Craftsman EZ3 917.258562 Owner's Manual page 17

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
BATrERY
Your tractorhas a battery charging system which is suffi-
cient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the
battery with an automotive charger will extend its life.
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery boltstight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosionand 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 terminalsand batterycable ends withwire brush
until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleumjelly.
* Reinstall battery (See =CONNECT BATTERY" in the
Assembly sectionof this manual).
VoBELTS
Check V-belts for deteriorationand wear after 100 hoursof
operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not
adjustable. Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear,
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirtand chaff which
can restrict cooling,
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classificationSF, SG or SH. Select the oil'sSAE viscosity
grade according to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-26* 6* 30"
_6. -20* -10 ° 6* 16. 26* 30" 46*
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
FIG. 14
NOTE: Althoughmulti-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve startingin coldweather, these multi-viscosity oils
will resultin increased oil consumptionwhen used above
32°F. Check yourengine oillevel more frequently to avoid
possibleengine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hoursof operationor at least
once a year ifthetractorisnot usedfor 25 hoursinone year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each eight (8) hoursof operation. Tightenoil fill
cap/dipsticksecurelyeach time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. t4 and 15)
Determinetemperature rangeexpected beforeoilchange.
All oil mustmeet API service classificationSF, SG or SH.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove oilfill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allowdirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
• Remove drain plug.
• After oil hasdrained completely, replaceoil drain plug
and tighten securely.
• Refill engine with oil throughoil fill dipsticktube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfill, For approximate capacitysee
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 3 of this
manual,
• Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checkinglevel, Be
sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading, Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick.
AIR SCREEN
ol, f
DRAIN _.,-'j._ _ |
PLUG _._t._;_L_ F../_,, ,=
FIG. 15
17