Craftsman 917.28907 - Manual (Page 19)

BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system
which is sufficient for normal use. However,
periodic charging of the battery with an au­
tomotive 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 dirton the battery and terminals
can cause the battery to “leak” power.
1. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
2. Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
3. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4. Coat terminals with grease or petroleum
jelly.
5. Reinstall battery (See “REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD­
JUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and
chaff which can restrict cooling.
Do not attempt to clean transaxle while
engine is running or while the transaxle is
hot. To prevent possible damage to seals,
do not use high pressure water or steam to
clean transaxle.
V-BELTS
CheckV-belts for deterioration 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
Cnly use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SG-SL.
Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
C -30________ ¡20______-10_______ 0_______ 10_______ 20______ 30 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
oil_viso_ohartl_6
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
they 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 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
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 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.
2. Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve
and install the drain tube onto the fitting.
Oil Drain Valve
19
slightly and turning counterclockwise.
4. To open, pull out on the drain valve.
5. After oil has drained completely, close and
lock the drain valve by pushing inward
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 dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see “PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS”sectionofthis manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. For accurate reading,
insert dipstick into the tube and push
down firmly into place before removing.
Keep oil up to, but not over, the “FULL
line on dipstick. Push dipstick down firmly
into the tube when finished.