V-Belts; Transaxle Cooling; Transaxle Pump Fluid; Engine Lubrication - Craftsman EZ3 917.259570 Owner's Manual

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
V_BELTS
Check V-bottsfor dote riorattonand wear after 100 hoursof
operation and replace if necessary The botts are not
adjustable Replace belts If they begin to slip from wear,
TRANSAXLE
COOLING
The fan and coot{rig fins of transmission should be kept
clean to assure proper cooling.
Do not attempt to c{ean fan or transmission while engine is
running or while the transmission is hot
• Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and
cfean
,, Inspect cooling fins for did, grass clippings and other
materials To prevent damage to seals, do not use
compressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean
coohng fins
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory and fluid mainte-
nance is not required forths ltfe of the transaxle Should the
transax{e ever leak or require servicing, contact your near*
est authorized service center/departmenL
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with APt service
classification SF, SG, orSH Select the oil's SAE viscosity
grade according to your expected operating temperature,
SAEVISCOSITY GRADES
• After ot{has drained completely, replace ofl drain plug
and tighten securely
" Reffil engine with oil Ihrough otF ftl! dipstick lube, Pour
s_owly. Do not overfill, Forapp_x_mate capacity see
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS on page 3 of this
manual
• Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Be
sure dipslick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep olbat "FULL" line on dipstick,
OIL _ A}R SCREEN
,L,o
OIL FILL
CAP,'DIPSTSICK t " _.._I..'_
FIG. 16
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
(See Fig. 16)
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent
englne damage from overheattngr Clean with a wire brush
or compressed air to remov e dirt and stubborn dried gum
fibers.
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 17)
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air lilter_
Clean the foam pro-cleanerafter every 25 hours of opera-
lion or every season Service paper cartridge every I00
hours of operationorevery season, whichever occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions,
NOTE: Allhough multt-vtscosily oils (5W30, 10W30 eta,)
improve starting in cold weather, these mutli-viscosity oils
will result'in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F, Check your engine ofl level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the olt after every 25 houra of operation orat least
once a year tf the tractor Is not used for 25 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before slatting the engine
and after each eight (8) hours of operation., Tighten oii fiEl
cap/dipstick securely each tfme you check the oil level,,
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs 15 and 16)
Determine temperature range expected before o{I change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF, SG or SH-
• Be sure tractor is on level sudace.
• Oil wile drain more freely when warm,
• Catch ell in a sullable container,
• Remove oil flit cap/dipstlck. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil,
• Remove drain plug,
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
• Slide foam pro-cleaner off cartridge
• Wash tt in liquid detergent and water
• Squeeze it dry tn a clean cloth.
• Saturate it in engine oil Wrap it in clean, absorbent
cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil.
• 11 very dirty or damaged, replace pre-cleaner.
• Relnstaltpre-cleanerover cartridge
• Reinstall cover and secure with knob(s).
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
,, Remove wlng nuts and cartridge plate,
, Carefully remove cartridge to prevent debris from en-
tering carburetor
• CleancartrtdgebylappinggentlyonfLatsurface., If very
dirty or damaged, replace cartridge.
• Reinstall cartridge pIate, wing nuts, precieaner, cover
and secure wtth knob(s)
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