General Information | Safety Rules |
Fasteners & Hardware
All hardware and fasteners used in this equipment must meet factory specifications for SAE grade, size, and torque, and must be kept securely tightened. Locking hardware that degrades with use should be replaced when service is performed in affected areas. Always observe factory specifications for torque, or consult the torque chart for torque information.
Genuine Replacement Parts
Only factory authorized replacement parts should be used when making repairs or performing routine mainte- nance. The use of parts that do not meet stringent facto- ry specifications can cause poor performance, premature failures, and lead to potential safety hazards. In addition, the use of
Hydraulic Parts
Hydraulic parts are adversely affected by dirt and conta- mination, and care must be exercised when performing service on these parts to prevent foreign material from entering. Specific service information appears else- where in this manual, and all precautions and proce- dures must be followed when repairing or servicing these parts.
Paint
The paint on outdoor power equipment provides for an attractive appearance, as well as a barrier to corrosion caused by exposure to moisture in the environment.
Scratches, abrasions, and other damage to painted sur- faces should be repaired promptly to prevent the forma- tion of rust and premature part failure. Factory supplied paints are available that provide both an accurate color match and superior corrosion resistance.
Required Tools & Equipment
All repairs in this manual can be accomplished with stan- dard mechanic’s hand tools. The use of appropriate power tools such as impact wrenches and power drivers may aid in part removal and replacement, but care must be exercised to avoid causing damage to components from excessive tightening. Transmission service, steer- ing service, tire and wheel service, and service to com- ponents located under the frame also requires the use of a jack with suitable capacity, and jack stands to support the unit being worked on.
Systems Checks
In addition to performing individual component service, components affected by related parts changes should also receive attention at the time service is performed.
Examples of this include part replacements that are part of a safety device, electrical components, transmission components, and pulleys that are part of the same power delivery system. Giving attention to related parts will help ensure that the parts most likely to be affected by the wear of similar or nearby parts, or parts subjected to the same amount of stress or wear, are given appropri- ate attention before a failure can occur.
