Adding or checking level of electrolyte is not necessary.
TO CLEAN BATIERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to "leak" power.
1.Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery cable and remove battery from tractor.
.2. Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
3.Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright.
4.Coat terminals with grease or pet roc leum jelly.
5.Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING BATIERY" in the SERVICE AND AD- JUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean to assure proper cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmis- sion while engine is running or while the transmission is hot. To prevent possible damage to seals, do not use high pressure water or steam to clean transaxle.
•Inspect coolihg fan to be sure fan blades are intact and clean.
•Inspect cooling fins 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 cooling fins.
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1
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FORE NEXl
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.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API service classification SG-SL.
•Be sure tractor is on level surface.
•Oil will drain more freely when warm.
•Catch oil in a suitable container.
1.Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil.
2.Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve and install the drain tube onto the fitting.
Oil Drain Valve
Closed and
Locked
Position
Yellow
Cap
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Service paper cartridge every two months or every 25 hours of operation, whichever occurs first.
Service paper cartridge more often under dusty conditions.
Replace the paper cartridge annually, or after every 100 hours of operation .
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
•Replace a dirty; bent, or damaged car- tridge. Handle new cartridge carefully; do not use if the rubber seal is dam- aged.
NOTE: Do not wash the paper cartridge or use pressurized air, as this will damage
1.Open door (A) on the blower housing to access the air cleaner element (B).
2.Unhook the latch. (C) and remove the
element..
3.Gently tap the paper element to dis- lodge dirt.
4.Clean all air cleaner components of any accumulated dirt or foreign mate- rial. Prevent any dirt from entering the throat of carburetor.
5.Install cleaned or new element on the base and secure with latch.
6.Close and latch the door.
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 stub- born dried gum fibers.
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other exter- nal surfaces of the engine are kept clean
at all times.. Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely dusty, dirty conditions) , remove the blower housing and other cool- ing shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling shrouds are reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed will cause engine damage due to overheating.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could cre- ate afire hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUG(S)
Replace spark plug(s) at the beginning of each mowing season or after every . 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs first. Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this manual.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory and fluid maintenance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should the trans- axle ever leak or require serVicing, contact your nearest Sears or other qualified service center.
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.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.
3.Unlock drain valve by pushing inward slightly and turning counterclockwise.
4.To open, pull out on the drain valve.
5.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.
6.Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto the end of the drain valve.
7.Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip- stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see "PROD- UCT SPECIFICATIONS" sectioilof this manual.
8.Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. For accurate reading, insert dipstick into the tube and push down firmly into place before removing. Keep oil up to, but not over, the "FULL line on dipstick. Push dipstick down
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER
The fuel filter should be replaced once each season. If fuel filter becomes clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carbu- retor, replacement is required.
1.With engine cool, remove filter and plug fuel line sections.
2.Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow pointing towards carbu~ retor.
3.Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned.
4.Immediately wipe up any spilled gaso-
line..
. Cla~lamp
FuelFilter~
