Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H99MBOQczUs (14 min)

Spring is when owners get their machines out and ask how to service them. Mike and Jake cover the maintenance touch points on the Rippa RS04 mini skid steer so thousands of owners can watch once instead of getting the same phone call.

MANUAL AND TOOL KIT

- Your machine comes with manuals that list what to do at 50, 100, 200 hours and so on, plus a small field tool kit with what you need for most jobs.

GREASE

- Use the flat-tip adapter on the flat-faced points (many are at the cylinders) and the standard grease gun on the zerk fittings under the red caps.

- Some fittings at the ends of cylinders are hidden. Watch where the grease comes out to tell if two fittings feed the same spot.

FILTERS AND FLUIDS

- Battery and air filter are easy to reach. The air filter has an outer and an inner element you can pop out and blow off. We keep replacements in stock.

- Fuel filter screws off at the back. A water separator for the fuel sits further down. When water shows, flip the switch off, unscrew the canister, dump it, reinstall and flip the switch back on.

- Oil: the dipstick is a round cap that is hard to see, and the fill port is at the top (use a funnel). To drain, crawl under the machine, which sits about 4 inches off the ground (ramps help), and remove the oil nut. The oil filter is reachable after removing a small plate.

- Every tank (hydraulic, fuel, coolant) has a drain screw on the bottom.

- Coolant: the overflow tank is at the back. To fill or check, remove the 12-14 mm screws and the panel at the operator position to reach the radiator.

TRACK TENSION

- Remove the 14 mm screws and the cover. Loosen the lock nut, then turn the adjuster. On the right side, turn right to tighten and left to loosen. The left side is the opposite.

- Adjust front and rear on both sides, then re-tighten each lock nut. A wrench can reach through the sprocket holes or at an angle from the front.

- The RS04 can also take a wheel conversion kit.

A TIP FOR WORKING IN THE TIGHT ENGINE BAY

- Pulling the battery takes about five minutes: loosen the bolts, disconnect the terminals and lift it out. That frees up about a foot of space so you aren't up to your shoulder in the machine. If you only get back there once or twice a year, it is worth it.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.