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• Disconnect spark plug wire.
• Drain the gasoline from the lawn mower, or place a
piece of plastic under the gas cap.
• Tip the mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep
the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold the
mower firmly.
• Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
• Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If
you had put plastic under the gas cap, make sure to
remove it now.
Engine Care
A list of key maintenance jobs, required for good
performance by the mower, is given below. Follow the
accompanying engine manual for details.
• Change engine oil regularly, as instructed in the
engine manual. Check oil level before starting
engine every time.
• Service foam filter in the air cleaner every 25 hours
of use and replace the paper filter component every
100 hours. You may have to service the air filter
more frequently if you are operating the mower
under extremely dusty conditions.
• Clean the engine periodically. Remove dirt and
debris with a cloth or brush.
• Clean the spark plug and reset the gap to .030” at
least once a season. Refer to the engine manual for
correct spark plug type.
• Inspect muffler periodically, and replace if
necessary.
Blade Care
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks,
especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when
necessary.
Removing the Blade
• Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.
• Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter
and the carburetor are up.
• Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which
hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine
crankshaft. See Figure 12.
• Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
Figure 12
Sharpening the Blade
• The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a
grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the
blade while it is still on the mower.
• Follow the original angle of grind as a guide. Make
sure that each cutting edge receives an equal
amount of grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade.
Balancing the Blade
• The blade can be tested by balancing it on a round
shaft screwdriver. Remove metal from the heavy
side until it balances evenly. It is recommended that
the blade always be removed from the adapter
when testing for balance.
Installing the Blade
• Before reinstalling the blade and the blade adapter
to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft and the
inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil.
• Be sure to install the blade with the side of the
blade marked “Bottom” (or with part number) facing
the ground when the mower is in the operating
position.
• Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft.
• Place the blade on the adapter. Be certain the
blade is aligned and seated on the blade adapter
flanges.
• Place blade bell support on blade. Make sure the
notches on the blade bell support are aligned with
small holes in the blade.
• Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450
in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.
NOTE: To ensure safe operation of your mower,
periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque.
WARNING: Never tip the mower more than
90 degrees in any directions and do not leave
the mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can
drain into the upper part of the engine causing
a starting problem.
WARNING: Damaged mufflers or spark
arresters can create a fire hazard. Make sure to
avoid muffler and surrounding areas while the
mower engine is hot because temperature of
these areas of the engine may exceed 150
o
F.
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.
WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause
excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may cause damage to the mower,
and could break causing personal injury.
Blade
Hex Bolt
Blade Bell
Adapter
Support