MAINTENANCE
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external 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 cooling 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.
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.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions. See Engine Manual.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engine oil filter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or dam- age.
SPARK PLUGS
Replace spark plugs 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.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER (See Fig. 16)
The fuel filter should be replaced once each season. If fuel filter becomes clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carburetor, replacement is required.
•With engine cool, remove filter and plug fuel line sec- tions.
•Place new fuel filter in position in fuel line with arrow pointing towards carburetor.
•Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and clamps are properly positioned.
•Immediately wipe up any spilled gasoline.
CLAMP
FUEL FILTER 
FIG. 16
CLEANING
•Clean engine, battery, seat, finish, etc. of all foreign matter.
•Keep finished surfaces and wheels free of all gasoline, oil, etc.
•Protect painted surfaces with automotive type wax.
We do not recommend using a garden hose or pressure washer to clean your tractor unless the engine and trans- mission are covered to keep water out. Water in engine or transmission will shorten the useful life of your tractor. Use compressed air or a leaf blower to remove grass, leaves and trash from tractor and mower.
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