Batter Care; V-Belts; Engine Lubrication; Engine Oil Filter - Craftsman 917.28803 Operator's Manual

BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system
which is sufficient for normal use. However,
periodic charging of the battery with an au-
tomotive 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 BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and termi-
nals can cause the battery to "leak" power.
1. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
2. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
3. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4. Coat terminals with grease or petroleum
jelly.
5. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BA-i-FERY" 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
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.
1
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES 1
J
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
_3'0 .2'0 .10 0 _'0 20 10 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
o_r v_sc _h_r_l e
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
the oils will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°R Check your engine
oil level more frequently to avoid possible
engine damage from running low on oil.
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. 19
Check the crankcase oil level before starting
the engine and after each eight (8) hours of
operation. Tighten oil fill cap/dipstick se-
curely 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 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.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed and
Locked
/rJI I _I__
P°siti°n l
Yellow - _ ,_-_--_
Cap------ _,\ _ _e '_ y Drain
_Tube
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.
7. Refill enginewith oilthrough oil fill dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT
SPECI FICATIONS"section of this manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. For accurate reading,
tighten dipstick cap securely onto the
tube before removing dipstick. Keep oil
at "FULL' line on dipstick. Tighten cap
onto the tube securely when finished.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engine oil filter every season
or every other oil change if the tractor is
used more than 1 O0 hours in one year.