Poulan 178500 Lawn Mower User Manual


 
18
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.
CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the
battery to leak power.
Remove terminal guard.
Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED battery
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 REPLACING BATTERY in the
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section of this manual).
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which can
restrict cooling.
CHECK TRANSAXLE OIL LEVEL (See Fig. 16)
Block up rear axle securely.
Remove left rear wheel by removing hub bolts.
Remove filler plug from transaxle. Oil level must be
even with plug threads. If necessary, fill with SAE 30
motor oil, API SF-SJ. Replace filler plug.
Reassemble wheel to hub.
TRANSAXLE
FILLER PLUG
FIG. 16
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 stubborn dried gum fibers.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 17)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ.
Be sure tractor is on level surface.
Oil will drain more freely when warm.
Catch oil in a suitable container.
Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt
to enter the engine when changing oil.
Remove cap from bottom fitting of drain valve and install
the drain tube onto the fitting.
Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning coun-
terclockwise.
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 fitting of the drain valve.
Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS section of this manual.
Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Be
sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at FULL line on dipstick.
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION
CAP
DRAIN
TUBE
OIL DRAIN VALVE
FIG. 17
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classification SF-SJ. Select the oils SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least
once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and
after each eight (8) hours of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/
dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20° 0° 30° 40°
80°
100°
-30°
-20° 0°
20° 30° 40°
°F
°C
32°
-10°
10°
60°
5W-30
SAE 30