Maintenance - Craftsman 944.609150 Owner's Manual

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MAINTENANCE
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SCREWS • Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in clean, absorbent
cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil.
• If very dirty or damaged, replace pre-cleaner.
• Reinstall pre-cleaner over cartridge.
• Reinstall 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 by tapping gently on flat surface. If very
dirty or damaged, replace cartridge.
• 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 CARTRIDGE. DO NOT OIL CARTRIDGE. DO NOT
USE PRESSURIZED AIR TO CLEAN OR DRY
CARTRIDGE.
COVER--
KNOB
_'CARTRIDGE
COVEB_ "_ / NUT
FOAM
PRE-CLEANER
PAPER
CARTRIDGE
FIG. 24
CLEAN AIR SCREEN (See Fig. 25)
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent
engine damage from overheating. Clean with a wire brush
or compressed air to remove dirt and stubborn dried gum
fibers.
ENGINE COOLING FINS (See Fig, 25)
Remove any dust, dirt or oil from engine cooling fins to
prevent engine damage from overheating.
• Remove screws from blower housing and !iff housing
and dipstick tube assembly off engine.
• Cover oil fill opening to prevent entry of dirt.
• Use compressed air or stiff bdstle brush to thoroughly
clean engine cooling fins.
• To reassemble, reverse above procedure.
BLOWER HOUSING
SCREWS
DIPSTICK TUBE
ASSEMBLY
ENGINE COOLING FINS _
FIG. 25
PLUG
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if
equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUGS
Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing
season or after every 100 hours of use, whichever comes
first. Spark plug type and gap setting is shown in "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this manual.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER
(See Fig. 26)
The fuel filter should be replaced once each season. Iffuel
filter becomes clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carburetor,
replacement is required.
• With engine cool, remove filter and plug fuel line
sections.
• Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow
pointing towards carburetor.
• Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are
properly positioned.
• Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline.
FIG. 26
CLEANING
• Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc. of ell foreign
matter.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline,
oil, etc.
• Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax.
We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean your
tractor unless the electrical system, muffler, air filter and
carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine
can result in a shortened engine life.
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