DO NOT adjust the rider for a faster overall speed
forward or reverse than it was designed.
Changing The Oil
Used oil is a hazardous waste product and must be disposed
of properly. Do not discard with household waste. Check
with your local authorities, service center, or dealer for safe
disposal/recycling facilities.
Draining The Oil
1. With engine off but still warm, disconnect the spark plug
wire (A, Figure 22) and keep it away from the spark plug.
2. Remove the dipstick (B, Figure 22).
Standard Oil Drain Plug
1. Remove the oil drain plug (C, Figure 22). Drain the oil into
an approved container.
2. After the oil has drained, install and tighten the oil drain
plug.
Optional Quick Oil Drain
1. Disconnect the oil drain hose (H, Figure 23) from the side
of the engine.
2. Turn and remove the oil drain cap (I, Figure 23). Carefully
lower the quick oil drain (H) into an approved container
(J).
3. After the oil has drained, install the oil drain cap. Attach
the oil drain hose to the side of the engine.
Changing The Oil Filter
For replacement intervals, see Maintenance Schedule.
1. Drain the oil from the engine. See Draining The Oil .
2. Remove the oil filter (K, Figure 24) and dispose of
properly.
3. Before installing the new oil filter, lightly lubricate the oil
filter gasket with fresh, clean oil.
4. Install the oil filter by hand until the gasket contacts the oil
filter adapter, then tighten the oil filter 1/2 to 3/4 turns.
5. Add oil. See Operation - Check Oil Level .
6. Start and run the engine. As the engine warms up, check
for oil leaks.
7. Stop the engine and check the oil level.
Servicing The Air Filter
WARNING
Fire and Explosion Hazard
Fuel and its vapors are extremely flammable and explosive.
Fire or explosion can cause severe burns or death.
• Never start or run the engine with the air cleaner
assembly or air filter removed.
18
NOTICE
Do not use pressurized air or solvents to clean the filter.
Pressurized air can damage the filter and solvents will
dissolve the filter.
1. Loosen the fasteners (A, Figure 25) and remove the
cover (B).
2. To remove the filter (C, Figure 25), lift the end of the
filter.
3. Remove the pre-cleaner (D, Figure 25), if equipped, from
the filter.
4. To loosen debris, gently tap the filter on a hard surface. If
the filter is excessively dirty, replace with a new filter.
5. Wash the pre-cleaner in liquid detergent and water. Then
allow it to thoroughly air dry. Do not oil the precleaner.
6. Assemble the dry pre-cleaner to the filter.
7. Install the filter into the engine base (E, Figure 25) and
push down until the filter snaps in place.
8. Install the cover.
Cleaning
1. Clean dirt and debris from the rider and mower deck.
Note: Some mower decks feature a washout port. See
Washing The Mower Deck .
2. Clean any debris buildup in the engine compartment and
from on or around the engine.
WARNING
Fire Hazard
Yard debris is combustible.
• Clean dirt and debris from the rider and mower deck.
• Clean build-up from around the engine.
Washing The Mower Deck
The washout port allows you to connect a typical garden hose
to the left-hand side of the mower deck to remove grass and
debris from the underside.
WARNING
Amputation and Thrown Object Hazard
Contact with the mower blades, or with objects thrown by
the mower blades, could result in death or serious injury.
• Before running the mower, make sure the hose is
properly connected and does not come into contact with
the blades.
• When the mower is running and the blades are
engaged, the person cleaning the mower deck must be
in the operator position, with no bystanders in the area.
1. Place the unit on a smooth level surface.
2. Attach the quick disconnect (C, Figure 26) to garden hose
(B) and connect to the washout port (A) on the mower
deck.