917.254520 12.0 HP IC Electric Start 38 Inch
Mower Deck 5 Speed Transaxle Lawn Tractor
Owner’s Manual

917.254520 12.0 HP IC Electric Start 38 Inch Mower Deck 5 Speed

Transaxle Lawn Tractor

SARSE OWNER’S MANUAL
MODEL NO. 917.254520

Caution: Read and follow all Safety Rules and Instructions Before Operating This Equipment
12.0 HP IC ELECTRIC START 38″ MOWER DECK 5 SPEED TRANSAXLE LAWN TRACTOR
LOOK FOR THIS SYMBOL TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAU­ TIONS. IT MEANS • ATTENTION! BE­ COME ALERT! YOUR SAFETY IS IN­ VOLVED.
CAUTION: LOOK FOR THIS WORD TO POINT OUT IMPORTANT EQUIPMENT PRECAUTIONS.
NOTE: LOOK FOR THIS WORD TO POINT OUT IM­ PORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE OF YOUR TRACTOR.
**RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION
WARNING:** This unit is equipped with an internal combustion engine and should not be used on or near any unimproved forest covered, brush covered or grass covered land unless the engine’s exhaust system is equipped with a spark arrester meeting applicable local or area laws (it any). If a spark arrester is used, it should be maintained in effective working order by the operator. (See REPAIR PARTS for part number identification).
In the State of California the above is required by law (Section 4442 of the California Public Resources Code). Other States may have similar laws. Federal laws apply on federal lands.

1. Know the controls and how to stop quickly. READ THIS OWNER’S MANUAL and instructions furnished with attach­ mints.

2. Do not allow children to operate the machine. Do not allow adults to operate it without proper instruction.

3. Do not carry passengers. Do not mow when children and others are around.

4. Always wear substantial footwear. Do not wear loose fitting clothing that could get caught in moving parts.

5. Keep your eyes and mind on your tractor, mower, and the area being cut. Do not let other interests distract you.

6. Do not attempt to operate your tractor or mower when not in the driver’s seat.

7. Always get on or off your tractor from the operator’s left hand side.

8. Clear the work area of objects (wire, rocks, etc.) which might be picked up and thrown.

9. Disengage all attachment clutches before attempting to start the engine.

10. Disengage power to attachments and stop the engine before leaving the operator’s position.

11. Disengage power to mower, stop the engine, and disconnect spark plug wire(s) from spark plug(s) before cleaning, making an adjustment, or repair. Be careful to avoid touching hot muffler or engine components.

12. Disengage power to attachments when transporting or not in use.

13. Take all possible precautions when leaving the vehicle unattended. Disengage the power take-off, lower the attach­ mints, shift into neutral, set the parking brake, stop the engine, and remove the key.

14. Do not stop or start suddenly when going uphill or downhill. Mow up and down the face of slopes (not greater than 15°), never across the face. Refer to page 47.

15. Reduce speed on slopes and make turns gradually to prevent tipping or loss of control. Exorcise extreme caution when changing direction on slopes.

16. While going up or down slopes, place gear shift control lever in 1st gear position to negotiate the slope without stopping.

17. Never mow in wet or slippery grass, when traction is unsure, or at a speed which could cause a skid.

18. Stay alert for holes in the terrain and other hidden hazards. Keep away from drop-offs.

19. Do not drive too close to creeks, ditches, and public high­ ways.

20. Exercise special care when mowing around fixed objects in order to prevent the blades from striking them. Never delib­erately run tractor or mower into or over any foreign objects.

21. Never shift gears until tractor comes to a stop.

22. Never place hands or feet under the mower, in discharge chute, or near any moving parts while tractor or mower is running. Always keep clear of discharge chute.

23. Use care when pulling loads or using heavy equipment.
    a. Use only approved drawbar hitch points.
    b. Limit loads to those you can safely control.
    c. Do not turn sharply. Use care when backing.
    d. Use counterweight or wheel weights when suggested in owner’s manual.

24. Watch out for traffic when crossing or near roadways.

25. When using any attachments, never direct discharge of material toward bystanders nor allow anyone near the ve­hicle while in operation.

26. Handle gasoline with care – it is highly flammable.
    a. Use approved gasoline containers.
    b. Never remove the fuel cap of the fuel tank or add gasoline to a running or hot engine or an engine that has not been allowed to cool for several minutes after run­ning. Never fill tank indoors. Always clean up spilled gasoline.
    c. Open doors if the engine is run in the garage – exhaust fumes are dangerous. Do not run the engine indoors.

