Charging

If the unit has not been put into use for an extended period of time, charge the battery with an automotive- type 12-volt charger for a minimum of one hour at six amps.

WARNING: Batteries give off an explosive gas while charging. Charge battery in a well ventilated area and keep away from an open flame or pilot light as on a water heater, space heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.

Fuse

A fuse is installed in your tractor’s wiring harness to protect the tractor’s electrical system from damage caused by excessive amperage.

If the electrical system does not function, or your tractor’s engine will not crank, first check to be certain that the fuse has not blown.

It can be found under the hood mounted behind the top of the dash panel on the support bar. Pull the fuse out and inspect it to determine if it is good or blown.

IMPORTANT: Always use a fuse with the same amperage capacity for replacement.

WARNING: Before servicing, repairing, or inspecting, always disengage PTO, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.

Cutting Deck Removal

To remove the cutting deck, proceed as follows:

•Place the PTO knob in the disengaged (OFF) position and engage the parking brake.

•Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender.

•Remove the PTO belt from around the tractor’s electric PTO clutch. Refer to Figure 28 or Figure 29.

•Looking at the cutting deck from the left side of the tractor, locate the deck support pin on the rear left side of the deck.

•Rotate the pin slightly toward the rear of the tractor and release the pin into the hole provided.

•Pull the deck support pin outward to release the deck from the deck lift arm. See Figure 27.

•Repeat the above steps on the tractor’s right side.

•Move the deck lift lever into the top notch on the right fender to raise the deck lift arms up and out of the way.

•Gently slide the cutting deck toward the front of the tractor allowing the hooks on the deck to release themselves from the deck stabilizer rod.

•Gently slide the cutting deck (from the right side) out from underneath the tractor.

Support Pin

Figure 27

Changing the Deck Belt(s)

WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the belt(s).

All belts on your tractor are subject to wear and should be replaced if any signs of wear are present.

IMPORTANT: The V-belts found on your tractor are specially designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non-OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely. For a proper working machine, use factory approved belts.

To change or replace the deck belts on your tractor, proceed as follows:

•Lower the deck by moving the deck lift lever into the bottom notch on the right fender.

•Remove the belt guards by removing the self- tapping screws that fasten them to the deck. See Figure 28 or Figure 29.

•Grasp the rearmost portion of the PTO idler bracket and pivot it toward the discharge chute to relieve tension on the PTO belt.

•Remove the PTO belt from the electric PTO clutch and the PTO idler pulley(s).

•Grasp the deck idler pulley and pivot it toward the left side of the deck to relieve tension on the deck belt.

•Remove the deck belt from around all pulleys, including the deck idler pulley.

•Route the new belts as shown in Figure 28 or Figure 29.

•Remount the belt guards removed earlier.

26