Craftsman 917.289251 AIR Filter, Transaxle Cooling, To Change Engine OIL, Engine OIL Filter

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

Corrosion and dirt on the battery and termi- nals can cause the battery to "leak" power.

1.Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor.

2.Rinsethe batterywith plain waterand dry.

3.Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright.

4.Coat terminals with grease or petro- leum jelly.

5.Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-

JUSTMENTS section of this manual).

TRANSAXLE COOLING

1. Remove	oil	fill	cap/dipstick.	Be	careful
not to allow		dirt	to enter the	engine	when
changing	oil.

2.Removeyellowcapfromendofdrainvalve

and install the drain tube onto the fitting.

3.Unlock drain valve by pushing inward slightly and turning counterclockwise.

Oil Drain Valve

Closed and Locked

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 oil rated

with API service classification SG-SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

F	-20		0	30 32 40	60		80	100
c -_0		-2;	-,0	;	1'o	_0	_0	4o
	TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
							oil vise	chart1 e

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, they will result in increased

oil consumption when used above 32°R Check your engine oil level more frequent- ly to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil.

Change the oil after every 50 hours of op- eration 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 SG-SL

•Ensure tractor is on level surface.

•Oil will drain more freely when warm.

•Catch oil in a suitable container.

Yellow Ca

4.To open, pull out on the drain valve.

5.Afteroil 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 SPECI FICATIO NS" 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.

AIR FILTER

Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Service air cleaner more

often under dusty conditions. See Engine Manual.

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 stub- born dried gum fibers.

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