Craftsman EZ3 917.273042 Owner's Manual page 21

• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for I hour.
TO CLEAN BATI'ERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and ter-
minals can cause the battery to =leak"
power.
• Remove terminal guard.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery 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 =REPLACING
BAI-rERY" in the MAINTENANCE sec-
tion 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 they begin to slip from
wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins
should be kept clean to assure proper
cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmis-
sion while engine is running or wh_le the
transmission is hot.
• inspect cooling fan to be sure fan
blades are intact and clean.
• Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clip-
pings and other materials. To prevent
damage to seals, do not use com-
pressed air or high pressure sprayer to
clean cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory
and fluid maintenance is not required for
the life_of-the transaxle. Should the
transaxle ever leak or require servicing,
contact your nearest authorized service
center/department.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SF, SG, or
SH. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
6* 10' _o"
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OiL CHANGE
according to your expected operating tem-
perature.
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 start-
ing the engine and after each eight (8)
hours of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/dip-
stick securely each time you check the oil
level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must moot 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 dip-
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" on page 5 of
this manual.
• Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. Be sure dipstick cap is
tightened securely for accurate reading.
Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick.
Air Screen
Oil Drain_ _
Plug
_
Oil Fill Cap/Dips_ck f _P"
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and
chaff to prevent engine damage from over-
heating. Clean with a wire brush or com-
pressed 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.
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