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
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.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engine oil fi lter every season or every other
oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in
one year.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffl er and spark arrester (if
equipped) as it could create a fi re hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUGS
Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing
season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever
occurs fi rst. Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in
“PROD UCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 16)
The fuel fi lter should be replaced once each season. If fuel
fi lter becomes clogged, ob struct ing fuel fl ow to car bu re tor,
re place ment is re quired.
• With engine cool, remove fi lter and plug fuel line sec-
tions.
02
463
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION
YELLOW
CAP
DRAIN
TUBE
OIL DRAIN VALVE
FIG. 15
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.
• Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve and install
the drain tube onto the fi tting.
• Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning
coun ter clock wise.
• To open, pull out on the drain valve.
• 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.
• Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto to the
bottom fi tting of the drain valve.
• 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.
For accurate reading, insert dipstick into the tube and
push down fi rmly into place before removing. Keep oil
up to, but not over, the “FULL” line on dipstick. Push
dipstick down fi rmly into the tube when fi nished.
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.
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.
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
10W30
oil_visc_chart4_e
