CAUTION: If the jumper battery is installed on a vehicle (i.e.
car, truck), do NOT start the vehicle's engine when jump start-
ing your tractor.
5. Start the tractor as instructed in the Operation section of this
manual.
6. Set the tractor's parking brake before removing the jumper
cables, in reverse order of connection.
CHARGING
WARNING: Batteries give off an explosive gas while charg-
ing. Charge the battery in a well ventilated area and keep away
from an open flame or pilot light as on a water heater, space
heater, furnace, clothes dryer or other gas appliances.
CAUTION: When charging your tractor's battery, use only a
charger designed for 12 V lead-acid batteries. Read your bat-
tery charger's Owner's Manual prior to charging your tractor's
battery. Always follow its instructions and heed its warnings.
If your tractor has not been put into use for an extended period
of time, charge the battery as follows:
1. Set your battery charger to deliver a max of 10 amperes.
If your battery charger is automatic, charge the battery until
the charger indicates that charging is complete. If the charger
is not automatic, charge for no fewer than eight hours.
FUSE
One 20 AMP fuse is installed in your tractor's wiring harness to
protect the tractor's electrical system from damage caused by
excessive amperage.
If the electrical system does not function, or your tractor's en-
gine will not crank, first check to be certain that the fuse has
not blown. It can be found at the rear of the unit, underneath
the fender located by the battery.
WARNING: Always use a fuse with the same amperage ca-
pacity for replacement.
CUTTING BLADES
WARNING: Shut the engine off and remove ignition key be-
fore removing the cutting blade(s) for sharpening or replace-
ment. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when grasping
the blade.
WARNING: Periodically inspect the blade spindles for cracks
or damage, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace im-
mediately if damaged.
The blades may be removed as follows.
1. Remove the deck from be-
neath the tractor, (refer to Cut-
ting Deck Removal earlier in this
section) then gently flip the deck
over to expose its underside.
2. Place a block of wood be-
tween the center deck housing
baffle and the cutting blade to
act as a stabilizer. See Fig.16.
3. Remove the hex flange nut that secures the blade to the
spindle assembly.
4. To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal
amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along the cut-
ting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a 25° to 30° angle.
26
IMPORTANT: If the cutting
edge of the blade has already
been sharpened to within 1 5⁄8"
from the edge, or if any metal
separation is present, replace
the blades with new ones. See
Fig. 17.
CAUTION: If the cutting edge
of the blade has previously been
sharpened, or if any metal sepa-
ration is present, replace the
blades with new ones.
WARNING: A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vi-
bration, may damage to the tractor and/or result in personal
injury.
5. Test the blade's balance using a blade balancer. Grind metal
from the heavy side until it balances evenly.
NOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade
with the side of the blade marked ''Bottom'' (or with a part
number stamped in it) facing the ground when the mower is in
the operating position.
CAUTION: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade spindle
hex flange nut to between 70 lbs-ft and 90 lbs-ft.
CHANGING THE DECK BELT
WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine off, remove ignition
key, disconnect the spark plug wire(s) and ground against the
engine to prevent unintended starting before removing the
belt.
WARNING: All belt on your tractor are subject to wear and
should be replaced if any signs of wear are present.
IMPORTANT: The V-belt found on your tractor are specially
designed to engage and disengage safely. A substitute (non-
OEM) V-belt can be dangerous by not disengaging completely.
For a proper working machine, use factory approved belts.
To change or replace the deck belt on your tractor, proceed as
follows:
1. Remove the deck as instructed earlier in this section.
2. Remove the belt covers by re-
moving the hex washer screws
that fasten them to the deck.
See Fig. 18.
3. It may also be necessary to
loosen the hex nut on the left
idler pulley to get the belt off
the pulley and around the belt
guard.
4. Carefully remove the deck
belt from around the two spin-
dle pulleys and the two deck
idler pulleys. See Fig. 18.
5. To place the new belt, begin by routing the belt around the
two outer spindle pulleys as shown in previous figure.
Fig. 16
6. Then route the belt around the two deck idler pulleys as
shown in Fig. 18.
Fig. 18
Hex Washer
Screws
Spindle Pulley
Belt Cover
Belt Guard
Deck
Idler
Pulley