MAINTENANCE
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when performing maintenance.
TIRES
•Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chem- icals which can harm rubber.
•Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check rear drive wheels each time you mow to be sure they move freely. The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc., may be inside the drive wheel and dust cover area and must be cleaned out to free drive wheels.
If necessary to clean drive wheels, check both rear wheels.
BLADE CARE
For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade.
CAUTION: Use only a replacement blade approved by the manufacturer of your mower. Using a blade not approved by the manufacturer of your mower is hazardous, could damage your mower and void your warranty.
TO REMOVE BLADE (See Fig. 16)
1.Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
2.Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air filter and carburetor are up.
3.Use awood blockbetween blade and mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolts.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolts by turning
1.Position the blade. Be sure trailing edge of blade (op- posite sharp edge) is up toward the engine and install the blade bolts.
2.Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolts, turning clockwise.
•The recommended tightening torque is
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLTS ARE HEAT TREATED. IF BOLTS NEED REPLACING, REPLACE ONLY WITH APPROVED BOLTS SHOWN IN THE REPAIR PARTS SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is balanced. Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.
•The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grind- ing wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.
•To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or wall. Leave about one inch of the straight nail exposed. Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail. If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal position. If either end of the blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.
GRASS CATCHER
•The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used.
•Check your grass catcher often for damage or dete- rioration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace only with approved replace- ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts section of this manual. Give the mower model number when ordering.
GEAR CASE
•To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free of trash
•The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs attention is if service has been performed on the gear case.
•If lubricant is required, use only Texaco Starplex Pre- mium 1 Grease, Part No. 750369. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification
BLADE
BLADE 
BOLTS
TRAILING
EDGE
NOTE:
Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least once a year if the lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level.
FIG. 16 | 12 |