  
without either the entire grass catcher,  
on mowers so equipped, or the deflector  
shield in place.  
14  
TO OPERATE ON HILLS  
• For cold weather operation you should  
change oil for easier starting (See the  
oil viscosity chart in the Maintenance  
section of this manual).  
• To change engine oil, see the Mainte-  
nance section in this manual.  
WARNING: Do not drive up or down  
hills with slopes greater than 15° and do  
not drive across any slope. Use the slope  
guide at the back of this manual.  
• Choose the slowest speed before start-  
ing up or down hills.  
ADD GASOLINE  
• Fill fuel tank to bottom of filler neck. Do  
not overfill. Use fresh, clean, regular  
unleaded gasoline with a minimum of  
87 octane. (Use of leaded gasoline will  
increase carbon and lead oxide deposits  
and reduce valve life). Do not mix oil  
with gasoline. Purchase fuel in quan-  
tities that can be used within 30 days to  
assure fuel freshness.  
CAUTION: Wipe off any spilled oil or  
fuel. Do not store, spill or use gasoline  
near an open flame.  
IMPORTANT: When operating in temper-  
atures below32°F(0°C), use fresh, clean  
winter grade gasoline to help insure good  
cold weather starting.  
• Avoid stopping or changing speed on  
hills.  
• If slowing is necessary, move throttle  
control lever to slower position.  
• If stopping is absolutely necessary, push  
clutch/brake pedal quickly to brake posi-  
tion and engage parking brake.  
• Move gearshift lever to 1st gear. Be  
sure you have allowed room for tractor  
to roll slightly as you restart movement.  
• To restart movement, slowly release  
parking brake and clutch/brake pedal.  
• Make all turns slowly.  
TO TRANSPORT  
• Raise attachment lift to highest position  
with attachment lift control.  
CAUTION: Alcohol blended fuels (called  
gasohol or using ethanol or methanol) can  
attract moisture which leads to separa-  
tion and formation of acids during storage.  
Acidic gas can damage the fuel system  
of an engine while in storage. To avoid  
engine problems, the fuel system should  
be emptied before storage of 30 days  
or longer. Drain the gas tank, start the  
engine and let it run until the fuel lines  
and carburetor are empty. Use fresh fuel  
next season. See Storage Instructions for  
additional information. Never use engine  
or carburetor cleaner products in the fuel  
tank or permanent damage may occur.  
• When pushing or towing your tractor,  
be sure gearshift lever is in neutral (N)  
position.  
• Do not push or tow tractor at more than  
five (5) MPH.  
NOTE: To protect hood from damage  
when transporting your tractor on a truck  
or a trailer, be sure hood is closed and  
secured to tractor. Use an appropriate  
means of tying hood to tractor (rope, cord,  
etc.).  
TOWING CARTS AND OTHER ATTACH-  
MENTS  
Tow only the attachments that are recom-  
mended by and comply with specifications  
of the manufacturer of your tractor. Use  
common sense when towing. 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.  
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE  
CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL  
The engine in your tractor has been  
shipped, from the factory, already filled  
with summer weight oil.  
TO START ENGINE  
When starting the engine for the first time  
or if the engine has run out of fuel, it will  
take extra cranking time to move fuel from  
the tank to the engine.  
1. Sit on seat in operating position,  
depress clutch/brake pedal and set  
parking brake.  
2. Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)  
position.  
3. Move attachment clutch to disengaged  
position.  
4. Move throttle control to choke position.  
NOTE: Before starting, read the warm  
and cold starting procedures below.  
1. Check engine oil with tractor on level  
ground.  
2. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick and wipe  
clean, reinsert the dipstick and screw  
cap tight, wait for a few seconds, re-  
move and read oil level. If necessary,  
add oil until “FULL” mark on dipstick is  
reached. Do not overfill.  
15  
5. Insert key into ignition and turn key  
clockwise to start position and release  
key as soon as engine starts. Do  
not run starter continuously for more  
than fifteen seconds per minute. If the  
engine does not start after several  
attempts, move throttle control to fast  
position, wait a few minutes and try  
again. If engine still does not start,  
move the throttle control back to the  
choke position and retry.  
MOWING TIPS  
• Mower should be properly leveled for  
best mowing performance. See “TO  
LEVEL MOWER HOUSING” in the  
Service and Adjustments section of this  
manual.  
• The left hand side of mower should be  
used for trimming.  
• Drive so that clippings are discharged  
onto the area that has already been  
cut. Have the cut area to the right of  
the tractor. This will result in a more  
even distribution of clippings and more  
uniform cutting.  
• When mowing large areas, start by  
turning to the right so that clippings will  
discharge away from shrubs, fences,  
driveways, etc. After one or two rounds,  
mow in the opposite direction making  
left hand turns until finished.  
WARM WEATHER STARTING (50° F and  
above)  
6. When engine starts, move the throttle  
control to the fast position.  
• The attachments and ground drive can  
now be used. If the engine does not  
accept the load, restart the engine and  
allow it to warm up for one minute using  
the choke as described above.  
COLD WEATHER STARTING ( 50° F and  
below)  
6. When engine starts, leave throttle  
control in choke position until engine  
warms up and begins to run roughly.  
Once rough running begins, imme-  
diately move the throttle control to the  
fast position. Engine warm-up may  
take from several seconds to several  
minutes (the colder the temperature,  
the longer the warm-up).  
• If grass is extremely tall, it should be  
mowed twice to reduce load and pos-  
sible fire hazard from dried clippings.  
Make first cut relatively high; the second  
to the desired height.  
• The attachments can also be used dur-  
ing the engine warm-up period.  
• Do not mow grass when it is wet.  
Wet grass will plug mower and leave  
undesirable clumps. Allow grass to dry  
before mowing.  
• Always operate engine at full throttle  
when mowing to assure better mowing  
performance and proper discharge of  
material. Regulate ground speed by  
selecting a low enough gear to give the  
mower cutting performance as well as  
the quality of cut desired.  
