V-Belts; Transaxle Cooling; Transaxle Pump Fluid; Engine Lubrication - Craftsman EZ3 917.270840 Owner's Manual

• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and ter-
minals can cause the battery to "leak"
power.
• Remove terminal guard.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
• Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleum
jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this manu-
al).
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.
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.
• 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
.30* ._o_ .io* o- _o= 20" 30-
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
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 nearest authorized service
center.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SG or
SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating tem-
perature.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will
result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°1=. Check your engine oil
level more frequently toavoid possible
engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
tractor is not used for 25 hours in one
year.
Check the crankcase oil level before start-
ing the engine and after each eight (8)
hours of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/dip-
stick securely each time you check the oil
level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SF, SG or SH.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine
when changing oil.
• Remove drain plug.
• After oil has drained completely, replace
oil drain plug and tighten securely.
• Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip-
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of
this manual.
• Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Be sure dipstick cap is
tightened securely for accurate reading.
Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick.
Air Screen
Oil Drain._-_ ___
Plug
o Fi_lCap/Dipstick" _
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and
chaff to prevent engine damage from over-
heating. Clean with a wire brush or com-
pressed air to remove dirt and stubborn
21 dried gum fibers.