Etesia SKD, User Manual, Page: 20 / 28

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Before carrying out any maintenance, stop the engine, and
remove the ignition key.
9•1 CLEANING
The best maintenance of all comes from regular cleaning of your ride-
on brush-cutter after each mowing job.
It is highly advisable to use a high pressure cleaner on it. In any case,
never spray water on to the engine parts such as: carburettor, air filter,
ignition circuit, exhaust, battery, etc. Similarly, never point the jet
of water at electrical contactors, bearings (blade or wheel bearings)
or onto hydraulic parts. After cleaning, it is advisable to restart the
engine and the cutting system to evacuate any water that might have
got into the moving parts.
9•2 CUTTING SYSTEM
After each use, clean the cutting housing carefully, in particular on
the inside.
Before cleaning your ride-on brush-cutter, switch off the engine and
ensure the blade has stopped.
9•2•1 CLEANING THE CUTTING SYSTEM BY
DISASSEMBLY
If the ride-on brush-cutter has been used under particularly harsh
conditions (very wet grass, mowing in a very low position), it may be
necessary to disassemble the cutting deck to clean it.
At this time, it is also better to check the condition of the blade and
coupling, and replace them if necessary.
A properly maintained cutting system improves the cutting quality.
MULCHING HOUSING OPTION
On the left hand-side, the SKD cutter housing model is a fitting allowing
the collection of a quick union for watering.
To clean the housing, proceed as follows:
• Connect the watering hose to the fitting provided on the cutting housing.
• Open the tap
• Sit on the seat, start the engine and engage the cutting system.
• After approximately 3 minutes, the cutting system will be clean.
• After cleaning, close the water inlet and turn the cutting system back
on for a few moments.
9•2•2 MAINTAINING THE CUTTING SYSTEM
Whenever you need to work on the cutting system, first
stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition. Wear
working gloves to protect your hands.
Shear bolts provide a connection between the body of the blade and the
blade coupling. In the event of violent impact, the instant shearing of
these screws protects the entire transmission system.
Every time before you use the ride-on brush-cutter, check the condition
of the blade (for any damage and wear).
If a blade has become blunt or is twisted, this will affect the standard
of cutting. A damaged blade could be particularly dangerous if a piece
comes away and is ejected by the cutting system.
Replace immediately any worn or damaged blades.
The flails are reversible: after the cutting edge becomes worn, they can
be turned around.
Also check that the blade coupling is in perfect condition and that the
blade ends turn in the same plane.
If any damage is observed on a blade, more thorough examination
of the other components will be necessary, for instance the cutting
housing, blade coupling, shear bolts, blade bearing and belt.
The blade can be tested through the opening of the side deflector of the
ride-on brush-cutter. If necessary, remove the cutting system.
If you do not know how to do it or you do not have the right tools,
contact your ETESIA dealer.
9•2•3 REPLACING THE SHEAR BOLTS
• You can purchase a set of 8 shear screws and nuts ref. 37762.
• Tighten the shear screws to a torque load of 10 Nm.
• If you do not know how to do it or you do not have the right tools,
contact your ETESIA dealer.
9•2•4 REPLACEMENT OF BLADE BODY
• Lock the blade by placing a wooden wedge between it and the cutting
housing then detach the central screw with a 17 mm wrench (picture
15).
• Before reassembling the blade coupling, greece the shaft and check the
condition of the lock washer (ref. 37665), the coupling (ref. 37669),
and the key (ref. 20602) (picture 16).
• Tighten the blade screw to 50 Nm (picture 17).
9•2•5 REPLACING THE FLAILS
• For the scything housing, use spare part MC85 and assemble according
to the exploded view of picture 18.
• For the mulching housing (option 37183), use spare part MC85MN
and assemble according to the exploded view of picture 18.
9•3 ENGINE MAINTENANCE
CAUTION!
For all work on parts connected to the engine,
turn the engine off, remove the key from the ignition and
allow the engine to cool. Wear working gloves to protect
your hands.
9•3•1 OIL LEVEL CHECK (PICTURE 4)
To be checked before each mowing job.
• Bring the ride-on brush-cutter on to a horizontal area.
• Open the engine cover (see § 8•1 and picture 1).
• Clean the perimeter of the filler hole to prevent impurities from getting
into the housing.
• Unscrew the dipstick.
• Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth and put it back into the filler tube.
• Put back the cap so that it bears on the tube but do not screw it down.
• Pull out the dipstick to check the level: the level of the oil on the
dipstick should be between the [ADD] and [FULL] marks. See the
technical specifications for the capacity of the sump.
• Screw the dipstick back in securely.
9•3•2 ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND LEVEL
After the initial servicing at 10 hours, to be performed by your ETESIA
dealer, the engine oil must be changed at the first of the following
occasions: every 100 hours or once each year.
Change the oil when the engine is still hot to obtain better outflow of
oil than when cold.
• Take the machine outdoors to a horizontal surface.
• Turn the engine off and remove the ignition key.
• Place a suitable recipient at the oil drain outlet at the back of your
ride-on brush-cutter (picture 19).
• Using a large screwdriver (2) inserted in the hole provided in the
left-hand mudguard, open the drain valve and allow the spent oil to
flow into the recovery recipient.
Be careful of the hot oil drained off.
• Close the drain tap.
• Clean the surroundings of the gates to prevent any impurities from
getting into the engine housing.
• Remove the oil gauge and slowly pour in 10W40 multigrade oil,
specification API-SL or ACEA-A3 ref. ETESIA 38383 (2 liter) or an
SAE30 monograde oil through the filler pipe.
9• MAINTENANCE