Engine, Battery, Belts, Transaxle Cooling

MAINTENANCE

	CENTER HOLE
5/8" BOLT	BLADE
OR PIN

FIG. 13

BATTERY

Your tractor has a battery charging system which is sufﬁcient for normal use. However, periodic charging of the battery with an automotive charger will extend its life.

•Keep battery and terminals clean.

•Keep battery bolts tight.

•Keep small vent holes open.

•Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.

NOTE: The original equipment battery on your tractor is maintenance free. Do not attempt to open or remove caps or covers. Adding or checking level of electrolyte is not necessary.

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 bat- tery 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. 14)

•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 SG-SL. Replace ﬁller plug.

•Reassemble wheel to hub.

TRANSAXLE

FILLER PLUG

FIG. 14

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.

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. 15

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 Figs. 15-16)

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.

•Install the drain tube onto the valve.

•Open drain valve by using a 7/16" (11mm) wrench turning counterclockwise.