Manual
Section2: Assembly
ASSEMBLINGTHEELECTRICSTARTSYSTEM
The following steps explainhow to activate, charge,and install the battery on electric start tillers. For your safety, follow all steps
and observeall accompanying safetymessages. Section 5 contains other generalbattery maintenanceand recharging instructions.
STEP 1: Activating and
Charging the Battery
IMPORTANT: The battery is shipped dry.
It needs battery electrolytic fluid (battery-
grade sulfuric acid). It must then be fully
charged with a battery charger before
use,
Adding electrolytic fluid to the battery and
charging the battery can be dangerous.
Electrolytic fluid contains acid that can
burn or blind you. Batterycharging also
produces explosive gases.
To ensurethat the battery is properly
activatedand charged, you should review
these instructions with your battery
technician.
IMPORTANT: It is strongly recom-
mended that you have the battery
activated and charged by a trained profes-
sional (Troy-Bilt Dealer, service station,
farm equipment dealer, etc.), if you are
not experiencedwith these procedures.
Battery electrolytic fluid is
poisonous and burnsseverely.
Electrolytic fluid is a sulfuric acid
solution. Avoid spills or contact with
skin, eyes,clothing.
• To prevent accidents,wear protective
clothes, rubber gloves and shield
eyes with safety goggles when
workingonor nearthe battery.
• Neutralize acid spills with a baking
soda and water solution. Neutralize
electrolyte container with same
solution. Thenrinsewith clear water.
• Antidote:External- Flush with water;
Eyes- Flushwith waterfor 15 minutes
andget immediatemedical attention.
• Antidote: Internal- Drink large
quantityof wateror milk. Follow with
milk of magnesia, beaten eggs, or
vegetableoil. Call a doctorimmedi-
ately.
Batteryproducesexplosivegases.
• Keep away sparks, flames, and
cigarettes.
• Ventilate areawhen chargingor using
batteryin an enclosedspace.
• Make sure batteryvent tube is always
openafter batteryisfilled with acid.
TOACTIVATETHEBATTERY:
Remove metal jewelry before working
near the battery or near the electrical
system. Failure to complymaycause a
short circuit, resulting in electrical
burns, a shock, or battery gas
explosion.
For shipping purposes, the battery and its
hold-down clamp (A, Figure 2-16) were
installed backwards at the factory. When
reinstalling the battery and hold-down
clamp, be sure to facethem in the
opposite direction from which theywere
shipped.
A
Figure 2.16: Batteryshown installed
backwardsforshippingpurposesamy.
I. Removethe two I-I12" long screws
and the two I/4" whiz nuts that securethe
front and rear hold-down clamp legs to
the battery bracket (C, Figure 2-16).
Lift off the clamp and removebattery.
Savethehardware.
2. If installed, remove anddiscard the
short, plastic tubing (B, Figure2-16) that
covers the vent fitting on the negative-
side of the battery.
3. Place the battery on a levelwork
surface,far awayfrom heat or flame
sources like stoves, water heaters,dryers,
and furnaces.
4. Removethe six filler caps (D, Figure
2-17) on top of the battery.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to wearing protec-
tive clothes, rubber gloves, and eye
protection.
5. Fill each cell to the Upper Level line
printed on the battery case (E, Figure2-
17) using battery-grade electrolytic
solution. (This is 1.265 specific gravity
sulfuric acid.) Temperature of battery and
electrolytic fluid is idealwhen between
60°F and 80°F. Do not add water or any
other liquid to the battery during this
initial activation.
Figure 2-17: Illustration shows filler
caps (D) and Upper Level fill line (E).
6. Let battery stand for 30 minutes.
Check electrolytic fluid level in each cell.
Add more fluid, if needed=Do not overfill
battery - this could leadto flooding from
the cells during charging=
10