Transaxle Cooling; Transaxle Pump Fluid; V-Belts; Engine Lubrication - Craftsman 917.276906 Operator's Manual

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 petroleum
jelly.
5. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BA-i-TERY" 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 transmission
while engine is running or while the trans-
mission 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.
• Inspectcoolingfinsfordirt, grassclippings
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
1 O0 hours of operation and replace if neces-
sary. The belts are not adjustable. Replace
belts if they begin to slip from wear.
ENGINE
LU BRICATION
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.
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.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
o_1 v_scc_rt4 e
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
3rain
Tube
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
SPEOIFICATIONS"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 "FULE'
line on dipstick. Push dipstick down firmly
into the tube when finished.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a
dirty air filter. Service paper cartridge every
two months or every 25 hours of operation,
whichever occurs first. Service paper car-
tridge more often under dusty conditions.
Replace the paper cartridge annually, or
after every 100 hours of operation.
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
• Replace a dirty, bent, or damaged car-
tridge. Handle new cartridge carefully;
do not use if the rubber seal is dam-
aged.
NOTE: Do not wash the paper cartridge
or use pressurized air, as this will damage
the cartridge.
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