Poulan PD18H42STA User Manual - Page 18

MAINTENANCE TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause the battery to "leak" power. • Disconnect BLACK battery cable first then RED bat- tery cable and remove battery from tractor. • Rinse the battery with plain water and dry. • Clean terminals and battery cable ends with wire brush until bright. • Coat terminals with grease or petroleum jelly. • Reinstall battery (See "REPLACING BATTERY" in the SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS section of this manual). V-BELTS Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours of operation and replace if necessary. The belts are not adjustable. Replace belts if they begin to slip from wear. TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 14 and 15) Determine temperature range expected before oil change. All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ. • Be sure tractor is on level surface. • Oil will drain more freely when warm. • Catch oil in a suitable container. • Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil. • Remove yellow cap from end of drain valve and install the drain tube onto the fitting. OIL DRAIN VALVE CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION TRANSAXLE COOLING The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean to assure proper cooling. Do not attempt to clean fan or transmission while engine is running or while the transmission is hot. To prevent possible damage to seals, do not use high pressure water or steam to clean transaxle. • Inspect cooling fan to be sure fan blades are intact and clean. • Inspect cooling fins for dirt, grass clippings and other materials. To prevent damage to seals, do not use compressed air or high pressure sprayer to clean cooling fins. TRANSAXLE PUMP FLUID The transaxle was sealed at the factory and fluid maintenance is not required for the life of the transaxle. Should the transaxle ever leak or require servicing, contact your nearest authorized service center/department. ENGINE LUBRICATION Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SF-SJ. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. YELLOW CAP DRAIN TUBE FIG.15 • Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning counterclockwise. • To open, pull out on the drain valve. • After oil has drained completely, close and lock the drain valve by pushing inward and turning clockwise until the pin is in the locked position as shown. • Remove the drain tube and replace the cap onto to the bottom fitting of the drain valve. • Refill engine with oil through oil fill dipstick tube. Pour slowly. Do not overfill. For approximate capacity see "PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS" section of this manual. • Use gauge on oil fill cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert dipstick into the tube and rest the oil fill cap on the tube. Do not thread the cap onto the tube when taking reading. Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick. Tighten cap onto the tube securely when finished. SAE VISCOSITY GRADES CLEAN AIR SCREEN 5W-30 10W30 F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100 Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent engine damage from overheating. Clean with a wire brush or compressed air to remove dirt and stubborn dried gum fibers. C -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS FIG. 14 To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least kept clean at all times. once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one year. Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing and Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external and after each eight (8) hours of operation. surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling shrouds are 18 reinstalled.