Craftsman 917.275283 - Manual (Page 18)

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 “REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD­
JUSTMENTS 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.
• 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 transaxle ever
leak or require servicing, contact a Sears or
other qualified service center.
V""BELTS
Check V-beltsfordeterioration 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 SF-SJ. Select the
oil’s SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
C -30___________ ^20_______ -|0_________ 0_________10________ 20________ 30 A
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
oit_vfsc_diarti_8
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.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SF-SJ.
• 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
Position
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing upward
slightly and turning counterclockwise.
4. To open, pull down on the drain valve.
5. After oil has drained completely, close
and lock the drain valve by pushing
upward 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 engine with oil through oil fill dip­
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see “PROD­
UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this
manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Insert dipstick into
the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the
tube. Do not thread the cap onto the
tube when taking reading. Keep oil
at “FULL’ line on dipstick. Tighten cap
onto the tube securely when finished.
18