Manual - Craftsman 917.98633 Operator's Manual

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TER MI NALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals
can cause the battery to "leak" power.
1. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED bat tery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
3. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
4. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
5. Coat terminals with grease or pe tro leum
jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING BAT-
TERY" in the Service and Ad just ments
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 trans mis sion
while engine is running or while the trans-
mis sion is hot. To prevent pos si ble damage
to seals, do not use high pres sure water or
steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades
are intact and clean.
• Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clippings
and other materials. To prevent damage to
seals, do not use compressed air or high
pressure sprayer to clean cool ing fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory and
fluid main te nance 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 ad just able. Re place
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
5W-30
-20 0 30
F
C -20
-30 -10
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE 30
32 40
60 80
0 10
20 30
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30,
10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather,
they will result in increased oil consumption when
used above 32°F/0°C. 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.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SG-SL.
1. Ensure tractor is on level surface.
2. Oil will drain more freely when warm.
3. Catch oil in a suitable container.
4. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine when
changing oil.
CAUTION: If engine has been operated for
an extended period of time immediately prior
to draining oil, oil will be hot.
5. Slide oil drain extension under oil drain
hole (drain hole may be flush with or
protrude from engine block side wall).
6. Ensure back face of oil drain extension
is flush with engine side wall.
7. Ensure bottom lip of oil drain extension
is lined up with bottom of oil drain hole.
8. Position a container to catch oil directly
under front end of oil drain extension.
9. Slide a 1/2" (12 point) socket mounted
on an extension onto oil drain plug.
10. Loosen plug while holding the oil drain
extension firmly in place.
11. Drain oil into container.
12. After oil has drained completely, reinstall
oil drain plug. (Do not tighten more than
13 Ft. Lbs./17 Nm.)
100
40
20
Oil drain hole
Oil drain plug
Oil drain
extension