Battery/To Clean Battery And Terminals; Transaxle Cooling; V-Belts; Engine Lubrication/To Change Engine Oil - Craftsman 917.273811 Owner's Manual

BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system
which is sufficient for normal use. Howm
ever, periodic charging of the battery with
an automotive charger will extend its life.
o Keep battery and terminals clean.
o Keep battery bolts tight.
o Keep small vent holes open.
o Recharge at 6mt0 amperes for t 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 BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and
terminals can cause the battery to "leak"
power.
1, Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
2, Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry,
3, Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4, Coat terminals with grease or petro_
leum jelly.
5, Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD_
JUSTMENTS section of this manual),
NOTE: Although mukiwiscosity 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 opm
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, Tighten 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 SG_SL.
o Be sure tractor is on level surface.
o Oil will drain more freely when warm.
o 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
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt
and chaff which can restrict cooling,
V-BELTS
Check V_belts for deterioration and wear
after t00 hours of operation and replace
if necessary. The belts are not adjustable.
Replace belts if they begin to slip from
wear.
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SGmSL,
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature,
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES 40' 1
_il vice€hart1 e
19
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.