NOTE: If at a high altitude (above 3000  
feet) or in cold temperatures (below 32 F)  
the carburetor fuel mixture may need to  
be adjusted for best engine performance  
(see “TO ADJUST CARBURETOR” in the  
Service and Adjustments section of this  
manual).  
• When operating attachments, select a  
ground speed that will suit the terrain  
and give best performance of the at-  
tachment being used.  
16  
MAINTENANCE  
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE  
USE  
HOURS  
HOURS  
FILL IN DATES  
HOURSHOURS  
50 100  
STORAGE  
EACH  
8
25  
SEASON  
AS YOU COMPLETE  
REGULAR SERVICE  
BEFORE SERVICE DATES  
EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY EVERY  
BEFORE  
Check Brake Operation  
Check Tire Pressure  
Check Operator Presence and  
ROS Systems  
T
Check for Loose Fasteners  
R
5
A
Sharpen/Replace Mower Blades  
3
C
Lubrication Chart  
T
Check Battery Level  
4
0
Clean Battery and Terminals  
R
Check Transaxle Cooling  
Check V-Belts  
Check Engine Oil Level  
Change Engine Oil (with oil filter)  
1,2  
Change Engine Oil (without oil filter)  
1,2  
E
Clean Air Filter  
N
2
2
G
Clean Air Screen  
I
Inspect Muffler/Spark Arrester  
N
Replace Oil Filter (If equipped)  
1,  
2
2
E
Clean Engine Cooling Fins  
Replace Spark Plug  
Replace Air Filter Paper Cartridge  
Replace Fuel Filter  
2
3 - Replace blades more often when mowing in sandy soil.  
4 - Not required if equipped with maintenance-free battery.  
5 - Tighten front axle pivot bolt to 35 ft.-lbs. maximum.  
Do not overtighten.  
1 - Change more often when operating under a heavy load or  
in high ambient temperatures.  
2 - Service more often when operating in dirty or dusty conditions.  
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS  
LUBRICATION CHART  
The warranty on this tractor does not  
cover items that have been subjected to  
operator abuse or negligence. To receive  
full value from the warranty, operator  
must maintain tractor as instructed in this  
manual.  
➁ Spindle  
➁ Spindle  
Zerk  
Zerk  
➁Front Wheel  
Bearing  
➁Front Wheel  
Bearing Zerk  
Some adjustments will need to be made  
periodically to properly maintain your  
tractor.  
Zerk  
At least once a season, check to see if  
you should make any of the adjustments  
described in the Service and Adjustments  
section of this manual.  
• At least once a year you should replace  
the spark plug, clean or replace air filter,  
and check blades and belts for wear.  
A new spark plug and clean air filter  
assure proper air-fuel mixture and help  
your engine run better and last longer.  
➂Engine  
➀Gearshift  
Pivots  
01961  
➀SAE 30 or 10w30 Motor Oil  
➁General Purpose Grease  
➂Refer to Maintenance “ENGINE” Section  
IMPORTANT: Do not oil or grease the  
pivot points which have special nylon  
bearings. Viscous lubricants will attract  
dust and dirt that will shorten the life of the  
self-lubricating bearings. If you feel they  
must be lubricated, use only a dry, pow-  
dered graphite type lubricant sparingly.  
BEFORE EACH USE  
1. Check engine oil level.  
2. Check brake operation.  
3. Check tire pressure.  
4. Check operator presence and  
ROS systems for proper operation.  
5. Check for loose fasteners.  
17  
CHECK REVERSE OPERATION (ROS)  
SYSTEM  
TRACTOR  
Always observe safety rules when per-  
• When the engine is running with the ig-  
nition switch in the engine "ON" position  
and the attachment clutch is engaged,  
any attempt by the operator to shift into  
reverse should shut off the engine.  
• When the engine is running with the  
ignition switch in the ROS "ON" position  
and the attachment clutch is engaged,  
any attempt by the operator to shift into  
reverse should NOT shut off the engine.  
BLADE CARE  
For best results mower blades must be  
kept sharp. Replace bent or damaged  
blades.  
CAUTION: Use only a replacement  
blade approved by the manufacturer of  
your tractor. Using a blade not approved  
by the manufacturer of your tractor is  
hazardous, could damage your tractor and  
void your warranty.  
forming any maintenance.  
BRAKE OPERATION  
If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to  
stop at highest speed in highest gear on a  
level, dry concrete or paved surface, then  
brake must be checked and adjusted. (See  
“TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Service and  
Adjustments section of this manual).  
TIRES  
• Maintain proper air pressure in all tires  
(See “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS”  
section of this manual).  
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect  
control chemicals which can harm rub-  
ber.  
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp  
objects and other hazards that may  
cause tire damage.  
NOTE: To seal tire punctures and prevent  
flat tires due to slow leaks, tire sealant  
may be purchased from your local parts  
dealer. Tire sealant also prevents tire dry  
rot and corrosion.  
OPERATOR PRESENCE SYSTEM AND  
REVERSE OPERATION SYSTEM (ROS)  
BLADE REMOVAL  
1. Raise mower to highest position to al-  
low access to blades.  
2. Remove blade bolt, lock washer and  
flat washer securing blade.  
3. Install new or resharpened blade  
with trailing edge up towards deck as  
shown.  
Be sure operator presence and reverse  
operation systems are working properly. If  
your tractor does not function as de-  
scribed, repair the problem immediately.  
• The engine should not start unless the  
brake pedal is fully depressed, and the  
attachment clutch control is in the disen-  
gaged position.  
IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly,  
center hole in blade must align with star  
on mandrel assembly.  
4. Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer  
and flat washer in exact order as  
shown.  
5. Tighten blade bolt securely (27-35 Ft.  
Lbs. torque).  
CHECK OPERATOR PRESENCE  
SYSTEM  
• When the engine is running, any at-  
tempt by the operator to leave the seat  
without first setting the parking brake  
should shut off the engine.  
• When the engine is running and the  
attachment clutch is engaged, any at-  
tempt by the operator to leave the seat  
should shut off the engine.  
• The attachment clutch should never op-  
erate unless the operator is in the seat.  
