Jump Starting; Battery Maintenance; Battery Storage - MTD 700 Series Owner's Manual

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FIGURE 20.
7. Place the clutch-brake pedal in park position.
8. Push forward on the variable speed pulley, a id lift
the belt off the engine and remove the belt from
the engine pulley.
9. Release the clutch-brake pedal. Using the ledal
to move the variable speed pulley as necessary,
lift the belt up and off the variable speed pulley.
NOTE
When reassembling, make certain
belt is inside the pins. See figure 21.
BATTERY REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION
t WARNING
When removing the battery, follow
this order of disassembly to prevent
the screwdriver 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 terminal
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.
WARNING
Failure to use this starting pro¬
cedure could cause sparking, and
the gas in either battery could ex¬
plode.
10. Reassemble with a new belt, following instructions
in reverse order.
BATTERY MAINTENANCE
1. Check periodically (every two weeks or before and
after charging) to be sure electrolyte level is above
the lowest line on battery. Add only distilled water
or a good quality drinking water. NEVER add ad¬
ditional acid or other chemicals to battery after in¬
itial activation.
2. The battery should be checked with a hydrometer
after every 25 hours of operation. If the specific
gravity is less than 1.225, remove battery and
recharge.
3. Coat the terminals and exposed wiring with a thin
coat of grease or petroleum jelly for longer service
and protection against electrolyte corrosion.
4. The battery should be kept clean. Any deposits of
acid should be neutralized with soda and water.
Be careful not to get this solution in the cells.
BATTERY STORAGE
1. Charge battery using normal methods. NEVER
store discharged battery as it will not recover.
2. When storing battery for extended periods, discon¬
nect battery cables. Removing battery from unit is
recommended.
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