Operator`s manual

Section5: Maintenance
Beforeinspecting,cleaningorservicingthe machine,shutoft engine,wait formovingpartsto stop,dis- I
connectsparkplugwire andmovewireawayfromsparkplug.
Failureto followtheseinstructionscanresut n ser ouspersona n uryorpropertydamage.
2. When servicingthe undersideof the
mower,the mowershould betippedonly
in the direction of the muffler. Tipping
the mowerawayfrom the mufflercould
resultin enginedamageor difficult
starting.
SPARKPLUGSERVICE
Inspectand cleanor replacethe spark
plug afterevery100operating hours or
annually. Set the gapas describedin the
separateEngineOwner'sManual.
in someareas,local law requiresusing
resistor sparkplugs to suppressignition
signals. If the enginewas originally
equippedwith a resistor sparkplug,
replacewith the sametype.
GLEANINGTHEENGINE
Theenginemustbe keptcleanto insure
smooth operationandto preventdamage
from overheating. Referto the Engine
Owner'sManualfor moreinformation.
CLEANING UNDER
THE MOWER HOUSING
Checkthe mowerregularlyfor grass
build-up. Cleaningunderthe mowerdeck
should bedoneafter (ratherthan before)
operatingthe mower, as grassis moist
and removedmore easily.
1. "lip mowertowardsthe muffler onto
its side. SeeTippingthe Mowerfor
Servicein this Section.
2. Brushor scrapeoff grassbuild-up.
CLEANINGTHEGRASSCATCHER
Bagcleanlinessaffectscollection perfor-
manceas a dirty bagwill restrict airflow.
Cleanthe GrassCatcherbag annually,
more often in dusty environments.
IMPORTANT:Do not washor dry the
GrassCatcherin a washingmachineor
dryer.
1. To cleanthe bag, removeit from the
mowerand handwashthe fabric with
mild detergent.
16
Before servicing the underside of the
mower:
MOVINGPARTSHAZARD!
Stopengine,wait forall partsto stop
moving, and disconnectspark plug
wire.
• FIRE- EXPLOSIONHAZARD!
Gasolineis highlyflammableand its
vaporsare explosive.
1. Drainfuel into an approvedcon-
tainer outdoors, away from open
flame.
2. Be sure engine and muffler are
coolbeforedraininggasoline.
3. Donotsmoke.
Failure to comply with the above can
result in serious personal injury and
propertydamage.
2. Rinsethe bagthoroughlywith clean
waterandallow to dry completelybefore
using. Do not usea dampbag.
CLEANINGUNDERBELTCOVER
Checkundersideof belt coverfor grass
clippingsevery10 hoursof use.
1. Removethe belt cover. See
Removingthe Belt Coverinthis Section.
2. Removeany grassclippings ordebris.
3. Replacebelt cover. SeeReplacingthe
Belt Coverin this Section.
SPARK ARRESTER
SCREEN SERVICE
Ifthe enginemuffler is equippedwith a
sparkarrosterscreen,removeand cleanit
accordingto the time intervalsand
instructionsin the separateEngine
Owner'sManual.
CARBURETOR/GOVERNOR
CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS
Thecarburetorwasadjustedatthe
factoryfor bestoperatingspeed. Referto
the separateEngineOwner'sManualfor
any adjustmentinformation or seeyour
authorizedengineservicedealer.
Thegovernor controlsthe maximumsafe
operatingspeedand protectsthe engine
andall movingpartsfrom damagecaused
by overspending.Do nottampor with the
enginegovernor settings. Seekautho-
rizedserviceif a problemexists.
MOWERBLADEMAINTENANCE
Blade Inspection
1. Tip mowertowards the muffler onto
its side. See TippingtheMower for
Serviceinthis Section.
Never reach under mower deck while
the engine is running. Mower blade
rotates at all times while engine is
runningand up to 3 secondsafterit is
shutoft.
2. Inspectperiodicallyfor a dull or
slightly nickedblade. Sharpenif needed.
Also checkfor a deformed,cracked,or
excessivelyworn blade(Figure5-2). Do
not usethe mowerif any of thesecondi-
tions exist. Replacethe bladeimmedi-
ately.
3. Checkthe bladescrewfor tightness.
If loose,tightento 35 ft-lbs witha 3/4"
torque wrench.
NewBlade
DamagedBlade
Replaceblade immediatelyif cracked,
deformedor badlynicked.
Figure5-2: Mowerbladeinspection.