Engine Lubrication - Craftsman 917.288320 Operator's Manual

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and termi-
nals can cause the battery to "leak" power.
1. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
2. Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
3. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4. Coat terminals with grease or petro-
leum jelly.
5. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-
JUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins should
be kept clean to assure proper cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmis-
sion 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.
• Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clip-
pings and other materials. To prevent
damage to seals, do not use com-
pressed air or high pressure sprayer to
clean cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F -20 0 30 32 40 60 86 100
c -s0 & -_; ; 17 _0 10 4;
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
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.
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. Removeyellow cap from end of drain 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
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.
Yellow
Cap
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
\ Drain
Tube
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SG-SL. Se-
lect the oil's SAE viscosity grade according
to your expected operating temperature.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
they will result in increased oil consumption
when used above 32°R Check your engine
oil level more frequently to avoid possible
engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 50 hours of
operation 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.
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 dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT
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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