11
MAINTENANCE
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must
be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for damage or de te -
ri o ra tion. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher
needs replacing, replace only with ap proved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts section of this
manual. Give the lawn mower model number when
ordering.
GEAR CASE
• To keep your drive system working properly, the gear
case and area around the drive should be kept clean
and free of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover
twice a season.
• The gear case is fi lled with lubricant to the proper level
at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs atten-
tion is if service has been performed on the gear case.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control
devices and systems, which are being done at the custom-
ers expense, may be performed by any non-road engine
repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must
be performed by an authorized engine manufacturer’s
service outlet.
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classifi cation SG–SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
CONTAINER
FIG. 14
NOTE: Multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve
starting in cold weather, and you should check your engine
oil level frequently to avoid possible engine damage from
running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least
once a year if the lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in
one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each fi ve (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil
plug securely each time you check the oil level.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Figs. 14 & 15)
NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel
tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place
wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
2. Remove oil fi ll cap/dipstick; lay aside on a clean sur-
face.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into
a suitable container. Rock lawn mower back and forth
to remove any oil trapped inside of engine.
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of
engine.
5. Fill engine with oil. Slowly pour oil down the oil fi ll spout
into the engine.
6. Wait one minute to allow oil to settle. Use guage on oil
fi ll cap/dipstick for checking level. Insert dipstick into
the tube and rest the oil fi ll cap on the tube. DO NOT
thread the cap into the tube when taking reading.
7. Continue adding small amounts of oil and rechecking
the dipstick until it reads full. DO NOT overfi ll, or engine
will smoke on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil fi ll cap/dipstick before
starting engine.
9. Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug.
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 16)
Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by
using a dirty air fi lter. Replace the air fi lter every 100 hours of
operation or every season, whichever occurs fi rst. Service
air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER
1. Remove cover.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a fl at surface. If very dirty,
replace cartridge.
LOWER MARK
FIG. 15
UPPER
MARK
OIL FILL CAP /
DIPSTICK