Craftsman 917.275012 Owner's Manual page 18

BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system
which is sufficient for normal use. How-
ever, 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.
NOTE: The original equipment battery on
your tractor is maintenance free. Do not
attempt to open or remove caps or covers.
Adding or checking level of electrolyte is
not necessary.
TO CLEAN BA'I-FERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and
terminals 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. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
4. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
5. Coat terminals with grease or petro-
leum jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BAI-IERY" in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this
manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt
and chaff which can restrict cooling.
CHECK TRANSAXLE OIL LEVEL
1. Block up rear axle securely.
2. Remove left rear wheel by removing
hub bolts.
3. Remove filler plug from transaxle. Oil
level must be even with plug threads. If
necessary, fill with SAE 30 motor oil,
API SF-SJ. Replace filler plug.
4. Reassemble wheel to hub.
Transaxle
Plug
Filler
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.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF-SJ.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
Change the oil after every 50 hours of
operation 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. Tighten oil fill cap/
dipstick securely each time you check the
oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SF-SJ.
• 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.
Oil Drain Valve
Dur_ien ----_ Yellow / 1 _ _ - Cap_
_ Closed
and
Locked
Position
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing upward
slightly and turning counterclockwise.
4. To open, pull down on the drain valve.
5. After oil has drained completely, close
and lock the drain valve by pushing
upward and turning clockwise until the
pin is in the locked position as shown.
6. Remove the drain tube and replace the
cap onto to the end of the drain valve.
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