Poulan 188870 - Manual (Page 16)

16
MAINTENANCE
V-BELTS
Check V-belts for deterioration and wear after 100 hours and
replace if necessary. The belts are not adjustable. Re place
belts if they begin to slip from wear.
TRANSAXLE COOLING
Keep transaxle free from build-up of dirt and chaff which
can restrict cooling.
FIG. 11
FIG. 10
TO CLEAN BATTERY AND TERMINALS
Corrosion and dirt on the battery and terminals can cause
the battery to “leak” power.
• Disconnect BLACK battery cable fi rst 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 Adjustment sec tion of this manual).
CLOSED
AND
LOCKED
POSITION
DRAIN
TUBE
OIL DRAIN VALVE
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 10 and 11)
Determine temperature range expected before oil change.
All oil must meet API service classifi cation SF-SJ.
• Be sure tractor is on level surface.
• Oil will drain more freely when warm.
• Catch oil in a suitable container.
• Remove oil fi ll 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 fi tting.
• Unlock drain valve by pushing inward and turning
coun ter clock wise.
• 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 fi tting of the drain valve.
• Refi ll engine with oil through oil fi ll dipstick tube. Pour
slowly. Do not overfi ll. For approximate capacity see
“PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS” section of this man-
u al.
• Use gauge on oil fi ll cap/dipstick for checking level.
Be sure dipstick cap is tightened securely for accurate
reading. Keep oil at “FULL” line on dipstick.
YEL LOW CAP
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Only use high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classifi cation SF-SJ. Select the oil’s SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20 0 30 40 80 100
-30 -20 0 20 30 40
F
C
32
-10 10
60
5W-30
SAE 30
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 25 hours of operation or at least
once a year if the tractor is not used for 25 hours in one
year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each eight (8) hours of operation. Tighten oil fi ll
cap/dipstick securely each time you check the oil level.
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 12)
Your engine will not run properly using a dirty air fi lter.
Replace pre-cleaner after every 25 hours of operation or
every season. Service paper cartridge every 100 hours of
operation or every season, whichever occurs fi rst.
Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
• Pull up on air fi lter cover handle and rotate towards
engine.
• Remove cover.
• Carefully remove air fi lter cartridge and pre-cleaner
from base.
• Clean base carefully to prevent debris from falling into
carburetor.
NOTE: If very dirty or damaged, replace cartridge.
• Place new pre-cleaner and cartridge fi rmly in base.
• Align tabs on cover with slots in blower housing and
replace cover.
• Hook handle on cover and push down on handle to
close.
IMPORTANT: Petroleum solvents, such as kerosene, are
not to be used to clean the cartridge. They may cause
de te ri o ra tion of the cartridge. Do not oil cartridge. Do not
use pres sur ized air to clean cartridge.
CLEAN AIR SCREEN
Air screen must be kept free of dirt and chaff to prevent
engine dam age from overheating. Clean with a wire brush
or com pressed air to re move dirt and stubborn dried gum
fi bers.