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated.  
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with  
approve bolt shown in the Repair Parts.  
Mandrel Assembly  
Trailing  
Edge Up  
Blade  
Center  
Hole  
Flat Washer  
Lock Washer  
Star  
Blade Bolt  
ROS "ON" Position  
Engine "ON" Position  
(Normal Operating)  
TO SHARPEN BLADE  
NOTE: We do not recommend sharp-  
ening blade - but if you do, be sure the  
blade is balanced.  
Care should be taken to keep the blade  
balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause  
excessive vibration and eventual damage  
to mower and engine.  
18  
• The blade can be sharpened with a file  
or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt  
to sharpen while on the mower.  
• To check blade balance, you will need a  
5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone  
balancer. (When using a cone balancer,  
follow the instructions supplied with  
balancer.)  
V-BELTS  
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear  
after 100 hours of operation and replace  
if necessary. The belts are not adjustable.  
Replace belts if they begin to slip from  
wear.  
ENGINE  
NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing  
blade. The lobes of the center hole may  
appear to be centered, but are not.  
• Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion  
of the steel bolt or pin and hold the  
bolt or pin parallel with the ground. If  
blade is balanced, it should remain in a  
horizontal position. If either end of the  
blade moves downward, sharpen the  
heavy end until the blade is balanced.  
LUBRICATION  
Only use high quality detergent oil rated  
with API service classification SG-SL.  
Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade  
according to your expected operating  
temperature.  
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES  
SAE 30  
5W-30  
-20  
0
30  
32 40  
0
100  
60  
80  
F
C
-20  
10  
-30  
-10  
20  
30  
40  
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE  
oil_visc_chart1_e  
Blade  
5/8” Bolt or Pin  
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils  
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in  
cold weather, they will result in increased  
oil consumption when used above 32°F.  
Check your engine oil level more frequent-  
ly to avoid possible engine damage from  
running low on oil.  
Change the oil after every 50 hours of op-  
eration or at least once a year if the tractor  
is not used for 50 hours in one year.  
Check the crankcase oil level before start-  
ing the engine and after each eight (8)  
hours of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/  
dipstick securely each time you check the  
oil level.  
Center Hole  
BATTERY  
Your tractor has a battery charging system  
which is suffi cient for normal use. How-  
ever, periodic charging of the battery with  
an automotive charger will extend its life.  
• Keep battery and terminals clean.  
• Keep battery bolts tight.  
• Keep small vent holes open.  
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.  
NOTE: The original equipment battery on  
your tractor is maintenance free. Do not  
attempt to open or remove caps or covers.  
Adding or checking level of electrolyte is  
not necessary.  
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL  
Determine temperature range expected  
before oil change. All oil must meet API  
service classification SG-SL.  
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.  
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.  
• Catch oil in a suitable container.  
1. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful  
not to allow dirt to enter the engine  
when changing oil.  
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS  
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and  
terminals can cause the battery to “leak”  
power.  
1. Remove terminal guard.  
2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first  
then RED battery cable and remove  
battery from tractor.  
2. Remove yellow cap from end of drain  
valve and install the drain tube onto the  
fitting.  
3. Rinse the battery with plain water and  
dry.  
4. Clean terminals and battery cable ends  
with wire brush until bright.  
Oil Drain Valve  
5. Coat terminals with grease or petro-  
leum jelly.  
6. Reinstall battery (See “REPLACING  
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-  
JUSTMENTS section of this manual).  
Closed and  
Locked  
Position  
Yellow  
Cap  
TRANSAXLE COOLING  
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt  
and chaff which can restrict cooling.  
Drain  
Tube  
19  
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.  
6. Remove the drain tube and replace the  
cap onto the end of the drain valve.  
7. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip-  
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.  
For approximate capacity see “PROD-  
UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this  
manual.  
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for  
checking level. For accurate reading,  
tighten dipstick cap securely onto the  
tube before removing dipstick. Keep oil  
at “FULL” line on dipstick. Tighten cap  
onto the tube securely when finished.  
Handle  
Cover  
Cartridge  
Pre-cleaner  
Base  
Tabs  
Slots  
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM  
Debris may clog the engine’s air cool-  
ing system. Remove blower housing and  
clean area shown to prevent overheating  
and engine damage.  
ENGINE OIL FILTER  
Clean out chaff  
and debris  
Replace the engine oil filter every season  
or every other oil change if the tractor is  
used more than 100 hours in one year.  
Air Screen  
CLEAN AIR SCREEN  
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and  
chaff to prevent engine damage from  
overheating. Clean with a wire brush or  
compressed air to remove dirt and stub-  
born dried gum fibers.  
02744  
MUFFLER  
AIR FILTER  
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and  
spark arrester (if equipped) as it could cre-  
ate a fire hazard and/or damage.  
SPARK PLUG(S)  
Replace spark plug(s) at the beginning  
of each mowing season or after every  
100 hours of operation, whichever occurs  
first. Spark plug type and gap setting are  
shown in “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS”  
section of this manual.  
Your engine will not run properly using a  
dirty air filter. Replace pre-cleaner after  
every 25 hours of operation or every  
season. Service paper cartridge every  
100 hours of operation or every season,  
whichever occurs first.  
Service air cleaner more often under dusty  
conditions.  
1. Pull up on air filter cover handle and  
rotate towards engine.  
2. Remove cover.  
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER  
3. Carefully remove air filter cartridge and  
pre-cleaner from base.  
The fuel filter should be replaced once  
each season. If fuel filter becomes  
clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carbu-  
retor, replacement is required.  
1. With engine cool, remove filter and  
plug fuel line sections.  
2. Place new fuel filter in position in fuel  
line with arrow pointing towards carbu-  
retor.  
3. Be sure there are no fuel line leaks  
and clamps are properly positioned.  
4. Immediately wipe up any spilled gaso-  
line.  
4. Clean base carefully to prevent debris  
from falling into carburetor.  
NOTE: If very dirty or damaged, replace  
cartridge.  
5. Place new pre-cleaner and cartridge  
firmly in base.  
