National Mower 99500500-8400 manual General Maintenance, Assembly and Disassembly

MAINTENANCE

DANGER: To avoid possible serious bodily injury, before performing any adjustments, maintenance, or lubrication, place all controls in “neutral,” lower the mowers to the ground, engage parking brake, turn ignition switch off, and remove key.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

The long trouble-free life of your machine depends on the maintenance it receives. Set up a maintenance program for your 8400 to cover the following points:

•Keep tractor and mowers clean.

•Keep all moving parts properly lubricated (see LUBRICATION on page 23).

•Keep all parts properly adjusted.

•Inspect for loose, worn or damaged parts.

•Keep shields in place at all times.

•Keep tires properly inflated.

If your inspection reveals worn or damaged parts, replace these parts before operating machine or before actual breakdown occurs.

DANGER: To avoid injury from hot, high-pressure oil, never disconnect hydraulic hoses with attachments in up position. Never rub hands across tubes, hoses, or fittings to check for leaks. Hydraulic fluid escaping under pressure can have sufficient force to penetrate the skin.

ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY

Use the illustrations in the Parts Manual as reference for disassembly and assembly of components. Always maintain relative position of parts when disassembling. Clean and lubricate individual parts and components as required.

BATTERY

1.Make certain the ignition switch is in the “off” position and the keys have been removed.

2.Refer to the Mower Specifications in this manual for battery specifications.

3.Connect charger leads to battery. Connect the positive (+) connector from the charger to the positive battery terminal. Connect the negative (–) connector of the charger to the negative

DANGER: Always wear protective glasses or goggles and protective clothing when working with batteries. Always connect the “ground” (black) cable last and remove it first whenever performing any maintenance. Batteries contain sulfuric acid and generate explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen gases. Keep any device which may cause sparks or flames away from the battery to prevent explosions. Read and follow the battery manufacturer’s instructions on safety, maintenance, and installation procedures.

3.When the battery is being installed or removed, make sure that the positive and negative terminals do not come in contact with metal tractor parts at the same time, or severe damage may result.

4.Battery connections must be kept clean and tight at all times. Loose cables will cause eventual battery failure. Keep terminal covers in place.

5.Use soap and water to clean the battery as required. Care must be taken to prevent soap and water from getting inside battery.

6.Clean the terminal contact surfaces with a battery terminal brush or steel wool.

7.Tighten cables securely to battery terminals.

8.Apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or chassis lubricant to terminals and cable ends after assembly to prevent corrosion.

CHARGING A BATTERY

DANGER: To avoid possible injury, stand away from battery when charger is turned on. A damaged battery or a battery with an internal short could explode.

Charge battery only in a well-vented location, away from sparks or open flame.

1.Remove the battery from the tractor before charging.

2.Be sure charger is “off.“

battery terminal.

4.Charge the battery using one of the methods shown below. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the charger.

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