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 acces-

sories 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 TO STARTER
(if present) are tight and level. Be certain the vehicles do not BOOSTER CABLES TO STARTER
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 +) STARTING
VEHICLE STALLED
of the starting vehicle battery. BATTERY 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 TO GROUND
TO GROUND
assure a good connection.
5. Start the stalled vehicle. Remove booster cables in reverse
order of connection. 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 creat-
ing 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 blend-
ing it with existing soil for increased fertility.
For additional information on any of MTD’s products, call 1 (800) 800-7310.