John Deere

OMM139953

Issue I9

M-GATOR

Utility Vehicle

PIN (001001-)

Introduction

Safety Signs

Controls

Operating Machine

Replacement Parts

Service Machine Safely

Service Interval Chart

Service Engine

Service Transmission

Service Electrical

Cleaning or Replacing Battery

Checking Battery Electrolyte Level

Charging the Battery

Charging Rates

Using Booster Battery

Replacing Headlamp Bulb

Replacing Headlight Housing

Replacing Instrument Panel Bulbs

Service Miscellaneous

Troubleshooting

Storing Machine

Assembly

Specifications

Warranty

John Deere Service Literature

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Service Electrical

Cleaning or Replacing Battery

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Battery gas can explode:

ˇ Keep sparks and flames away from batteries. Use a flashlight to check battery electrolyte level.

ˇ Never check battery charge by placing a metal object across the posts. Use a voltmeter or hydrometer.

ˇ Always remove grounded (-) battery clamp first and replace it last.


MIF

1. Stop engine and engage park brake.

2. Raise cargo box.


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3. Disconnect black negative (-) cables (A) from battery.

4. Slide red positive terminal cover (B) back and disconnect red positive (+) cables (C).

5. Disconnect black rubber hold-down strap (D).

6. Clean battery with a brush or damp cloth. Keep dirt out of battery cells.

NOTE: If a thorough cleaning of the battery and surrounding area is needed, or battery replacement is necessary, remove battery from the utility vehicle.

7. Remove corrosion from battery terminals and cable ends with a wire brush.

8. Clean battery, battery terminals, cable ends, battery box, and other parts with a solution of one part baking soda and four parts water. DO NOT allow solution to enter battery cells.

9. Rinse all parts with clean water and allow to dry.

10. Install battery.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Be sure battery drain tubes are clear and free of obstruction. Drain tubes must be routed through bottom of utility vehicle frame to prohibit damage caused by corrosive battery acid.



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11. Connect red positive (+) cables (E) to battery terminal first. Slide red terminal cover (F) down to cover terminal.

12. Connect black negative (-) cables (G). Make sure connections are tight.

13. Apply petroleum jelly on battery terminals to help prevent corrosion.

14. Install black rubber hold-down strap (H).

15. Lower utility vehicle cargo box.

Checking Battery Electrolyte Level

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Sulfuric acid in battery electrolyte is poisonous. It is strong enough to burn skin, eat holes in clothing, and cause blindness if splashed into eyes.

ˇ Wear eye protection and avoid spilling or dripping electrolyte.

ˇ Flush eyes with water for 15-30 minutes if acid is splashed into eyes.

ˇ If acid is swallowed, get medical attention immediately.


MIF

1. Park utility vehicle on level surface, stop engine, lock park brake.


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2. Disconnect black rubber hold-down strap (A).

3. Remove battery manifold cap (B), be sure breather tube does not come off cap.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT fill cells to the bottom of the filler neck (C). Electrolyte can overflow when battery is charged and cause damage.



MIF

4. Electrolyte (D) should be 6 mm (1/4 in.) above plates (E).

5. Add distilled water if necessary.

6. Install manifold cap. Check vent tube is attached to cap and routed down out of vehicle frame.

7. Install battery hold-down strap.

Charging the Battery

Follow instructions on the battery charger or in the charger operator's manual, or use the instructions below as a guide.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! BE VERY CAREFUL: Battery fluid (electrolyte), is a solution of water and sulfuric acid. It is very harmful to eyes, skin, or clothing.

ˇ Wear goggles or an eye shield when you work with a battery.

ˇ If the acid contacts your eyes, skin, or clothing, flush the area immediately with water. Get medical help, if necessary.

A battery gives off gas which can explode. An exploding battery will spray sulfuric acid in all directions.

ˇ Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away from the battery.

ˇ Charge the battery in an area with good ventilation.


MIF


MIF

Before you charge a battery:

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! There are two 12 volt batteries connected in parallel. This IS NOT a 24 volt system.


ˇ Wait until the battery has warmed to room temperature. Do not charge a frozen battery.

ˇ Check the electrolyte level of each cell. (See Checking Battery Electrolyte Level in this section.)

ˇ Install the battery cap(s) on the battery.

Turn OFF and unplug the charger before you connect cables to the battery or disconnect cables from the battery.

If the battery becomes warm to touch during charging:

ˇ Reduce the charging rate OR

ˇ Stop charging the battery until it cools.

Keep batteries fully charged.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! DO NOT charge a frozen battery. Battery gases can explode. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away from battery.


MIF

1. Check electrolyte level.

2. Leave cell caps on battery while you charge it.

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! To avoid injury, before you connect or disconnect charger cables to battery, unplug charger cord.

NOTE: Only one battery needs to be connected to charger as one charges so will the second battery.

3. Connect positive (+) charger cable to positive (+) battery terminal.

4. Connect negative (-) charger cable to negative (-) battery terminal.

5. Plug in charger cord.

6. Charge battery.

7. Unplug charger cord. Remove charger cables.

Charging Rates

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! This vehicle has two 12 volt batteries connected in parallel. It is not a 24 volt system.


See your battery charger or charger operator's manual for information on charging. Or read the information below to FULLY CHARGE your battery.

For a charger with a CURRENT ADJUSTMENT CONTROL:

ˇ Adjust the control to 10 amps.

ˇ Charge the battery for 6 to 8 hours.

For a charger with a switch for MAINTENANCE FREE, DEEP CYCLE, or NORMAL (CONVENTIONAL) setting:

ˇ Use the MAINTENANCE FREE or DEEP CYCLE setting.

For a charger with SLOW CHARGE, FAST CHARGE, or BOOST CHARGE setting:

ˇ DO NOT use the BOOST CHARGE setting.

ˇ Use the SLOW CHARGE setting:

- For a charger rated at less than 10 amps.

- For 3 to 16 hours.

ˇ Use the FAST CHARGE setting:

- For a charger rated at 10 amps.

- For 5 to 8 hours.

NOTE: Your charger may have an AUTOMATIC STOP to prevent charging the battery:

ˇ When the battery is fully charged OR

ˇ When the battery is not in condition to take a charge.

Using Booster Battery


MIF

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Battery gas is explosive:

ˇ DO NOT smoke while you charge battery.

ˇ Keep all flames and sparks away.

ˇ DO NOT charge frozen battery.

ˇ DO NOT connect booster battery negative (-) cable to starting vehicle negative (-) terminal.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! There are two 12 volt batteries connected in parallel.



MIF

1. Connect positive (+) booster cable to booster battery positive (+) post (D).

2. Connect the other end of positive (+) booster cable to one of the vehicle battery positive (+) post (A).

3. Connect negative (-) booster cable to booster battery negative (-) post (C).

4. Connect the other end of negative (-) booster cable (B) to engine ground away from battery.

Replacing Headlamp Bulb

1. Remove hood.


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2. Rotate bulb socket (A) 1/3 of a turn and remove socket from housing.

3. Install new bulb (B) into socket, and install socket into housing.

Replacing Headlight Housing

Remove hood.

4. Disconnect bulb socket from housing.


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5. Remove screws (A).

6. Install new assembly and install screws.

7. Install hood.

Replacing Instrument Panel Bulbs

1. Remove hood.


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Picture Note: Hood removed for clarity. Bulbs can be replaced by reaching under dash panel.

2. Remove socket with defective bulb by turning 1/4 turn and pull bulb straight out.