Craftsman 917.289453 Operator's Manual page 22

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and termi-
nals can cause the battery to "leak" power.
1. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
3. Rinsethe battery with plain waterand dry.
4. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
5. Coat terminals with grease or petroleum
jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-
JUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and
chaff which can restrict cooling.
V=BELTS
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.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed
and
Locked
__ Drain
Tube
Yellow Ca
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after
100 hours of operation and replace if neces-
sary. 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 Selectthe
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
.
.
Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT
SPECI FICATIO NS" section ofthis 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.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
i i i i i
C -30 -2_0 -10 0 1_0 20 30 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
oil visc chart4 e
Change the oil after every 50 hours of opera-
tion or at least once a year if the tractor is
not used for 50 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting
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 SG-SL.
• 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.
ENGINE OiL FILTER
22
Replace the engine oil filter every season or
every other oil change if the tractor is used
more than 100 hours in one year.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a
dirty air filter. Service paper cartridge every
two months or every 25 hours of operation,
whichever occurs first.
Service paper cartridge more often under
dusty conditions.
Replace the paper cartridge annually, or after
every 100 hours of operation.
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
• Replace a dirty, bent, or damaged car-
tridge. Handle new cartridge carefully; do
not use if the rubber seal is damaged.
NOTE: Do not wash the paper cartridge
or use pressurized air, as this will damage
the cartridge.
1. Open door (A) on the blower housing to
access the air cleaner element (B).
2. Unhook the latch (C) and remove the
element.
3. Gently tap the paper element to dislodge
dirt.