Engine

MAINTENANCE

BLADE REMOVAL

•Raise mower to highest position to allow access to blades.

•Remove blade bolt, lock washer and ﬂ at washer se- curing blade.

•Install new or resharpened blade with trailing edge up towards deck as shown.

IMPORTANT: To ensure proper assembly, center hole in blade must align with star on mandrel assembly.

•Reassemble blade bolt, lock washer and ﬂ at washer in exact order as shown.

•Tighten blade bolt securely (27-35 Ft. Lbs. torque).

IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is grade 8 heat treated

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 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 electrolyte is not necessary.

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to “leak” power.

•Remove battery cover.

•Disconnect BLACK battery cable ﬁ rst then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor.

•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 “CONNECT BATTERY” in the Assembly 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 adjustable. Replace 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- sible 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 com- pressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean cooling ﬁns.

TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID

The transaxle was sealed at the factory and ﬂ uid mainte- nance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should the transaxle ever leak or require servicing, contact your nearest authorized service center/department.

LUBRICATION

Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classiﬁcation SF-SJ. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

							SAE 30
			5W-30

F	-20	0			30 32 40		60	80	100
C	-30	-20		-10	0	10	20	30	40

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE

oil_visc_chart1_e

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 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.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 22)

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.

•Remove oil ﬁ ll cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil.

•Remove yellow cap from bottom ﬁ tting of drain valve and install the drain tube onto the ﬁ tting.

	OIL DRAIN VALVE
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION			63
		4
	2
	0
			DRAIN
YELLOW			TUBE
YELLOW
CAP
	FIG. 22