Use and Care Manual

19Section 4 — Product care
Adjusting the Deck Wheels
WARNING
Keep hands and feet away from the discharge opening of
the cutting deck.
Note: The deck wheels are an anti-scalp feature
of the deck and are not designed to support the
weight of the cutting deck.
The deck wheels should be approximately ⁄⁄”
above the ground when the deck is set in the
desired height setting. To adjust the deck wheels
see the Assembly & Set-Up section for instructions.
Drive Control Lever Stop Adjustment (If equipped)
When the drive control levers are both fully
extended forward to the full-speed position and
the tractor drifts left or right, the drive control
lever stop adjustment can be adjusted to sync
the wheel speeds. To perform the adjustment,
proceed as follows:
1. Identify the side that the tractor is drifting
to and adjust the opposite drive control
lever. If the tractor drifts right, adjust the left
drive control lever down (decrease speed)
and vice versa.
2. Locate the drive control lever stop
adjustment bolts (a) on the front of the seat
frame. See Figure 4-8.
(a)
Figure 4-8
3. To decrease the forward speed, turn the
drive control lever stop adjustment bolts (a)
clockwise. To increase the forward speed,
turn the drive control lever stop adjustment
bolts (a) counter-clockwise. Turn the drive
control lever stop adjustment bolts (a) in
the necessary direction ⁄-turn at a time.
After turning the drive control lever stop
adjustment bolts (a), check the adjustment
by driving the tractor.
4. Continue the adjustment until the wheel
speeds are in sync and the tractor drives
straight with the drive control levers fully
extended forward in the full-speed position.
Off-Season Storage
Tractor Storage
If your tractor is not going to be operated for
an extended period of time (thirty days to
approximately six months), the tractor should be
prepared for storage. Store the tractor in a dry and
protected location. If stored outside, cover the tractor
(including the tires) to protect it from the elements.
The procedures outlined below should be performed
whenever the tractor is placed in storage.
1. Change the engine oil and filter following
the instructions provided in the Engine
Operator's Manual.
WARNING
Never store the tractor with fuel in the tank indoors or in
poorly ventilated enclosures, where fuel fumes may reach
an open flame, spark or pilot light as on a furnace, water
heater, clothes dryer, etc.
2. Service the engine as instructed in the separate
Engine Operator's Manual.
3. Engines stored between 30 and 90 days need
to be treated with a gasoline stabilizer and
engines stored over 90 days need to be drained
of fuel to prevent deterioration and gum
from forming in fuel system or on essential
carburetor parts. If the gasoline in your engine
deteriorates during storage, you may need
to have the carburetor, and other fuel system
components, serviced or replaced.
WARNING
Drain fuel only into unapproved container outdoors, away
from an open flame. Allow engine to cool. Extinguish
cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition prior
to draining fuel.
3. Remove the spark plugs and pour
approximately one ounce of oil into each
cylinder. Crank the engine one or two turns
to spread the oil evenly on the cylinder
walls. Replace the spark plugs.
4. Clean the engine and the entire tractor
thoroughly.
Note: Use of a pressure washer or garden
hose is not recommended to clean your
tractor. They may cause damage to electrical
components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or
the engine. The use of water will result in
shortened life and reduce serviceability.
5. Sharpen the blades so that the tractor will
be ready to use when needed.
6. Protect the metal surfaces. Repair scratches
with the appropriate touch-up spray paint.
Brush a rust preventive oil on any unpainted
surfaces including the pulleys and blades. (Be
careful not to get any oil on the drive belts.)
7. Clean and fully charge the battery, then
disconnect the negative cable at the battery
to prevent possible discharge. Recharge the
battery periodically when in storage.
Note: Remove the battery if exposed
to prolonged periods of sub-freezing
temperatures. Store in a cool, dry location
where temperatures are above freezing.
8. Lubricate all lubrication points.
9. Jack the tractor up and store it on blocks to
take the weight off of the tires.
Removing the Tractor from Storage
1. Check the engine oil.
2. Fully charge the battery, lower tractor
off blocks, and inflate the tires to the
recommended pressure.
3. Remove the spark plugs and wipe them off.
Using the starter, crank the engine to pump
the excess oil out of the spark plug holes.
Replace the spark plugs and the ignition leads.
4. If drained before storing, fill the fuel tank
with clean, fresh gasoline.
5. Check the level of the engine oil in the
crankcase and the hydraulic reservoir tank.
6. Start the engine and allow to idle for a few
minutes to ensure engine is operating properly.
7. Drive the tractor without a load to
make certain all the tractor systems are
functioning properly.
Service
Battery Removal
WARNING
Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.
The battery is located beneath the seat frame. To
remove the battery:
1. Remove the hex washer screw (a) securing the
battery hold-down bracket (b) to the frame.
Then flip the battery hold-down bracket (b)
up to free the battery. See Figure 4-9.
(a)
(b)
Figure 4-9
2. Remove the hex cap screw and sems nut
securing the black negative battery lead
to the negative battery post (marked NEG).
Move the cable away from the negative
battery post.
3. Remove the hex cap screw and sems nut
securing the red positive battery lead to the
positive battery post (marked POS).
4. Carefully lift the battery out of the tractor.
5. Install the battery by repeating the above
steps in the reverse order.
WARNING
Always connect the positive lead to the battery before
connecting the negative lead. This will prevent sparking
or possible injury from an electrical short caused by
contacting the tractor body with tools being used to
connect the cables.