The Craftsman EZ3 917.258872 is a specific model and getting the wrong manual can be worse than having no manual at all because the parts diagrams won't match. I have this exact tractor that I restored from a barn find and the manual was essential for identifying every bolt, belt, and adjustment point. These older Craftsman tractors have specific maintenance schedules for the transaxle fluid, deck leveling, and engine governor adjustments that aren't intuitive. I found a manual archive that specializes in outdoor power equipment with original factory manuals not just photocopies. The 917 258872 craftsman manual at
https://craftsman.manymanuals.com/tractor/ez3-917-258872/owners-manual-42918/2 has the complete breakdown of the 42-inch deck with belt routing diagrams that saved me hours of frustration. The manual also includes the torque specifications for every bolt which is critical when working on the blade spindles. I used the troubleshooting chart to diagnose a vibration issue that turned out to be a bent pulley. The parts list with genuine Craftsman part numbers helped me order exactly what I needed from online retailers without guessing.
