Craftsman 917.288623 Operator's Manual page 18

TOCLEAN B AKERY A ND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt onthe b atteryandterminals
can cause the battery to"leak" power.
I. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK b attery c able f irst
thenREDbattery cable andremove
battery from tractor.
3. Rinse t hebattery withplain water and
dry.
4. Clean t erminals and battery cable e nds
with wire brush u ntil bright.
5. Coat terminals with grease orpetroleum
jelly.
6. Reinstall battery ( See"REPLACING
BATTERY" intheService and Adjust-
ments section ofthis manual).
V-BELTS
CheckV-belts for d eterioration and wearafter
100 hours o foperation and replace ifneces-
sary. The belts a renot a djustable, Replace
belts ifthey begin t oslip from wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Thetransmission fan and cooling fins should
be kept clean to ensure proper cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmission
while engine is running or while the trans-
mission is hot. To prevent possible damage
to seals, do not use high pressure water or
steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect cooling fan to Ensure fan blades
are intact and clean.
° Inspect coolingfins for dirt, grass clippings
and other materials. Topreventdamageto
seals, do not use compressed air or high
pressure sprayer to clean cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed atthe 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.
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.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc,) improve starting incold weather,
they will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°F/0°C. Check your
engine oil level more frequentlyto avoid pos-
sible engine damage from running low on oil.
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. Tighten oil fill cap/dipstick
securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet APt
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. Slide oil drain extension from the docking
position on the engine blower housing
and extend outward from engine.
pDoOCking
sition Oil Drain
3. To open, twist cap counter-clockwise
4. After oil is drained completely, replace
cap and twist clockwise until it stops.
5. Re-attach oil drain extension to engine
blower housing.
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