Craftsman 944.628653 Owner's Manual page 11

Disconnect spark plug wire before performing any maintenance (except car bu re tor adjustment) to prevent
accidental start ing of engine.
Prevent fires! Keep the engine free of grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Re move fuel from tank before tipping
unit for maintenance. Clean muffler area of all grass, dirt, and debris.
Do not touch hot muffler or cylinder fins as contact may cause burns.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classification SF-SJ. Select the oil's SAE vis cos i ty grade
according to your expected temperature. (See Fig. 11)
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W-30, 10W-30, etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, they will result in increased
oil consumption when used above 32°F (0°C). 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 if the tiller is not used for 25 hours in
one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Add SAE
30 motor oil or equivalent. Tighten oil filler plug securely
each time you check the oil level.
CAUTION:Disconnect spark plug wire
before performing any maintenance to
prevent accidental start ing of engine.
Prevent fires! Keep the engine free of
grass, leaves, spilled oil, or fuel. Re-
move fuel from tank before tipping unit
for maintenance. Clean muffler area of
all grass, dirt, and debris. Do not touch
hot muffler or cylinder fins as contact
may cause burns.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 11 and 12)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ.
• Be sure tiller is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove drain plug.
• Tip tiller forward to drain oil.
• After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely.
• Remove oil filler plug. Be careful not to allow dirt to
enter the engine.
• Refill engine with oil. See "FILL ENGINE WITH OIL "
in the Operation section of this manual.
MAINTENANCE
Fig. 11
Oil
Drain
Plug
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 13)
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Clean
the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of op er a tion or
every season. Service paper cartridge every 100 hours of
operation or every season, which ev er occurs first.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
• Remove cover screw and cover.
TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER
• Remove foam pre-cleaner from air cleaner cover.
• Wash it in liquid detergent and water.
• Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth.
• If very dirty or damaged, replace pre-cleaner.
• Reinstall pre-cleaner into air cleaner cover.
• Reinstall cover and secure screw.
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
• Carefully remove cartridge to prevent debris from
en ter ing carburetor. Clean base carefully to pre vent
debris from entering carburetor.
• Clean cartridge by tap ping gen tly on flat surface. If
very dirty or damaged, replace cartridge.
• Re in stall cartridge, cover with pre-cleaner and se cure
with screw.
IMPORTANT: PETROLEUM SOLVENTS, SUCH AS KER O SENE,
ARE NOT TO BE USED TO CLEAN THE CAR TRIDGE. THEY
MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF THE CARTRIDGE. DO
NOT OIL CARTRIDGE. DO NOT USE PRESSURIZED AIR TO
CLEAN OR DRY CARTRIDGE.
Cover
Air Cleaner
Screw
11
Oil Level
Oil Filler Plug
Fig. 12
Air Clean er
Car tridge
Fig. 13