6. Align tabs on cover with slots in blower  
housing and replace cover.  
7. Hook handle on cover and push down  
on handle to close.  
IMPORTANT: Petroleum solvents, such  
as kerosene, are not to be used to clean  
the cartridge. They may cause deterio-  
ration of the cartridge. Do not oil car-  
tridge. Do not use pressurized air to clean  
cartridge.  
Clamp  
Clamp  
20  
Fuel Filter  
We do not recommend using a garden  
hose or pressure washer to clean your  
tractor unless the engine and transmis-  
sion are covered to keep water out.  
Water in engine or transmission will  
shorten the useful life of your tractor.  
Use compressed air or a leaf blower to  
remove grass, leaves and trash from  
tractor and mower.  
CLEANING  
• Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc.  
of all foreign matter.  
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free  
of all gasoline, oil, etc.  
• Protect painted surfaces with auto-  
motive type wax.  
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS  
WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, BEFORE PERFORMING ANY  
SERVICE OR ADJUSTMENTS:  
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal fully and set parking brake.  
2. Place gearshift lever in neutral (N) position.  
3. Place attachment clutch in “DISENGAGED” position.  
4. Turn ignition key to “STOP” and remove key.  
5. Make sure the blades and all moving parts have completely stopped.  
6. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot  
come in contact with plug.  
IMPORTANT: If an attachment other than  
the mower deck is to be mounted on the  
tractor, remove the front links and hook  
the clutch spring Into square hole in frame.  
TO INSTALL MOWER  
TRACTOR  
TO REMOVE MOWER  
Mower will be easier to remove from the  
right side of tractor.  
1. Place attachment clutch in “DISEN-  
GAGED” position.  
1. Raise attachment lift lever to its highest  
position.  
2. Move attachment lift lever forward to  
lower mower to its lowest position.  
3. Roll belt off engine pulley.  
4. Remove small retainer spring, and  
remove clutch spring off pulley bolt.  
5. Remove large retainer spring, slide  
collar off and push housing guide out  
of bracket.  
2. Slide mower under tractor with deflec-  
tor shield to right side of tractor.  
3. Lower lift lever to its lowest position.  
4. Connect front links to mower deck and  
secure with retainer springs.  
5. Connect suspension arms to rear  
deck brackets and secure with retainer  
springs.  
6. Disconnect anti-sway bar from chassis  
bracket by removing retainer spring.  
7. Disconnect suspension arms from rear  
deck brackets by removing retainer  
springs.  
8. Disconnect front links from deck by  
removing retainer springs.  
9. Raise lift lever to raise suspension  
arms. Slide mower out from under trac-  
tor.  
6. Connect anti-sway bar to chassis  
bracket and secure with retainer spring.  
7. Push clutch cable housing guide into  
bracket, slide collar onto guide and  
secure with large retainer spring.  
8. Place flat washer and clutch spring on  
idler pulley bolt and secure with small  
retainer spring.  
9. Install belt onto engine pulley.  
Small Retainer Spring  
Clutch Spring  
Suspension  
Arms  
Square Hole  
Engine Pulley  
Flat Washer  
Retainer Spring  
Anti-Sway Bar  
Front Link  
Collar  
Housing  
Guide  
Retainer Springs  
(Both Sides)  
Deflector Shield  
Large Retainer Spring  
Bracket  
21  
TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING  
• When distance “D” is 1/8" to 1/2"  
lower at front than rear, tighten nuts “F”  
against trunnion on both front links.  
• To raise front of mower, loosen nut “F”  
from trunnion on both front links. Tighten  
nut “E” on both front links an equal num-  
ber of turns. The two front links must  
remain equal in length.  
Adjust the mower while tractor is parked  
on level ground or driveway. Make sure  
tires are properly inflated (See “PROD-  
UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this  
manual). If tires are over or underinflated,  
you will not properly adjust your mower.  
SIDE-TO-SIDE ADJUSTMENT  
• Raise mower to its highest position.  
• At the midpoint of both sides of mower,  
measure height from bottom edge of  
mower to ground. Distance “A” on both  
sides of mower should be the same or  
within 1/4" of each other.  
• When distance “D” is 1/8" to 1/2" lower  
at front than rear, tighten nut “F” against  
trunnion on both front links.  
• Recheck side-to-side adjustment.  
01268  
Mandrel  
• If adjustment is necessary, make adjust-  
ment on one side of mower only.  
• To raise one side of mower, tighten lift  
link adjustment nut on that side.  
“D”  
“D”  
• To lower one side of mower, loosen lift  
link adjustment nut on that side.  
NOTE: Each full turn of adjustment nut  
will change mower height about 1/8".  
• Recheck measurements after adjusting.  
Both Front Links Should be Equal in Length  
01267  
Bottom edge  
of mower to  
ground  
Bottom edge of  
mower to ground  
00598  
Nut “E”  
Nut “F”  
A
A
Ground Line  
Suspension Arm  
Trunnion  
01553  
Lift Link  
Adjustment Nut  
Front Links  
FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT  
IMPORTANT: Deck must be level side-to  
side. If the following front-to-back adjust-  
ment is necessary, be sure to adjust both  
front links equally so mower will stay level  
side-to-side.  
TO REPLACE MOWER BLADE DRIVE  
BELT  
The mower blade drive belt may be re-  
placed without tools. Park the tractor on  
level surface. Engage parking brake.  
To obtain the best cutting results, the  
mower housing should be adjusted so  
that the front is approximately 1/8" to 1/2"  
lower than the rear when the mower is in  
its highest position.  
Check adjustment on right side of trac-  
tor. Measure distance “D” directly in front  
and behind the mandrel at bottom edge of  
mower housing as shown.  
• Before making any necessary adjust-  
ments, check that both front links are  
equal in length.  
• If links are not equal in length, adjust  
one link to same length as other link.  
• To lower front of mower loosen nut “E”  
on both front links an equal number of  
turns.  
BELT REMOVAL -  
1. Remove mower from tractor (See “TO  
REMOVE MOWER” in this section of  
manual).  
