Walker S14 manual Clogging Checklist, Forward

Operating Instructions

Clogging Checklist

In case of clogging, there will be a distinct change in the sound of the blower, i.e., the blower sound will stop. Also, the mower deck will begin to leave a trail of grass clippings. When this occurs, stop the engine, disconnect the spark plug wire, and make sure all movement has stopped before attempt­ ing to unclog.

DANGER

NEVER place hands under the mower deck or in the GHS blower discharge chute. Use a stick or similar tool to remove any clogged material.

Normally, any clogging will first develop at the back of the mower deck in the discharge opening into the blower chute. Clogging at this point does not indi­ cate a particular problem in this part of the sys- tem, but is a symptom of something restricting­ the flow of material throughout the entire system. The following list of items should be checked if a pattern of clogging begins to develop. All of these items are capable of causing clogging at the back of the deck.

•Check to see if the mower blades are installed for the correct rotation. The blade cutting edges should move towards each other at the front of the deck on standard rotation decks (e.g., DC42), and towards each other at the back of the deck on re- verse rotation decks (e.g., DC36R).

Blades Must Operate at

Right Angles (90 Degrees)

FORWARD

	Mounting Nut
Rear Discharge
	Torque = 60 lb·ft
Chute
	(81 N·m)

Blade Rotation for Standard Rotation

GHS Mower Deck (Bottom View)

Blades Must Operate at

Right Angles (90 Degrees)

FORWARD

	Mounting Nut
Rear Discharge
	Torque = 60 lb·ft
Chute
	(81 N·m)

Blade Rotation for Reverse Rotation

GHS Mower Deck (Bottom View)

•Check the amount of flat section remaining at blade tip. This is the area that is ground away (re­ moved) when the blades are sharpened. If too much of the flat section is removed, the “air lift” perfor- mance or “shovel” effect of the blade deteriorates to the point that discharge of grass clippings into the blower chute is marginal. Replace cutter blades if less than 3/4 in. (19 mm) flat section remains at the blade tip.

•Check that the interior of the deck housing and baffling is reasonably clean and free of grass and dirt buildup. While some degree of material build- up can be tolerated, a point is finally reached where the flow of air and grass clippings is restricted.

NOTE: One condition that quickly causes a buildup of material in the deck housing is mowing grass and/ or weeds which are “juicy.” The material collects under the deck with sticky, green juice. Clo­ver and weeds are especially a problem. The mower deck will need to be cleaned frequently when operating in these conditions.

•Check the deck cutting height setting. When working in thick, tall grass, lower deck settings [1 to 2 in. (25 to 51 mm) cutting heights] tend to restrict airflow from moving into and under the deck.

Raising the deck cutting height will signifi­cantly increase airflow and reduce clogging when working in thick, tall grass.

•Check the interior of the chute connecting the mower deck to the blower for smoothness and freedom from obstruction.

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