Transaxle Cooling; To Clean Battery And Terminals; To Change Engine Oil; Transaxle Pump Fluid - Craftsman 917.276920 Operator's Manual

Adding or checking level of electrolyteis
not necessary.
TO CLEAN BATTERYANDTERMINALS
Corrosionand dirt on the battery and
terminals can causethe battery to "leak"
power.
1. DisconnectBLACKbattery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
2. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
3. Cleanterminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4. Coat terminalswith grease or petro-
leumjelly.
5. Reinstallbattery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY"in the SERVICEAND AD-
JUSTMENTSsection of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmissionfan and coolingfins
should be kept clean to assure proper
cooling.
Do not attemptto clean fan or transmis-
sionwhile engine is runningor while the
transmissionis hot.Topreventpossible
damageto seals, do not use high pressure
water or steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspectcoolingfan to be sure fan blades
are intact and clean.
• Inspectcoolingfins for dirt, grassclip-
pings and other materials. Toprevent
damageto seals, do not use com-
pressedair or high pressuresprayerto
clean coolingfins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory
and fluid maintenance is not required for
the life of the transaxle. Should the trans-
axle ever leak or require servicing, contact
your nearest Sears or other qualified
service center.
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.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SG-SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-30 -20 -10 0 20 30 40
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
oi_vi_cha_t4e
Change the oil after every 50 hours of op-
eration or at least once a year if the tractor
is not used for 50 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before start-
ing 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 yellow cap from end of drain
valve and install the drain tube onto the
fitting.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed and _ _.
LF°C_ed n _ X
Yellow ('-.- - , -"
"T u ie n
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
slightly and turning counterclockwise.
4. To open, pull out on the drain valve.
5. After oil 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 dip-
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this
manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick 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.
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