Maintenance & Adjustment - MTD 780 Series Operator's Manual

Maintenance & Adjustments
Maintenance
WARNING:
repairs, disengage PTO, move shift lever into neutral
position, set parking brake, stop engine and remove
key to prevent unintended starting.
Engine
Refer to the Engine Operator/Owner Manual for engine
maintenance instructions.
Check engine oil level before each use as instructed in the Engine
Operator/Owner Manual packed with your unit. Follow the
instructions carefully.
Changing Engine Oil
For draining oil from the engine's crankcase, a plastic oil drain
sleeve is packed with this Operator's Manual. To drain the oil,
proceed as follows:
1. Run the engine for a few minutes to allow the oil in the
crankcase to warm up. Warm oil will flow more freely and
carry away more of the engine sediment which may have
settled at the bottom of the crankcase. Use care to avoid
burns from hot oil.
2. Open the tractor's hood and locate the oil drain port on the
right side of the engine and the oil fill cap on the topside of
the engine.
3. Unscrew the oil fill cap and remove the dipstick from the oil
fill tube.
4. Snap the small end of oil drain sleeve onto the space
provide around the oil drain plug. See Figure 6-1.
5. Remove drain plug and drain oil into a suitable container
with a capacity of no less than 64 oz.
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Before performing any maintenance or
Figure 6-1
6. Reinstall the oil drain plug securely. Be careful not to
overtighten.
7. Refill the engine with new motor oil as instructed in the
Engine Owner's Manual packed with your unit.
IMPORTANT:
Refer to the Engine Owner's Manual packed with
your unit for information regarding the quantity and proper
viscosity of motor oil.
Air Cleaner
Service the pre-cleaner and cartridge/air cleaner element as
instructed in the Engine Operator/Owner Manual packed with
your unit.
Spark Plug
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset once a
season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start
of each mowing season. Refer to the Engine Operator/Owner
Manual for correct plug type and gap specifications.
Lubrication
WARNING:
Before lubricating, repairing, or
inspecting, always disengage PTO, move shift lever
into neutral position, set parking brake, stop engine
and remove key to prevent unintended starting.
Engine
Lubricate the engine with motor oil as instructed in the Engine
Owner Manual packed with your unit.
Pivot Points & Linkage
Lubricate all the pivot points on the drive system, parking brake
and lift linkage at least once a season with light oil.
Rear Wheels
The rear wheels should be removed from the axles once a
season. Lubricate the axles and the rims well with an all-purpose
grease before re-installing them.
Cleaning the Engine And Deck
Any fuel or oil spilled on the machine should be wiped off
promptly. Do NOT allow debris to accumulate around the cooling
fins of the engine or on any other part of the machine.
IMPORTANT:
The use of a pressure washer to clean your
tractor is NOT recommended. It may cause damage to electrical
components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine.
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