Yard Machines 540 manual Service & Adjustments, Blade Care, To Remove Blade, To Replace Blade

•Clean the engine periodically. Remove dirt and debris with a cloth or brush. We do not recommend using a garden hose to clean mower unless the muffler, air filter and the carburetor are covered to keep water out. Water in engine can shorten engine life.

•Clean the spark plug and reset the gap to .030” at least once a season or every 50 hours of operation. Spark plug replacement is recommended at the start of each season. Refer to the engine manual for correct spark plug type.

•Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if necessary. Damaged mufflers or spark arresters can create a fire hazard. Make sure to avoid muffler and surrounding areas while the mower engine is hot because temperature of these areas of the engine may exceed 150o F.

SECTION 9: SERVICE & ADJUSTMENTS

Blade Care

Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary.

WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect hands by using heavy gloves or a rag to grasp the cutting blade.

•Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.

•Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up.

To Remove Blade

•Remove the bolt and blade bell support which hold the blade and adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 16A.

•Remove the blade and adapter from the crankshaft.

To Replace Blade:

•Before reinstalling the blade and the blade adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil.

•Install the blade adapter on the crankshaft with the “star” away from the engine. See Figure 16A.

A	Blade	Crankshaft
	Adapter
		Single-Bolt
		Blade
	Hex Bolt	Blade Bell
		Support

B

1.Insert screw driver through hole

2.Blade should be parallel to ground

Screw

DriverBlade

Ground

FIGURE 16

•Place the new blade with the side marked bottom (or with part number) facing away from the adapter.

•Place the bell support next. Make sure to align the tabs in the holes of the blade with the hole in the bell support.

•Insert the hex bolt through the blade assembly. Figure 16A shows the correct order of assembly.

•Use block of wood to hold blade again while you tighten the bolt clockwise. Follow the recommended torque for the bolt which is 450-600 in.-lbs.

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