Craftsman T1000 Operator's Manual page 22

Lubrication
WARNING
Before lubricating, repairing, or inspecting, always disengage PTO (Blade
Engage Lever), move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop
engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
Pivot Points & Linkage
Lubricate all the pivot points on the drive system, parking brake and lift linkage at
least once a season with light oil.
Rear Wheels
The rear wheels should be removed from the axles once a season. Lubricate the
axles and the rims well with an all-purpose grease before re-installing them.
Front Axles
Each end of the tractor's front pivot bar may be equipped with a grease fitting.
Lubricate with a grease gun after every 25 hours of tractor operation.
Battery
The battery is sealed and is maintenance-free. Acid levels cannot be checked.
• Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosive
build-up.
• After cleaning the battery and terminals, apply a light coat of petroleum jelly
or grease to both terminals.
• Always keep the rubber boot positioned over the positive terminal to prevent
shorting.
IMPORTANT: If removing the battery for any reason, disconnect the NEGATIVE
(Black) wire from its terminal first, followed by the POSITIVE (Red) wire. When
re-installing the battery, always connect the POSITIVE (Red) wire to its terminal
first, followed by the NEGATIVE (Black) wire. Be certain that the wires are connected
to the correct terminals; reversing them could change the polarity and result in
damage to your engine's alternating system.
Cleaning Battery
Clean the battery by removing it from the tractor and washing with a baking soda
and water solution. If necessary, scrape the battery terminals with a wire brush to
remove deposits. Coat terminals and exposed wiring with grease or petroleum jelly
to prevent corrosion.
Battery Failures
Some common causes for battery failure are:
• Incorrect initial activation
• Overcharging
• Freezing
• Undercharging
• Corroded connections
These failures are NOT covered by your tractor's warranty.
Cleaning the Engine And Deck
Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off promptly. Do NOT allow
debris to accumulate around the cooling fins of the engine or on any other part of
the machine.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT: The use of a pressure washer to clean your tractor is NOT
recommended. It may cause damage to electrical components, spindles, pulleys,
bearings or the engine.
Adjustments
Never attempt to make any adjustments while the engine is running, except
where specified in the operator's manual.
Leveling the Deck
NOTE: Check the tractor's tire pressure before performing any deck leveling
adjustments. Refer to Tires in the Service section of this manual for more
information regarding tire pressure.
Front To Rear
The front of the cutting deck is supported by a stabilizer bar that can be adjusted to
level the deck from front to rear. The front of the deck should be between ¼-inch
and ³⁄8-inch lower than the rear of the deck. Adjust if necessary as follows:
1. With the tractor parked on a firm, level surface, place the lever for lifting the
platform on the second to the top notch (second highest position) and rotate
the blade as close as possible to the discharge channel that is parallel to the
tractor.
2. Measure the distance from the front of the blade tip to the ground and the
rear of the blade tip to the ground. The first measurement taken should
be between ¼" and ³⁄8" less than the second measurement. Determine
the approximate distance necessary for proper adjustment and proceed, if
necessary, to the next step.
3. Locate the flange lock nut on the front side of the stabilizer bracket. See
Figure 20.
• Tighten the flange lock nut to raise the front of the deck;
• Loosen the flange lock nut to lower the front of the deck.
22
WARNING
Figure 20