Maintenance - Craftsman 917.28015 Operator's Manual

2. Rinsethebatterywithplainwaterand dry.
3. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4. Coat terminals with grease or petroleum
jelly.
5. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-
JUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and
chaff which can restrict cooling.
Do not attempt to clean transaxle while
engine is running or while the transaxle is
hot. To prevent possible damage to seals,
do not use high pressure water or steam to
clean transaxle.
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after
100 hours of operation and replace if neces-
sary. 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 Selectthe .
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
i i i i i
C -30 -2_0 -10 0 1_0 20 30 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
oil visc chart1 e
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
they will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°F/0°C. Check your
engine oil level more frequently to avoid pos-
sible engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of opera-
tion or at least once a year if the tractor is
not used for 25 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting
the engine and after each eight (8) hours
of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/dipstick
securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
_CAUTION: If engine has been operated
for an extended period of time immediately
prior to draining oil, oil will be hot.
Drain Hole (_
Drain Plug
• Slide oil drain extension under oil drain
hole (drain hole may be flush with or
protrude from engine block side wall).
• Make sure backface ofoil drain extension
is flush with engine side wall.
• Make sure bottom lipofoil drain extension
is lined up with bottom of oil drain hole.
• Position a container to catch oil directly
under front end of oil drain extension.
o
o
Slide a 1/2" (12 point) socket mounted
on an extension onto oil drain plug.
Loosen plug while holding the oil drain
extension firmly in place.
Drain oil into container.
After oil has drained completely, reinstall
oil drain plug. Do not tighten more than
13 Ft-Lb's.
Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT
SPECI FICATiO NS" section ofthis manual.
Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Be sure dipstick cap is
tightened securely for accurate reading.
Keep oil at "FU LF' line on dipstick. Tighten
cap onto the tube securely when finished.
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff
to prevent engine damage from overheating.
Clean with a wire brush or compressed air to
remove dirt and stubborn dried gum fibers.
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification C.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine when
changing oil.
SPARK PLUG(S)
Replace spark plug(s) at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs first.
Spark plug type and gap setting are shown
in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section
of this manual.
19