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13
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when performing any main-
te nance.
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect control chem-
i cals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp objects and
other hazards that may cause tire damage.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check wheels each time be fore you mow to be sure they
move freely.
The wheels not turning freely means trash, grass cuttings,
etc. are in the drive wheel or dust cover area and must be
cleaned to free drive wheels.
If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be sure to clean
all wheels.
1. Remove hubcaps, locknuts and washers.
2. Remove wheels from wheel ad just ers.
3. Remove any trash or grass cuttings from inside the
dust cover, pinion and/or drive wheel gear teeth.
4. Put wheels back in place.
NOTE: If after cleaning, the drive wheels do not turn freely,
contact a qualifi ed service center.
BLADE CARE (See Fig. 16)
For best results, mower blade must be kept sharp. Re place
a bent or dam aged blade.
CAUTION: Use only a replacement
blade approved by the manufacturer of
your mower. Using a blade not approved
by the manufacturer of your mower is
hazardous, could damage your mower
and void your warranty.
TO REMOVE BLADE
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place
wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
2. Turn lawn mower on its side. Make sure air fi lter and
carburetor are up.
3. Use a wood block between blade and mower hous ing
to prevent blade from turning when re mov ing blade
bolts.
NOTE: Protect your hands with gloves and/or wrap blade
with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolts by turning counter-clockwise.
5. Remove blade.
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position the blade on the Blade Brake/Clutch.
2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (opposite sharp edge)
is up toward the engine.
3. Install the blade bolts into Blade Brake/Clutch.
4. Use block of wood between blade and lawn mower
housing and tighten the blade bolts, turning clockwise.
• The recommended tightening torque is 36–44 ft. lbs.
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT: BLADE BOLTS ARE HEAT TREATED. IF BOLTS
NEED REPLACING, REPLACE ONLY WITH APPROVED BOLTS.
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20 0 30 40
80
100
-30
-20 0
20 30 40
F
C
32
-10
10
60
5W-30
SAE 30
FIG. 16
BLADE BOLTS
BLADE
TRAILING
EDGE
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE: We do not recommend sharp en ing blade - but if
you do, be sure the blade is balanced. An un bal anced
blade will cause eventual damage to lawn mower or engine.
• The blade can be sharp ened with a fi le or on a grinding
wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, drive a nail into a beam or
wall. Leave about one inch of the straight nail ex posed.
Place center hole of blade over the head of the nail.
If blade is balanced, it should remain in a horizontal
position. If either end of the blade moves downward,
sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.
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. Give the lawn mower model number
when ordering.
GEAR CASES
• To keep your drive system working properly, the gear
cases 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 cases are 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
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.