with a solution of ammonia/water or baking soda/water.
•NEVER connect (or disconnect) battery charger clips to the battery while the charger is turned on, as it can cause sparks.
•Keep all sources of ignition (ciga- rettes, matches, lighters) away from the battery. The hydrogen gas gen- erated during charging can be combustible.
•As a further precaution, only charge the battery in a well ventilated area.
•Always shield eyes and protect skin and clothing when working near batteries.
WARNING: Batteries contain sulfuric acid and may emit explosive gases. Use extreme caution when handling bat- teries. Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
Battery Removal
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related acces- sories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.
The battery is located under the dash panel in the frame pedestal.
To remove the battery:
•Open the tractor hood by lifting it at the notches in the side panels.
•Remove the upper bulkhead baffle from the front of the dash panel by lifting upward on the baffle locking tab on each side.
•Pull the upper end of the rubber battery strap rearward to unhook it from the tab on the pedestal.
•Loosen the negative battery cable clamp, disconnect the negative cable, and move the cable away from the battery. Disconnect the positive lead from the battery in the same manner.
•Carefully lift the battery up and out of the tractor.
Install the battery by repeating the above steps in the reverse order.
IMPORTANT: Always connect the positive lead to the battery before connecting the negative lead.
Battery Maintenance
The battery is filled with battery acid and then sealed at the factory. However, even a “maintenance free” battery requires some maintenance to ensure its proper life cycle.
•Spray the terminals and exposed wire with a battery terminal sealer, or coat the terminals with a thin coat of grease or petroleum jelly, to protect against corrosion.
•Always keep the cables and termi- nals clean and free of corrosion.
•Always keep the terminal covers in place over the battery terminals.
•Avoid tipping. Even a sealed battery will leak electrolyte when tipped.
Battery Storage
•When storing the tractor for extended periods, disconnect the negative battery cable. It is not necessary to remove the battery.
•All batteries discharge during stor- age. Keep the exterior of the battery clean, especially the top. A dirty bat- tery will discharge more rapidly.
•The battery must be stored with a full charge. A discharged battery can freeze sooner than a charged battery. A fully charged battery will store longer in cold temperatures than hot.
•Recharge the battery before return- ing to service. Although the tractor may start, the engine charging sys- tem may not fully recharge the battery.
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