Sears Craftsman 917.257720 - Manual (Page 9)

ASSEMBLY
INSTALL MOWER AND DRIVE BELT
(See Figs. 4 and 7)
Be sure tractor is on level surface. Engage parking brake.
• Cut and remove tie down securing anti-sway bar.
Swing anti-sway bar to left side of mower deck.
• Relieve idler tension from belt. Push idler forward and
place a block (standard wood 2 x 4 or equivalent)
behind idler pulley.
• Slide mower under tractor with discharge guard to right
side of tractor.
• Swing L.H. gauge wheel bar forward by removing rear
retainer spring and pin.
• Install one front link in top hole of the L.H. front mower
bracket and L.H. front suspension bracket. Retain with
two single loop retainer springs as shown.
• Slide right side of mower deck forward, toward R.H.
front tire.
IMPORTANT: CHECK BELT FOR PROPER ROUTING IN
ALL MOWER PULLEY GROOVES. INSTALL BELT INTO
ELECTRIC CLUTCH PULLEY GROOVE.
• Install second front link in the top hole of the R.H. front
mower bracket and R.H. front suspension bracket.
Retain with two single loop retainer springs as shown.
• Carefully remove block from behind idler pulley.
• Turn height adjustment knob counterclockwise until it
stops.
• Lower mower linkage with attachment lift lever.
• Place the suspension arms on inward pointing deck
pins. If necessary, rock and raise front of mower to
align deck pins with the holes in suspension arms.
Retain with double loop retainer springs.
• Connect anti-sway bar to chassis bracket under left
footrest and retain with double loop retainer spring.
• Turn height adjustment knob clockwise to remove
slack from mower suspension.
• Raise deck to highest position.
• Swing L.H. gauge wheel bar back towards rear of
mower and secure with pin and retainer spring re­
moved earlier.
• Assemble gauge wheels as shown using long shoulder
bolts, 3/8 washers and nuts. Tighten securely.
• Adjust gauge wheels before operating moweras shown
in the Operation section of this manual.
CHECK DECK LEVELNESS
For best cutting results, mower housing 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 replacing motion, mower
drive, and mower blade drive belts in the Service and
Adjustments section of this manual. Verify that the belts are
routed correctly.
CHASSIS
BRACKET
DOUBLE LOOP
RETAINER SPRING
FRONT
SUSPENSION
BRACKET
L.H. GAUGE
WHEEL BAR
SHOULDER
BOLT
GAUGE
WHEEL
DISCHARGE
GUARD
FRONT
SUSPENSION
BRACKET
INGLE
LOOP RETAINER
SPRINGS
FRONT MOWER
BRACKET
FIG. 4