Husqvarna 961430104 Lawn Mower, Engine, Tires, Drive Wheels, BLADE CARE See Fig, Grass Catcher

MAINTENANCE

LAWN MOWER

Always observe safety rules when performing any main- tenance.

TIRES

•Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chem- icals which can harm rubber.

•Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and other hazards that may cause tire damage.

DRIVE WHEELS

Check wheels each time before you mow to be sure they move freely.

The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings, etc. are in the drive wheel or dust cover area and must be cleaned to free drive wheels.

If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be sure to clean all wheels.

1.Remove hubcaps, locknuts and washers.

2.Remove wheels from wheel adjusters.

3.Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth.

4.Put wheels back in place.

NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely, contact a qualified service center.

BLADE CARE (See Fig. 16)

For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Replace a bent or damaged 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 housing to prevent blade from turning when removing blade bolts.

NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.

4.Remove blade bolts by turning counter-clockwise.

5.Remove blade.

TO REPLACE BLADE

1.Position the blade on the Blade Brake/Clutch.

2.Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge) is up toward the engine.

3.Install the blade bolts into Blade Brake/Clutch.

4.Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower housing and tighten the blade bolts, turning clockwise.

• The recommended tightening torque is 36–44 ft. lbs. 13

IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLTS ARE HEAT TREATED. IF BOLTS NEED REPLACING, REPLACE ONLYWITHAPPROVED BOLTS.

TRAILING	BLADE
EDGE
BLADE BOLTS

FIG. 16

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. Give the lawn mower model number when ordering.

GEAR CASES

•To keep your drive system working properly, the gear cases 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 cases are filled 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.

ENGINE

LUBRICATION

Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG–SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature.

SAE VISCOSITY GRADES

							SAE 30
			5W-30
F	-20	0			30 32 40		60	80	100
C	-30	-20		-10	0	10	20	30	40

TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE