Ariens Contractor 996126 Operator's Manual page 20

General Maintenance
WARNING: Read and observe all safety
warnings in this manual and in the engine service
manual.
WARNING: Except when checking or changing
components, always keep protective shields on
for safety and component protection.
WARNING: Keep engine clean of oil, grease and
debris which can cause engine overheating, fires
and belt wear. Clean only after engine has
completely cooled. Wear gloves to protect hands
from cuts, puncture wounds and burns.
WARNING: DO NOT have engine running when
servicing or making adjustments to the vehicle.
Stop engine, place transmission in neutral,
engage parking brake and remove ignition key.
DANGER: Repairs or maintenance specifically
requiring engine power should be performed by
trained personnel only. Transmission gear should
be set in neutral with tires properly chocked or
with drive tires properly supported off the floor.
Enclosed areas should be properly ventilated to
prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
DANGER: Exercise extreme caution when
working with and around the belt drive. Make
certain the engine cannot be accidentally started.
Stop engine and remove ignition key for
maximum safety. Repairs or maintenance
requiring engine power should be performed by
trained personnel only.
Regular maintenance is the best prevention for costly
downtime or expensive, premature repair. The following
pages contain suggested maintenance information and
schedules which the operator should follow on a routine
basis.
Remain alert for unusual noises; they could be signaling a
problem. Visually inspect vehicle for any abnormal wear or
damage. A good time to detect potential problems is while
performing scheduled maintenance service. Correcting the
problem as quickly as possible is the best insurance.
Some repairs require the assistance of a trained service
mechanic and should not be attempted by unskilled
personnel. Consult your Ariens dealer when assistance is
needed.
Securing Vehicle for Maintenance
Before servicing the vehicle the following procedure must be
met to secure the vehicle:
1. Park vehicle on a level surface. Do not work under or
around a vehicle parked on an incline.
2. Set shift selector in Neutral.
3. Engage parking brake.
4. Turn ignition switch off and remove switch key.
5. Chock front and back side of the wheels not being
raised off the ground when jacking a vehicle or when
ground surface slopes.
6. Always use jack stands with sufficient capacity to
support the vehicle when working under the vehicle.
7. Always secure cargo bed in the up position when
working under the cargo bed.
Wheels and Tires
Torque
DANGER: Particular attention must be given to
tightening the wheel lug nuts. Not torquing these
items correctly may result in loss of a wheel,
which can cause personal injury and damage to
the vehicle.
Wheel lug nuts
Always check wheel lug nut torque values two hours after
initial operation and two hours after each tire repair and/or
replacement . Routinely check lug nut torque valves every
100 hours of operation. See Maintenance Schedule on
page 19.
Tire Maintenance
Use only tires recommended by Ariens.
Always ensure that all tires have the correct air pressure.
Check air pressure in all four tires before each use. Visually
inspect tires for loss of air throughout each day of operation.
See Tire Inflation Chart below for correct tire pressure.
Tire Inflation Chart
Tire
Front Tires
Rear Tires
*
Tire pressure may be increased to accommodate
additional cargo load. Maximum tire pressure is noted on tire
side wall.
GB - 20
Torque Values
Lb-Ft
73 – 80 99 – 108
Inflation
10 psi
14 psi
N•m
*
*