Transaxle Cooling; V-Belts; Engine Lubrication; Air Filter - Craftsman 917.271653 Owner's Manual

• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.
NOTE: The original 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
ADJUSTMENTS section of this
manual).
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 100 hours of operation and replace
if necessary. 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 SF- SJ. Se-
lect the oil's SAE viscosity grade accord-
ing to your expected operating tempera-
ture.
SAE VISCOS_ GRADES
F -20 O 3O _ 40 fo aO _o0
._0 _10 10 2O 3O 4O _3O C*
_PERA_IRE RANGE ._r _I_ATEO B ER_YlE NEXT O_ CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°F. Check your en-
gine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running
low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of op-
eration or at least once a year if the trac-
tor 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. 13ghten 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.
Closed Oil Drain Valve
and -__
Locked _,_1_1" _. _DrainTube
Position
Yellow _ ;; . (_-:_" y
Cap -- _
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
slightly and tuming 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 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.
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
lOg hours of operation or every season,
whichever occurs first.
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