Lubrication; Cleaning The Engine And Deck; Muffler; Cleaning Battery - Craftsman 247.28885 Operator's Manual

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Electrode Porcelain
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Temperature of mufflerand nearbyengineareasmayexceed 150 ° F
(65°0).Avoidcontactwith these areas.
• inspectmufflerperiodically, a nd replaceif necessary.Replace-
ment partsfor the mufflermustbe the sameand installedin the
samepositionas the originalparts.
Clean Engine
• Dailyor beforeeveryuse, cleangrass,chaff or accumulated
debrisfromengine.Keeplinkage,spring,and controlsclean.
• Keepareaaround and behind mufflerfreeofanycombustible debris.
• Keepingenginecleanallowsair movementaroundengine.
• Engineparts shouldbe keptcleanto reducethe risk of overheat-
ing and ignitionof accumulated debris.
Do notuse waterto cleanengineparts.Watercouldcontaminatefuel
system.Use a brushor dry cloth.
Carburetor Adjustment
• Thecarburetoron this engineis not adjustable.
LUBRICATION
Beforelubricating,repairing,or inspecting,alwaysdisengagePTO
(Blade EngageLever),moveshift leverinto neutralposition,set
parkingbrake,stop engineand removekey to preventunintended
starting.
Pivot Points & Linkage
Lubricateall the pivotpointson thedrive system,parkingbrakeand lift
linkageat leastoncea seasonwith lightoil.
Rear Wheels
Battery
The batteryis sealedand is maintenance-free. Acidlevelscannot be
checked.
• Alwayskeepthe batterycablesand terminalscleanand free of
corrosivebuild-up.
• After cleaningthe batteryand terminals,applya lightcoat of
petroleum jelly or greaseto bothterminals.
• Alwayskeepthe rubberbootpositionedoverthe positiveterminal
to preventshorting.
IMPORTANT: if removingthe batteryfor any reason,disconnectthe
NEGATIVE (Black)wirefrom its terminalfirst, followedby the POSI-
TIVE (Red)wire.When re-installing the battery,alwaysconnectthe
POSITIVE (Red)wire to its terminalfirst, followedbythe NEGATIVE
(Black)wire. Be certainthat the wiresare connectedto the correct
terminals;reversingthemcouldchangethe polarityand result in
damageto yourengine'salternatingsystem.
Cleaning Battery
Cleanthe batteryby removingit from the tractorand washingwith
a bakingsodaand watersolution.If necessary,scrapethe battery
terminalswith a wirebrushto removedeposits.Coatterminalsand
exposedwiringwith greaseor petroleum jelly to preventcorrosion.
Battery Failures
Somecommoncausesfor batteryfailureare:
• incorrectinitialactivation
• Overcharging
• Freezing
• Undercharging
• Corrodedconnections
These failuresare NOTcoveredbyyourtractor'swarranty.
CLEANING THE ENGINE AND DECK
Any fuelor oil spilledon the machineshouldbe wipedoff promptly.Do
NOTallowdebristo accumulate aroundthe coolingfins of the engine
or on any otherpartof the machine.
IMPORTANT: The useof a pressurewasherto cleanyourtractoris
NOTrecommended. I t may causedamageto electricalcomponents,
spindles,pulleys,bearingsor the engine.
Deck Wash System
Yourtractor'sdeck is equippedwith a water porton its surfaceas part
of its deck wash system.
Usethe deck washto rinsegrassclippingsfromthe deck'sunderside
and preventthe buildupof corrosivechemicals.Completethe following
stepsAFTEREACHMOWING:
1. Drivethe tractorto a level,clear spoton yourlawn, nearenough
for yourgarden hoseto reach.
The rearwheelsshouldbe removed from the axles oncea season.
Lubricatethe axles and the rimswell with an all-purposegreasebefore
re-installingthem.
Front Axles
Eachendof thetractor's frontpivotbar maybeequipped witha grease
fitting.Lubricate witha greasegunafterevery25 hoursoftractoroperation.
Makecertain the tractor'sdischargechute is directedAWAYfrom youl
house,garage,parkedcars,etc.
2. Disengage the PTO(Blade Engage),set the parkingbrakeand
stopthe engine.
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