Craftsman 917.258694 Owner's Manual page 19

C
RESPONSiBiLiTiES
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.
Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level,
insert dipstick intothe tube and rest the oil fil! cap on the
tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube when taking
reading. Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick. Tighten
cap onto the tube securely when finished.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The fan and cooling fins of transmission 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.
- 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 dot use
compressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean
cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxte was sealed at the factory and fluid mainte-
nance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should the
transaxle ever leak or require servicing, contact your near-
est authorized service center/department.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oi! rated with API service
classification SF, SG, or SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity
grade according to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
°F r -20° 0n 30.___ 3P '_ 40 ° 80 ° 80 ° 100"
°C -30 ° -20" -10 ° 0_ 10 ° 20 ° 30 ° 40 °
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least
once a year ifthe 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.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 16)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF, SG, or SH.
, Be sure tractor is on level surface.
, Oil will drain more freely when warm.
, Catch oil in a suitable container.
- Remove oil fill capldipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
Remove drain plug.
• After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely.
, Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this
manual.
RG, !6
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 air to remove dirt and stubborn dried gurn
fibers.
CLEAN AIR [NTAKE/OOOUNG AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen,
cooling fins, and other external surfaces 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 enginewith a b_ocked grass screen,
dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds re-
moved will cause engine damage due to overheating.
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