Engine

MAINTENANCE

DECK WASHOUT PORT (See Fig. 26)

Your tractor’s deck is equipped with a washout port on its surface as part of its deck wash system. It should be utilized after each use.

1.Drive the tractor to a level, clear spot on your lawn, near enough to a water spigot for your garden hose to reach.

IMPORTANT: Make certain the tractor’s discharge chute is directed AWAY from your house, garage, parked cars, etc. Remove bagger chute or mulch cover if attached.

2.Make sure the PTO (Blade Engage) is not engaged, set the parking brake, and stop the engine.

3.Thread the nozzle adapter (packaged with your tractor’s Operator’s Manual) onto the end of your garden hose.

4.Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter and push the adapter onto the deck washout port at the left end of the mower deck. Release the lock collar to lock the adapter on the nozzle.

HOSE

NOZZLE ADAPTER

WASHOUT

PORT

Fig. 26

IMPORTANT: Tug hose ensuring connection is secure.

5.Turn the water on.

6.While sitting in the operator’s position on the tractor, re-start the engine and place the throttle lever in the Fast " " position.

IMPORTANT: Recheck the area making certain the area is clear.

7.Move the tractor’s PTO (Blade Engage) to the ON position. Remain in the operator’s position with the cutting deck engaged until the deck is cleaned.

8.Move the tractor’s PTO (Blade Engage) to the OFF position. Turn the ignition key to the STOP position to turn the tractor’s engine off. Turn the water off.

9.Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter to dis- connect the adapter from the nozzle washout port.

10.Move the tractor to a dry area, preferably a concrete or paved area. Engage the mower deck PTO to remove ex- cesswaterand tohelpdrybeforeputtingthetractoraway.

WARNING: A broken or missing washout fitting could expose you or others to thrownobjectsfromcontactwiththeblade.

•Replace broken or missing washout fitting immediately, prior to using mower again.

•Pluganyholesinmowerwithboltsandlocknuts.

TRANSAXLE MAINTENANCE

The transmission fan and cooling fins 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 transmission.

•Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and clean.

•Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clippings and other materials. To prevent damage to seals, do not use compressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean cooling fins.

TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID

The transaxle was sealed at the factory and fluid 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.

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.

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.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

							10W30
			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

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.

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.