Manual

Section5: Maintenance
42
_ efore inspecting,cleaning or servicingthe machine, shutoff engine, wait for all movingpartsto come
to a complete stop,disconnectsparkplug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove ignition
key, if soequipped.
Failureto followthese instructionscanresult in seriouspersonalinjury or propertydamage.
POISON-CAUSESSEVEREBURNS
• Electrolyteisa sulfuricacid solution.
• Avoid contact with skin, eyes and
clothing.
• To preventaccidents,wear protective
clothing, rubber gloves, and shield
eyeswith safetygoggles.
• Neutralize acid spills with baking
soda and water solution. Neutralize
empty container with baking soda and
rinsewith water.
ANTIDOTE:External- Flushwith water.
Eyes- Flush with water for 15 minutes
and getpromptmedical attention.
ANTIDOTE:Internal- Drinklargequanti-
ties of water or milk. Follow with milk
of magnesia, beaten eggsor vegetable
oil. Call physicianimmediately.
KEEPOUTOFREACHOFCHILDREN
DANGER-- BATTERIESPRODUCE
EXPLOSIVEGASES
• Keep sparks, flame, cigarettes away
at all times.
• Only charge or use the battery in a
well-ventilated area.
• Make sureventing path (vent tube) of
batteryis alwaysopen.
Never touchthe positive (+) batterypost
and any other surrounding metal with
tools, jewelry, or other metal objects.
Doingso can cause a short circuit that
couldresult in electrical burns,an elec-
trical shock,or explosionof batterygas.
2. Keepbattery clean. If terminals are
corroded, remove battery and clean
terminals with wire brush, sandpaper or
steel wool (Avoid getting any of this
corrosive material onyour skin or in your
eyes.) Rinse battery with a solution of
baking soda and water. Coatterminals
with petroleumjelly or silicone greaseto
prevent further corrosion.
3. Periodically check entire electrical
system for loose connections or loose
hardware.
4. Check hardwaresecuring the battery
holddown clamp. It should be secure, but
not overly tight.
5. Checkvent tube. It must not be
crimped or bent.
To help avoid personal injury, be sure
the battery venttube is not crimped or
pinched anywhere along its length.
Improper venting could result in an
explosionof batterygases.
Battery Care in Storage
Your engine has a recharging circuit that
will properly maintain the battery's state
of charge during the normal tilling
season. However,prior to storing your
tiller awayduring the off-season, we
recommend the battery be fully charged.
At the end of thestorage period, the
battery should be recharged again=
• While the battery is being charged,
do not leave it unattended. Charging
time does nothaveto becontinuous.
• Carefullyfollow all charging instruc-
tions and safety rules provided by the
manufacturer of the charging
equipment.
• Never attempt to "jump start" the
battery with an automobile battery or
its charging system. This could result
in serious personal injury or property
damage from causessuch as a battery
explosion,or acidor electrical burns.
1. Remove battery from tiller (see Battery
Removal instructions) and placeon a
stable, level surface.
2. Cleanbattery if needed. If battery is
very cold, let it warm up to 60-to-80OF.
3. Removefiller caps. Keepthem off
whenfilling andcharging.
4. Carefully check electrolyte level. If low,
add distilled or demineralizedwater (do
not add batteryacid) to bring the
solution level in eachcell up to correct
height. Avoid overfilling.
5. Charge battery (with caps removed)
until all cells are gassingfreely. (To
check for gassing, wear protective
goggles and inspect each cell with flash-
light for bubbling of electrolyte solution.)
Useone of thefollowing methods to
charge battery:
a.
RecommendedMethod: charge the
battery at a rate of 1-to-2 amperes
until cells aregassing freely. Do not
exceed24 hours charging time.
b. First Alternative Method: charge battery
at 4-to-6 amperes until cells gas freely.
Do not exceed8 hours charging time=
C_
SecondAlternative Method: charge the
battery at a rate of 6-to-12 amperes
until cells gas freely. Do not exceed4
hours charging time.
Do not charge the battery at a rate
higherthan 12 amperes. A chargerate
greater than this generates excessive
heatandgassing, and will permanently
damagethebattery.
6. When battery is fully charged,turn
charging equipment off and disconnect
the cables. Check electrolyte level in all
cells. Add distilled or demineralizedwater
if necessaryto adjust level to the correct
height. Then reconnectthe charger
cables to the battery and chargethe
battery for one more hour.