Craftsman 917.273505 Owner's Manual page 20

TO CLEANBATTERYAND TERMINALS
Corrosionand dirt on the batteryand termi-
nalscan causethe batteryto "leak"power.
1. Removeterminal guard.
2. DisconnectBLACKbattery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
3. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
4. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush untilbright.
5. Coat terminals with grease or petro-
leumjelly.
6. Reinstallbattery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY"in the SERVICEAND AD-
JUSTMENTSsection of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmissionfan and coolingfins
should be kept clean to assure proper
cooling.
Do not attemptto clean fan or transmis-
sion while engine is runningor while the
transmissionis hot.Topreventpossible
damageto seals, do not use high pres-
sure water or steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect coolingfan to be sure fan blades
are intact and clean.
• Inspect coolingfins for dirt, grass clip-
pings and other materials. Toprevent
damageto seals, do not use com-
pressed air or high pressuresprayerto
clean coolingfins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory
and fluid maintenance is not required for
the life of the transaxle. Should the trans-
axle ever leak or require servicing, contact
a Sears or other qualified service center.
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
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SG-SL. Se-
lect the oil's SAE viscosity grade according
to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
SAE
TEMP =30 =20 =10 0 10 20 30 40 "C
-I'o 6 2_ 4b 6'o s'o loo%
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
01_ visc Ohattl_ hoad_
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.
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.
2. Remove yellow cap from end of drain
valve and install the drain tube onto the
fitting.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed and
Locked
Position {_
Yellow _
Cap
__ rain
Tube
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 dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
_pproximate capacity see "PRODUCT
PECIFICATIONS" section of this manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Insert dipstick into
the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the
tube. Do not thread the cap onto the
tube when taking reading. Keep oil
at "FULl" line on dipstick. Tighten cap
onto the tube securely when finished.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
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 FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a
dirty air filter. Clean the foam 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.
20