V-Belts; Transaxle Cooling; Engine Lubrication; Air Filter - Craftsman 917.270412 Owner's Manual

• Keepbatteryand terminalsclean.
o Keepbatteryboltstight.
° Keepsmallvent holes open,
° Rechargeat 6-to amperes for i hour°
TO CLEANBATTERY ANDTERMINALS
Corrosionanddirt on the batteryandter-
minalscan causethe batteryto"leak"
power.
• Openbatterybox d0or.
• Disconnect B LACKbatterycablefirst
thenRED batterycableand remove
batteryfromtractor°
• Rinsethe batterywith plainwaterand
dry°
• Cleanterminalsand batter,/cableends
withwirebrushuntilbrighL
• Coatterminalswithgreaseor petroleum
jelly,,
° Reinstall b attery(See"REPLACING
BATTERY" i n the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS sectionofthis manu-
a0.
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.,
TRANSAXLE COOUNG
Keep transaxte 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, SG or
SH° Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating tem-
erature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
1
_'F -20" O" 30* 3_" 40" 66" BS" 1_0"
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, t0W30 etc.)improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°E Check your engine oil
level more frequently to avoid possible
engine damage from running low on oil
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
Iractor is not used for 25 hours in one
year..
Check the crankcase oil level before start-
ing the engine and after each eight (8)
hours of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/dip-
stick securely each time you check the oil
level
TO CHANGEENGINE OIL ....
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SF, 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 fill cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine
when changing oil
° Remove drain plugo
. After oil has drained completely, replace
oil drain plug and tighten securely,,
o Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip-
stick tube: Pour slowly. Do not overfill
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 5 of
this manual
° 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.
Oil Fill
"'-_(_ _"-- CaptDipstick
o,, O ,a,o
19
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 t00
hours of operation or every season,
whichever occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty
conditions.
° Remove knob(s) and cover°
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
° Slide foam pre:cleaner off cartridge.
,, Wash it in liquid detergent and water,
° Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth.
° Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in clean,
absorbent cloth and squeeze to remove
excess oil.
• If very dirty or damaged, replace pre-
cleaner_
= Reinstall pre-cleane]" over cartridge.
= Reinstall cover and secure with knob(s),.
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
= Remove cartridge nuL
o Carefully remove cartridge to prevent
debris from entering carburetor,. Clean
base carefully to prevent debris from
entering carburetor..
,, Clean cartridge by tapping gently on flat
surface. If very dirty or damaged,
replace cartridge.