Craftsman 24594 Operation Manual - Page 8

CHECK FOR LOOSE FASTENERS • Before each use make a thorough visual check of the spreader for any bolts and nuts which may have loosened. Retighten any loose bolts and nuts. CHECK FOR WORN OF DAMAGED PARTS Check for worn or damaged parts before each use. Repair or replace parts if necessary. CHECK TIRE INFLATION Check if tires are adequately inflated before each use. Do not inflate beyond maximum recommended pressure. CAUTION: DO NOT inflate tires beyond the maximum recommended pressure printed on side of tire. CLEANING Rinse inside of hopper and exterior of spreader and dry off before storing. LUBRICATE (See figure 12) Lightly apply automotive grease as needed to the sprocket and gear. Oil the nylon bushings on the vertical sprocket shaft and on the axle at least once a year, or more often as needed. Oil right hand (idler) wheel bearing at least once a year or more often as needed. . OIL OIL FIGURE 12 GREASE REPLACING SLOTTED GEAR If the axle, slotted gear and sprocket assembly is disassembled, mark down the positions of the parts as they are removed. The drive wheel and sprocket positions in relation to the slotted gear determine which direction the spreader plate will spin. Be sure to reassemble them in their original positions. (Refer to figure 4 on page 5.) Use shim washers (Ref. no. 21 on pages 10 and 11) as needed for minimum backlash. Add grease to gear and sprocket. LOCKED UP SPREADER Turn the spreader over so that the wheels are off the ground. Loosen all three nuts on the shaft support plate just enough so that the bolts can be turned easily with a wrench but cannot be turned by hand. Spin the drive wheel and note how freely it spins and how much noise the slotted gear makes. To free up the wheel and gear, tap gently on the front or rear edge of the shaft support plate to move it slightly forward or backward. You can also tap at the corners of the plate to angle it slightly. Spin the drive wheel after each adjustment to see if it spins more freely and if the gear noise is reduced. SLOTTED GEAR SHAFT SUPPORT PLATE FIGURE 13 Continue making slight adjustments until you find the position where the drive wheel spins most freely and the gear makes the least noise. * Secure the shaft support plate in this position by retightening all three nuts that you loosened. 8 Call 1-866-576-8388 for missing parts or assembly help DO NOT RETURN TO STORE