Craftsman 917.270730 Owner's Manual page 18

BA'n'ERY
Your tractor has a battery charging
system which is sufficient for normal use.
However, 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.
• Open battery box door.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
• Clean terminals and battery cable
ends with wire brush until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petro-
leum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this
manual).
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.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SG, or
SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
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 more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running
low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation 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
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SF, SG or SH.
• 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.
• 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"
section 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.
Oil Fill
Cap/Dipstick
/Oil Drain Plug
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
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 remove dirt and
stubborn dried gum fibers.
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