Operating instructions

MAINTENANCE
BLADE SERVICE
WARNING: Before you Inspect
the blade or the blade adapter,
_lb dtsconnect the wire to the spark
plug. 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 darn-
age such as cracks. Frequently check the holt
that holds the blade. Keep the holt tig_. 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, For safe_, replace the blade
every two years. Keep a sharp edge on the
blade. A blade that is not sharp will cause the
ends of the grass to become brown. Remove
the blade as follows.
HOW TO REMOVE THE BLADE
Blade _ade:_ '?_'_::i:'_'_
Mu,chingBlade
Ballevilla Washer
her ,.
I-tgure 26
WARNING: Before you remove
A 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.
1. Drain the fuel tank.
2. Lift the side of the mower that has the
muffler or spark plug.
3. Use e piece of wood to keep the blade
from rotetlng.
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 cot correclty and
can cause an accident.
7. Fasten the blade with the original wash-
ers and bolt. Make sure the outside rims
of the Bellevllle washers are toward the
blade (Figure 26).
8. "['lghtenthe bolt that holds the blade to a
torque of 30 foot pounds.
A
F- 98534
WARNING: Always keep the bolt
that holds the blade tighL A loose
bolt or blade can cause an ecci-
denL
22
HOW TO SHARPEN THE BLADE
A
WARNING: Vibration Is the result
If the blade Is not correctly bel-
ancad. A blade that is damaged
with cracks can break and cause
an ascidenL
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-
structions 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 wi_ a file. Make sure
you keep the original beveled cutting edge
(Figure 27).
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-
ancad willstay 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 bedty
worn blade. Every two years replace the
old blade with a factory replacement
blade.
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