Craftsman 28908 Operation Manual - Page 18

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 dean. • Keep battery bolts tight. • Keep small vent holes open. • Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour. NOTE: The original 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. 1. Disconnect BLACKbatterycabiefirstthen RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor. 2. Rinsethe battery with plain waterand dry. 3. Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright. 4. Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly. 5. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section of this manual). TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE 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 SG-SL Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. SAE VISCOSITY GRADES TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API service classification SG-SL • Be sure tractor is on level surface. • Oil will drain more freely when warm. • Catch oil in a suitable container. 1. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil. 2. Removeyellowcapfromendofdrainvalve and install the drain tube onto the fitting. Oil Drain Valve Closed and Locked Position Yellow Cap Drain Tube 3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward slightly and turning counterclockwise. 4. To open, pull out on the drain valve. 5. After oil has drained completely, close and lock the drain valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise until the pin is in the locked position as shown. 6. Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto the end of the drain valve. 7. Refill enginewith oilthrough oilfill dipstick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECI FICATIO NS" section ofthis manual. 8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. For accurate reading, insert dipstick into the tube and push down firmly into place before removing. Keep oil up to, but not over, the "FULl" line on dipstick. Push dipstick down firmly into the tube when finished. F -20 o -_o 0 30 32 40 -2; -1; ; TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED 60 80 100 lo _o _o 4; BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, ENGINE OIL FILTER Replace the engine oil filter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year. they will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°R Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil. Change the oil after every 50 hours of opera- tion 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. 18