Cub Cadet Time Save - Manual (Page 19)

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WARNING
Maintaining
the Lawn
Mower
WARNING: Always stop
engine, disconnect spark
plug, and remove ignition
key before performing any
type of maintenance on
the mower. Failure to fol-
low this instruction could
result in personal injury
and/or property damage.
WARNING: Always use
a fuse with the same
amperage capacity for
replacement.
WARNING: Batteries give
off an explosive gas while
charging. Charge battery
in a well ventilated area
and keep away from an
open flame or pilot light as
on a water heater, space
heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appli-
ances.
Jump Starting
WARNING: When removing or installing
the battery, follow these instructions to
prevent the screwdriver from shorting
against the frame.
IMPORTANT: Never jump the mower’s dead battery
with the battery of a running vehicle.
Connect end of one jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the good battery, then the other end to
the positive terminal of the dead battery.
Connect the other jumper cable to the negative
terminal of the good battery, then to the frame of the
unit with the dead battery.
WARNING: Failure to use this procedure
could cause sparking, and the gas in
either battery could explode.
Cleaning
Clean the battery by removing it from the mower and
washing with a baking soda and water solution. If neces-
sary, scrape the battery terminals with a wire brush to
remove deposits. Coat terminals and exposed wiring with
grease or petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion.
Battery Failures
Some common causes for battery failure are:
incorrect initial activation
undercharging
overcharging
corroded connections
freezing
These failures are NOT covered by the mower war-
ranty.
Fuse
One 20 AMP fuse is installed in the mower’s wiring har-
ness to protect the electrical system from damage caused
by excessive amperage. If the electrical system does not
function, or the engine will not crank, first check to be
certain that the fuse has not blown. The fuse is located
near the battery.
WARNING: Always use a fuse with the
same amperage capacity for replace-
ment.
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Battery
The battery is sealed and is maintenance-free. Acid levels
cannot be checked.
Always keep the battery cables and terminals clean
and free of corrosive build-up.
After cleaning the battery and terminals, apply a light
coat of petroleum jelly or grease to both terminals.
Always keep the rubber boot positioned over the
positive terminal to prevent shorting.
IMPORTANT: If removing the battery for any reason,
disconnect the NEGATIVE (Black) wire from it’s
terminal first, followed by the POSITIVE (Red) wire.
When re-installing the battery, always connect the
POSITIVE (Red) wire its terminal first, followed by the
NEGATIVE (Black) wire. Be certain that the wires are
connected to the correct terminals; reversing them
could change the polarity and result in damage to
your engine’s alternating system.
Charging
IMPORTANT: When charging the battery, use only a
charger designed for 12V lead-acid batteries. Read
your battery charger’s Owner’s Manual prior to
charging the battery. Always follow its instructions
and heed its warnings.
If the mower has not been put into use for an extended
period of time, charge the battery as follows:
Set the battery charger to deliver a maximum of 10
amperes. If the battery charger is automatic, charge
the battery until the charger indicates that charging
is complete.
NOTE: If the charger is not automatic, charge for no
fewer than eight hours.
WARNING: Batteries give off an explosive
gas while charging. Charge battery in a
well ventilated area and keep away from
an open flame or pilot light as on a water
heater, space heater, furnace, clothes
dryer or other gas appliances.
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Battery Maintenance