6. Reinstall battery vent caps.
Charging the Battery
Warning
Charging the battery produces gasses that can
explode.
Never smoke near the battery and keep sparks
and flames away from battery.
Important
Always keep the battery fully charged
(1.265 specific gravity). This is especially important to
prevent battery damage when the temperature is below
32 F (0 C).
1. Remove the battery from the chassis; refer to
Removing the Battery, page 39.
2. Check the electrolyte level; refer to Checking
Electrolyte Level, page 40.
3. Make sure the vent caps are installed in the battery.
Charge the battery for 1 hour at 25 to 30 amps or 6
hours at 4 to 6 amps. Do not overcharge the battery.
4. When the battery is fully charged, unplug the charger
from the electrical outlet, then disconnect the charger
leads from the battery posts (Fig. 51).
4
2
Figure 51
1. Positive Battery Post
2. Negative Battery Post
5. Install the battery in the machine and connect the
battery cables; refer to Installing the Battery on page
40.
Note: Do not run the machine with the battery
disconnected. Electrical damage may occur.
3
1
3. Red (+) Charger Lead
4. Black (–) Charger Lead
41
Cutting Blade Service
To ensure a superior quality of cut, keep the blades
sharp. For convenient sharpening and replacement,
you may want to keep extra blades on hand.
Warning
A worn or damaged blade can break, and a piece
of the blade could be thrown into the operator's
or bystander's area, resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
Inspect the blade periodically for wear or
damage.
Replace a worn or damaged blade.
Before Inspecting or Servicing the
Blades
Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the blade
control (PTO) and chock or block tires. Turn the ignition
key to "OFF" to stop the engine. Remove the key and
disconnect the spark plug wire(s) from the spark plug(s).
Inspecting the Blades
1. Inspect the cutting edges (Fig 52). If the edges are not
sharp or have nicks, remove and sharpen the blades.
Refer to Sharpening the Blades on page 42.
2. Inspect the blades, especially the curved area (Fig. 52).
If you notice any damage, wear, or a slot forming in
this area (item 3 in Fig. 52), immediately install a new
blade.