Transaxle Cooling; Transaxle Pump Fluid; V-Belts; Engine Lubrication - Craftsman 917.289344 Owner's Manual

TRANSAXLECOOLING
Thetransmission fanandcoolingfinsshould
be keptcleanto assureproper cooling_
Do not attemptto cleanfan or transmission
while engineis runningor while the trans-
missionis hot., T opreventpossibledamage
to seals,do not use high pressurewateror
steamto clean transaxle,,
. Inspectcoolingfan to be surefan
bladesare intactand clean°
• Inspectcoolingfinsfordirt,grassclippings
andother materials.Topreventdamage
to seals, do not use compressedair or
highpressure sprayertocleancoolingfins,
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxlewassealedat the factoryand
fluid maintenance is not requiredforthe life
of the transaxleoShouldthe transaxleever
leakor requireservicing,contactyour near-
est Searsor other qualifiedservicecenter.
V-BELTS
CheckV-belts fordeterioration andwearafter
100hoursofoperationandreplaceif neces-
sary The beltsare not adjustable,Replace
belts if they beginto slip fromwear
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Onlyusehighqualitydetergentoilratedwith
APIserviceclassification SG-SL Selectthe
oil's SAEviscositygrade accordingto your
expected
operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
:_ti _ :_ 3_ 4_ no n0 _i ......... .....
TEMPERATURE RANGE AHTIGIPATED BEFORE NF_.XTOIL CHAt_GE
elL,'i_c_cJ_lla e
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. Remove yellowcap from end ofdrain valve
and install the drain tube onto the fitting°
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
slightly and turning counterclockwise..
Oil Drain Valve
Closed
and
Locked
Position
Yellow Cap
Drain Tube
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
S P EC IF ICATIO NS" section ofth is manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill captdipstick 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
;€our engine will not run properly using a
dirty air filter. Service air cleaner more often
underdusty conditions. See Engine Manual.
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass
screen, cooling fins, and other external sur-
faces of the engine are kept clean at al! times.
Every I00 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.
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