12
Ariens
®
Riding Mower
11/99
Cooling
Engine is air cooled. Air must circulate freely around
engine from Air Intake to cooling fins on cylinder head
and block, to prevent overheating.
Every 100 hours of operation or yearly (more often if
conditions require) remove cooling shrouds and clean
cooling fins. Clean external surfaces of engine of dust,
dirt and oil deposits which can contribute to improper
cooling.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT operate engine with blower
housing removed or engine overheating damage will
result.
Engine Oil
See engine manufacturer’s instructions for proper type,
viscosity and amount required.
Engine Oil Check
The engine crankcase oil should be checked daily or
every five (5) hours of operation. Oil level MUST be
maintained in safe operating range on dipstick at all times
or engine damage will result.
To Check:
1. Clean all debris away from around oil cap.
2. Remove oil cap and dipstick. Wipe oil off dipstick with
a clean cloth.
3. Replace dipstick until cap bottoms on tube. Remove
dipstick again and observe il level. Oil should be at
the Full (F) mark.
4. If low, add oil and bring up to the Full (F) mark. DO
NOT over fill. Oil level must not exceed Full (F) mark.
5. Replace dipstick and cap.
6. Clean up any spilled oil.
IMPORTANT:
DO NOT overfill. Be sure engine is level
when adding oil.
Changing Oil
IMPORTANT:
Change engine crankcase oil after first two
(2) hours of operation. Thereafter, change oil every
twenty five hours of operation (more often in dusty dirty
conditions).
NOTE:
Run engine just prior to changing oil. Oil will flow
more freely and carry away more contamination when
warm.
1. Drain engine crankcase by removing oil drain plug.
After oil has drained, replace plug.
2. Remove oil fill cap and dipstick.
3. Pouring slowly, fill crankcase with oil. (See
specifications).
4. Check oil level with dipstick. Replace dipstick and
retighten cap.
Air Cleaner
IMPORTANT:
Never run engine without complete air
cleaner installed on engine.
Inspect filter every twenty-five (25) operating hours (more
often if unit is used under extremely dirty or dusty
conditions).
Foam Filter
Clean and reoil every three (3) months or every
25 operating hours. Clean and reoil daily if used in
extremely dusty conditions.
1. Wash in water and detergent solution and squeeze
(don’t twist) until all dirt is removed.
2. Rinse thoroughly in clear water.
3. Wrap in a clean cloth and squeeze (do not twist) until
completely dry.
4. Saturate with engine oil and squeeze (do not twist) to
distribute oil and remove excess oil.
Paper Filter
Do not attempt to clean or oil filter. Replace once a year
or every 100 operating hours, more often if used in
extremely dusty conditions.
Clean inside of cover and body of filter holder. Replace
filter and cover and secure.
Spark Plug
Spark plug should be cleaned or replaced (if necessary)
and gap reset to .030" every 100 hours of operation or
yearly whichever comes first.
To clean:
1. Remove debris from area around spark plug base.
2. Remove spark plug from engine.
3. Scrape and wash spark plug with a commercial
solvent. DO NOT blast clean.
4. Replace spark plug.
NOTE:
Sparking can occur if wire terminal does not fit
firmly on spark plug. Replace terminal if damaged.
Muffler
Worn out mufflers should be replaced immediately.
Continued use could result in fire or explosion.
CAUTION
Periodically clean muffler and manifold areas to
remove all grass, dirt and combustible debris. If engine
muffler is equipped with spark arrester screen
assembly, remove every 50 hours for cleaning and
inspection. Replace if damaged.
1. Cover
2. Filter Element
3. Paper Element
4. Body
Figure 5
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