MTD 1438, 1842 Cleaning the Engine And Deck, Cleaning Battery, Battery Failures, Deck Wash System

Models: 1842 1438

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Cleaning Battery

Cleaning Battery

Clean the battery by removing it from the tractor and washing with a baking soda and water solution. If necessary, scrape the battery terminals with a wire brush to remove deposits. Coat terminals and exposed wiring with grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion.

Battery Failures

Some common causes for battery failure are:

Incorrect initial activation

Overcharging

Freezing

Undercharging

Corroded connections

These failures are NOT covered by your tractor’s warranty.

Cleaning the Engine And Deck

Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off promptly. Do NOT allow debris to accumulate around the cooling fins of the engine or on any other part of the machine.

IMPORTANT: The use of a pressure washer to clean your tractor is NOT recommended. It may cause damage to electrical components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine.

On some decks, a hex plug can be found on your tractor’s deck surface as seen in Fig. 6-2. Or on some units there could be a 1/4” screw holding in a plug. On either configuration, this plug can be replaced with a water port to be used as part of a separately- available deck wash system.

Deck Wash System™

If your tractor’s deck is equipped with a water port on its surface as part of its Deck Wash System™, follow these instructions to utilize this feature.

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:

1.Drive the tractor to a level, clear spot on your lawn, near enough for your garden hose to reach.

Caution: Make certain the tractor’s discharge chute is directed AWAY from your house, garage, parked cars, etc.

2.Disengage the PTO (Blade Engage), set the parking brake and stop the engine.

3.Thread the hose coupler (packaged with your tractor’s Operator’s Manual) onto the end of your garden hose.

4.Attach the hose coupler to the water port on the deck’s surface. See Fig. 6-3.

Hex Plug

Figure 6-2

The Deck Wash System™ is used to rinse grass clippings from the deck’s underside and prevent the buildup of corrosive chemicals.

NOTE: Refer to the Attachments & Accessories section of this manual for information regarding this and other separately- available attachments & accessories for your tractor.

Figure 6-3

5.Turn the water on.

6.While sitting in the operator’s position on the tractor, start the engine and place the throttle lever in the FAST (rabbit) position.

7.Move the tractor’s PTO (Blade Engage) into the ON position.

8.Remain in the operator’s position with the cutting deck engaged for a minimum of two minutes, allowing the underside of the cutting deck to thoroughly rinse.

9.Move the tractor’s PTO (Blade Engage) into the OFF position.

10.Turn the ignition key to the STOP position to turn the tractor’s engine off.

11.Turn the water off and detach the hose coupler from the water port on your deck’s surface.

12.On 46” decks, repeat steps 4 through 11 on the opposite side of the cutting deck.

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Section 6— Maintenance & Adjustments

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MTD 1438, 1842 warranty Cleaning the Engine And Deck, Cleaning Battery, Battery Failures, Deck Wash System, Hex Plug