Black & Decker LM175 instruction manual Maintenance, Preventing Corrosion

PREVENTING CORROSION

Fertilizers and other garden chemicals contain agents that greatly accelerate the corrosion of metals. If you use the mower in areas where fertilizers or chemicals have been used, the mower should be cleaned immediately afterwards.

Wipe all exposed parts with a damp cloth. You may lubricate only metal parts with a light petroleum based oil. Do not lubricate wheels.

MAINTENANCE

Before each mowing session unplug the mower and ensure that the blade has stopped. Check all nuts, bolts and screws to ensure proper tightness, Be sure to check the blade fastening system. IMPORTANT: To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and adjustment should be performed by authorized service centers or other qualified service organizations. Use only identical replacement parts.

Inspect and thoroughly clean your mower at the beginning of each mowing season for longer life and better performance.

From time to time turn the mower off and wait for the blade to stop. Then unplug the power cord and turn the mower on its side. Using an object such as a stick or rag, wipe out any accumulation of grass in the blade area. Also clean out any grass or debris which may be packed around the discharge/mulch door area. Be careful of the sharp edges of the blade.

REMOVING AND INSTALLING BLADE (FIGURE 9, 10, 11)

1.RELEASE SWITCH LEVER TO TURN MOWER OFF, WAIT FOR THE BLADE TO STOP, AND UNPLUG MOWER. THEN TURN THE MOWER OVER FOR ACCESS TO THE BLADE.

2.Use a piece of 2x4 wood (about 2 feet long) to keep blade from turning while removing flange nut.

3.Wear gloves and proper eye protection. Be careful of sharp edges of blade. Position wood and remove flange nut as shown in Figure 9.

4.Remove square metal blade spacer, square plastic blade insulator, and blade (Figure 10). Examine blade insulator for damage and replace if necessary.

5.When replacing sharpened or new blade on shoulder of fan, make sure the “GRASS SIDE” on the blade will be facing the ground when the mower is returned to its normal upright position. After installing blade, place blade insulator on blade such that the raised lips on one side engage the edges of the blade. Then install the blade spacer so that it sits inside the raised lips on the other side of the blade insulator. Be sure to align the flats in the hole of the blade spacer with the flats of the shaft, rotating the blade and blade insulator together as necessary. Position piece of wood to keep blade from turning (Figure 11). Install flange nut with the flange against the blade spacer and securely tighten.

9	10 B	A
		11
	C

D

Fig. 10 A. nut, B. spacer, C. insulator, D. blade

SHARPENING AND BALANCING THE BLADE: (FIGURE 12,13)

1.BE SURE THE SWITCH LEVER IS RELEASED AND THE BLADE HAS STOPPED AND THE CORD UNPLUGGED BEFORE REMOVING THE BLADE.

2.At all times be careful of sharp edges of blade.

3.Remove blade from mower. See instructions for removing and installing blade.

4.Secure blade in a vise as shown in Figure 12.

5.Wear proper eye protection and be careful not to cut yourself.

6.Carefully file the cutting edges of the blade with a fine tooth file or sharpening stone, maintaining the original cutting angle.

7.Check balance of blade by placing center hole in blade over a nail or round shank screwdriver, clamped horizontally in a vise. If either end of the blade rotates down, file off additional material from that end. Blade is properly balanced when neither end drops.

(Figure 13)

8.Replace blade on mower and tighten securely.

12 13

TROUBLE SHOOTING/CORRECTIVE ACTION GUIDE:

PROBLEM	CORRECTIVE ACTION
-Motor will not start	- Check fuse or circuit breaker to ensure
	power is to outlet
	- Check extension cord with another
	electrical device to ensure cord is good.
	- Call customer service representative
	1-800-544-6986
-Motor keeps slowing	- The underside of the mower may be
down	plugged with clippings. Turn mower off, wait
	for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and
	clean out.
	- Grass may be too tall, try pushing at a
	slower pace, or raise cutting height.
	- Check blade sharpness and balance, and
	correct if required.
-Runs but poor cut	- The blade may be dull. Turn mower off,
results	wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower
	and carefully check for sharpness.
	- Blade may be damaged (bent or badly
	chipped). Turn mower off, wait for blade to
	stop and UNPLUG mower and replace if
	necessary.
	- Grass may be too high or thick for cutting
	height. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop
	and UNPLUG mower and raise cutting
	height.
-Excess vibration	- Blade may be loose. Turn mower off, wait
	for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower
	then check blade for tightness.
	- Blade may be bent or badly chipped.
	Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and
	UNPLUG mower and replace if necessary.
	- Blade may be unbalanced. Refer to blade
	balancing section of instruction manual.
-Mower is hard to push	- Mower is too close to the ground with the
	amount of grass being cut. Turn mower off,
	wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower
	and raise cutting height.
	- Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and
	UNPLUG mower and check wheels and
	axles to ensure all are rotating easily.
-Mower leaves clumps	- Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and
of grass	UNPLUG mower and raise cutting
	height.
	- Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and
	UNPLUG mower and carefully check blade
	for sharpness.
	- Grass may be too wet to cut. Wait for
	grass to dry.

-Discharge/Bag plugging - Grass may be too wet, try again when

grass is dry.

-There is too much grass. Turn mower off, wait for blade to stop and UNPLUG mower and raise cutting height.

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