27.  Keep the vehicle and attachments in good operating condi­tion, and keep safety devices in place and working.

28. Keep all nuts, bolts, and screws tight to be sure the equip­ ment is in safe working condition.

29. Never store the equipment 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.

30. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves, or excessive grease. Do not clean product while engine is running.

31. Except for adjustments, DO NOT operate engines air cleaner or cover directly over carburetor air intake is removed. Removal of such part could create a fire hazard.

32. Do not operate without a muffler, or tamper with exhaust system. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters could create a fire hazard. Inspect periodically and replace tt necessary.

33. The vehicle and attachments should be stopped and in­ spected for damage after striking a foreign object, and the damage should be repaired before restarting and operating the equipment.

34. Do not change the engine governor settings or overspeed the engine; severe damage or injury may result.

35. When using the vehicle with mower, proceed as follows:
    a. Mow only in daylight or in good artificial light.
    b. Shut the engine off when unclogging chute.
    c. Check the blade mounting bolts for proper tightness at frequent intervals.

36. Do not operate the mower without the entire grass catcher, on mowers so equipped, or the deflector shield in place.

37. Disengage power to mower before backing up. Do not mow 38. in reverse unless absolutely necessary and then only after careful observation of the entire area behind the mower.

38. Under normal usage the grass catcher bag material is subject to deterioration and wear. It should be checked frequently for bag replacement Replacement bags should be checked to ensure compliance with the original manufacturer’s recom­ mentation’s or specifications.

12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520
SCHEMATIC
YOUR TRACTOR IS EQUIPPED WITH A SPECIAL AL TERNA TOR SYSTEM. THE LIGHTS ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY, BUT HAVE THEIR OWN ELECTRICAL SOURCE. BE­ CAUSE OF THIS, THE BRIGHTNESS OF  THE LIGHTS WILL CHANGE WITH THE ENGINE SPEED. AT IDLE SPEED, THE LIGHTS WILL DIM. AS THE ENGINE IS SPEEDED UP, THE LIGHTS WILL BECOME THEIR BRIGHTEST.

REPAIR PARTS

42 HP 38” RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520
CHASSIS AND ENCLOSURES

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520 DRIVE

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520

STEERING ASSEMBLY

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520

LIFT ADJUSTMENT

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR· – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520 38″ MOWER

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520 38″ MOWER

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR- – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520 TRANSAXLE FOOTE – MODEL NUMBER 4360-6


Use in various combinations to maintain proper clearances ·Order Key No. 15.
NOTE: AII component dimensions given in U.S. inches.
1 inch 25.4 mm

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.2546520
ENGINE BRIGGS AND STRATTON – MODEL NUMBER 281707, TYPE NUMBER 0412-01

REPAIR PARTS
12 HP 38″ RIDING LAWN TRACTOR – – MODEL NUMBER 917.254520
ENGINE BRIGGS AND STRATTON- MODEL NUMBER 281707, TYPE NUMBER 0412-01

Starter Motor Mfr. and
Motor Model Number| Motor and
Drive Ass’y.| Thru
Bolt| Brush
Ass’y.| Drive Ass’y.| Armature
Ass’y.| End Cap
Ass’y. Drive| End Cap Ass’y.
Commutator| Housing
Ass’y.
Briggs 8
Stratton| Housing
Length| | | | | | | |
12V| 3-21/32″| 394805| 94003| 395538| 490421—| 390837| 394857| 39553T| 393825

• Includes Brush Set
• Includes

398003| Clutch Assembly| (Key No. 67)

---|---|---

280104 # 490467| Gear| (Key No. 68)

490467| Retainer and Pin| (Key No. 60)

94288| Roll Pin| (Key No. 69)

• Included in Gasket Set-Part No. 490525
  Included in Carburetor Overhaul Kit-Part No. 394698

Attachments That Add to the Usefulness of Your Craftsman Lawn Tractor
Sears offers a wide variety of attachments that fit your tractor. Many of these are listed below with brief explanations of how they can help you. This list was current at the time of publication: however, it may change in future years — more  attachments may be added, changes {including changes in the stock number) may be made in these attachments, or some may NO longer be available. Most of these attachments do not require additional hatches or conversion kits  (those that do are indicated) and are designed for easy attaching and detaching. You may order these attachments at most Sears retail stores, catalog sales offices, and through the catalog. PERMANEX BAGGER lets you collect grass  clippings and leaves for a healthier neater-looking lawn. Two Permatex containers hold 30- gallon plastic bags. Stock number 71-24940
LAWN SWEEPERS let you collect grass clippings and leaves.

