Battery Maintenance
•The battery is filled with battery acid and then sealed at the factory. However, if the battery is equipped with fill caps, remove them and check the level of the liquid electrolyte in the battery every 50 operating hours. If the level in any of the six cells has dropped below the bottom of the split ring inside the fill hole, refill the cell with distilled water.
•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 battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosion.
•Avoid tipping. Even a sealed battery will leak electrolyte when tipped.
Warning! Batteries contain sulfuric acid and may emit explosive gases. Use extreme caution when handling batteries. Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
Tire Maintenance
Check the tire air pressure before each use. Inflation pressure of the rear tires is important for stability while the mower is in operation. If the tire diameter is not equal between the two tires, the mower will pull to one side. Keep the tires inflated to the recommended pressures. Improper inflation will shorten the tire service life. See the tire side wall for proper inflation pressures. Observe the following guidelines:
•Do not inflate a tire above the maximum pressure shown on the sidewall of the tire.
•Do not reinflate a tire that has been run flat or seriously under inflated. Have a qualified tire mechanic inspect and service the tire.
•Balance inflation pressure between the rear tires to help maintain straight travel (see tire side wall for proper inflation pressure).
•Keep the valve caps tightened to prevent air pressure loss.
Lubrication
•Using a pressure lubricating gun, lubricate all grease fittings and points as noted in the Lubrication Chart.
•Lubricate all other pivot points with a quality lubricating oil as noted in the Oil Chart.
Using the Deck Wash System
Warning! When using the deck wash system, never engage the deck from any position other than the operator’s seat of the tractor. Do not use an assistant or engage deck in the presence of any bystanders.
Use the Deck Wash System to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following steps after each mowing:
NOTE: Make certain the machine’s discharge chute is directed away from people, children, animals, and your house, garage, parked cars, etc.
1.Attach the nozzle adapter to a standard garden hose
connected to a water supply.
2.Move the tractor to an area within reach of the hose where the dispersal of wet grass clippings is not objectionable to you. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, and stop the engine.
3.Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter and push the adapter onto one of the deck wash nozzles at either end of the mower deck. Release the lock collar to lock the adapter on the nozzle. See Fig.
Pull Lock
Collar Back
Nozzle
Adapter 
Adapter 
Lock Collar
Deck Wash Nozzle
Figure
4.Turn on the water supply.
5.From the tractor operator’s seat, start the engine and engage the PTO. Allow to run as needed. Disengage the PTO and stop the engine.
6.Turn off the water supply.
7.Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter to disconnect the adapter from the nozzle.
8.Repeat the previous steps to clean the deck using the nozzle at the other end of the deck.
Cleaning the Spindle Pulleys
Once a month remove the belt covers to remove any accumulation of grass clippings from around the spindle pulleys and
24Section 6— Maintenance & Adjustments