Simplicity 300 Series manual Battery Maintenance, Lubricate Rear Axle Shafts, Regular Maintenance

Regular Maintenance

Battery Maintenance

WARNING

When removing or installing battery cables, disconnect the negative cable FIRST and reconnect it LAST. If not done in this order, the positive terminal can be shorted to the frame by a tool.

Cleaning the Battery and Cables

Service Interval: Every 100 Hours

1.	Disconnect the cables from the battery, negative
	cable first (A, Figure 17).
2.	Remove the battery hold-down (C) and battery.
3.	Clean the battery compartment with a solution of
	baking soda and water.
4.	Clean the battery terminals and cable ends with a
	wire brush and battery terminal cleaner until shiny.
5.	Reinstall the battery in the battery compartment, and
	secure with the battery hold-down (C).
6.	Reattach the battery cables, positive cable first (B).

C

B

A

Figure 17. Battery

A.Negative Cable

B.Positive Cable & Cover

C.Rubber Hold-Down Strap

7. Coat the cable ends and battery terminals with

petroleum jelly or non-conducting grease.

Lubricate Rear Axle Shafts

Service Interval: Yearly

A

C

BD

We recommend removing the rear wheel hubs and lubricating the axle shafts yearly. This prevents the wheel hubs from seizing onto the axle shaft and makes future service easier.

1.Turn off the ignition, turn off the PTO, engage the parking brake, and block the front tires.

2.Using a jack or chain hoist positioned at the center of the rear frame, carefully jack the unit up until the rear tires are approximately 1" - 2" (2.5-5cm) off the ground.

NOTE: For overall unit stability during service, do not jack rear end higher than required for wheel removal.

3.Support the rear of the unit on jackstands positioned under the rear frame.

NOTE: Your axle assembly may differ slightly from the

assembly pictured: the quantity of washers is adjusted on a tractor by tractor basis during assembly to allow a small amount of axle end-play.

4.Remove the hardware retaining the wheel assembly to the axle and lubricate the axle shaft using anti- seize compound or lithium grease.

5.Reinstall the components in reverse order of disassembly and lower the unit. Be sure the key (A, Figure 18) is in place in the axle keyway.

	G
	H
E	F
Figure 18. Rear Axle Hardware
A. Key	F. Small Washer
B. Stationary Washer / Washer	G. Retaining Ring
C. Spacer	H. Axle Cap
D. Wheel & Hub	I. Large Washer
E. Axle Cap Retainer

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