Transaxle Maintenance - Craftsman 917.98645 Operator's Manual

TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE
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 transmission
is hot. To prevent possible damage to seals,
do not use high pressure water or steam to
clean transaxte.
Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades
are intact and clean.
* Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clippings
and oth er 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 oil rated with API
service classification SG-SL. Select the oil's
SAE viscosity grade according to your expected
operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
F -20 0 3O 32 40 60 80 100
c -_0 -2; -lo ; ,'0 _o 30 4o
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
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.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OiL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SG-SL.
Ensure tractor is on level surface.
Oil will drain more freely when warm.
Catch oil in a suitable container.
LOWER DASH COVER REMOVAL
1. Raise hood.
2. Remove fastenerfrom lower dash cover.
CAUTION: Remove lower dash cover care-
fully to ensure cover tabs are not broken.
3. Slide lower dash cover up to release
cover tabs from tapered slots in lower
dash and remove.
Lower Dash
4.
Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine when
changing oil.
5. Remove yetlow cap from end of drain valve
and install the drain tube onto the fitting.
6. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
and turning counterclockwise.
7. To open, putt out on the drain valve.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed /)
_I_
and _ ____'°
Locked [.__
/
Drain
[._._ Tube
Yellow
Cap x_ _" _ >_J_
8. 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.
9. Removethe drain tube and reptacethe cap
onto to the bottom fitting of the drain valve.
10. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick
tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For
approximate capacity see "PRODUCT
SPECIFICATIONS"section of this manual.
11.Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Insert dipstick into the
tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube.
Do not thread the cap onto the tube when
taking reading. Keep oil at "FULL' line
on dipstick. Tighten cap onto the tube
securely when finished.
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