Maintenance & Adjustments

Maintenance

WARNING! Before performing any maintenance or repairs, disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.

Engine

Refer to the Engine Operator/Owner Manual for engine maintenance instructions.

Check engine oil level before each use as instructed in the Engine Operator/Owner Manual packed with your unit. Follow the instructions carefully.

Changing Engine Oil

Warning! If the engine has been recently run, the engine, muffler and surrounding metal surfaces will be hot and can cause burns to the skin. Exercise caution to avoid burns.

NOTE: The oil filter should be changed at every oil change interval.

To complete an oil change, proceed as follows:

1.Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the oil in the crankcase to warm up. Warm oil will flow more freely and carry away more of the engine sediment which may have settled at the bottom of the crankcase. Use care to avoid burns from hot oil.

2.Open the tractor’s hood and locate the oil drain port on the right side of the engine.

3.Pop open the protective cap on the end of the oil drain valve to expose the drain port. See Fig 6-1.

4.Remove the oil fill cap/ dipstick from the oil fill tube.

Figure 6-1

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5.Push the oil drain hose (packed with this manual) onto the oil drain port. Route the opposite end of the hose into an appropriate oil collection container with at least a 2.5 quart capacity, to collect the used oil.

6.Pinch the tabs on the oil drain valve, then pull outward to begin draining oil. See Fig 6-1.

7.After the oil has finished draining, push the end of the oil drain valve back in, until the tabs click into place. Re-cap the end of the oil drain valve to keep debris from entering the drain port.

8.Replace the oil filter as instructed in the separate engine

Owner’s Manual.

9.Refill the engine with new oil. Refer to the engine Owner’s

Manual for information regarding the proper volume and weight of engine oil.

Air Cleaner

Service the pre-cleaner, if so equipped, and cartridge/air cleaner element as instructed in the Engine Operator/Owner Manual packed with your unit.

Spark Plug

The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each mowing season. Refer to the Engine Operator/Owner Manual for correct plug type and gap specifications.

Lubrication

WARNING! Before lubricating, repairing, or inspecting, always disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove key to prevent unintended starting.

Engine

Lubricate the engine with motor oil as instructed in the Engine Owner Manual packed with your unit.

Pivot Points & Linkage

Lubricate all the pivot points on the drive system, parking brake and lift linkage at least once a season with light oil.

Rear Wheels

The rear wheels should be removed from the axles once a season. Lubricate the axles and the rims well with an all-purpose grease before re-installing them.

Front Axles

Each end of the tractor’s front pivot bar may be equipped with a grease fitting. Lubricate with a grease gun after every 25 hours of tractor operation.

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