Craftsman EZ3 917.258473 Owner's Manual page 19

CUSTOIVlE
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
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which
can restrict cooling.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with AP1 service
classification SF, SG, or SH Select the oil's SAE viscosity
grade according to your expected operating temperature
SAE ViSCOSiTY GRADES
_f.,1 =Ilk _.
4
OF .20_ O= 30" 32= 40° 60" 80" 100°
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTtGIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
NOTE: Although multi viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etch)
improve starting in cold weather, these muftiwiscosity oils
wilt result in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F Check your engine oil leve! more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running low on oil
Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least
once a yearif the tractoris not used for25 hours in oneyear
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 (See Fig 14)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change°
All oil must meet API service classification SF, SG or SHo
• Be sure tractor is on Ievel 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 plugo
° After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely
• Refill engine with oil through oil fil! dipstick tube Pour
sIowly Do not overfill For approximate capacity see
PRODUCT 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
/
FIG. 14
OIL FILL
CAP/DIPSTICK
OIL DRAIN
PLUG
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 15)
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter,
Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of opera-
tion or every season. Service paper cartridge every 100
hours of operation or every season, whichever occursfirsL
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions_
. Remove knob(s) and cover.
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
° Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge
o Wash it in liquid detergent and water
= Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth°
° Saturate it in engine oil Wrap it in cEean, absorbent
cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil
o If very dirty or damaged, replace pre-cieanero
° Reinstall pre cleaner over cartridge
= Reinstaif cover and secure with knob(s)
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
= Remove cartridge nut
° Carefully remove cartridge to prevent debris from
entering carburetor Clean base carefully to prevent
debris from entering carburetor
= Clean cartridge bytapping gentlyon flat surface If very
dirb/or damaged, replace cartridge
o Reinstall cartridge, nut, precleaner, cover and secure
with knob(s)
IMPORTANT: PETROLEUM SOLVENTS SUCH AS
KEROSENE, ARE NOT TO BE USED TO CLEAN THE
CARTRIDGE. THEY MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF
THE CARTRLDGEo DO NOT OIL CARTRIDGE DO NOT
USE PRESSURIZED AIR TO CLEAN OR DRY
CARTRIDGE°
KNOB
COVER
CARTRIDGE
NUT
FOAM
_BASE
PAPER
CARTRIDGE
19 FIG. 15