SECTION 8: MAINTAINING YOUR RIDER MOWER
General Recommendations
•Always observe safety rules when performing any maintenance.
•The warranty on this rider mower does not cover items that have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To receive full value from the warranty, operator must maintain the rider mower as instructed in this manual.
•We do not recommend the use of pressure washers or garden hose to clean your unit. These may cause damage to electrical components, spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use of water may shorten life of your rider mower and reduce its serviceability.
WARNING: Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire before any maintenance or adjustments.
when rotating at high speeds, may cause damage to the mower and/or cause personal injury.
•The blade can be tested for balance by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver. Remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly.
Reassembly
•Before reassembling the blade to the unit, lubricate the spindle with light oil (or engine oil).
•Be sure to properly align “star” fitting on blade with “star” on spindle.
•When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade marked “Bottom” (or with part number) facing the ground when the mower is in the operating position.
•Blade Mounting Torque: 70/90
NOTE: To ensure safe operation, all nuts and bolts must be checked periodically for correct tightness.
Cutting Blade
Removal
WARNING: Protect your hands by wearing heavy gloves or using a rag to grasp the cutting blade.
•Remove the 5/8’’ hex flange nut which holds the blade to the blade spindle.
•Remove blade from the spindle. See Figure 17.
Deck 
Spindle
Blade
Flange Nut
Figure 17
Sharpening
•When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of grind as a guide. It is extremely important that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration
Oil Drain Sleeve
Your rider mower has a plastic oil drain sleeve, packed with the loose parts, for draining oil from the crankcase.
•To drain the oil, snap small end of the oil drain sleeve onto oil sump. See Figure 18.
•Remove drain plug and drain oil into a suitable container.
Oil Drain
Sleeve
Figure 18
Engine
Refer to the separate engine manual for engine maintenance instructions.
•Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit. Read and follow instructions carefully.
•Poor engine performance and flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced. Service air cleaner as per the engine manual. Clean frequently under extremely dusty conditions.
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