MAINTENANCE
TO REPLACE BLADE (See Fig. 11)
1.Position the blade adapter on the engine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter and crankshaft keyway are aligned.
2.Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two
(2)holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the adapter.
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
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLT IS HEAT TREATED. IFBOLT NEEDS REPLACING, REPLACE ONLYWITHAPPROVED BOLT SHOWN IN THE REPAIR PARTS SECTION OF THIS MANUAL.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharpening blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is 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.
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 lawn mower model number when ordering.
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
•The gear case is fi lled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs atten- tion is if service has been performed on the gear case.
•If lubricant is required, use only ELF Multis EP00. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission con- trol devices and systems, which are being done at the customers expense, may be performed by any
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classifi cation
NOTE:
Changetheoilafterevery25hoursofoperationoratleastonce a year if the lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each fi ve (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 12 & 13)
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.
1.Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
2.Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface.
3.Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container. Rock lawn mower back and forth to remove any oil trapped inside of engine.
CONTAINER
FIG. 12
4.Wipe off any spilled oil from mower or side of engine.
5.Fill engine with oil. The engine oil capacity is 18.5 oz. If oil is not completely drained from engine, you may not need the entire container of a 20 oz. bottle of oil. Slowly pour 3/4 of the oil from the container down the oil fi ll spout into the engine.
11