MAINTENANCE
V-BELTS
Check
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean to assure proper cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmission while engine is running or while the transmission is hot. To prevent pos- sible damage to seals, do not use high pressure water or steam to clean transaxle.
•Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and clean.
•Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clippings and other materials. To prevent damage to seals, do not use compressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory and fluid mainte- nance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should the transaxle ever leak or require servicing, contact your nearest authorized service center/department.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
To ensure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times.
Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing and other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external surfaces as necessary. Ensure the cooling shrouds are reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed will cause engine damage due to overheating.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 31)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API service classification
•Be sure tractor is on level surface.
•Oil will drain more freely when warm.
•Catch oil in a suitable container.
•Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil.
•Install the drain tube onto the valve.
•Open drain valve by using a 10mm wrench turning counterclockwise.
OIL DRAIN VALVE
TO OPEN
TO CLOSE
DRAIN
TUBE
Fig. 31
•After oil has drained completely, close the drain valve turning clockwise.Usethe10mmwrenchtoapply asmall amount of torque to keep it closed. Do not over tighten.
•Remove the drain tube and store in a safe place.
•Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual.
•Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube when taking reading. Keep oil at “FULL” line on dipstick. Tighten cap onto the tube securely when finished.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
Replace the engine oil filter every season or every other oil change if the tractor is used more than 100 hours in one year. See engine manual.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Ser- vice air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent engine damage from overheating. Clean with a wire brush or compressed air to remove dirt and stubborn dried gum fibers.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and spark arrester (if equipped) as it could create a fire hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUGS
Replace spark plugs at the beginning of each mowing season or after every 100 hours of operation, whichever occurs first. Spark plug type and gap setting are shown in “PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this manual.
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