V-Belts; Transaxle Cooling; Engine Lubrication; Air Filter - Craftsman EZ3 944.609050 Owner's Manual

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
TO CLEAN BA'I-I'ERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
• Open battery box door.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
• Clean terminals and batterycable ends with wire brush
until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual).
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours
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 API service
classification SF, SG, or SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity
grade according to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
.30 o .20 _ .10 • 0o 10 _ 20_ 30 °
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
FIG. 14
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F. Check your engine oil level 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 year ifthe tractor is not used for 25 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 (See Figs. 14 and 15)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF, SG or SH.
• Be sure tractor is on level 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 plug•
After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely.
Refill'engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. 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.
7, CAP/DIPSTICK
OIL DRAIN PLUG
FIG. 15
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 16)
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 occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
• Remove knob(s) and cover.
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
• Slide foam pre-cleaner off cartridge.
• Wash it in liquid detergent and water•
• Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth.
• 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 cartddge.
• Reinstall cover and secure with knob(s).
COVER--
KNOB
COVER
FOAM _ i CARTRIDGE
PRE-CLEANER
_BASE
FIG. 16
1/