Maintenance And Adjustments - MTD RZT Series Operator's Manual

Maintenance & Adjustments
6
Maintenance
WARNING! Before performing any
maintenance or repairs, disengage the PTO,
move the drive control levers fully outward
in the neutral position, engage the parking
brake, stop the engine and remove the key to
prevent unintended starting.
Engine
Refer to the Briggs & Stratton Owner's Manual for all
engine maintenance intervals, procedures, specifications
and instructions.
Changing the EngineOil
_ ARNING! If the engine has been recently run,
the engine, muffler and surrounding metal
surfaces will be hot and can cause burns to the
skin. Exercise caution to avoid burns.
To complete an oil change, proceed as follows:
1. Run the engine fora short time to warm the engine
oil. The oil will flow more freely and carry away more
impurities, Use care to avoid burns from hot oil.
2. Locate the oil drain hose on the left side of the engine.
Refer to Figure 6-1.
3. Route the free end of the oil drain hose toward an
appropriate oil collection container with at least a 2.5
quart capacity, to collect the used oil. Remove the oil
fill cap/dipstick from the oil fill tube.
4. While holding the free end of the oil drain hose over
the oil collection container, unscrew the square head
hose plug from the end of the hose. See Figure 6-1.
Drain the engine oil into the collection container.
Oil Drain Valve
Figure 6-I
5. After draining the oil, wipe any residual oil from the oil
drain hose. Thread the square head plug into the drain
hose fitting and fully tighten the plug.
6. Replace the oil filter, and refill the engine with new oil
as instructed in the Briggs & Stratton Owner's Manual.
AirCleaner
Service the pre-cleaner and cartridge/air cleaner element
as instructed in the Briggs & Stratton Owner's Manual.
SparkPlug
The spark plugs should be cleaned and the gap reset
once a season. Refer to the Briggs & Stratton Owner's
Manual for correct plug type and gap specifications.
Hydrostatic Transmission
All zero turn tractors are equipped with dual
integrated hydrostatic pumps/transaxles that are
sealed and are maintenance-free. However, the model
ZT 54 is equipped with a transmission oil expansion
reservoir. Under normal operating conditions, the oil
level in the expansion reservoir does not need to be
checked and no additional oil is needed.
If checking the reservoir oil level, proceed as follows:
IMPORTANT: Check the oil level ONLY before starting
the tractor when the transmission oil is fully cooled.
• Pivot the operator's seat forward and clean
the reservoir cap and the area around the cap
to prevent debris from contaminating the
transmission oil. See Figure 6-2.
Pivot seat
forward
Reservoir
Cap ;: ....
Figure 6-2
Turn the reservoir cap counterclockwise to re-move,
then check the oil level in the reservoir. Oil should be
visible at the bottom of the cup, but the oil level must
NOT be above I/4" from the bottom of the cup. DO
NOT FILL THE RESERVOIR.
If necessary to add oil because of some type of
leakage, use a quality 20WSO motor oil and add only
enough oil to bring the level within I/4" of the bottom
of the reservoir. Reinstall the cap and fully tighten.
GeneralBattery Information
WARNING!
• Should battery acid accidentally splatter into
the eyes or onto the skin, rinse the affected area
immediately with clean cold water. If there is
any further discomfort, seek prompt medical
attention.
• If acid spills on clothing, first dilute it with
clean water, then neutralize with a solution of
ammonia/water or baking soda/water.
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