Craftsman C459.60410 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 POSI-
TIVE (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 measure-
ment 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