D21d
Maintenance Instructions
Kubota Tips
59
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR CARE OF THE
KUBOTA ENGINE
Fuel System
● Fuel must be clean—free from water, dirt, and
organic material. Fuel contamination will
greatly shorten the life of the fuel injection
pump and injectors.
● Change the fuel filters on a regular basis and
when contamination is suspected or found in
the fuel.
● Model D21d is equipped with an electric fuel
pump; therefore it is normally not necessary to
bleed air out of the fuel system (after running
out of fuel or fuel system maintenance).
● When checking and bleeding the fuel system
use the air vent plug on the fuel filter and the
injector pump.
DO NOT
attempt to bleed the
fuel system by loosening fuel lines on the fuel
injection pump as this could
damage the
pump.
Starting/Stopping
●
DO NOT use ether or any starting fluid
in
the air intake. This will
damage the engine.
● For starting in cold weather [below 40° F (4°
C)], use the cold start lever to release the
hydrostatic transmissions from the starter
cranking load.
● Start engine with the throttle advanced off idle
(1/4 to 1/2 throttle). This will aid starting, espe-
cially in cold weather.
● Keep the battery fully charged.
● Match crankcase oil viscosity to the ambient
tem perature, allowing the engine to crank
faster and start easier.
● Allow engine to run at idle for a few seconds
before stopping engine to avoid run-on or
backfiring.
Cooling System
● Fill the cooling system with a
pre-mixed
solu
-
tion of 50/50 antifreeze (ethylene glycol) and
distilled water.
IMPORTANT:
Solution must be pre-mixed
before putting it in the engine (adding pure
antifreeze into the radiator may cause damage
to the engine by causing overheating).
●
Maintain proper fluid levels
in the radiator
and overflow tank.
● Operate the engine at full speed when
mowing. This allows the engine to produce full
horsepower and move more cooling air
through the radiator.
Air Cleaner System
● Use
only
Donaldson air cleaner elements.
Aftermarket elements may not seal in the air
cleaner housing, allowing dirt to enter the
engine. Also, af termarket filters often skimp on
the filtration media and require more frequent
replace ment (see following instructions).
● Use the air filter restriction gauge to indicate
the need to service the air filter.
● Do frequently check the
Turbine Precleaner
for free movement of the internal fan.
●
DO NOT overservice or frequently “disturb”
the air filter.
A dirty air filter actually cleans
better than a new one. Changing and cleaning
the air filter too often can actually reduce filter
efficiency and in crease the opportunity for
traces of dust to enter the engine. Wait until
the element really needs servicing as indicated
by the air filter restriction gauge.
● When the air filter element is removed or
re placed, make sure all
dust is cleaned out
of
the
air cleaner housing and hose.
Use a
damp cloth and wipe the interior of the canister
and hose clean (a lit tle dirt left here will be
sucked into the engine and reduce engine life).
When the filter is reinstalled, make sure the
element is held tight and straight
in the
canister for proper seating and sealing.
● Periodically check the air intake hose for cuts,
nicks, etc., and the hose clamps for tightness.
Oil
● Use any top quality oil with an API classifica-
tion of CF or higher.
DO NOT
use oil that is
rated for gasoline engines only (API SE/SF) as
this will cause problems in a diesel engine.
● Single viscosity or multi-viscosity oils may be
used with the viscosity matching ambient
temperatures for the engine operating condi-
tions. This will
aid starting
in cold weather
and assure proper lubrication in hot weather.