2. Work belt off both mandrel pulleys and  
idler pulleys.  
3. Pull belt away from mower.  
BELT INSTALLATION -  
1. Work belt around both mandrel pulleys  
and idler pulleys  
2. Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves  
and inside all belt guides.  
3. Install mower (See “To Install Mower” in  
this section of this manual).  
22  
Mandrel  
Pulley  
With Parking Brake “Engaged”  
Idler Pulleys  
1-1/2"  
Nut “A”  
Jam Nut  
Mandrel  
Pulley  
Operating  
Arm  
TO CHECK AND ADJUST BRAKE  
Your tractor is equipped with an adjustable  
brake system which is mounted on the  
right side of the transaxle.  
TO REPLACE MOTION DRIVE BELT  
If tractor requires more than five (5) feet to  
stop at highest speed in highest gear on a  
level, dry concrete or paved surface, then  
brake must be checked and adjusted.  
Park the tractor on level surface. Engage  
parking brake. For assistance, there is a  
belt installation guide decal on bottom side  
of left footrest.  
TO CHECK BRAKE  
BELT REMOVAL -  
1. Park tractor on a level, dry concrete or  
paved surface, depress clutch/brake  
pedal all the way down and engage  
parking brake.  
2. Place gear shift lever in neutral (N)  
position.  
1. Remove mower (See “TO REMOVE  
MOWER” in this section of manual).  
NOTE: Observe entire motion drive belt  
and position of all belt guides and keepers.  
2. Remove belt from stationary idler and  
clutching idler.  
The rear wheels must lock and skid when  
you try to manually push the tractor for-  
ward. If the rear wheels rotate, the brake  
needs to be adjusted or the pads need to  
be replaced.  
3. Remove belt downward from around  
engine pulley.  
4. Pull belt slack toward rear of tractor.  
Remove belt upwards from transaxle  
pulley by deflecting belt keepers.  
5. Remove belt from center span keeper  
and pull belt away from tractor.  
TO ADJUST BRAKE  
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal all the way  
down and engage parking brake.  
BELT INSTALLATION -  
2. Measure distance between brake oper-  
ating arm and nut “A” on brake rod.  
3. If distance is other than 1-1/2", loosen  
jam nut and turn nut “A” until distance  
becomes 1-1/2". Retighten jam nut  
against nut “A”.  
4. Road test tractor for proper stopping  
distance as stated above. Readjust  
if necessary. If stopping distance is  
still greater than five (5) feet in highest  
gear, further maintenance is neces-  
sary. Replace brake pads or contact a  
Sears or other qualified service center.  
1. Carefully work new belt down between  
transaxle belt keepers and onto the  
input pulley.  
2. Slide belt into the center span keeper.  
3. Pull belt toward front of tractor and roll  
around the top groove of engine pulley.  
4. Install belt through stationary idler and  
clutching idler.  
5. Make sure belt is in all pulley grooves  
and inside all belt guides and keepers.  
6. Install mower (See “TO INSTALL  
MOWER” in this section of manual).  
23  
TO REMOVE WHEEL FOR REPAIRS  
1. Block up axle securely.  
2. Remove axle cover, retaining ring and  
washers to allow wheel removal (rear  
wheels have a square key - Do not  
lose).  
Engine Pulley  
Clutching Idler  
Center  
Span  
Keeper  
3. Repair tire and reassemble.  
NOTE: On rear wheels only: align  
grooves in rear wheel hub and axle. Insert  
square key.  
4. Replace washers and snap retaining  
ring securely in axle groove.  
5. Replace axle cover.  
Stationary Idler  
Transaxle  
Pulley  
NOTE: To seal tire punctures and prevent  
flat tires due to slow leaks, purchase and  
use tire sealant from Sears. Tire sealant  
also prevents tire dry rot and corrosion.  
00811  
TRANSAXLE GEAR SHIFT LEVER NEU-  
TRAL ADJUSTMENT  
The transaxle should be in neutral when  
the gear shift lever is in neutral (N) (lock  
gate) position. The adjustment is preset  
at the factory; however, if adjustment is  
needed, proceed as follows:  
Washers  
Retaining  
Ring  
Axle  
Cover  
1. Make sure transaxle is in neutral (N).  
NOTE: When the tractor rear wheels move  
freely, the transaxle is in neutral.  
2. Loosen adjustment bolt in front of the  
right rear wheel.  
3. Position the gear shift lever in the neu-  
tral (N) position.  
4. Tighten adjustment bolt securely.  
NOTE: If additional clearance is needed  
to get to adjustment bolt, move mower  
deck height to the lowest position.  
Square Key  
(Rear Wheel Only)  
TO START ENGINE WITH A WEAK BAT-  
TERY  
WARNING: Lead-acid batteries gen-  
erate explosive gases. Keep sparks, flame  
and smoking materials away from bat-  
teries. Always wear eye protection when  
around batteries.  
Neutral Lock Gate  
Gearshift Lever  
If your battery is too weak to start the  
engine, it should be recharged. (See "BAT-  
TERY" in the MAINTENANCE section of  
this manual).  
If “jumper cables” are used for emergency  
starting, follow this procedure:  
Adjustment Bolt  
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 ADJUST STEERING WHEEL ALIGN-  
MENT  
If steering wheel crossbars are not  
horizontal (left to right) when wheels are  
positioned straight forward, remove steer-  
ing wheel and reassemble with crossbars  
horizontal. Tighten securely.  
TO ATTACH JUMPER CABLES -  
1. Connect one end of the RED cable  
to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of each  
battery(A-B), taking care not to short  
against tractor chassis.  
2. Connect one end of the BLACK cable  
to the NEGATIVE (-) terminal (C) of  
fully charged battery.  
3. Connect the other end of the BLACK  
cable (D) to good chassis ground,  
away from fuel tank and battery.  
FRONT WHEEL TOE-IN/CAMBER  
The front wheel toe-in and camber are not  
adjustable on your tractor. If damage has  
occurred to affect the front wheel toe-in or  
camber, contact a Sears or other qualified  
service center.  
