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5. MAINTENANCE & ADJUSTMENTS
WARNING
POTENTIAL HAZARD
♦ While maint enance or adjustment s ar e being made,
someone could start t he engine.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
♦ Accidental start ing of the engine could seriously injure
you or other bystanders.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
♦ Remove the key from the ignition switch and pull the
wire(s) off the spark plug(s) before you do any
maintenance. Also push t he wire(s) aside so it does
not accidentally contact t he spar k plug(s) .
WARNING
POTENTIAL HAZARD
♦ The engine can becom e very hot.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
♦ Touching a hot engine can cause severe burns.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
♦ Allow the engine to cool complet ely before service or
making repairs around the engine area.
5.1 PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
5.1.1 Check eng ine oil level:
Service Interval : Dai l y
a) St op engine and wait for all m oving par ts to stop. Make sur e unit is on a
level surface.
b) Check with engine cold.
c) Raise hopper.
d) Clean ar ea ar ound dipst ick. Remove dipstick and wipe oil off. Reinsert the
dipstick and push it all t he way down into the tube. Remove the dipst ick
and read the oil level.
e) I f the oil level is low, wipe off t he area around the oil fill cap, remove cap
and fill t o the “FULL” mark on the dipstick. Use oil as specified in Engine
Owner’s Manual. DO NOT overfill.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT operate the engine with the oil level below the
“LOW” (or “ADD”) mark on the dipsti ck, or over the “FULL” mark.
5.1.2 Check batt er y charge:
Service Interval : M ont hl y
Allowing batteries to st and for an extended period of time without recharging
them will result in reduced per formance and ser vice life. To preserve optimum
battery performance and life, recharg e batteries in storage when the open
circuit voltag e dr ops to 12.4 volts.
Note: T o pr event dam age due to f r eezing , battery should be fully charg ed
befor e put t ing away for winter stor age.