Battery Care; Transaxle Cooling; Transaxle Pump Fluid; Engine Lubrication - Craftsman 917.274822 Owner's Manual

NOTE: Do not use a nail for balancing
blade. The lobes of the center hole may
appear to be centered,but are not.
• Slide blade on to an unthreadedportion
of the steel bolt or pin and hold the
bolt or pin parallelwith the ground. If
blade is balanced,it should remain in a
horizontalposition. If either endof the
blade movesdownward,sharpen the
heavyend until the blade is balanced.
5/8" Bolt or Pin
Blade
Center Hole
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 BATTERY 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 "CONNECT
BATTERY" in the Assembly section of
this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins
should be kept clean to assure proper
cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmis-
sion while engine is running or while the
transmission is hot. To prevent possible
damage to seals, do not use high pressure
water or steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades
are intact and clean.
.
20
• Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clip-
pings and other materials. To prevent
damage to seals, do not use com-
pressed air or high pressure sprayer to
clean cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory
and fluid maintenance is not required for
the life of the transaxle. Should the trans-
axle ever leak or require servicing, contact
a Sears or other qualified service center.
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 SG-SL. Se-
lect the oil's SAE viscosity grade according
to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F _20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
c -i0 -2; -1; ; 1'0 _0 i0 4;
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
oil vJs(- cha_tl e
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.)improve starting in
cold weather, they will result in increased
oil consumption when used above 32°E
Check your engine oil level more frequent-
ly to avoid possible engine damage from
running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 50 hours of op-
eration or at least once a year if the tractor
is not used for 50 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/
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 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.
Remove yellow cap from end of drain
valve and install the drain tube onto the
fitting.