Full Product Manual

11Section 4 — Service
Blade Care
WARNING: When removing the
cutting blade for sharpening or
replacement, protect your hands
with a pair of heavy gloves or use
a heavy rag to hold the blade.
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for
cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object.
Replace when necessary. Follow the steps
below for blade service.
1. Allow the engine to run until it is out of
fuel. Do not attempt to pour fuel from
the engine. Disconnect spark plug wire.
Refer to Engine Operator’s Manual.
2. Turn mower on its side making sure
that the air filter and the carburetor are
facing up.
3. Remove bolt (a) and blade bell
support (b) which hold the blade
and the blade adapter to the engine
crankshaft. See Figure 4-3.
(a)
(c)
(d)
(b)
Blade
Figure 4-3
4. Remove blade (c) and adapter (d) from
the crankshaft. See Figure 4-3.
5. Remove blade from the adapter for
testing balance. Balance the blade on
a round shaft screwdriver to check.
Remove metal from the heavy side until
it balances evenly. When sharpening the
blade, follow the original angle of grind.
Grind each cutting edge equally to keep
the blade balanced.
WARNING: An unbalanced
blade will cause excessive
vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may cause damage to
mower and could break causing
personal injury.
6. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the
inner surface of the blade adapter with
light oil. Slide the blade adapter (d) onto
the engine crankshaft. Place the blade
on the adapter such that the side of the
blade marked “Grass Side” (or with part
number) faces the ground when the
mower is in the operating position. Make
sure that the blade is aligned and seated
on the blade adapter flanges.
See Figure 4-3 inset.
7. Place blade bell support (b) on the
blade (c). Align notches on the blade bell
support with small holes in blade.
8. Replace hex bolt (a) and tighten hex
bolt to torque: 450 in-lb (min.), 600 in
lb (max.).
To ensure safe operation of your mower,
periodically check the blade bolt for correct
torque.
Off-Season Storage
The following steps should be taken to prepare
your lawn mower for storage.
• Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly
as described in Lubrication section on
page 10.
• Apply a coat of chassis grease to
mower’s cutting blade to prevent
rusting.
• Refer to Engine Operator’s Manual for
correct engine storage instructions.
• Secure side discharge chute to handle (if
applicable) as shown in Figure 4-4.
Figure 4-4
• Do not use a pressure washer to clean
your unit.
• Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not
store next to corrosive materials, such as
fertilizer.
When storing any type of power equipment in
a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care
should be taken to rust-proof the equipment.
Using a light oil or silicone, coat the equipment,
especially cables and all moving parts of your
lawn mower before storage.