Maintenance Instructions
CLEANING
65
Engine Cooling System
Cooling Air Intake Screen
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 nec essary 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 follows:
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.
CAUTION
DO NOT use a pressure washer to clean the
cooling system on an air-cooled engine,
mud may form under the cooling shroud
on the cylinder head and cooling fan.
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.
Kohler Engine
Shroud
Engine Cooling
Fin Access Panels
Engine Cooling Air
Intake Screen
Keep Rotating Cooling Air Intake
Screen and Cooling Fins Clean
IMPORTANT:
Yearly, it is good maintenance prac-
tice to remove the engine cooling shroud and clean
the cylinder head cooling fins thoroughly to prevent
overheating and extend engine life. Make sure cool-
ing shroud is reinstalled properly. This procedure
will require removing the engine from the chassis.
Check Airflow
with Hand
Cylinder Head
(Not Visible)
Check Cooling System Airflow
