Craftsman C459.60410 Operator's Manual page 18

ENGINE MAINTENANCE
Checking the Engine Oil
Use a 4-stroke, or an equivalent high detergent, premium quality
motor oil certified to meet or exceed U.S. automobile manufacturer's
requirements for service classification of a minimum level SJ (higher
letter ratings are acceptable such as SL and SM grades). Motor oil
will display this designation on the container. SAE 10W-30 is recom-
mended for general, all temperature use. If single viscosity oil is used,
select the appropriate viscosity for the average temperature in your
area from the chart below.
Colder
5W20
Oil Viscosity Chart
To check the engine oil, proceed as follows:
• Ensure that the tractor is on a level surface.
• Clean the oil fill area of any debris.
1. Remove the dipstick and wipe with a clean cloth.
2. Insert and tighten dipstick.
3. Remove the dipstick and check the oil level. It should be at the
Full mark on the dipstick. See Figure 9.
Dipstick
Oil Drain
4. If low, add oil slowly into the engine oil fill. Do not overfill. After
adding oil, wait one minute and then recheck the oil level.
CAUTION
Do not overfill. Overfilling with oil may cause the engine to not start,
hard starting, or engine smoking. If over the FULL mark on the
dipstick, drain oil to reduce oil level to FULL mark on dipstick.
5. Replace and tighten dipstick.
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Warmer
SAE30
Figure 9
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
If the engine has been recently run, the engine, muffler and sur-
rounding metal surfaces will be hot and can cause burns to the skin.
Exercise caution to avoid burns.
NOTE: The oil filter should be changed at every oil change interval.
The engine oil should be changed in the first 5 hours and then every
50 hours or once a season. To change the engine oil, proceed as
follows:
1. Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the oil in the crankcase
to warm up. Warm oil will flow more freely and carry away more of
the engine sediment which may have settled at the bottom of the
crankcase. Use care to avoid burns from hot oil.
2. Open the tractor's hood and locate the oil drain on the right side of the
engine. See Figure 9.
3. Disconnect spark plug wire and keep it away from spark plug.
4. Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick from the oil fill tube. See Figure 9.
5. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right to better expose
the drain plug.
6. Attach the oil drain hose (packed with this manual) on the drain
port as shown in Figure 10. Place the opposite end of the sleeve
in a container suitable for collecting oil with a capacity of not less
than 64 oz.
7. Remove oil drain plug and drain the oil.
8. Remove the oil drain sleeve and store in a safe location for later
use.
9. Replace the oil drain plug.
10. Remove the oil filter, see Figure 11, and dispose of it properly.
11. Partially fill the new oil filter approximately 3/4 of the way full with
clean, fresh oil. Before you install the new oil filter, lightly lubricate
the oil filter gasket with some of the oil by simply dipping your
finger in the oil and running it around the gasket.
18
WARNING
Figure 10