Craftsman 917.27581 User Manual

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Both Front Links Should be Equal in Length
Nut “F”
Ground Line
Bottom edge 
of mower to 
ground
01553
Suspension Arm
Lift Link 
Adjustment Nut
01268
Bottom edge of 
mower to ground
A
A
Trunnion
Front Links
Nut “E”
“D”
“D”
Mandrel
TO LEVEL MOWER HOUSING
Adjust the mower while tractor is parked 
on level ground or driveway.  Make sure 
tires are properly infl ated (See “PROD-
 UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this 
man u al).   If tires are over or underinfl ated, 
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 bot tom edge of 
mower to ground.   Distance “A” on both 
sides of mower should be the same or 
within 1/4" of each other.
•   If adjustment is necessary, make adjust-
ment on one side of mower only.
•   To raise one side of mower, tighten lift 
link ad just ment nut on that side.
•   To lower one side of mower, loosen lift 
link ad just ment nut on that side.
NOTE:  Each full turn of adjustment nut 
will change mower height about 1/8".
•   Recheck measurements after ad just ing.
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.  
BELT REMOVAL -
1.   Remove mower from tractor (See “TO 
REMOVE MOW ER” in this sec tion 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).
FRONT-TO-BACK ADJUSTMENT 
IMPORTANT:  Deck must be level side-to 
side. If the following front-to-back ad just -
ment is necessary, be sure to adjust both 
front links equally so mower will stay level 
side-to-side.     
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 dis tance “D” directly in front 
and behind the mandrel at bottom edge of 
mower housing as shown.
•   Before making any necessary ad just -
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.
•   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, loos en 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.
•   When distance “D” is 1/8" to 1/2" lower 
at front than rear, tighten nut “F” against 
trun nion on both front links.
•   Recheck side-to-side ad just ment.