MAINTENANCE
BATTERY
Your tractor has a battery charging system whichis sufficient
for normal use. However, periodic charging of the battery
with an automotive charger wilt extend its life.
• Keep battery and terminals clean.
Keep battery bolts tight.
Keep small vent holes open.
• Recharge at 6-10 amperes for 1 hour.
NOTE: The original equipment battery on your tractor is
maintenance free. Do not attempt to open or remove caps
or covers. Adding or checking level of electrolyte is not
necessary.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to "leak" power.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
• Clean terminals and battery cable endswithwire brush
until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See =REPLACING BATTERY" in
the SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section of this
manual).
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours
of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not
adjustable. Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which
can restrictcooling.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classification SF-SJ. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
SAEVISCOSITYGRADES
F -20 0 30 _ 40 60 80 100
C -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
b
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT O_LCHANGE
FIG. 10
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oilconsumption when used above
32°1=.Check your engine oillevel more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from runninglow on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours ofoperation or at least
once a year if the tractor is not used for 25 hours in one
year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each eight (8) hours of operation. Tighten oilfill
cap/dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 10 and 11)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ.
• Be sure tractor ison level surface.
• Oil willdrain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove oilfill cap/dipstick. Be careful notto allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
• Remove yellow cap from end ofdrain valve and install
the drain tube onto the fitting.
OIL DRAIN VALVE
CLOSED
POSITION
TUBE
FIG. 11
• Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning
counterclockwise.
• To open, pull out on the drain valve.
• After oil has drained completely, close and lock the
drain valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise
untilthe pin is in the locked position as shown.
• Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto tothe
bottomfitting of the drain valve.
• Refill engine with oil through oilfill dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfill For approximate capacity see
"PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this man-
ual.
Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level.
Be sure dipstick cap istightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oilat "FULL" line on dipstick.
16
