Transaxle Maintenance; V-Belts; Engine Lubrication; To Change Engine Oil - Craftsman 917.20380 Operator's Manual

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals
can cause the battery to "leak" power.
1. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
3. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
4. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
5. Coatterminals with grease or petroleum
jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and
chaff which can restrict cooling.
Do not attempt to clean transaxte while
engine is running or while the transaxle is
hot. To prevent possible damage to seals,
do not use high pressure water or steam to
clean transaxte.
V=BELTS
CheckV-betts 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. Selectthe oil's
SAE viscosity grade according to your expected
operating temperature.
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.
LOWER DASH COVER REMOVAL
1. Raise hood.
2. Remove fastener from lower dash cover.
CAUTION: Remove lower dash cover care-
fully to ensure cover tabs are not broken.
3. Slide lower dash cover up to release
cover tabs from tapered slots in lower
dash and remove.
Lower Dash
4. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine when
changing oil.
5. Remove yellow cap from end of drain
valve and install the drain tube onto the
fitting.
6. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
and turning counterclockwise.
7. To open, putt out on the drain valve.
Oil Drain Valve
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
m., 32 4_ Closed __ _I_
c-3o -e'o -_ _ 1'o _o ,_0 40 Locked _--_'__A Drain
xzo osi,ion . e
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
they will resultin increased oil consumptionwhen Yellow Cap_
usedabove 32°F/0°C. Checkyour engine oil level
more frequently to avoid possible engine damage
from running low on oil.
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.
Tighten oil fill cap/dipstick securely each time you
check the oil level.
8. 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.
9. Removethe drain tube and reptacethe cap
onto to the bottom fitting of the drain valve.
10. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS"section ofthis manual.
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