Section 5: Maintenance 25
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to
come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug.
Remove the key from the keyswitch on units so equipped.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
WARNING
BATTERY MAINTENANCE
Battery Care in Service
The battery is sealed and is maintenance-
free. Acid levels cannot be checked.
•Always keep the battery cables and ter
minals clean and free of corrosive
build-up.
•After cleaning the battery and terminals,
apply a light coat of petroleum jelly or
grease to both terminals
•Always keep the rubber boot positioned
over the positive terminal to prevent
shorting.
Charging
If the tractor has not been put into use for
an extended period of time, charge the
battery with an automotive-type 12-volt
charger for a minimum of one hour at six
amps.
Jump Starting
IMPORTANT: Never jump your tiller’s
dead battery with the battery of a running
vehicle.
1. Connect end of one jumper cable to the
positive terminal of the good battery, then
the other end to the positive terminal of
the dead battery.
2. Connect the other jumper cable to the
negative terminal of the good battery,
then to the frame of the unit with the dead
battery.
Failure to use this procedure could cause
sparking, and the gas in either battery
could explode.
Cleaning
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
•undercharging
•overcharging
•corroded connections
•freezing
IMPORTANT: These failures are NOT
covered by your tractor’s warranty.
Battery Removal and Installation
When removing and installing the battery,
disconnect and connect the cables in this
order to avoid sparking:
1. To remove the battery, first disconnect
the negative (-) cable from the grounding
screw on the back of the battery bracket
post. Bend the cable away from any metal
parts.
2. Disconnect the negative (-) cable from
the negative (-) battery post.
3. Disconnect the positive (+) cable from
the positive (+) battery post and bend it
away from any metal parts. Cover the
cable terminal with its rubber boot.
4. Remove the battery clamp.
5. To install the battery, reverse the above
steps. Be sure that the battery posts face
to the rear of the tiller and that the posi-
tive (+) post is on the left side as you face
forward from the handlebars.
Battery Storage
Charge battery fully. The battery loses
some of its charge each day when the unit
is not used.
IMPORTANT: NEVER store battery
without a full charge. Recharge battery
before returning to service or every two
months, whichever occurs first.
When storing unit for extended periods,
disconnect battery cables. Removing
battery from unit is recommended.
Use extreme caution when working on
or near batteries. To help prevent per-
sonal injury or property damage:.
• Batteries generate explosive gases.
Keep sparks and flames away from the
battery at all times. Ventilate the area
when charging or using the battery in
an enclosed area.
DANGER