Transaxle Maintenance - Craftsman 917203831 Operator's Manual

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt onthe battery andterminals
can cause the battery to "leak" power,
1. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cabte 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 petroleum
jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the Service and Adjust-
ments section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE
The transmission fan and cooling fins should
be kept clean to assure proper cooling. Do
not attemptto cleanfan ortransmission 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.
. Inspectcoolingfinsfordirt, grassclippings
and other materials. To prevent damageto
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 authorized service center!department.
V-BELTS
CheckV-belts for deterioration andwear 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.
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 APt
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 fastener from 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
18
4, Remove oil fill cap/dipstick, Be careful
notto allow dirt to enter the engine when
changing oil.
5, Remove yellow cap from end of drain
valve and install the drain tube onto the
fitting,
Oil Drain Valve
Locked __......._41_. _ | Drain
Position-'__.,-_._ Tube
YellowCap_