Operator's Manual

48
The best time to add distilled water to the battery is just
before you operate the machine. This lets the water mix
thoroughly with the electrolyte solution.
1. Remove the battery from the machine.
2. Clean the top of the battery with a paper towel.
3. Remove the vent caps from the battery (Fig. 65).
4. Slowly pour distilled water into each battery cell until
the level is up to the upper line (Fig. 65) on the battery
case.
Important Do not overfill the battery because
electrolyte (sulfuric acid) can cause severe corrosion and
damage to the chassis.
5. Wait five to ten minutes after filling the battery cells.
Add distilled water, if necessary, until the electrolyte
level is up to the upper line (Fig. 65) on the battery
case.
6. Reinstall battery vent caps.
Charging the Battery
Charging the battery produces gasses that can
explode.
Never smoke near the battery and keep sparks and
flames away from battery.
Warning
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 47.
2. Check the electrolyte level; refer to Checking
Electrolyte Level, page 46.
3. Make sure the filler caps are installed in battery. Charge
battery for 10 to 15 minutes at 25 to 30 amps or
30 minutes at 4–6 amps.
4. When the battery is fully charged, unplug the charger
from the electrical outlet, then disconnect the charger
leads from the battery posts (Fig. 67).
4
1
2
3
m–4970
Figure 67
1. Positive Battery Post
2. Negative Battery Post
3. Red (+) Charger Lead
4. Black (–) Charger Lead
5. Install the battery in the machine and connect the
battery cables; refer to Installing the Battery on page 47.
Note: Do not run the machine with the battery
disconnected, electrical damage may occur.
Replacing the Grass Deflector
An uncovered discharge opening could allow the
lawn mower to throw objects in the operator’s or
bystander’s direction and result in serious injury.
Also, contact with the blade could occur.
• Never operate the lawn mower unless you install
a cover plate, a mulch plate, or a grass chute
and catcher.
• Make sure the grass deflector is in the down
position.
Warning
1. Remove the locknut, bolt, spring, and spacer holding
the deflector to the pivot brackets (Fig. 68). Remove the
damaged or worn grass deflector.
2. Place the spacer and spring onto the grass deflector.
Place the straight end of the spring behind the deck
edge.
Note: Make sure that the straight end of the spring is
installed behind the deck edge before installing the bolt as
shown in Figure 68.
3. Install the bolt and nut. Place the hook end of the spring
around the grass deflector (Fig. 68).