Maintenance - Craftsman 917.288670 Operator's Manual

TOCLEAN B ATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt o nthe battery and termi-
nals can cause the battery to "leak" power.
1. Remove terminal guard.
2, Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
3, Rinse the battery wRh piain water and dry.
4. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
5. Coat terminals w_th grease or petroleum
jelly.
6, Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" _n the SERVICE AND AD-
JUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE
The transrn_ssion fan and coohngfins 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. To prevent possible damage to seals,
do not use high pressure water or steam to
clean transaxle.
- Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades
are intact and clean.
• Inspectcoohngfinsfordirt, grasschppings
and other materials. To prevent damage to
seals, do not use compressed air or high
pressure sprayer to clean cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
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 o=1rated
w_th API service classification SG-SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
F -2e . . ._........ :_ _2 40 _o Be too
C -3_
_o -_o
o 1o _a _ 40
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 instalt the drain tube onto the
fitting.
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
slightly and turning counterclockwise.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed _,
to%0 , Ora,o
Yellow Cap i_
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 oit through oil fill dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT
SPEClFlCATIONS"sectionofthis manual.
8, Use gauge on oil fil! cap/dipstick for
checking level. Insert dipstick into the
tube and rest the o_1fill cap on the tube.
Do not thread the cap onto the tube when
taking reading. Keep oil at "FULE' hne
on dipstick. Tighten cap onto the tube
securely when finished.
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