Craftsman 917.289030, 917.289031 owner manual Engine

BATTERY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which is sufficient for normal user However,

periodic charging of the battery with an au- tomotive charger will extend its lifeo

•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 dirt on the battery and termi- nals can cause the battery to "leak" powen 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 COOLING

Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which can restrict cooling.

V-BELTS

Check V-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

Only use high quality detergent oi! rated with API service classification SG-SL. Select the

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

S_,Eiscosi_GRADES

TEMPERATURE RANGi_ At,rI'ICtPATED 8 EFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, the oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°E 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 opera- tion or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one yean

Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each eight (8) hours of

operation. Tighten oil fill cap/dipstick se- curely 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,

tBe sure tractor is on level surface,

oOil wilt 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.

,Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve and install the drain tube onto the

fitting°

Oil Drain Valve

Closed and

Locked

Yellow	_	Drain
Cap		Tube

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 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

SP ECIFICATIONS"section ofthis manual.

8.Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. For accurate reading, tighten dipstick cap securely onto the tube before removing dipstick° Keep oil at "FULl" line on dipstick. Tighten cap onto the tube securely when finished,

ENGINE OIL FILTER

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

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