Craftsman 917.273322 - Manual (Page 21)

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.
• Rechargeai 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.
• Remove terminal guard.
• 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
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
clippings and other materials. To
prevent damage to seals, do not use
compressed air or high pressure
sprayer to clean cooling fins.
BATTERY
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 your nearest authorized service
center/department.
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.
* •
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
TEMPEHATUqE rance AWTigPATED before NEXT OIL CHANGE
Change the oil after every 50 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
tractor is not used for 50 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 wilt 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. 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.
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