Battery; V-Belts; Transaxle Cooling; To Change Engine Oil - Craftsman 917.271814 Owner's Manual

BA'FrERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system
which is sufficientfor normal use. How-
ever, periodic charging of the battery with
an automotive charger will extend ks life,
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolls tight.
• Keep small vent holes open,
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour,
NOTE: The odginal equipment battery on
your tractor is maintenance free. Do not
attempt to open or remove caps or covers.
Adding or checking level of electrolyte is
not necessary.
TO CLEAN BATI-ERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and
terminals can cause the battery to "leak"
power.
1. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK battery 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 until bright.
5. Coat terminals with grease or petro-
leum jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATIERY" in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this
manual).
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioretion 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.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt
and chaff which can restrict cooling.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classificationSF-SJ.
Select the oil's SAE viscositygrade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosityoils
will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°F. Check your
engine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running
low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
tractor is not used for 25 hours in one
_ear.
hack the crankcase oil level before
starting the engine and after each eight
(8) hours of operation. "Nghten oil fill cap/
dipstick securely each time you check the
oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SF-SJ.
• 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
21
Drain
Yellow Tube
Cap
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 yellow cap onto to the end of the
drain valve.
7. Refill engine with oil through oil fill
dipstick tube. Pour slowly. Do not
overfill. For approximate capacity see
=PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"
section of this manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Be sure dipstick cap is
tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at "FULL" line on
dipstick.