•Disconnect spark plug wire.
•Drain the gasoline from the lawn mower, or place a piece of plastic under the gas cap.
•Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold the mower firmly.
•Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
•Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If you had put plastic under the gas cap, make sure to remove it now.
WARNING: Never tip the mower more than 90 degrees in any directions and do not leave the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.
Engine Care
A list of key maintenance jobs, required for good performance by the mower, is given below. Follow the accompanying engine manual for details.
•Change engine oil regularly, as instructed in the engine manual. Check oil level before starting engine every time.
•Service foam filter in the air cleaner every 25 hours of use and replace the paper filter component every 100 hours. You may have to service the air filter more frequently if you are operating the mower under extremely dusty conditions.
•Clean the engine periodically. Remove dirt and debris with a cloth or brush.
•Clean the spark plug and reset the gap to .030” at least once a season. Refer to the engine manual for correct spark plug type.
•Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if necessary.
WARNING: Damaged mufflers or spark arresters can create a fire hazard. Make sure to avoid muffler and surrounding areas while the mower engine is hot because temperature of these areas of the engine may exceed 150o F.
Blade Care
WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary.
Removing the Blade
•Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.
•Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up.
•Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 12.
•Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
Blade
Adapter
Blade Bell
Support
Hex Bolt
Figure 12
Sharpening the Blade
•The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the blade while it is still on the mower.
•Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make sure that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade.
WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It may cause damage to the mower, and could break causing personal injury.
Balancing the Blade
•The blade can be tested by balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver. Remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. It is recommended that the blade always be removed from the adapter when testing for balance.
Installing the Blade
•Before reinstalling the blade and the blade adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil.
•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.
•Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft.
•Place the blade on the adapter. Be certain the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges.
•Place blade bell support on blade. Make sure the notches on the blade bell support are aligned with small holes in the blade.
•Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.
NOTE: To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque.
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