V-Belts; Transaxle Cooling; Engine Lubrication; Clean Air Screen - Craftsman 16 HP ELECTRIC START 42" MOWER 6 SPEED TRANSAXLE LAWN TRACTOR 917.27103 Owner's Manual

o Coat terminals with grease or petroleum
jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BAT-
TERY" in the Assembly section of this
manual).
V-BELTS
Check
V-belts for deterioration and wear
after 100 hours of operation and replace if
neoessary_ 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 classification SF, SG, or
SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating tem-
perature,
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
Change the oil after every 50 hours of
operation 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/dip-
stick 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, SG, or SH.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
° Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
° Remove oil fill cap/dipsticko Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine
when changing oil.
• Remove drain plug.
• After oil has drained completely, replace
oil drain plug and tighten securely.
Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip..
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 5 of
this manual.
- 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.
Air Cleaner Cover Knob
Cover
Wing Nut
Foam
Pre-Cleaner Rubber
Air
Cleaner
Base
Oil Fill
Air Cleaner
Cap/
Paper Dipstick
Cartridge
Oil Drain Plug
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and
chaff to prevent engine damage from over-
heating. Clean with a wire brush or com--
pressed air to remove dirt and stubborn
dried gum fibers.
AIR FILTER
Your engine wilt 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.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty
conditions.
° Remove knob and cover.
• Remove wing nut and air cleaner from
base,
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
° Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge.
° Wash it in liquid detergent and water.
° Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth. Allow it
to dry.
° Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in
clean, absorbent cloth and squeeze to
remove excess oil.
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