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39
ENGINE MAINTENANCE
WARNING: Use care when servicing
any component in the engine area. If
the engine has recently been operated,
components will be hot and could
cause burns. Allow the engine to cool
before servicing.
WARNING: Before servicing the engine,
place the tractor on a level surface,
stop the engine, engage the parking
brake, and remove the key from the
ignition switch. For additional safety,
remove the spark plugs to prevent
accidental starting.
CLEANING THE ENGINE
This tractor has an air-cooled engine. Air must be
able to circulate freely over the cooling fins of the
cylinders and cylinder heads. Keep the area
between the engine baffles and cylinders free of
accumulated dirt and debris to prevent engine over-
heating, which could possibly cause extensive
engine damage.
WARNING: Keep the muffler area clean.
Before running the engine, remove all
combustible debris from the muffler area.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Before each use, the oil level in the engine crank-
case should be checked to see that it is filled to the
correct level. Close monitoring of engine oil level
during the first 10 hours of operation is especially
important. The oil level should be checked hourly
during the first 10 hours of operation.
• Check the oil level only while the engine is
stopped and the tractor is level. Clean the area
around the oil level dipstick to prevent debris
from entering the crankcase. See Figure 47.
Figure 47
• If recently operated, allow the engine to cool
and the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
• To check the oil level, withdraw the dipstick and
wipe it clean; then insert the dipstick all the way
into the tube before withdrawing it for a true
reading. See Figure 47.
• Always keep the oil level between the ‘F’ (full)
and the ‘L’ (add) marks on the dipstick. See
Figure 48.
• Reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube and
push firmly into the tube.
Figure 48
ADDING ENGINE OIL
WARNING: Never overfill the engine
crankcase. The engine may overheat
and/or damage may result if the
crankcase is below the “ADD” mark or
over the “FULL” mark on the dipstick.
For best results, fill to the “FULL” mark
on the dipstick as opposed to adding a
given quantity of oil. Always check the
level on the dipstick before adding
more oil.
Refer to the LUBRICATION TABLE in the MAINTE-
NANCE SECTION of this manual to determine the
proper type of oil to add to the crankcase for the
conditions under which the engine will be operated.
• Place the tractor on a level surface and engage
the parking brake. Stop the tractor engine and
remove the ignition key.
• Clean the area around the oil filler cap to
prevent debris from entering the crankcase.
Refer to Figure 47.
• Turn the oil filler cap a quarter turn counter-
clockwise to remove from the right valve cover.
• SLOWLY pour oil into the crankcase until the
oil level reaches the “FULL” mark on the
dipstick. Refer to Figure 48.
• Insert the oil fill cap into the valve cover and
turn clockwise until fully tightened. Reinsert the
dipstick into the dipstick tube and push firmly
into the tube.
IMPORTANT: The oil fill cap and dipstick must
always be installed securely in place when the
engine is running. Severe engine damage could
result from failure to do so.
DIPSTICK
DIPSTICK TUBE
VALVE COVER
OIL FILL CAP
F
L
Operating
Range
Full
Add