Craftsman 917.270961 manual Tocleanbatteryandterminals, Clean AIR Screen

NOTE:The odginalequipmentbatteryon yourtractoris maintenancefree, Donot

attemptto openor removecaps or covers.Addingor checkinglevelof electrolyteis not necessary.

TOCLEANBATTERYANDTERMINALS

Corrosionand dirt on the batteryand terminalscan causethe batteryto "leak"

power.

Remove terminal guard,i

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 hi_lh pressure sprayer to clean coohng 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 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'sSAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting m 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 25 hours of

operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 25 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 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" section of this manual.

•Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Be sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate reading. Keep oil at "FULL" line on

dipstick.

Oil

Drain ,,,.'_--_Air Screen

Plug _ .

OIL Fill Ca_

DJpstsick_

CLEAN AIR SCREEN

Air screen must be kept free of dirt and

chaff to prevent engine damage from

2O