21
BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging sys tem
which is suf fi
cient for normal use. How-
ev er, periodic charging of the bat tery with
an automotive charger will ex tend its life.
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
• Keep battery bolts tight.
• Keep small vent holes open.
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.
NOTE:
The original equipment battery on
your tractor is maintenance free. Do not
attempt to open or remove caps or covers.
Adding or checking level of elec tro lyte is
not necessary.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TER MI NALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and
terminals can cause the battery to “leak”
power.
1. Remove terminal guard.
2. Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst
then RED bat tery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
3. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
4. Clean terminals and battery cable
ends with wire brush until bright.
5. Coat terminals with grease or pe tro -
leum jelly.
6. Reinstall battery (See “REPLACING
BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-
JUST MENTS section 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 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 trans mis -
sion while engine is running or while the
trans mis sion is hot. To prevent pos si ble
damage to seals, do not use high pres-
sure 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 clip-
pings and other materials. To prevent
damage to seals, do not use com-
pressed 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 trans-
axle ever leak or require servicing, contact
a qualifi ed service center.
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
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classifi cation SF-SJ. Se-
lect the oil’s SAE viscosity grade accord-
ing to your expected operating tempera-
ture.
NOTE:
Although multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in
cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils 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 op-
eration 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 fi ll cap/
dipstick securely each time you check the
oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classifi cation SF-SJ.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
1. Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine
when changing oil.
2. Install the drain tube onto the valve.
3. Open drain valve by using a 7/16"
(11mm) wrench turning counterclock-
wise.
