Hustler Turf M1 Engine air filter, General engine maintenance, Mower blade maintenance

manufacturer’s recommendation.

Oil pan	Oil drain
	plug

Fig. 5-2

Engine air filter

Perform engine air filter maintenance per the engine’s owner’s manual.

General engine maintenance

Detailed instructions and recommendations for break-in and regular maintenance are specified in the Engine Owner’s manual. Please refer to this manual for engine servicing, lubricating oil levels with quality and viscosity recommendations, bolt torques, etc. The engine warranty is backed by the manufacturer. Special attention should be paid to applicable data which will not be duplicated here.

WARNING: Do not change engine governor setting or overspeed the engine.

Mower blade maintenance

Check the mower blade daily, it is the key to power efficiency and well groomed turf. Keep it sharp, a dull blade will tear rather than cut the grass, leaving a brown ragged top on the grass within a few hours. A dull blade also requires more power from the engine.

Replace any blade which is bent, cracked or broken.

WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.

WARNING: Never attempt to straighten a bent blade by heating, or weld a cracked or broken blade as the blade may break and cause serious injury. Replace worn or damaged blades.

DANGER: Never work with blades while engine is running. Always disconnect the spark plug wire from spark plug when working under the mower. Wear gloves when handling blades. Always check for blade damage if mower strikes a rock, a branch or other foreign objects during mowing!

WARNING: Always wear adequate eye protection when grinding mower blades.

WARNING: Failure to correctly torque the blade mounting bolts may result in the loss of the blade which can cause serious injury.

A.Checking the blade

1.When checking the blade, lay the mower on it’s side with the carburetor on the upside.

2.Confirm that the blade is not chipped, bent or worn. Fig. 5-3

3.If the blade or the blade bolts are damaged, replace with Hustler approved parts.

4.Torque the blade bolts to 26.0-33.0 ft.-lbs (35-45 Nm). Fig. 5-4

New blade Chip Bend Wear

Fig. 5-3

B.Replacing the blade

1.Lay the mower on it’s side with the carburetor on the upside.

2.Loosen the blade mounting bolts and remove the blade.

3.Clean the underneath side of the mower housing and around the blade mounting bracket.

4.Attach blade using the blade mounting bolts and torque between 26 - 33 ft.-lbs (35 - 45 Nm). Fig. 5-4

NOTE: Check the blade for balance following grinding. A commercial balancing tool is available through most hardware supply stores, or balancing can be done by placing the blade on an inverted line punch. Blade should not lean or tilt. Spin the blade slowly, blade should not wobble. If blade is out of bal- ance, true it up before reinstalling.

Bolts	Blade
Torque to
26 - 33 ft.-lbs.
(35 - 45 Nm)

Fig. 5-4

WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing them.

108548_0711 5-3