601396_0109 5-1
MAINTENANCE & ADJUSTMENTS
Safe Servicing Practices
This product is capable of amputating hands and feet and
throwing objects. Always follow all safety instructions to avoid
serious injury or death.
Service
V Unless specifically required, DO NOT have engine run-
ning when servicing or making adjustments to tractor.
Park the machine on level ground. Place steering control
levers in the park brake position, disengage deck clutch,
lower deck, remove ignition switch key and disconnect
negative battery cable before doing any maintenance.
Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning
or repairing. Repairs or maintenance requiring engine
power should be performed by trained maintenance per-
sonnel only. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, be
sure proper ventilation is available when engine must be
operated in an enclosed area. Read and observe safety
warnings in front of manual.
V Before working on or under the deck, make certain
engine cannot be accidentally started. Shut engine off
and remove ignition switch key for maximum safety.
Repairs or maintenance requiring engine power should be
performed by trained maintenance personnel only.
V Except when changing or checking belt, always keep belt
covers on mower deck for safety as well as cleanliness.
V Use a stick or similar instrument to clean under the
mower making sure that no part of the body, especially
arms and hands are under mower.
V Keep your machine clean and remove any deposits of
trash and clippings, which can cause engine fires and
hydraulic overheating as well as excessive belt wear.
Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool
before storing.
V Clean flammable material from machine. Prevent
fires by keeping the top of the deck, engine compart-
ment, exhaust area, battery, hydraulic lines, fuel line,
fuel tank and operator’s station clean of accumulated
trash, grass clippings, and other debris. Always clean
up spilled fuel and oil.
V Always wear adequate eye protection when servicing the
hydraulic system and battery, or when grinding mower
blades and removing accumulated debris.
V Use extra caution when handling gasoline and other
fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive.
V Never attempt to start engine when there is a strong odor
of gasoline fumes present. Locate and correct cause.
V Never remove fuel cap or refuel tractor while engine is
running or hot; never refuel near an open flame or near
devices which can create a spark. Refuel outdoors. Never
refuel or drain the fuel from the machine indoors.
V Never run the engine in an enclosed area unless exhaust
is vented to the outside. Exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide which is odorless and deadly poison.
V Never attempt to make any adjustments or repairs to the
tractor drive system, mower deck or any attachment
while the tractor engine is running or deck clutch is
engaged. Repairs or maintenance requiring engine power
should be performed by trained maintenance personnel
only.
V Never work under the machine or attachment unless it is
safely supported with jack stands. Make certain machine
is secure when it is raised and placed on the jack stands.
The jack stands should not allow the machine to move
when the engine is running and the drive wheels are
rotating. Use only certified jack stands. Use only
appropriate jack stands, with a minimum weight rating of
2000 pounds to block the unit up. Use in pairs only. Fol-
low the instructions supplied with the vehicle stands.
V Do not touch hot parts of machine.
V Keep nuts and bolts tight, especially the blade attachment
bolts. Keep equipment in good working condition.
V Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper
operation regularly.
V Stop the engine before removing the grass catcher or
unclogging the discharge chute. Never clear the dis-
charge chute with the engine running. Turn off the
engine and be sure the blades have stopped before clean-
ing. Use a stick to clear a plugged discharge area. Never
use your hand!
V Grass collection system components are subject to wear,
damage and deterioration, which could expose moving
parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check
components and replace with manufacturer’s recom-
mended parts, when necessary.
V Exercise caution when working under the deck as the
mower blades are extremely sharp. Wrap the blade(s) or
wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.
V Use only genuine Hustler replacement parts to ensure that
original standards are maintained
Introduction
Regular maintenance is the best prevention for costly
downtime or expensive, premature repair. The following pages
contain suggested maintenance information and schedules
which the operator should follow on a routine basis. For more
detailed information order the correct parts manual for your
unit. Refer to the Product Literature section of this manual.
Remain alert for unusual noises, they could be signaling a
problem. Visually inspect the machine for any abnormal wear
or damage. A good time to detect potential problems is while
performing scheduled maintenance service. Correcting the
problem as quickly as possible is the best insurance.
Clear away heavy build-up of grease, oil and dirt, especially
in the engine and under the seat platform areas; minute dust
particle are abrasive to close-tolerance engine and hydraulic
assemblies.
Daily inspect mower for grass clippings and wire and string
tangles. The underside of the mower deck will collect a build-
up of grass clippings and dirt, especially when grass is wet or
has high moisture content. This build-up will harden, restricting
blade and air movement and will probably show a poorer quality
of cutting. Therefore it should be removed routinely.