11
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when performing any main-
te nance.
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chem-
i cals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and
other hazards that may cause tire damage.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check rear drive wheels each time you mow to be sure they
move freely. The wheels not turning freely means trash,
grass cuttings, etc., may be inside the drive wheel and dust
cover area and must be cleaned out to free drive wheels.
If necessary to clean drive wheels, check both rear wheels.
BLADE CARE (See Fig. 15)
For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Re place
a bent or dam aged blade.
CAUTION: Use only a replacement
blade approved by the manufacturer of
your mower. Using a blade not approved
by the manufacturer of your mower is
hazardous, could damage your mower
and void your warranty.
TO REMOVE BLADE
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place
wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air fi lter and
carburetor are up.
3. Use a wood block between blade and mower hous ing
to prevent blade from turning when re mov ing blade
bolt.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade
with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-clockwise.
5. Remove blade and attaching hardware (bolt, lock
wash er and hardened wash er).
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position blade on the blade adapter aligning the two
(2) holes in the blade with the raised lugs on the
adapter.
2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge)
is up toward the engine.
3. Install the blade bolt with the lock washer and hardened
washer into blade adapter and crankshaft.
4. Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower hous-
ing and tighten the blade bolt, turning clockwise.
• The recommended tightening torque is 35–40 ft. lbs.
IMPORTANT: Blade bolt is heat treated. If bolt needs
replacing, replace only with approved bolt shown in the
Repair Parts section of this manual.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharp en ing blade - but if
you do, be sure the blade is balanced.
MAINTENANCE
Care should be taken to keep the blade balanced. An
un bal anced blade will cause eventual damage to lawn
mower or engine.
• The blade can be sharp ened with a fi le or on a grind-
ing 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 ex posed.
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.
FIG. 15
BLADE ADAPTER
BLADE
BOLT
HARDENED
WASHER
LOCK-
WASHER
BLADE
TRAILING EDGE
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must
be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for damage or de te -
ri o ra tion. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher
needs replacing, replace only with ap proved 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 build-up. Clean under the drive cover
twice a season.
• 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 Texaco Starplex Pre-
mi um 1 Grease, Part No. 750369. Do not substitute.
ENGINE
Maintenance, re pair, or re place ment of the emission con-
trol de vic es and sys tems, which are be ing done at the
cus tom ers expense, may be performed by any non-road
engine repair es tab lish ment or individual. Warranty repairs
must be performed by an authorized engine man u fac tur er's
service outlet.