Craftsman 917.272057 owner manual Belts, Transaxle Cooling, Lubrication, Clean AIR Screen

•Keep batteryand terminalsclean.

•Keepbatteryboltstight.

•Keep smallvent holesopen.

•Rechargeat 6-10 amperesfor 1 hour.

NOTE:Theoriginalequipmentbattery 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.Open battery box door.

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

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-SJ.

Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSI]Y GRADES

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-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

Drain Tube

Closed and Locked Position

Yellow

Cap

3.Unlock drain valve by pushing inward 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 to 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" 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.

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.

CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS

To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are kept

19clean at all times.