Engine

MAINTENANCE

•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

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 transaxle.

•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.

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

							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

FIG. 14

NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, they 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 Figs. 14 and 15)

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.

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

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

•Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning counterclockwise.

	OIL DRAIN VALVE
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION
YELLOW
CAP	DRAIN
	DRAIN
	TUBE

FIG. 15

•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 man- ual.

•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 dip- stick. Push dipstick down firmly into the tube when finished.

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.