Craftsman 917.259561 - Manual (Page 17)

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
BATTERY
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.
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
• Rechargeât 6-10 amperes fori hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to “leak" power.
• Remove terminal guard.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat­
tery 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 petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall batteiy (See “CONNECT BATTERY” in the
Assembly 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.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
IHi^
Op -20" 0' 30" 32"
40 "
eo" 80“ 100“
°C .30" 20“ .10" 0" 10“ 20" 30" 40"
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
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 50 hours of operation or at least
once a year if the tractor is not used for50 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 Fig. 14)
Detemiine 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” on page 3 of this
manual.
• Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstickforchecking level. Be
sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at “FULL” line on dipstick.
FIG. 14
ENGINE OIL FILTER (See Fig. 15)
Replace the engine oil filter every season or every other oil
change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one
year.
• Unscrew old filter by turning counterclockwise. Use a
suitable container to catch oil.
• Apply a thin coating of new engine oil to rubber gasket
on replacement oil filter.
• Install replacement oil filter by turning clockwise until
rubber gasket contacts mounting surface, then tighten
filter an additional 1/2 to 3/4 turn.
• Fill crankcase with new oil (See ‘TO CHANGE EN­
GINE OIL" in this section of this manual). For approxi­
mate capacity see “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” on
page 3 of this manual.
• Start engine and check for oil leaks. Correct any leaks
before placing engine into full operation.