Adding Water To The Battery; Installing The Battery; Charging The Battery - Toro 71246 Operator's Manual

Warning
Incorrectly routing the battery cable could damage
the tractor and cables, causing sparks. Sparks can
cause the battery gasses to explode, resulting in
personal injury.
• Always disconnect the negative (black) battery
cable before disconnecting the positive (red)
cable.
• Always connect the positive (red) battery cable
before connecting the negative (black) cable.
5. Slide the rubber cover up the positive (red) cable.
Disconnect the positive (red) cable from the battery post
(Fig. 18).
6. Remove the battery box and battery from the chassis
(Fig. 18).

Installing the Battery

1. Put the battery into the battery box and install it into the
chassis (Fig. 18).
2. Using the bolt and wing nut, connect the positive (red)
cable to the positive (+) battery post (Fig. 18).
3. Slide the rubber cover over the battery post.
4. Using the bolt and the wing nut, connect the negative
(black) cable to the negative (–) battery post (Fig. 18).
Checking the Electrolyte Level
1. Tip the seat forward to see the battery.
2. Look at the side of the battery. The electrolyte must be
up to the Upper line (Fig. 19).
1
2
3
Figure 19
1. Vent caps
2. Upper line
Note: Do not allow the electrolyte to fall below the
Lower line (Fig. 19).
m–5004
3. Lower line
23
3. If the electrolyte is low, add the required amount of
distilled water; refer to Adding Water to the Battery on
page 23.
Danger
Battery electrolyte contains sulfuric acid, a deadly
poison that can severely burn you and others.
• Do not drink electrolyte and avoid contact with
skin, eyes, or clothing. Wear safety glasses to
shield your eyes and rubber gloves to protect
your hands.
• Fill the battery where clean water is always
available for flushing the skin.

Adding Water to the Battery

The best time to add distilled water to the battery is just
before you operate the tractor. This lets the water mix
thoroughly with the electrolyte solution.
1. Remove the battery from the tractor; refer to Removing
the Battery on page 22.
2. Clean the top of the battery with a paper towel.
Important Never fill the battery with distilled water
while the battery is installed in the tractor. You could spill
electrolyte on other parts and cause corrosion.
3. Remove the vent caps from the battery (Fig. 19).
4. Slowly pour distilled water into each battery cell until
the electrolyte level is up to the Upper line (Fig. 19) on
the battery case.
Important Do not overfill the battery because
electrolyte (sulfuric acid) can cause severe corrosion and
damage to the chassis.
5. Wait 5 to 10 minutes after filling the battery cells. Add
distilled water, if necessary, until the electrolyte level is
up to the Upper line (Fig. 19) on the battery case.
6. Install the battery vent caps.

Charging the Battery

Warning
Charging the battery produces gasses that can
explode.
Never smoke near the battery. Keep sparks and
flames away from battery.