MTD 148-802-000 Owner's Manual page 16

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5. Avoid tipping the battery. Even a "sealed" battery
wiii leak electrolyte when tipped.
STORAGE OF THE BATTERY
1. Charge battery using normai methods. NEiVER
store discharged battery as it will not recov er.
2. When storing battery for extended periods, di scon-
nect battery cables. Removing battery from i nit is
recommended.
3. Store in cold, dry place.
4. Recharge battery whenever the specific gra''ity is
less than 1.225, before returning to service, or
every two months, whichever occurs first.
COMMON CAUSES FOR BATTERY FAILURE
1. Overcharging
2. Undercharging
3. Lack of water
4. Loose hold downs and/or corroded connec:ions
5. Excessive loads
6
. Battery electrolyte substitutes
7. Freezing of electrolyte
NOTE
These failures do not constitute
warranty.
BATTERY REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION
A
i
WARNING t
When removing the battery, follow
this order of disassembly to prevent
your wrench from shorting against
the frame.
1. Remove the Negative cable.
2. Remove the Positive cable.
To install a battery:
1. Attach the Positive cable.
2. Attach the Negative cable.
JUMP STARTING
1. Attach the first jumper cable from the Positive ter¬
minal of the good battery to the Positive terninal
of the dead battery.
2. Attach the second jumper cable from the Negative
terminal of the good battery to the FRAME OF THE
UNIT WITH THE DEAD BATTERY.
Failure to use this starting pro¬
cedure could cause sparking, and
the gases in either battery could ex¬
plode.
WARNING
INSTALLATION OF TIRE TO RIM
WARNING
The following procedure must be
followed when removing or install¬
ing a tire to the rim.
1. Be sure rim is clean and rust free.
2. Lubricate both the tire and rim generously.
3. Never inflate to over 30 p.s.i. to seat beads. Ex¬
cessive inflation pressure when seating beads may
cause tire/rim assembly to burst with force suffi¬
cient to cause serious injury.
BELT REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
Changing the Front Drive Belt
1. If a cutting deck is attached to your tractor, remove
it. Remove the battery.
2. Raise and block the front wheels of the tractor so
you can work under it.
3. Unscrew the belt guard release next to the engine
pulley. See figure 18.
FIGURE 18.
4. Swing the belt guard forward towards the front of
the tractor.
A
i
WARNING t
Observe the way the belt is twisted. If
the new belt is installed backwards,
the tractor will run backwards.
5. Using a bar or large screwdriver, pry the pulley
assembly towards the front of the tractor and
unhook the belt from the pulley. See figure 19.
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