Craftsman 917.259561 owner manual Engine, ENGINE OIL FILTER See Fig, Customer Responsibilities

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

BATTERY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which is suffi- cient 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.

•Recharge at 6-10 amperes for I hour.

TO CLEAN BAI-I-ERY 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 bat- tery 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 terminats with grease or petroleum jelly.

•Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the Assembly 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, SG or SH. Select the oil'sSAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

I_Oo

.30 ° .20 _ .10 ° C_ 10 ° 20 ° 30 •

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)

improve starting in 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 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 (See Fig; 14)

Determine temperature range expected before oilchange. 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 on page 3 of this manual.

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

AIR SCREEN

FIG. 14

ENGINE OIL FILTER (See Fig. 15)

Replace the engine oil filter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one

year.

•Unscrew old filter by turning counterclockwise. Use a suitable container to catch oil.

•Apply a thin coating of new engine oil to rubber gasket on replacement oil filter.

•Install replacement oil filter by turning clockwise until

rubber gasket contacts mounting surface, then tighten filter an additional 1/2 to 3/4 turn.

•Fill crankcase with new oil (See "30 CHANGE EN- GINE OIL" in this section of this manual). For approxi- mate capacity see =PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual.

•Start engine and check for oil leaks. Correct any leaks before placing engine into full operation.

OIL RLTER

17 FIG. 15