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Oil Drain Valve
Change the oil after every 50 hours of op-
eration or at least once a year if the tractor
is not used for 50 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before start-
ing the engine and after each eight (8)
hours of operation.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL
Determine temperature range expected
before oil change. All oil must meet API
service classification SG-SL.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
1. Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful
not to allow dirt to enter the engine
when changing oil.
2. Remove yellow cap from end of drain
valve and install the drain tube onto the
fitting.
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and
chaff to prevent engine damage from
overheating. Clean with a wire brush or
compressed air to remove dirt and stub-
born dried gum fibers.
CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS
To insure proper cooling, make sure the
grass screen, cooling fins, and other exter-
nal surfaces of the engine are kept clean
at all times. .
Every 100 hours of operation (more often
under extremely dusty, dirty conditions) ,
remove the blower housing and other cool-
ing shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and
external surfaces as necessary. Make sure
the cooling shrouds are reinstalled.
NOTE: Operating the engine with a
blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged
cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds
removed will cause engine damage due to
overheating.
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler and
spark arrester (if equipped) as it could cre-
ate afire hazard and/or damage.
SPARK PLUG(S)
Replace spark plug(s) at the beginning
of each mowing season or after every .
100 hours of operation, whichever occurs
first. Spark plug type and gap setting are
shown in "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS"
section of this manual.
IN-LINE FUEL FILTER
The fuel filter should be replaced once
each season. If fuel filter becomes
clogged, obstructing fuel flow to carbu-
retor, replacement is required.
1. With engine cool, remove filter and
plug fuel line sections.
2. Place new fuel filter in position in fuel
line with arrow pointing towards carbu~
retor.
3. Be sure there are no fuel line leaks and
clamps are properly positioned.
4. Immediately wipe up any spilled gaso-
line. .
. Cla~lamp
FuelFilter~
23
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using
a dirty air filter. Service paper cartridge
every two months or every 25 hours of
operation, whichever occurs first.
Service paper cartridge more often under
dusty conditions.
Replace the paper cartridge annually, or
after every 100 hours of operation .
TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE
• Replace a dirty; bent, or damaged car-
tridge. Handle new cartridge carefully;
do not use if the rubber seal is dam-
aged.
NOTE: Do not wash the paper cartridge
or use pressurized air, as this will damage
the cartridge. .
1. Open door (A) on the blower housing
to access the air cleaner element (B).
2. Unhook the latch. (C) and remove the
element. .
3. Gently tap the paper element to dis-
lodge dirt.
4. Clean all air cleaner components of
any accumulated dirt or foreign mate-
rial. Prevent any dirt from entering the
throat of carburetor.
5. Install cleaned or new element on the
base and secure with latch.
6. Close and latch the door.
T
1
~brr'F1
'"
.~
) 20
FORE NEXl
Closed and
Locked
Position
Yellow
Cap
3. Unlock drain valve by pushing inward
slightly and turning counterclockwise.
4. To open, pull out on the drain valve.
5. 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.
6. Remove the drain tube and replace the
cap onto the end of the drain valve.
7. Refill engine with oil through oil fill dip-
stick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill.
For approximate capacity see "PROD-
UCT SPECIFICATIONS" sectioilof this
manual.
8. Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for
checking level. For accurate reading,
insert dipstick into the tube and push
down firmly into place before removing.
Keep oil up to, but not over, the "FULL
line on dipstick. Push dipstick down
firmly into the tube when finished.
22
Adding or checking level of electrolyte is
not necessary.
TO CLEAN BATIERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and
terminals can cause the battery to "leak"
power.
1. Disconnect BLACK battery cable first
then RED battery cable and remove
battery from tractor.
.2. Rinse the battery with plain water and
dry.
3. Clean terminals and battery cable ends
with wire brush until bright.
4. Coat terminals with grease or petroc
leum jelly.
5. Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING
BATIERY" in the SERVICE AND AD-
JUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins
should be kept clean to assure proper
cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmis-
sion while engine is running or while the
transmission is hot. To prevent possible
damage to seals, do not use high pressure
water or steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect coolihg fan to be sure fan blades
are intact and clean.
• Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clip-
pings and other materials. To prevent
damage to seals, do not use com-
pressed air or high pressure sprayer to
clean cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory
and fluid maintenance is not required for
the life of the transaxle. Should the trans-
axle ever leak or require serVicing, contact
your nearest Sears or other qualified
service center.
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear
after 100 hours of operation and replace
if necessary. The belts are not adjustable.
Replace belts if they begin to slip from
wear.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated
with API service classification SG-SL.
Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating
temperature.