Craftsman 917.271742 To Clean Battery and Terminals, Belts, Transaxle Cooling, Engine Lubrication

•Keep battery and terminals clean.

•Keep battery boris 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 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

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 dean trensaxle.

•Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and clean.

•Inspect cooling fine 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.

TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID

The tranaaxle was sealed at the factory and fluid maintenance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should the

transaxle ever _eek or require servicing, contact your nearest authorized service center/department.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classificationSF-SJ.

Select the oil'sSAE viscosity grade

according to your expected operating temperature.

_#dE VISCOSITY GR&DES

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 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-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 cap from end of drain valve and install the drain tube onto the

fitting.

3.Unlock drain valve by pushing inward slightry 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.

20