LAWN VACS for powerful collections of heavy grass clippings and leaves. Wand attachment to pick up debris in hard-to-reach places.

CARTS make hauling easy.

ROLLER for smoother lawn surface. 36-inch wide, 18 inch diameter water-tight drum holds up to 390 lb. of weight. Rounded edges prevent harm to turf. Adjustable scraper automatically cleans drum. Stock number 71-24084.
SPREADER/’SEEDERS make seeding, fertilizing, and weed killing easy. Broadcast spreaders are also useful tor granular deicers and sand.

71-24194 71-24394| Drop type, 36 inch. 12 in. semi-pneumatic wheels. 100 lb. capacity steel hopper.
---|---
71-24394| Broadcasts over a 5 to 8 foot swath. 70 Ib. capacity stool hopper. Noncorrosive spreading spinner, nylon gear box, stainless steel shaft.
71-24395| Broadcasts 8 to 10 foot swath. 160 lb. capacity. No-rust polypropylene hopper and impeller. Vinyl hopper cover.

CORING AERATOR takes small plugs out of soil to allow moisture and nutrients 10 reach grass MOONS. WOT oar tips. 150 Ib. capacity weight tray. Stock number 71-24351
AERATOR promotes deep root growth for a healthy lawn. Tapered 2.5° steel spikes mounted on 10-in. diameter discs puncture holes in soil at close intervals to let moisture soak it. Steel weight tray for increased penetration. Stock number 71-2435.
DETHATCHER loosens and flips thatch and matted leaves to lawn surface far easy pick up. Twenty spring tine teeth. Useful to prepare bare areas for reseeding. 40 inch rear mount: Stock number 71-24313. 38 inch front mount: Stock number 71-24301.
SPRAYERS use 12-volt DC electric motor that connects to the tractor battery or other 12-volt source. Includes booms for automatic spraying when pulling, and hand held wand for spot spraying. Wand has adjustable spray pattern. For applying herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and liquid fertilizers.
71-2458 50 psi maximum pressure with 12 toot wand length. Sprays up to 25 feet with wand.
71-24398 25 psi maximum pressure with 10 foot wand length. Sprays up to 18 feet with wand.
SNOW BLADE for snow removal only. 14 inch high, 42 inch wide blade clears 38 inch path when angled lett or right. Raises, towers with side lever. Adjustable skids; replaceable, reversible scraper bar, (Use with tire chains, wheel  weights, or rear drawbar weight). Stock number 71-24407.
SNOWTHROWER has 40-inch swath. Drum-type auger handles powdery and wet/heavy snow. Mounts easily with simple pin arrangement.
Discharge chute adjusts to 210 degree arc from tractor seat. 6-inch diameter spout discharges snow 10 to 50 tat. Lift controlled at tractor seat.
(Use with tire chains, wheel weights, or rear drawbar weight). Stock No. 71-24072.
TIRE CHAINS are heavy duty; closely spaced extra-large cross links give smooth ride, outstanding traction. Stock No. 71-24952.
WHEEL WEIGHTS for rear wheels provide needed traction for snow removal or dozing heavy materials. In pairs. Stock No. 71-24434 (30 bo. each)
TRACTOR CAB has heavy duty vinyl fabric over tubular steel frame, ABS plastic top; clear plastic windshield offers 360 degree visibility.
Hinged metal frame doors with catch. Keeps operator warm and dry. Remove vinyl and windshield for use as sun protector in summer. Stock No. 71-24171.
Optional accessories for tractor cab: tintedfemperad solid safety glass windshield with hand operated wiper (Stock No. 71-26168); 12-volt amber caution light for mounting on cab top (Stock No. 71-26169).
TRACTOR COVER protects tractor from weather. Made of Evolution 3 fabric (water-repellent, extremely breathable, light weight, soft, non-abrasive, pliable in all temperatures, durable, stain-tear-puncture resistant, will not shrink or stretch). Stock No. 71-24601.

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