Poulan 178500 owner manual Engine, Belts, Transaxle Cooling, Lubrication, Clean AIR Screen

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES

TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS

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

•Remove terminal guard.

•Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery 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 “REPLACING BATTERY” in the SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS 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

Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which can restrict cooling.

CHECK TRANSAXLE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 16)

•Block up rear axle securely.

•Remove left rear wheel by removing hub bolts.

•Remove filler plug from transaxle. Oil level must be even with plug threads. If necessary, fill with SAE 30 motor oil, API SF-SJ. Replace filler plug.

•Reassemble wheel to hub.

TRANSAXLE

FILLER PLUG

FIG. 16

ENGINE

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

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 fill cap/ dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.

TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 17)

Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ.

•Be sure tractor is on level surface.

•Oil will drain more freely when warm.

•Catch oil in a suitable container.

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

•Remove cap from bottom fitting of drain valve and install the drain tube onto the fitting.

•Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning coun- terclockwise.

•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 fitting of the drain valve.

•Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual.

•Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Be sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate reading. Keep oil at “FULL” line on dipstick.

OIL DRAIN VALVE

CAP
	CLOSED
DRAIN	AND
	LOCKED
TUBE
	POSITION

FIG. 17

CLEAN AIR SCREEN

Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent engine damage from overheating. Clean with a wire brush or compressed air to remove dirt and stubborn dried gum fibers.

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