Hustler Turf M-1 manual Safe Servicing Practices, Service, Introduction

MAINTENANCE & ADJUSTMENTS

Safe Servicing Practices

This product is capable of amputating hands and feet and throwing objects. Always follow all safety instructions to avoid serious injury or death.

Service

Unless specifically required, DO NOT have engine run- ning when servicing or making adjustments to the mower. Park the machine on level ground. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug before doing any maintenance. Wait for all movement to stop before adjusting, cleaning or repairing. Repairs or maintenance requiring engine power should be performed by trained maintenance personnel only. To prevent carbon monox- ide poisoning, be sure proper ventilation is available when engine must be operated in an enclosed area. Read and observe safety warnings in this manual.

Before working on or under the deck, make certain engine cannot be accidentally started. Shut engine off and disconnect spark plug wire from the spark plug for maximum safety. Repairs or maintenance requiring engine power should be performed by trained mainte- nance personnel only.

Always keep shields and covers on mower for safety as well as cleanliness.

Use a stick or similar instrument to clean under the mower making sure that no part of the body, especially arms and hands are under mower.

Always keep engine and machine clean, removing accu- mulated dirt, trash and other material from machine. Clean up oil or fuel spillage. Allow machine to cool before storing.

Clean flammable material from machine. Prevent fires by keeping the mower clean of accumulated trash, grass clippings and other debris. Always clean up spilled fuel and oil.

Always wear adequate eye protection when servicing the mower or when grinding mower blades and removing accumulated debris.

Use extra caution when handling gasoline and other fuels. They are flammable and vapors are explosive. Never attempt to start engine when there is a strong odor of gasoline fumes present. Locate and correct cause. Never remove fuel cap or refuel mower while engine is running or while engine is hot; never refuel near an open flame or near devices which can create a spark. Refuel outdoors. Clean up any gasoline spills.

Never run the engine in an enclosed area unless exhaust is vented to the outside. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which is an odorless and deadly poison.

Never attempt to make any adjustments or repairs to the drive system or mower deck while the engine is running or deck clutch is engaged. Mower blades cannot be seen and are located very close to the deck housing. Fingers and toes can be cut off instantly. Repairs or maintenance

requiring engine power should be performed by trained personnel only.

Prior to any servicing stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug wire, being careful to not touch the hot engine or muffler.

Be careful not to spill fuel or oil when tilting the unit to check or maintain the blade. Clean up any spills immedi- ately.

Do not touch hot parts of machine. Allow engine to cool before servicing.

Keep nuts and bolts tight, especially the blade attachment bolts. Keep equipment in good working condition. Never tamper with safety devices. Check their proper operation regularly.

Stop the engine before removing the grass catcher or unclogging the discharge chute. Never clear the dis- charge chute with the engine running. Turn off the engine and be sure the blade has stopped before cleaning. Use a stick to clear a plugged discharge area. Never use your hand!

Grass collection system components are subject to wear, damage and deterioration, which could expose moving parts or allow objects to be thrown. Frequently check components and replace with manufacturer’s recom- mended parts, when necessary.

Exercise caution when working under the deck as the mower blade is extremely sharp. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.

Use only genuine Hustler replacement parts to ensure that original standards are maintained

Introduction

Regular maintenance is the best prevention for costly downtime or expensive, premature repair. The following pages contain suggested maintenance information and schedules which the operator should follow on a routine basis.

Remain alert for unusual noises, they could be signaling a problem. Visually inspect the machine for any abnormal wear or damage. A good time to detect potential problems is while performing scheduled maintenance service. Correcting the problem as quickly as possible is the best insurance.

Clear away heavy build-up of grease, oil and dirt, especially around the engine; minute dust particle are abrasive to close- tolerance engine assemblies.

Daily inspect mower for grass clippings and wire and string tangles. The underside of the mower deck will collect a build- up of grass clippings and dirt, especially when grass is wet or has high moisture content. This build-up will harden, restricting blade and air movement and will probably show a poorer quality of cutting. Therefore it should be removed routinely.

To do this it will be necessary to scrape the build-up from underneath.

Some repairs require the assistance of a trained service mechanic and should not be attempted by unskilled personnel. Consult your Hustler service center when assistance is needed.

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