Battery; V-Belts; Transaxle Cooling; Engine - Craftsman 917.259566 Owner's Manual

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
BATFERY
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.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
Keep small vent holes open.
Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour,
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
Remove terminal guard.
• 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 batterycable endswithwire brush
untilbright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleumjelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual).
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hoursof
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-upof dirt and chaff which
can restrictcooling,
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classificationSF, SG or SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity
grade according to your expected operating temperature,
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
_20_ 0 o
.30 • -20 o .10 _ 0 ° 10 ° 20 ° 30°
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OiL CHANGE
FIG, 14
NOTE: Althoughmulti-viscosity oils (5W30, lOW30 etc.)
improve startingin coldweather, these multi-viscosity oils
will resultin increased oilconsumptionwhen used above
32°F. Checkyour engine oillevel more frequentlytoavoid
possibleengine damage from runninglow on oil.
Change the oilafter every 25 hours ofoperationor at least
once a year ifthe tractorisnot usedfor25 hoursinone year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each eight (6) hours of operation. Tighten oil fit_
cap/dipsticksecurely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 14 and 15)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classificationSF, 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 flUcap/dipstick. Be carefulnot to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
• Remove drain plug.
• Afteroil has drained completely,replaceoil drain plug
and tighten securely.
Refill engine with oilthroughoil fill dipsticktube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfill. For approximatecapacltysee
=PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this
manual.
• Use gauge on oilfill cap/dipstick for checkinglevel. Be
sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at "FULL"line on dipstick.
OIL _ AIR SCREEN
°I s,s,cK
FIG. 15
17