16
MAINTENANCE
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours and
replace if necessary. The belts are not adjustable. Re place
belts if they begin to slip from wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which
can restrict cooling.
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to “leak” power.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst then RED bat-
tery cable and remove battery from tractor.
• Rinse the battery with plain water and dry.
• Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush
until bright.
• Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly.
• Reinstall battery (See “CONNECT BATTERY” in the
Assembly sec tion of this manual).
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent
engine dam age from overheating. Clean with a wire brush
or com pressed air to re move dirt and stubborn dried gum
fi bers.
FIG. 11
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classifi cation SF-SJ. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature. When
operating in temperatures below 0º F (-18º C) syn thet ic
oil must be used.
* CAUTION:
Air cooled engines run hotter than automo-
tive engines. The use of non-synthetic multi-viscosity oils
(5W30, 10W30 etc.) in temperatures above 40º F (4º C) will
result in higher than normal oil consumption. When using a
multi-viscosity oil, check oil level more frequently.
** CAUTION:
SAE 30 oil, if used below 40º F (4º C), will
result in hard starting and possible engine bore damage
due to inadequate lubrication.
NOTE:
Synthetic oil meeting ILSAC GF-2, API
certifi cation mark and API service symbol (shown
at left) with "SJ/CF ENERGY CONSERVING" or
higher, is an acceptable oil at all temperatures.
Use of synthetic oil does not alter required
oil change intervals.
STARTING TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20
-20
-10
10
-30
20
20 30 40
0
0
40
80
100
F
C
*
32
60
**
30
Synthetic 5W-30, 10W-30
5W-30, 10W-30
C
E RTIFIED
A
M
E
R
IC
A
N
PE
TOLEUM
IN
S
T
IT
U
T
E
A
P
I
SE
RVICE S
J/C
F
E
N
E
R
GY
CONSE
R
V
IN
G
SAE
5W-30
FOR
GASOLINE
ENGINES
Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation 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 oil fi ll cap/
dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 11 and 12)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classifi cation SF-SJ.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
• Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve and install
the drain tube onto the fi tting.
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION
YEL LOW
CAP
DRAIN
TUBE
OIL DRAIN VALVE
FIG. 12
• Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning
coun ter clock wise.
• 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
until the pin is in the locked position as shown.
• Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto to the
bottom fi tting of the drain valve.
• Refi ll engine with oil through oil fi ll dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfi ll. For approximate capacity see
“PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this man-
u al.
• Use gauge on oil fi ll cap/dipstick for checking level.
Be sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at “FULL” line on dipstick.
ENGINE COOLING FINS (See Fig. 13)
Remove any dust, dirt or oil from engine cooling fi ns to
prevent engine damage from overheating.
• Remove screws from blower housing and lift housing
and dipstick tube assembly off engine.
• Cover oil fi ll opening to prevent entry of dirt.
• Use compressed air or stiff bristle brush to thoroughly
clean engine cooling fi ns.
• To reassemble, reverse above procedure.
