Craftsman 247.203691 Operator's Manual page 30

Thebatteryissealed andismaintenance-free. Acidlevels cannotbechecked.
Alwayskeepthe batterycables andterminalscleanandfreeof
corrosive build-up.
Aftercleaning the batteryandterminals, a pplyalightcoatof
petroleumjelly or grease to bothterminals.
Alwayskeepthe rubberbootpositioned overthe positiveterminalto
preventshorting.
IMPORTANT: If removing the batteryforanyreason, d isconnect the NEGATIVE
(Black) w irefrom itsterminalfirst, followed bythe POSITIVE (Red) w ire. When
re-installing the battery,alwaysconnect t he POSITIVE (Red) w ire to itsterminal
first, followedbythe NEGATIVE (Black) w ire.Becertainthat the wiresareconnected
to the correct t erminals; r eversing themcouldchange the polarityandresultin
damage to yourengine'salternatingsystem.
Cleaning Battery
Clean the batteryby removing it fromthe tractorandwashingwith abakingsoda
andwatersolution.If necessary, scrape the batteryterminalswith awire brushto
remove deposits. C oat t erminalsandexposed wiringwith grease or petroleum jelly
to preventcorrosion.
Battery Failures
Some common causes f or batteryfailureare:
Incorrect i nitial a ctivation
Overcharging
Freezing
Undercharging
Corroded c onnections
These failures areNOT covered byyourtractor'swarranty.
Jump Starting
Neverjump start a damaged or frozen battery. Becertain the vehicles
do not touch, and ignitions are off. Donot allow cable clamps to
touch.
1. Connect positive(+) cableto positivepost(+) of yourtractor'sdischarged
battery.
2. Connect the otherendof the cableto the positive(+) postofthe jumper
battery.
3. Connect the second cablenegative (-) to the negative post(-) of thejumper
battery.
4. Connect the otherendof the negativecableto the engineblockofthe
tractor,awayfrom the battery.Attachto anunpaintedpartto assure a good
connection.
If the jumper battery is installed on avehicle (i.e.car,truck),do NOT start
the vehicle's enginewhen jump starting your tractor.
5. Startthe tractor(asinstructed in the Operation sectionof thismanual).
6. Setthe tractor'sparkingbrakebeforeremoving the jumpercables, i n reverse
orderof connection.
Charging
Batteries give off an explosivegaswhile charging. Chargethe battery in
a well ventilated area and keepaway from an open flame or pilot light
ason awater heater, spaceheater, furnace, clothesdryer or other gas
appliances.
Whenchargingyourtractor's battery, useonly achargerdesignedfor 12V
lead-add batteries. Readyourbattery charger'sOwner'sManualprior to
chargingyour tractor's battery. Alwaysfollow itsinstructions a ndheed its
warnings.
Ifyourtractorhasnot beenput intouseforanextended periodof time,chargethe
batteryasfollows:
1. Setyourbatterycharger t o delivera maxof 10amperes.
Ifyourbatterycharger i sautomatic,charge the batteryuntilthe chargerindicates
that charging iscomplete. I fthe charger i snotautomatic,charge for nofewerthan
eighthours.
Fuse
One1.5 AMPfuseisinstalledinyourtractor'swiring harness t o protectthetractor's
electrical s ystemfromdamage caused byexcessive a mperage.
Ifthe electrical s ystem doesnot function,or yourtractor'senginewill not crank;
first check to becertainthat thefusehasnot blown. Itcanbefoundunderthe
fenderon the left sideof the unit, onthe wiring harness j ustabove the battery.
Alwaysusea fusewith the sameamperagecapacityfor replacement.
Lubrication
Beforelubricating, repairing,or inspecting, alwaysdisengagePTO (Blade
EngageLever),moveshift leverinto neutral position, set parkingbrake,stop
eng ne andremovekeyto prevent un ntended start rig.
Pivot Points & Linkage
Lubricate all the pivotpointson thedrivesystem, p arkingbrake andlift linkageat
leastonceaseason with light oii.
RearWheels
Therearwheelsshouldberemoved from the axles onceaseason. L ubricate the
axles andthe rimswellwith anall-purpose grease beforere-installing them.
FrontAxles
Each endof the tractor'sfront pivotbarmaybe equipped witha grease fitting.
Lubricate with agrease gunafterevery25hoursof tractoroperation.
Steering Rack& Pinion
Once perseason, or every25hoursof operation, i t will benecessary t o lubricatethe
steeringrackandpiniongearlocated underthe front of the unit. Usingstandard
automotivegrease, applygrease to the front sideandrearsideof the steeringrack,
asindicated in Figure 42.
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