Full Product Manual

14
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Deck Cleaning
At lease once a season clean the underside of the mower deck to prevent build-up of
grass clippings or other debris.
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 keeping the muffler side down and making sure that
the air filter and the carburetor are facing up. Hold mower firmly.
3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a suitable tool. Do not spray
with water.
IMPORTANT: Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your
mower. These may cause damage to bearings, or the engine. The use of water
will result in shortened life and reduce serviceability.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground.
Drive Adjustment
The drive system consists of pulleys, a belt,
and a cable linking the transmission to the
drive control. As these components wear,
adjustment may be needed. To adjust the
drive perform the following:
1. Weak drive. See Figure 14 -
a. Loosen jam nut (a).
b. Thread adjustment nut (b)
down, towards the mower base
to lengthen the drive cable.
c. Securely tighten jam nut.
2. Drive control is tight or difficult to
pull back. See Figure 15 -
a. Loosen jam nut (a).
b. Thread adjustment nut (b) up,
towards the handle to shorten
the drive cable.
c. Securely tighten jam nut.
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.
2. Disconnect spark plug wire. Refer to Engine Operator’s Manual.
3. Turn mower on its side keeping the muffler side down and making sure that
the air filter and the carburetor are facing up.
4. Remove bolt (a) and blade bell support (b) which hold the blade and the blade
adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 16.
5. Remove blade (c) and adapter (d) from the crankshaft. See Figure 16.
(a)
(b)
Figure 14
(a)
(b)
Figure 15
(a)
(c)
(d)
(b)
Figure 16
6. Remove blade from
the adapter for testing
balance.
a. Balance the blade
on a round shaft
screwdriver to check.
b. Remove metal from
the heavy side until
it balances evenly.
NOTE: 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 engine and blade could break causing
personal injury.
7. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter
with light oil. See Figure 16 inset.
a. Slide the blade adapter (d) onto the engine crankshaft.
b. 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.
c. Make sure that the blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter
flanges.
8. Place blade bell support (b) on the blade (c). Align notches on the blade bell
support with small holes in blade.
9. Replace hex bolt (a) and tighten hex bolt to torque: Min. 37.5 ft-lbs (50.8
N-m), Max. 50.0 ft-lbs (67.8 N-m).
NOTE: To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for
correct torque.
Belt Care
NOTE: Several components must be removed in order to change the mower’s self-
propulsion drive belt. See an authorized Service Center to have your belt replaced.
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 13.
• 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.
• Do not use a pressure washer to clean your mower.
• 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.