16
MAINTENANCE
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours
of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not
ad just able. Re place belts if they begin to slip from wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fi ns should be kept clean
to assure proper cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmission while engine
is running or while the transmission is hot. To prevent pos-
si ble damage to seals, do not use high pressure water or
steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and
clean.
• Inspect cooling fi ns for dirt, grass clippings and other
materials. To prevent damage to seals, do not use
compressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean cool-
ing fi ns.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory and fl uid main te -
nance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should
the transaxle ever leak or require servicing, contact your
near est au tho rized ser vice center/department.
FIG. 14
• 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 BATTERY" in
the SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section of this
man u al).
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent
engine dam age from overheating. Clean with a wire brush
or compressed air to re move dirt and stubborn dried gum
fi bers.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air fi lter.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions. See
Engine Manual.
FIG. 15
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classifi cation SG-SL. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
NOTE:
Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, they will result in increased
oil consumption when used above 32°F. 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 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 fi ll
cap/dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20
0
30
40
80
100
-30
-20
0
20
30
40
F
C
32
-10
10
60
5W-30
SAE 30
oil_visc_chart1_e
02794
DRAIN
TUBE
OIL DRAIN VALVE
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 14 and 15)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classifi cation SG-SL.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
• Install the drain tube onto the valve.
• Open drain valve by using a 10mm wrench turning
counterclockwise.
• After oil has drained completely, close the drain valve
turning clockwise. Use the 10mm wrench to apply a
small amount of torque to keep it closed. Do not over
tighten.
• Remove the drain tube and store in a safe place.
• Refi ll engine with oil through oil fi ll dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfi ll. For approximate capacity see
“PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this man-
u al.
• Use gauge on oil fi ll cap/dipstick for checking level.
Insert dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fi ll 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 fi nished.
TO CLOSE
TO OPEN
