Battery; Engine Lubrication; V-Belts; To Clean Battery And Terminals - Craftsman 917.252451 Owner's Manual

CUSTOM RESPONSiBHLBTBES
ENGINE
BATTERY
(See Fig. 12)
Your tractor has a battery charging system which is suffi-
cient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the
battery with an automotive charger will extend its life.
• Acid solution level in each battery cell should be even
with bottoms of vent wells. Add only distilled or iron free
water if necessary.. Do not overfill..
o Keep battery and terminals clearr.
, Keep battery bolts tighL
• Keep vent caps tight and small vent holes in caps open.
o 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'..
° Open battery box door.
° Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
° Wash battery with solution of four tablespoons of
baking soda to one gallon of watero Becareful notto get
the soda solution into the cells.
o 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,,
o Reinstall battery (See "INSTALL BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual).
CUT AWAY VIEW C VENTCAP
vE"T
WELL
BATTERY
CELL ACID
LEVEL
FIG. 12
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 COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which
can restrict cooling_
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classification SF or SG,, Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20 = 0 ° 30" 32 _ 40" 60" 80"
_30 _ .20 • .10 ° 0 o 10 _ 20 = 30 ° 40 _
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
FIG. 13
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F, Check your engine oil level mora fraquentlyto avoid
possible engine damage from running low on oil
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 (8) hours of operation_ Tighten oil fill
cap/dipstick securely each time you check the oil level,
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 13 and 14)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF or SG.
° 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 plug.
o After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely,,
o 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 oil fill cap/dipstick for' checking level Be
sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick,
CAP/DIPSTICK
OIL DRAIN
PLUG
16
FIG. 14