MTD WHITE GT-185 - Battery Activation and Charging; Steering Wheel Installation

ACTIVATING AND CHARGING THE BATTERY
Do not activate battery (fill with battery acid) until
battery is actually placed in service. Be certain to
read previous warnings before activating the
battery.
1. Lift the hood of the tractor. Remove the wing nuts
from the hold-down rods which secure the battery
cover to the battery. Refer to figure 14 on page 11.
Remove the battery cover. Disconnect the positive
cable from the positive terminal. Save the
hardware.
2. Remove the battery from the tractor, paying
attention to how the battery is placed in the unit,
and how the drain tube (attached to the battery) is
routed.
3. Activate the battery as instructed in the “Quick
Start” brochure included with the battery fluid.
Read instructions carefully.
NOTE: You can continue assembling the lawn tractor
while battery is standing for 30 minutes (after filling
with acid), and later while you are charging the battery.
IMPORTANT: To obtain the maximum life from your
battery, it MUST BE CHARGED prior to initial use.
CHARGE THE BATTERY after the 30 minute standing
period. Use a 12-volt automotive type battery charger
to charge the battery at 6 AMPS for one hour before
installation.
NOTE: If you charge the battery at a lower AMP rate,
use a hydrometer to make sure the battery is
completely charged. The hydrometer should read
1.260 minimum. DO NOT CHARGE AT MORE THAN
6 AMPS.
Steering
Wheel
Cap-
Cupped
Washer
Steering
Bellow
FIGURE 1.
Steering
Shaft
STEERING WHEEL INSTALLATION (Hardware A)
1. The hardware for attaching the steering wheel has
been packed inside the steering wheel. Carefully
pry off the steering wheel cap and remove the
hardware.
2. Remove the steering bellow from the lift lever on
the right hand side of tractor. Place steering
bellow over the steering shaft extending through
-the dash. See figure 1.
NOTE: If the openings on each end of the steering
bellow are two different sizes, the smaller end goes
down against the dash of the tractor.
3. With the wheels of the tractor pointing straight for¬
ward, place the steering wheel over the steering
shaft, positioning steering wheel as desired.
4. Place the washer with the cupped side down over
the steering shaft. Secure with hex lock bolt. See
figure 1.
5. Place the steering wheel cap over the center of
the steering wheel and seat it with your hand.
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