18
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The fan and cooling fins of transmission 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 possible
damage to seals, no 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.
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.
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure 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. Make sure 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.
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours of
operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not
adjustable. Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classification SF-SJ. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least
once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and
after each eight (8) hours of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/
dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20 0 30 40 80 100
-30 -20 0 20 30 40
F
C
32
-10 10
60
5W-30
SAE 30
FIG. 16
FIG. 15
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 15 and 16)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ.
•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.
•Remove yellow cap from bottom fitting of drain valve and
install the drain tube onto the fitting.
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION
YELLOW
CAP
DRAIN
TUBE
OIL DRAIN VALVE
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the
battery to “leak” power.
•Remove terminal guard.
•Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery
cable and remove battery from tractor.
•Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
•Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
until bright.
•Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
•Reinstall battery (See “REPLACING BATTERY” in the
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section of this manual).
•Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning coun-
terclockwise.
•To open, pull out on the drain valve.
•After oil has drained completely, close and lock the drain
valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise until the
pin is in the locked position as shown.
•Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto to the
bottom fitting of the drain valve.
•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. Be
sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at “FULL” line on dipstick.