•Allow the engine a few minutes to rest after opera- tion. This will give the oil time to drain into the crank- case sump and result in a more accurate dipstick reading.

•Clean the area around the oil fill cap/dipstick to pre- vent debris from entering the crankcase.

•Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick by unthreading it (counterclockwise) and lifting it out of the oil fill tube.

•Wipe the dipstick clean before pushing it back into the oil fill tube. Do NOT thread the cap back onto the fill tube. Withdraw the dipstick to check the oil level. Refer to Figure 18.

•Always keep the oil level at or near the FULL mark on the dipstick. If the oil is low, add oil of the proper type up to the FULL mark. Always re-check the oil level with the dipstick before adding more oil.

IMPORTANT:Never operate the engine with the oil level below the ADD mark or above the FULL mark on the dipstick.

•After checking the oil level (and adding oil, if neces- sary), reinstall the oil fill cap/dipstick by inserting it into the oil fill tube and threading (clockwise).

FULL

Operating

Range

ADD

Figure 18

Adding Oil

If, after checking the oil level, you find the dipstick reads ADD, proceed as follows.

•Place the tractor on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Stop the tractor engine and remove the ignition key.

•Clean the area around the oil fill cap and fill tube to prevent debris from entering the crankcase.

•Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick from the oil fill tube and SLOWLY pour oil into the oil fill tube. Do NOT pour more than 6 oz. of oil at a time without first stopping and re-checking the oil level.

•Fill the crankcase until the oil level reaches the full (F) mark on the dipstick. Refer to Figure 18. Refer to the viscosity oil chart earlier in this section for information regarding the proper type of oil to add to the crankcase.

IMPORTANT: The oil capacity (with oil filter) is 4 U.S. pints (64 oz.). Never overfill the engine crankcase.

IMPORTANT: The engine may overheat and/or damage may result if the oil level is below the ADD or over the FULL on the dipstick.

•Reinstall the oil fill cap/dipstick securely onto the oil fill tube.

IMPORTANT: The oil fill cap/dipstick must be installed

securely onto the tube at all times when the engine

is operating. Severe engine damage could result from failure to do so.

Changing the Engine OIl

The engine oil and oil filter should be changed after the first 24 hours of operation, and after every 100 hours of operation thereafter.

WARNING: If the engine has been recently run, the engine, muffler and surrounding metal surfaces will be hot and can cause burns to the skin. Allow the tractor to cool and use caution when removing

IMPORTANT: The oil filter should be changed at every oil change interval.

To complete an oil change, proceed as follows:

Removing the Left-hand Side Panel

•Engage the tractor’s parking brake and raise the hood.

•Loosen, but do not remove, the rear wing nut and upper front wing nut. See Figure 19.

Wing Nuts

Figure 19

20