Engine Lubrication - Craftsman 917.273451 Owner's Manual

NOTE: The original equipmentbattery on
your tractor is maintenancefree. Do not
attemptto open or removecaps or covers.
Adding or checkinglevel of electrolyte is
not necessary.
ing the engine and after each eight (8)
hoursof operation. Tightenoil fill cap/
dipsticksecurely eachtime you check the
oil level.
TO CLEAN BATTERYANDTERMINALS
Corrosionand dirt on the battery and
terminals can cause the battery to "leak"
power.
1. Removeterminal guard.
2. DisconnectBLACKbattery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
3. Rinsethe 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-
JUSTMENTSsectionof this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keeptransaxlefree from build-up of dirt
and chaff which can restrictcooling.
V-BELTS
CheckV-beltsfor deteriorationand wear
after 100 hoursof operationand replace
if necessary. T he belts are not adjustable.
Replacebelts if they begin to slip from wear.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF-SJ.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
loo
.30 .10 0 lo 20 30 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
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.
Check your engine oil level more frequent-
ly to avoid possible engine damage from
running low on oil.
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-
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
Yellow Cap
Drain 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 dip-
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this
manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. For accurate reading,
tighten dipstick cap securely onto the
tube before removing dipstick. Keep oil
at "FULL' line on dipstick. Tighten cap
onto the tube securely when finished.
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.
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