16
MAINTENANCE
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours
of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not
ad just able. Re place belts if they begin to slip from wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean
to assure proper cooling.
Do not attempt to clean fan or transmission while engine
is running or while the transmission is hot. To prevent pos-
si ble damage to seals, do not use high pressure water or
steam to clean transaxle.
• Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and
clean.
• Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clippings and other
materials. To prevent damage to seals, do not use
compressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean
cooling fins.
TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID
The transaxle was sealed at the factory and fluid main te -
nance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should
the transaxle ever leak or require servicing, contact your
near est au tho rized ser vice center/department.
• 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
man u al).
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 compressed air to re move dirt and stubborn dried gum
fibers.
AIR FILTER
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions. See
Engine Manual.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 14 and 15)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classification C.
• 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 yellow cap from end of drain valve and install
the drain tube onto the fitting.
02
4
63
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION
YEL LOW CAP
DRAIN
TUBE
OIL DRAIN VALVE
FIG. 15
• 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 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 man u al.
• 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 dip-
stick. Push dipstick down firmly into the tube when
finished.
FIG. 14
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.
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.
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
10W30
oil_visc_chart4_e