Battery Maintenance

•The battery is filled with battery acid and then sealed at the factory. However, even a “maintenance free” battery requires some maintenance to ensure its proper life cycle.

•Spray the terminals and exposed wire with a battery terminal sealer, or coat the terminals with a thin coat of grease or petroleum jelly, to protect against corrosion.

•Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean and free of corrosion.

•Avoid tipping. Even a sealed battery will leak electrolyte when tipped.

Warning! Batteries contain sulfuric acid and may emit explosive gases. Use extreme caution when handling batteries. Keep batteries out of the reach of children.

Lubrication

•Using a pressure lubricating gun, lubricate the front castor wheel axles and the front pivot axle with grease after every

10 hours of service.

•Periodically lubricate all other pivot points with a quality lubricating oil.

Using the Deck Wash System

Warning! When using the deck wash system, never engage the deck from any position other than the operator’s seat of the tractor. Do not use an assistant or engage deck in the presence of any bystanders.

1.Attach the nozzle adapter to a standard garden hose connected to a water supply.

2.Move the tractor to an area within reach of the hose where the dispersal of wet grass clippings is not objectionable to you. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, and stop the engine.

3.Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter and push the adapter onto one of the deck wash nozzles at either end of the mower deck. Release the lock collar to lock the adapter on the nozzle. See Fig. 6-1.

Pull Lock

NozzleCollar Back

Adapter

Adapter

Lock Collar

Deck Wash Nozzle

Figure 6-1

22 Section 6— Maintenance & Adjustments

4.Turn on the water supply.

5.From the tractor operator’s seat, start the engine and engage the PTO. Allow to run as needed. Disengage the PTO and stop the engine.

6.Turn off the water supply.

7.Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter to disconnect the adapter from the nozzle.

8.Repeat the previous steps to clean the deck using the nozzle at the other end of the deck.

Cleaning the Spindle Pulleys

Once a month remove the belt covers to remove any accumulation of grass clippings from around the spindle pulleys and V-belt. Clean more often when mowing tall, dry grass.

Using the Transmission Bypass Rods

If for any reason the tractor will not drive or you wish to move the tractor, the two hydrostatic transmissions are equipped with a bypass rod that will allow you to manually move the tractor short distances.

Warning! Do not tow the tractor, even with the bypass rod engaged. Serious transmission damage will result from doing so.

1.From just in front of the two rear tires, locate the transmission bypass rods. Refer to Fig. 6-2.

RH Transmission

Pull Out Bypass

Rod Then Lower

Bypass Rod

Into Slot

Keyhole Slot

Figure 6-2

2.Pull one rod toward the front of the tractor until the flange on the rod is forward of the keyhole slot in the frame assembly.

3.Lower the bypass rod into the keyhole slot and release so the rod flange is against the front of the frame bracket.

4.Repeat the above procedure to engage the other bypass rod on the other side of the tractor.

5.After moving the tractor, disengage both bypass rods. Lift the rod and guide the flange of the rod back through the larger circular opening of the keyhole, then release the rod.

NOTE: The tractor will not drive with the bypass rods in the engage position.