Craftsman 917.28934 Operator's Manual page 18

TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmissionfan andcoolingfins should
be kept clean to assure proper cooling.
Do not attemptto clean fan or transmission
while engine is running or while the trans-
mission is hot.Toprevent 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.
• Inspectcoolingfins for dirt,grassclippings
and other materials. To prevent damage
to seals, do not use compressed air or
highpressuresprayerto cleancoolingfins.
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 near-
est Sears or other qualified service center.
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 Selectthe
oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your
expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100
c -1o -20 -1; ; 1'0 _o 1o 4;
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
oil visc chart4
Change the oil after every 50 hours of opera-
tion 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 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. Removeyellowcapfromendofdrainvalve
and install the drain tube onto the fitting.
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
slightly and turning counterclockwise.
Closed
and
Locked
Oil Drain Valve
__ Drain
Tube
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
SPECIFICATIONS"sectionofthismanual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. For accurate reading,
insert dipstick into the tube and push
down firmly into place before removing.
Keep oil up to, but not over, the "FULL'
line on dipstick. Push dipstick down firmly
into the tube 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 INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To ensure proper cooling, make sure the grass
screen, cooling fins, and other external sur-
faces of the engine are kept clean at all times.
Every 100 hours of operation (more often
under extremely dusty, dirty conditions),
remove the blower housing and other cooling
shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external
surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling
shrouds are reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked
grass screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins,
and/or cooling shrouds removed will cause
engine damage due to overheating.
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 airto
remove dirt and stubborn dried gum fibers.
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