Poulan PR20PH42STA User Manual - Page 18

CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIES 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. TRANSAXLE COOLING The transmission fan and cooling fins should be kept clean to assure proper cooling. • 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. Be sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate reading. Keep oil at "FULL" line on dipstick. 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. SAE VISCOSITY GRADES 5W-30 SAE 30 F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100 C -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil. Change the oil after every 50 hours of operation or at least once a year if the tractor is not used for 50 hours in one year. AIR SCREEN OIL FILL CAP¦DIPSTSICK OIL DRAIN PLUG FIG. 14 CLEAN AIR SCREEN 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. CLEAN AIR INTAKE/COOLING AREAS To insure proper cooling, make sure the grass screen, cooling fins, and other external surfaces of the engine are kept clean at all times. Every 100 hours of operation (more often under extremely dusty, dirty conditions), remove the blower housing and other cooling shrouds. Clean the cooling fins and external surfaces as necessary. Make sure the cooling shrouds are reinstalled. NOTE: Operating the engine with a blocked grass screen, dirty or plugged cooling fins, and/or cooling shrouds removed will cause engine damage due to overheating. AIR FILTER (See Fig. 15) Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air filter. Clean the foam pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of operation or every season. Service paper cartridge every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions. • Remove knobs and cover. TO SERVICE PRE-CLEANER • Wash it in liquid detergent and water. Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each eight (8) hours of operation. Tighten oil fill cap/ dipstick securely each time you check the oil level. • Squeeze it dry in a clean cloth. • Saturate it in engine oil. Wrap it in clean, absorbent cloth and squeeze to remove excess oil. TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 14) • If very dirty or damaged, replace pre-cleaner. Determine temperature range expected before oil change. TO SERVICE CARTRIDGE All oil must meet API service classification SF-SJ. • Clean cartridge by tapping gently on flat surface. If very • Be sure tractor is on level surface. dirty or damaged, replace cartridge. • Oil will drain more freely when warm. • Catch oil in a suitable container. • Reinstall precleaner cartridge, cover and secure with knobs. • Remove oil fill cap/dipstick. Be careful not to allow dirt to enter the engine when changing oil. IMPORTANT: PETROLEUM SOLVENTS, SUCH AS KEROSENE, ARE NOT TO BE USED TO CLEAN THE CARTRIDGE. THEY MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION OF • Remove drain plug. THE CARTRIDGE. DO NOT OIL CARTRIDGE. DO NOT • After oil has drained completely, replace oil drain plug USE PRESSURIZED AIR TO CLEAN OR DRY CARTRIDGE. and tighten securely. 18