Manual

BLADE SERVICE
MAINTENANCE
WARNING: Before you inspect
the blade or the blade adapter,
,_ disconnect the wire to the sparkplug. If the blade hits an object,
stop the engine. Disconnect the
wire to the spark plug. Check the
unit for damage.
Frequently check the blade for wear or dam-
age such as cracks. Frequently check the bolt
that holds the blade. Keep the bolttight. If the
blade hits an object, stop the engine. Discon-
nect the wire to the spark plug. Check the
blade adapter for damage. Check for a bent or
damaged blade, a badly worn blade, or other
damage. Before you operate the unit, dam-
aged parts must be replaced with factory re-
placement parts. Forsafety, replace the blade
every two years. Keep a sharp edge on the
blade. A blade that is notsharp willcause the
ends of the grass to become brown. Remove
the blade as follows.
HOW TO REMOVE THE BLADE
f
Blade Adapter
Blade Adapter
Blade
Belleville
Washer
Washer
Belleville Washer
WARNING: Before you remove
the blade, disconnect the wire to
the spark plug. The blade has
sharp edges. When you hold the
blade, use gloves or cloth materi-
al to protect your hands.
.
2. Lift the side of the mower that has the
muffler or spark plug.
3. Use a piece of wood to keep the blade
from rotating.
4. Remove the bolt that holds the blade.
5. Check the blade according to the "Blade
Service" instructions. Replace a badly
worn or damaged blade with a factory re-
placement blade.
6. Mount the blade with the curved edges to-
ward the housing. If the blade is upside
down, the blade will not cut correctly and
can cause an accident.
.
Drain the fuel tank.
8.
A
F-98527
Fasten the blade with the original wash-
ers and bolt. Make sure the outside rims
of the Belleville washers are toward the
blade (Figure 19).
Tighten the bolt that holds the blade to a
torque of 30 foot pounds.
WARNING: Always keep the bolt
that holds the blade tight. A loose
bolt or blade can cause an acci-
dent.
19
HOW TO SHARPEN THE BLADE
WARNING: Vibration is the result
if the blade is not correctly bal-
anced. A blade that is damaged
with cracks can break and cause
an accidenL
1. Sharpen the blade two times a year or ev-
ery 25 hours.
2. If the blade is on the unit, do not sharpen.
Remove the blade according to the in-
strucbens in "How To Remove The Blade".
3. Clean the blade with a brush, soap, and
water. Check the blade. Look for cracks,
nicks, or other damage. Replace a blade
that is badly worn, bent, or damaged with
a factory replacement blade.
4. Sharpen the blade with a file. Make sure
you keep the original beveled cutting edge
(Figure 20).
5. Make sure the blade is balanced. Use a
screwdriver and hold the blade parallel to
the ground as shown. A blade that is bal-
anced will stay parallel to the ground. If the
blade is not balanced, the heavy end will
rotate toward the ground. Sharpen the
heavy end until the blade is balanced.
6. A new blade will cut better than a badly
worn blade. Every two years replace the
old blade with a factory replacement
blade.
(Continued following page)