Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are tight.

Follow the maintenance schedule under Customer Responsibilities to get quality performance from your lawn mower.

Lubrication

WARNING: Always stop engine and disconnect spark plug wire before cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of service work on the lawn mower.

Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle at least once a season with light oil. The blade control must operate freely in both directions.

See Figure 15.

Wheels: Lubricate the wheels at least once a season with light oil (or motor oil). If the wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and inner surface of the wheel with light oil. See Figure 15.

Engine: Follow the separate engine manual packed with you unit for lubrication instructions.

Lubricate

Figure 15

Maintenance

NOTE: When tipping the unit, empty the fuel tank and keep the air cleaner side of engine up. Never tip the mower more than 90 degrees 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

Refer to the separate engine manual for all engine maintenance instructions.

Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate engine manual packed with your unit.

Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding

usually indicate that the air cleaner should be serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate engine manual packed with your unit.

The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each mowing season.

Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush. Keep the cooling system (blower housing area) clean to permit proper air circulation which is essential to engine performance and life. Be certain to remove all grass, dirt, and combustible debris from muffler area.

Deck

The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned after each use to prevent a buildup of grass clippings, leaves, dirt, or other matter. If this debris is allowed to accumulate, it will invite rust and corrosion, and may prevent proper mulching, discharge, or bagging. The deck may be cleaned by tilting the mower and scraping clean with a suitable tool (make certain the spark plug wire is disconnected).

IMPORTANT:We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.

Cutting Blade Removal, Replacement, and Sharpening

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.

Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 16.

Remove the blade and the adapter from the crankshaft.

WARNING: Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary.

Blade

Adapter

Blade Bell

Support

Hex Bolt

Figure 16

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 when rotating at high

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Bolens 979 manual Lubrication, Maintenance, Engine, Deck, Cutting Blade Removal, Replacement, and Sharpening