24  
TO REMOVE CABLES, REVERSE  
ORDER -  
TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULB  
1. Raise hood.  
2. Pull bulb holder out of the hole in the  
backside of the grill.  
1. BLACK cable first from chassis and  
then from the fully charged battery.  
2. RED cable last from both batteries.  
3. Replace bulb in holder and push bulb  
holder securely back into the hole in  
the backside of the grill.  
4. Close hood.  
INTERLOCKS AND RELAYS  
Loose or damaged wiring may cause  
your tractor to run poorly, stop running, or  
prevent it from starting.  
02614  
• Check wiring. See electrical wiring  
diagram in the Repair Parts section.  
TO REPLACE FUSE  
Fully Charged  
Battery  
Weak or Dead  
Battery  
Replace with 20 amp automotive-type  
plug-in fuse. The fuse holder is located  
behind the dash.  
REPLACING BATTERY  
WARNING: Do not short battery  
terminals by allowing a wrench or any  
other object to contact both terminals at  
the same time. Before connecting battery,  
remove metal bracelets, wristwatch bands,  
rings, etc.  
Positive terminal must be connected  
first to prevent sparking from accidental  
grounding.  
1. Lift hood to raised position.  
2. Remove terminal guard.  
3. Disconnect BLACK battery cable  
then RED battery cable and carefully  
remove battery from tractor.  
TO REMOVE HOOD AND GRILL AS-  
SEMBLY  
1. Raise hood.  
2. Unsnap headlight wire connector.  
3. Stand in front of tractor. Grasp hood at  
sides, tilt toward engine and lift off of  
tractor.  
4. When replacing hood, be sure to re-  
connect the headlight wire connector.  
Hood  
4. Install new battery with terminals in  
same position as old battery.  
5. Reinstall terminal guard.  
6. First connect RED battery cable to  
positive (+) battery terminal with hex  
bolt and keps nut as shown. Tighten  
securely.  
Headlight Wire  
Connector  
7. Connect BLACK grounding cable to  
negative (-) battery terminal with re-  
maining hex bolt and keps nut. Tighten  
securely  
02495  
8. Close terminal access doors.  
9. Close hood.  
Hex Bolt  
Keps Nut  
Terminal  
Access  
Door  
Positive  
(Red)  
Cable  
Terminal  
Guard  
Negative  
(Black)  
Cable  
25  
IMPORTANT: Damage to the needle  
valve and the seat in carburetor may result  
if screw is turned in too tight.  
ENGINE  
Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the  
emission control devices and systems, which  
are being done at the customers expense,  
may be performed by any non-road engine  
repair establishment or individual. Warranty  
repairs must be performed by an authorized  
engine manufacturer's service outlet.  
PRELIMINARY SETTING -  
1. Air cleaner assembly must be assem-  
bled to the carburetor when making  
carburetor adjustments.  
2. Be sure the throttle control cable is  
adjusted properly (see above).  
TO ADJUST THROTTLE CONTROL  
CABLE  
FINAL SETTING -  
The throttle control has been preset at the  
factory and adjustment should not be nec-  
essary. Check adjustment as described  
below before loosening cable. If adjust-  
ment is necessary, proceed as follows:  
1. With engine not running, move throttle  
control lever from slow to choke posi-  
tion. Slowly move lever from choke to  
fast position.  
2. Check that holes “A” in governor  
control lever and hole in governor plate  
line-up. If holes “A” are not aligned,  
loosen clamp screw and move throttle  
cable until holes are aligned. Tighten  
clamp screw securely.  
1. Start engine and allow to warm for five  
minutes. Make final adjustments with  
engine running and shift/motion control  
lever in neutral (N) position.  
2. Move throttle control lever to slow posi-  
tion. With finger, rotate and hold throttle  
lever against idle speed screw. Turn  
idle speed screw to attain 1750 RPM.  
3. While still holding throttle lever against  
idle speed screw, turn idle mixture  
valve full travel clockwise then coun-  
terclockwise until engine runs rough.  
Turn valve to a point midway between  
those two positions. Release throttle  
lever.  
TO ADJUST CARBURETOR  
ACCELERATION TEST -  
Governor  
Governor Control Lever  
4. Move throttle control lever from slow  
to fast position. If engine hesitates or  
dies, turn idle mixture valve out (coun-  
terclockwise) 1/8 turn. Repeat test and  
continue to adjust, if necessary, until  
engine accelerates smoothly.  
Control Plate  
High speed stop is factory adjusted. Do  
not adjust - damage may result.  
Holes “A”  
Throttle  
Cable  
Clamp  
Screw  
IMPORTANT: Never tamper with the  
engine governor, which is factory set  
for proper engine speed. Overspeed-  
ing the engine above the factory high  
speed setting can be dangerous. If you  
think the engine-governed high speed  
needs adjusting, contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center, which has proper  
equipment and experience to make any  
necessary adjustments.  
NOTE: The carburetor on this engine is  
low emission. It is equipped with an idle  
fuel adjusting needle with a limiter cap,  
which allows some adjustment within the  
limits allowed by the cap. Do not attempt  
to remove the limiter cap. The limiter cap  
cannot be removed without breaking the  
adjusting needle.  
The carburetor has been preset at the  
factory and adjustment should not be nec-  
essary. 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:  
01915  
Idle Speed  
Throttle  
Screw  
Lever  
In general, turning idle mixture valve in  
(clockwise) decreases the supply of fuel to  
the engine giving a leaner fuel/air mix-  
ture. Turning the idle mixture valve out  
(counterclockwise) increases the supply  
of fuel to the engine giving a richer fuel/air  
mixture.  
Idle Mixture Valve  
With Limiter  
26  
STORAGE  
Immediately prepare your tractor for stor-  
age at the end of the season or if the trac-  
tor will not be used for 30 days or more.  
CAUTION: Never store the tractor  
with gasoline in the tank inside a building  
where fumes may reach an open flame  
or spark. Allow the engine to cool before  
storing in any enclosure.  
blended fuels (called gasohol or using  
ethanol or methanol) can attract moisture  
which leads to separation and formation of  
acids during storage. Acidic gas can dam-  
age the fuel system of an engine while in  
storage.  
