Craftsman EZ3 917.258863 Owner's Manual page 18

CUSTOM R
NSIBILITIES
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BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system which is suffi-
cient for normal use° However, periodic charging of the
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TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 15)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF, SG or SH.
battery with an automotive charger will extend its life,,
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for I hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
• Remove terminal guard.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
• Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly section of this manual).
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classificationSF, SG, orSH. Select the oil s SAE viscosity
grade according to your'expected operating temperature.
SAEVIscosITY GRADES
°F -20 = 0_ 3{); 32 ° 40" 60" 8(}" 100 _
°C -30 ° -20" -I0" 0= tO = 20" 30" 40 _
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
- Catch oil in a suitable containen
• Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
• Remove drain plug.
• After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug
and tighten securely.
• Refill engine wittl oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfill. For'approximate capacity see
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS' on page 3 of this
manual.
• Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level.
Insert dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fill cap on tite
tube. Do not thread the cap onto tile tube when taking
reading_ Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick° Tighten
cap onto the tube securely when finished.
OIL
DRAIN
PLUG
AIR
FIG, 15
L FILL
CAP/DIPSTICK
Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least
once a year if the tractor isnot used for 50 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each eight (8) hours of operation_ Tighten oil fill
cap/dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.
CLEAN AIR SCREEN (See Fig. 15)
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent
engine damage from overheating. Clean with a wire brush
or compressed air to remove dirt and stubborn dried gum
fibers.
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen,
cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are
kept clean at all times.
Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely
dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing and
other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external
surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling shrouds are
reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen,
dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds re-
moved will cause engine damage due to overheating,
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