Lawn Mower

MAINTENANCE

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 front drive wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely.

The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel area and must be cleaned to free drive wheels.

If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be sure to clean both front wheels.

1.Remove hubcaps, locknuts and washers.

2.Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

3.Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth.

4.Put wheels back in place.

NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact a qualiﬁ ed service center.

BLADE CARE

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace a bent or damaged blade.

CAUTION: Useonlyareplacementblade 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. 10)

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 ﬁ lter and carburetor are up.

3.Use a wood block between blade and mower housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolt.

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

4.Remove blade bolt by turning counter-clockwise.

5.Removebladeandattachinghardware(bolt,lockwasher and hardened washer).

NOTE: Remove the blade adapter and check the key inside hub of blade adapter. The key must be in good condition to work properly. Replace adapter if damaged.

TO REPLACE BLADE (See Fig. 10)

1.Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.

2.Position the blade on the blade adapter aligning the two (2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the

adapter.10

3.Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

4.Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.

5.Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise.

•The recommended tightening torque is 35-40 ft. lbs.

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS HEAT TREATED. IFBOLT NEEDS REPLACING, REPLACE ONLYWITHAPPROVED BOLT SHOWN IN THE REPAIR PARTS SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.

BLADE ADAPTER	KEY	CRANKSHAFT
		KEYWAY
BLADE
LOCK
WASHER

BLADE

BOLT

HARDENED	TRAILING EDGE	CRANKSHAFT
WASHER

FIG. 10

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 ﬁ le or on a grinding 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.

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 build-up. Clean under the drive cover twice a season.

•The gear case is ﬁ lled 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 ELF Multis EP00. Do not substitute.

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.