Maintenance Instructions

CLEANING

Engine Cooling System

Cooling Air Intake System

To prevent engine overheating and possible engine damage, clean grass clippings, chaff, and dirt from the rotating engine cooling air intake screen after every 8 hours of operation. In certain mowing conditions (dry grass, leaves, tree “cotton”, etc.), it may be necessary­ to check and clean the screen several times each day to prevent engine overheat- ing. Also, visually check inside cylinder head shroud and between cylinder head fins for material packed in this area which would prevent cooling airflow; remove shroud and clean as required.

CAUTION

Operating the engine with a blocked air intake screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed will cause engine damage from overheating.

Cylinder Head Cooling Fins

It is essential for performance and longevity of the air-cooled engine to keep the cylinder head cooling fins clean and free of obstruction. After every 8 hours of operation, check the performance of the cooling system by starting the engine, holding a hand adjacent to the cylinder head, and feeling the cooling airflow. If there is little or no airflow, clean the cooling fins as described below.

DANGER

Make sure to keep hands clear of exhaust pipe, muffler, and moving parts when checking airflow.

Every 100 hours, inspect and clean the cooling fins (more often when operating in extremely dusty, dirty conditions). Remove the two (2) cooling fin access panels in the engine shroud and clean the cooling fins and external surfaces using compressed air. Make sure to reinstall the access panels before op­ erating the engine.

NOTE: If dirt is packed into the cooling fins it may be necessary to remove the engine shroud in order to thoroughly clean the cooling fins.

Engine Cooling

Fin Access Panels

Kohler Engine

Shroud

Rotating Cooling

Air Intake Screen

Keep Rotating Cooling Air Intake

Screen and Cooling Fins Clean

IMPORTANT: Yearly, it is good maintenance practice to remove the engine cooling shroud and clean the cylinder head cooling fins thoroughly to prevent overheating and extend engine life. Make sure cooling shroud is reinstalled properly. This procedure will require removing the engine from the chassis.

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