Craftsman 917.27317 Owner's Manual page 19

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.
TO CLEANBATTERYAND TERMINALS
Corrosionand dirt on the battery and
terminals can cause the battery to "leak"
power.
1. DisconnectBLACKbattery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
batteryfrom tractor.
2. Rinsethe battery with plainwater and
dry.
3. Cleanterminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4. Coatterminals with greaseor petro-
leumjelly.
5. Reinstallbattery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICEAND AD-
JUSTMENTSsectionof this manual).
TRANS._LE COOLING
Keeptransaxlefree from build-up of dirt
and chaff which can restrictcooling.
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 SG-SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F 30 32 40 60 80
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
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-
ing the engine and after each eight (8)
hours of operation.
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. 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.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engine oil filter every season
or every other oil change if the tractor is
used more than 100 hours in one year.
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