Craftsman 917.257480 Owner's Manual page 16

NTENANCE
e
BATTERY (See Fig. 12)
Your unit has a battery charging system which is sufficient
for normal use. However, periodic charging of the battery
with an automotive charger will extend it's tile.
• Acid solution level in each battery celt should be even
with bottoms ofvent wells Add only distilled or iron free
water if necessary. Do not overfill.
CUT AWAY VIEW j VENTCAP
............. VENT WELL
N _ _ _Z BA'I-fERY
r_ _ H r_ _ H r_ [_ j_ CELLACID
FIG, 12
• Keep battery and terrninals clean
• Keep battery bolts tight
• Keep vent caps tight and small vent holes in caps open.
• Recharge at 6 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.
• Wash battery with solution of fourtablespoons of bak-
ing soda to one gallon of water. Be careful not to get
the soda solution into the cells
• 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 "INSTALL BATTERY" in as-
sembly section of this manual)
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
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 year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each eight (5) hours of continuous use. Add SAE
30W motor oil or equalivent. Tighten oil fill cap/dipstick
securely each time you check the oil level, SAE 5W-30
rnotor oil may be used to make start=ing easier in areas
where temperature is consistently 32 F or Iower_
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 13) -
Determine temperature range expected before oil change,
All oil must meet API service classification SD, SE or SF.
• Be sure vehicle is on level surface°
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
:u,,iJ,=_w ....................
Catch oil in a suitable container'.
Remove oil fill dipstick, Be careful not to allow dirt to
enter the engine when changing oil.
Remove drain plug.
After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely.
Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour
slowly, Do not overfill For approximate capacity see
Product Specifications on page 3 of this manual
Use gauge on oi! fill dipstick for checking level. Besure
dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate reading.
Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick_
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
! I I ! t 1__12j
-20 ° 0° 32 ° 60 ° 80 ° 100°
OIL
DRAIN
PLUG
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
AND FILL TUBE
AIR SCREEN
16
FIG. 13
AIR SCREEN (See Fig. 13)
The engine air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to
prevent engine damage from overheating_ Clean with a
wire brush or compressed air to removed dirt and stubborn
dried gum fibers_
AIR FILTER FOAM PRE-CLEANER
(See Fig. 14)
Your engine wiil not run properly and may be damaged by
using a dirty air filter° Clean the foam pre-cleaner element
after every 25 hours of operation, more often if tractor is
used in very dusty, dirty conditions=
• Remove knobs and cover°
• Remove foam pre-cleaner by sliding it off the paper
cartridge.
NOTE: Do not attempt to clean or oil the paper cartridge.
Replace paper cartridge once a year or after every 100
hours of operation, more often if used in very dusty, dirty
conditions,
• Wash foam pre-cleaner in liquid detergent and water.
• Wrap foam pre-cleaner in cloth and squeeze dry.
• Lightly coat foam pre-cleaner with de'an engine oil.
Squeeze in towel to remove excess oil, Do not satu-
rate_
• Install foam pre-cleaner over paper cartridge.
• Reassemble cover and secure with knobs.