Transaxle Maintenance; Engine Lubrication; To Change Engine Oil; Lower Dash Cover Removal - Craftsman 917.203780 Operator's Manual

TOCLEAN B ATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt o n the battery and terminals
can cause t hebattery to"leak" power.
1. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
thenRED battery cable andremove
battery f rom tractor.
3. Rinse thebattery w ithplain water a nd
dry.
4. Clean t erminals and battery c able ends
with wirebrush until b right.
5. Coat terminals with grease o rpetroleum
jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See"REPLACING
BATTERY" intheService a ndAdjust-
ments s ection o fthismanual).
TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE
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 I
I
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 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 opera-
tion or at least once a year if the tractor is
not used for 50 hours in one year.
Checkthe 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.
• 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 fastenerfrom 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.
CAUTION: If engine has been operated for
an extended period of time immediately prior
to draining oil, oil will be hot.
Drain Hole (_
Drain Plug
Extension
5. Slide oil drain extension under oil drain
hole (drain hole may be flush with or
protrude from engine block side wall).
6. Ensure back face of oil drain extension
is flush with engine side wall.
7. Ensure bottom lip of oil drain extension
is lined up with bottom of oil drain hole.
8. Position a container to catch oil directly
under front end of oil drain extension.
9. Slide a 1/2" (12 point) socket mounted
on an extension onto oil drain plug.
10. Loosen plug while holding the oil drain
extension firmly in place.
11. Drain oil into container.
12. After oil has drained completely, reinstall
oil drain plug. (Do not tighten more than
13 Ft. Lbs./17 Nm.)
13. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip-
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this
manual.
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