Lubrication, I i i – Craftsman 917.2720601 User Manual
Page 20
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• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
• Rechargeât 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 “leal^ 
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 clean to assure proper 
cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmission
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
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 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 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 classification SF-SJ. 
Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating 
temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
I I I
30
32 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
Change the oil after every 50 hours of 
operation 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.
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 ievel 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
Close 
and 
Locked 
Position
Yellow Cap
Drain Tube
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
slightly and turning counterciockwise.
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 SPECIFICATIONS”
20 section of this manual.