Craftsman EZ3 917.271071 Owner's Manual page 20

BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging
system which is sufficient for normal use.
However, periodic charging of the
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 1 hour.
NOTE: The original equipment battery
on your tractor is maintenance free. Do
not attempt to open or remove caps or
covers. Adding or checking level of
electrolyte is not necessary.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and
terminals can cause the battery to "leak"
power.
• Open battery box door.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and
ary.
• Clean terminals and battery cable
ends with wire brush until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petro-
leum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND
ADJUSTMENTS section of this
manual).
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear
after 100 hours of operation and replace
if necessary. The belts are not adjustable.
Replace belts if th_ begin to slip from
wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt
and chaff which can restrict cooling.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SG, or
SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.
Change the oil after every 50 hours of
operation or at least once a year if the
tractor is not 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.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SF, SG, or SH.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• 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 with oil through oil fill
dipstick tube. Pour slowly. Do not
overfill. For approximate capacity see
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"
section 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 the
tube. Do not thread the cap onto the
tube when taking reading. Keep oil
at "FULL" line on dipstick. Tighten cap
onto the tube securely when finished.
Air Cleane_
Cover - Wing Nut
Foam
Pre-Cleaner
Grommet
Air Cleaner
Paper
Cartridge
Air Screen /
Air Cleaner
Ca
Dipstick
)__ Oil Drain
Plug
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
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
20 stubborn dried gum fibers.