Service

7

 

 

 

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. Follow the steps below for blade service.

1.Disconnect spark plug boot from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.

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

Fig. 7-1.

3.Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft. See Fig.

7-1.

5.Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade on the adapter such that the side of the blade marked “Bottom” (or with part number) faces the ground when the mower is in the operating position. Make sure that the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter flanges.

6.Place blade bell support on the blade. Align notches on the blade bell support with small holes in blade.

7.Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.

To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque.

Belt Care

1.

Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against the

 

engine.

2.

Drain the fuel tank or place a piece of plastic beneath the

 

cap to prevent gasoline leakage.

3.

Tip mower on its side (air cleaner side of engine up).

4.

Remove blade, adapter, and related hardware as instructed

 

under “Blade Care” above. See Fig. 7-1.

 

a. Remove the self-tapping screws that secures the

 

engine baffle to the deck . See Fig. 7-2. Remove

 

engine baffle.

Blade

Blade

b. Loosen self-tapping screw that secures deck baffle

to the deck. See Fig. 7-2.

Adapter

Blade Bell

 

Support

Bolt

 

Figure 7-1

4.Remove blade from the adapter for testing balance. Balance the blade on a round shaft screwdriver to check. Remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of grind. Grind each cutting edge equally to keep the blade balanced.

WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It may cause damage to mower and could break causing personal injury.

B

A

Figure 7-2

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