Yard Machines Lawn Tractor Battery Set-up

Battery Set-up and Maintenance STOP READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START YOUR LAWN TRACTOR. THE BATTERY IN YOUR LAWN TRACTOR IS ACTIVATED AND READY TO USE. DO NOT ADD WATER OR BATTERY FLUID (ACID) TO THE BATTERY.

INSTALLING THE BATTERY For your convenience, the battery has been installed in your tractor and the positive (red) cable has been attached to the positive (+) terminal of the battery. You must attach the negative (black) cable to the battery. Remove the hex bolt and nut from the negative (–) cable. Place the negative cable on the negative (–) battery terminal and secure it with the bolt and nut. NOTE: Make certain the engine oil level is correct as instructed in the engine owner’s guide. IMPORTANT: The ignition key for the tractor should be in the ignition switch.

BATTERY STORAGE/CHARGING If your battery is new or if your lawn tractor has been stored for an extended period of time, it is recommended that you charge the battery with a battery charger before using your unit. A charger with an output of six amps should be used and the battery should be charged for one hour. This charging will help extend the life of the battery. If a charger with a six amp output is not available, a lower output charger may be used for a longer period of time. Do not charge the battery at a rate higher than six amps as it can damage the battery and reduce its useful life. If a charger is not available but the battery will start the lawn tractor, the battery can be charged by mowing for a minimum of one hour using the engine's charging system. The lawn tractor should be run at full throttle during this process. NOTE: More than one hour of mowing may be needed to fully charge the battery since the output of the engine's charging system is typically less than six amps.

CLEANING THE BATTERY Keep the terminals and the top of the battery clean and free from corrosion. Clean the battery with baking soda or a comercial battery cleaner. IMPORTANT: Do not allow any cleaning solution to get inside the battery.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Shield eyes (e.g., goggles, face shield) and protect skin and clothing when handling battery acid (electrolyte) or a battery containing acid. 2. Keep sparks, flame, cigarettes and other sources of ignition away. Battery contains explosive gases. 3. Work in a well ventilated area when filling (activating), charging and using the battery. 4. When not in use, keep the terminal covers in place. 5. Do not short battery terminals (make a connection between the two battery posts or between the positive (+) terminal and the frame of the tractor). Before installing battery, remove metal bracelets, wristwatch bands, rings, etc., from your person. 6. Connect positive terminal first to prevent sparks from accidental grounding. 7. Do not use the tractor battery to start other vehicles.

BATTERY MAINTENANCE (For batteries with top-screw plugs only) Periodically check the level of the electrolyte in all cells and add water if necessary to bring the level to just below the battery split ring. After the battery is first activated, add only water to replace normal loss. After charging, check the battery with a hydrometer to verify it is fully charged (1.260 minimum).

WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling. PRINTED IN U.S.A.

FORM NO. 770-8867A (Rev. 04/00)

JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE Don’t jump start a damaged or frozen battery. Be sure that caps (if present) are tight and level. Be certain the vehicles do not touch, and ignitions are OFF. Do not allow cable clamps to touch. 1. Connect positive (+) cable to positive post (+) of discharged battery. 2. Connect the other end of the same marked post (positive +) of the starting vehicle battery. 3. Connect the second cable (negative –) to the other post of the booster battery. 4. Make the final connection on the engine block of the stalled vehicle, away from the battery. Attach to a plated part to assure a good connection. 5. Start the stalled vehicle. Remove booster cables in reverse order of connection.

TO STARTER

BOOSTER CABLES

STARTING VEHICLE BATTERY

TO STARTER

STALLED VEHICLE BATTERY

TO GROUND

TO GROUND

ENGINE BLOCK

Our Responsibility to the Earth BATTERIES Properly maintained batteries will last for a long time, however, eventually they will need to be replaced. Remember both LEAD and SULFURIC ACID (components of a battery) are considered hazardous substances, which if improperly handled, can cause significant harm to the environment. Waste batteries, without exception, must be returned to a recycling facility for reclamation either directly by you or through your authorized servicing dealer. MOTOR OIL If you are a “Do-it-your-selfer,” please dispose of your used motor oil through used oil collection agencies. There usually is not a charge for this service. These agencies arrange to have the used motor oil recycled. When you dump the used motor oil from a single oil change in the trash, pour it on the ground or toss it into a sewer, it seeps down into the water table and ruins 300,000 gallons of fresh water. YARD WASTE As lawns continue to grow, so do landfills. As a result, many communities no longer provide pick up of grass clippings and other yard waste, and every year many communities join the list. So what do you do with your clippings? There are several solutions. Mulching – Mulching mowers are designed to cut and re-cut grass clippings into fine particles that fall back into the turf, sight unseen. These particles provide moisture and nutrients that keep your lawn looking great without creating a thatch. Call our Customer Support Department at 1 (800) 800-7310 with your model number for information regarding your mower’s mulching capabilities. Broadcasting of clippings…Do not cut more than a third of the grass blade at each mowing, usually before the grass reaches 3" tall. Keep the mower blades sharp, fertilize less and only mow when the grass is dry. Chipper/Shredder – A chipper/shredder will reduce twigs, branches, leaves, plant stalks and other yard waste into small pieces that create recyclable mulch and compost. Tillers – Rotary tillers help return yard waste and compost to the soil by blending it with existing soil for increased fertility. For additional information on any of MTD’s products, call 1 (800) 800-7310.