• Empty the fuel tank by starting the en-  
gine and letting it run until the fuel lines  
and carburetor are empty.  
TRACTOR  
• Never use engine or carburetor cleaner  
products in the fuel tank or permanent  
damage may occur.  
Remove mower from tractor for winter  
storage. When mower is to be stored for a  
period of time, clean it thoroughly, remove  
all dirt, grease, leaves, etc. Store in a  
clean, dry area.  
• Use fresh fuel next season.  
NOTE: Fuel stabilizer is an acceptable  
alternative in minimizing the formation of  
fuel gum deposits during storage. Add  
stabilizer to gasoline in fuel tank or stor-  
age container. Always follow the mix ratio  
found on stabilizer container. Run engine  
at least 10 minutes after adding stabilizer  
to allow the stabilizer to reach the car-  
buretor. Do not empty the gas tank and  
carburetor if using fuel stabilizer.  
ENGINE OIL  
1. Clean entire tractor (See “CLEANING”  
in the Maintenance section of this  
manual).  
2. Inspect and replace belts, if necessary  
(See belt replacement instructions in  
the Service and Adjustments section of  
this manual).  
3. Lubricate as shown in the Maintenance  
section of this manual.  
4. Be sure that all nuts, bolts and screws  
are securely fastened. Inspect moving  
parts for damage, breakage and wear.  
Replace if necessary.  
Drain oil (with engine warm) and replace  
with clean engine oil. (See “ENGINE” in  
the Maintenance section of this manual).  
CYLINDER(S)  
1. Remove spark plug(s).  
2. Pour one ounce of oil through spark  
plug hole(s) into cylinder(s).  
3. Turn ignition key to “START” position  
for a few seconds to distribute oil.  
4. Replace with new spark plug(s).  
5. Touch up all rusted or chipped paint  
surfaces; sand lightly before painting.  
BATTERY  
• Fully charge the battery for storage.  
• After a period of time in storage, battery  
may require recharging.  
• To help prevent corrosion and power  
leakage during long periods of storage,  
battery cables should be disconnected  
and battery cleaned thoroughly (see “TO  
CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS” in  
the Maintenance section of this manual).  
• After cleaning, leave cables discon-  
nected and place cables where they  
cannot come in contact with battery  
terminals.  
OTHER  
• Do not store gasoline from one season  
to another.  
• Replace your gasoline can if your can  
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your  
gasoline will cause problems.  
• If possible, store your tractor indoors  
and cover it to give protection from dust  
and dirt.  
• Cover your tractor with a suitable pro-  
tective cover that does not retain mois-  
ture. Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot  
breathe which allows condensation to  
form and will cause your tractor to rust.  
IMPORTANT: Never cover tractor while  
engine and exhaust areas are still warm.  
• If battery is removed from tractor for  
storage, do not store battery directly on  
concrete or damp surfaces.  
ENGINE  
FUEL SYSTEM  
IMPORTANT: It is important to prevent  
gum deposits from forming in essential  
fuel system parts such as carburetor, fuel  
hose, or tank during storage. Also, alcohol  
27  
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 Operation section.  
2. Engine not “CHOKED”  
properly.  
3. Engine flooded.  
3. Wait several minutes  
before attempting to start.  
4. Replace spark plug.  
5. Clean/replace air filter.  
6. Replace fuel filter.  
7. Empty fuel tank and carbure-  
tor, refill tank with fresh gas-  
oline and replace fuel filter.  
8. Check all wiring.  
4. Bad spark plug.  
5. Dirty air filter.  
6. Dirty fuel filter.  
7 Water in fuel.  
8. Loose or damaged wiring.  
9. Carburetor out of adjustment. 9. See “To Adjust Carburetor”  
in Service and Adjustments  
section.  
10.Contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center.  
10.Engine valves out of  
adjustment.  
Hard to start  
1. Dirty air filter.  
1. Clean/replace air filter.  
2. Replace spark plug.  
3. Recharge or replace battery.  
4. Replace fuel filter.  
5. Empty fuel tank and refill tank  
with fresh, clean gasoline.  
6. Check all wiring.  
2. Bad spark plug.  
3. Weak or dead battery.  
4. Dirty fuel filter.  
5. Stale or dirty fuel.  
6. Loose or damaged wiring.  
7. Carburetor out of adjustment. 7. See “To Adjust Carburetor”  
in Service and Adjustments  
section.  
8. Contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center.  
8. Engine valves out of  
adjustment.  
Engine will not  
turn over  
1. Clutch/brake pedal not  
depressed.  
2. Attachment clutch is engaged.  
3. Weak or dead battery.  
4. Blown fuse.  
1. Depress clutch/brake pedal.  
2. Disengage attachment clutch.  
3. Recharge or replace battery.  
4. Replace fuse.  
5. Corroded battery terminals. 5. Clean battery terminals.  
6. Loose or damaged wiring.  
7. Faulty ignition switch.  
8. Faulty solenoid or starter.  
6. Check all wiring.  
7. Check/replace ignition switch.  
8. Check/replace solenoid or  
starter.  
9. Faulty operator presence  
switch(es).  
9. Contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center.  
Engine clicks but 1. Weak or dead battery.  
1. Recharge or replace battery.  
will not start  
2. Corroded battery terminals. 2. Clean battery terminals.  
3. Loose or damaged wiring.  
4. Faulty solenoid or starter.  
3. Check all wiring.  
4. Check/replace solenoid or  
starter.  
28  
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:  
See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center  
PROBLEM  
CAUSE  
CORRECTION  
Loss of power  
1. Cutting too much grass/too  
fast.  
1. Raise cutting height/reduce  
speed.  
2. Throttle in “CHOKE” position. 2. Adjust throttle control.  
3. Build-up of grass, leaves  
and trash under mower.  
4. Dirty air filter.  
5. Low oil level/dirty oil.  
6. Faulty spark plug.  
3. Clean underside of mower  
housing.  
