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Maintenance Instructions CHECKING/SERVICING
75
6. Check blade balance by positioning the blade
horizontally on a blade balancer or use a nail
or shaft through the center hole. If either end of
the blade rotates downward, grind (remove)
metal on that end until the blade will
balance. The blade is properly balanced when
neither end drops. Balance of a blade is gener-
ally maintained by removing an equal amount of
material from each end of the blade when
sharpening.
Blade Balanced on Magnetic
Wall-Mounted Balancer
7. Mount the blade with wing tips pointing up into
the housing. Reinstall the blade, washer, lock
washer, and nut. Tighten the nut to 60 ft-lb
(81.3 N
·m).
NOTE: When reinstalling blades on GHS
models, remember, the blades turn toward
each other (counter-rotate) and the RH and LH
blade cannot be switched. Check for proper
blade rotation before installing blades on the
deck. Refer to Blade Rotation for GHS Mower
Deck illustration shown in Clogging Checklist
in Operating Instructions for correct blade
rotation.
Drive Belts
Raise the body and inspect the condition of the
four (4) belts (3 belts on SD models) every 25 hours
of operation - engine PTO drive, jackshaft drive, hy-
drostatic ground drive, and GHS blower drive. If the
belts show signs of cracking or deteriorating, the
belts should be replaced. Refer to REPLACING/
REPAIRING the Drive Belts in this section.
Mower Deck Gearbox Oil Seals
The mower deck gearbox seals should be inspect-
ed every 25 hours for evidence of oil leaking; par-
ticularly the lower oil seal on the blade drive
gearbox. This seal is protected by the trash guard
on the blade hub and seal protector plate on the
housing, but is still vulnerable to seal damage due
to operating in an adverse environment. The mow-
er blade must be removed for inspection of the
seal, so it is recommended to inspect the gearbox
seals when blades are removed for sharpening.
If an oil leak is noted, the seal should be replaced
and the gearbox assembly relubricated. Refer to
LUBRICATION for Mower Deck Gearbox Lubri-
cation in this section.
Spark Plugs
Every 200 hours of operation, remove the spark
plugs, inspect, clean, and reset the gap (or replace
with new plugs). Before removing the spark plugs,
clean the area around the base of the plugs to keep
dirt and debris out of the engine. Clean spark plugs
with a wire brush. DO NOT use an abrasive grit
type cleaner. If the electrodes are burned short or
pitted, replace plugs with Champion
type RC12YC
[MT & MTEFI (or equivalent)] or RC14YC [MTL &
MTLEFI (or equivalent)]. Check spark plug gap with
a wire-type feeler gauge and set the gap at 0.030 in.
(0.76 mm). Reinstall and tighten to between 18 and
22 ft-lb (24.4 to 29.8 N
·m).
Ignition Wires
Good preventive maintenance calls for complete re-
placement of spark plug wires every two (2) years.
Fuel Lines and Clamps
NOTE: The MTEFI system is pressurized and
should be serviced by a Walker dealer or Authorized
Kohler engine service outlet.
Every year, inspect the fuel supply line from the tank
to engine for deterioration or damage. Also, inspect
the fuel line clamps for tightness. Good preventive
maintenance calls for complete replacement of fuel
lines and clamps every two (2) years.
Blade Balancer