Craftsman 917.273823 - Manual (Page 20)

* 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
terminals can cause the battery to ‘leak”
power.
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 petro­
leum jelly.
5. Reinstall battery {See “REPLACING
BATTERY" in the Service and Adjust­
ments section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins
should be kept dean to assure proper
cooling.
Do not attempt to dean 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 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 trans­
axle ever leak or require servicing, contact
a Sears or other qualified service center.
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.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service ciassification SG-SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
SA£ VtSCOSiTY GRADES
C -00__________ -20 -to_______________ 0________ 10________ 20_______ 30 4Q
TEMPERATXiRE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oiis
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, they will result in increased
oil consumption when used above 32T.
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 start­
ing 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.
* 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 yellow cap from end of drain
valve and install the drain tube onto the
fitting.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed
and
Locked
Position
Yeliow Cap
Drain Tube
20