4. Clean/replace air filter.  
5. Check oil level/change oil.  
6. Clean and regap or change  
spark plug.  
7. Dirty fuel filter.  
8. Stale or dirty fuel.  
7. Replace fuel filter.  
8. Empty fuel tank and refill tank  
with fresh, clean gasoline.  
9. Empty fuel tank and carbure-  
tor, refill tank with fresh gas-  
oline and replace fuel filter.  
10.Connect and tighten spark  
plug wire.  
9. Water in fuel.  
10.Spark plug wire loose.  
11.Dirty engine air screen/fins. 11.Clean engine air screen/fins.  
12.Dirty/clogged muffler.  
12.Clean/replace muffler.  
13.Check all wiring.  
13.Loose or damaged wiring.  
14.Carburetor out of adjustment. 14.See “To Adjust Carburetor”  
in Service and Adjustments  
section.  
15.Contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center.  
15.Engine valves out of  
adjustment.  
Excessive  
vibration  
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.  
2. Bent blade mandrel.  
1. Replace blade.  
Tighten blade bolt.  
2. Contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center.  
3. Tighten loose part(s).  
Replace damaged parts.  
3. Loose/damaged part(s).  
Engine dies when 1. Reverse operation system  
1. Turn ignition key to  
ROS "ON" position.  
tractor is shifted  
into reverse  
(ROS) is not "ON" while  
mower or other attachment  
is engaged.  
See Operation section.  
Engine continues 1. Faulty operator-safety  
1. Check wiring, switches and  
connections. If not corrected,  
contact Sears or other  
to run when  
operator leaves  
seat with attach-  
ment clutch  
engaged  
presence control system.  
qualified service center.  
Poor cut - uneven 1. Worn, bent or loose blade.  
1. Replace blade. Tighten  
blade bolt.  
2. Mower deck not level.  
3. Buildup of grass, leaves,  
and trash under mower.  
4. Bent blade mandrel.  
2. Level mower deck.  
3. Clean underside of mower  
housing.  
4. Contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center.  
5. Clean around mandrels to  
open vent holes.  
5. Clogged mower deck vent  
holes from buildup of grass,  
leaves, and trash around  
mandrels.  
29  
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:  
See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center  
PROBLEM  
CAUSE  
CORRECTION  
Mower blades will 1. Obstruction in clutch  
1. Remove obstruction.  
not rotate  
mechanism.  
2. Worn/damaged mower drive 2. Replace mower drive belt.  
belt.  
3. Frozen idler pulley.  
4. Frozen blade mandrel.  
3. Replace idler pulley.  
4. Contact a Sears or other  
qualified service center.  
Poor grass  
discharge  
1. Engine speed too slow.  
1. Place throttle control in  
“FAST” position.  
2. Travel speed too fast.  
3. Wet grass.  
2. Shift to slower speed.  
3. Allow grass to dry before  
mowing.  
4. Mower deck not level.  
4. Level mower deck.  
5. Low/uneven tire air pressure. 5. Check tires for proper air  
pressure.  
6. Worn, bent or loose blade.  
6. Replace/sharpen blade.  
Tighten blade bolt.  
7. Buildup of grass, leaves and 7. Clean underside of mower  
trash under mower.  
8. Mower drive belt worn.  
housing.  
8. Replace mower drive belt.  
9. Blades improperly installed. 9. Reinstall blades sharp edge  
down.  
10.Improper blades used.  
10.Replace with blades listed  
in this manual.  
11.Clogged mower deck vent  
holes from buildup of grass,  
leaves, and trash around  
mandrels.  
11.Clean around mandrels to  
open vent holes.  
Headlight(s) not  
working  
(if so equipped)  
1. Light switch is “OFF”.  
2. Bulb(s) or lamp(s) burned out.  
3. Faulty light switch.  
4. Loose or damaged wiring.  
5. Blown fuse.  
1. Turn Light switch “ON”.  
2. Replace bulb(s) or lamp(s).  
3. Check/replace light switch.  
4. Check wiring and connections.  
5. Replace fuse.  
Battery will not  
charge  
1. Bad battery cell(s).  
2. Poor cable connections.  
3. Faulty regulator  
1. Replace battery.  
2. Check/clean all connections.  
3. Replace regulator.  
(if so equipped).  
4. Faulty alternator.  
4. Replace alternator.  
Engine “backfires” 1. Engine throttle control not set 1. Move throttle control  
when turning  
engine “OFF”  
between half and full speed  
(fast) position before stopping  
engine.  
between half and full speed  
(fast) position before  
stopping engine.  
30  
31  
Get it fixed, at your home or ours!  
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 and  
owner’s manuals that you need to do-it-yourself.  
For Sears professional installation of home appliances  
and items like garage door openers and water heaters.  
®
1-800-4-MY-HOME  
(1-800-469-4663)  
www.sears.com  
Anytime, day or night  
(U.S.A. and Canada)  
www.sears.ca  
Our Home  
For repair of carry-in products like vacuums, lawn equipment,  
and electronics, call or go on-line for the nearest  
Sears Parts and Repair Center.  
1-800-488-1222 Anytime, day or night (U.S.A. only)  
www.sears.com  
To purchase a protection agreement (U.S.A.)  
or maintenance agreement (Canada) on a product serviced by Sears:  
1-800-827-6655 (U.S.A.)  
1-800-361-6665 (Canada)  
Para pedir servicio de reparación  
a domicilio, y para ordenar piezas:  
Au Canada pour service en français:  
1-800-LE-FOYERMC  
(1-800-533-6937)  
www.sears.ca  
1-888-SU-HOGARSM  
(1-888-784-6427)  
02410  
© Sears, Roebuck and Co.  
® Registered Trademark / TM Trademark / SM Service Mark of Sears, Roebuck and Co.  
® Marca Registrada / TM Marca de Fábrica / SM Marca de Servicio de Sears, Roebuck and Co.  
MC Marque de commerce / MD Marque déposée de Sears, Roebuck and Co.  
194243 12.01.04 TR  
Printed in U.S.A.  

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