Craftsman 917.270822 - Manual (Page 20)

• 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 AD­
JUSTMENTS 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 COOUNG
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 pres­
sure water or steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan
blades are intact and clean.
• Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clip­
pings and other materials. To prevent
damage to seals, do not use com­
pressed air or high pressure sprayer to
clean cooling 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.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SG or
SH. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature._____________ _
VISCOSITY grades
30* ar 40* eo* W 100*
*C -30*__________ -20* 10*_________g*________ lo;^________ 20“ 30* 40*
TEMPERATURE FtANGE ANTJCtPATED 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 25 hours of op­
eration or at least once a year if the trac­
tor 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 tne
oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
sen/ice 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, re­
place oil drain plug and tighten se­
curely.
• Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip­
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see “PROD­
UCT SPECIFICATIONS” 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.
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.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a
dirty air filter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner
after every 25 hours of operation or every
season. Service paper cartridge every
100 hours of operation or every season,
whichever occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under
dusty conditions.
• Remove knob(s) and cover.
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
• Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge.
• Wash it in liquid detergent and water.
• Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth.
• Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in
clean, absorbent cloth and squeeze to
remove excess oil.
• If very dirty or damaged, replace pre­
cleaner.
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