Craftsman 917.259330 Owner's Manual page 17

CUSTOMER ESPONS! LITMES
BATTERY
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
Your tractor has a battery charging system which is suffi-
cient for normal use, However, periodic charging of the
battery with an automotive charger will extend its life.
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
o Keep battery bolts tight.
Keep small vent holes open,
• Recharge at 6-!0 amperes for 1 hour,
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
• Open battery box door,
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
, Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
• Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
until bright.
Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly,
Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual).
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for dete rioration 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,
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 or SG. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature,
SAE VrSCOSITY GRADES
improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running Iow on oil.
Change the oil after the first two hours of operation and
every 25 hours thereafter or at least once a year if the
tractor is not used for 25 hours in one _'ear.
Check the crankcase oii tevel before starting 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 (See Figs. 15 and 16)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet APf service classification SFor SG.
o Be sure tractor is on leve! surface.
° Oi_ wilt drain more freely when warm.
Catch oil in a suitable container.
o Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
® Remove drain plug,
After oil has drained comp!etely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely.
o Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube, Pour
slow{y, Do not overfill, For approximate capacity see
PRODUCT SPECIFICAT ONS on page 3 of this
manual
Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Be
sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oi! at "FULL" line on dipstick.
OiL FILL
CAP/DIPSTICK
OIL DRAIN
PLUG
FiG. 16
17