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17
SECTION 8: MAINTAINING YOUR RIDER MOWER
General Recommendations
• Always observe safety rules when performing any
maintenance.
• The warranty on this rider mower does not cover
items that have been subjected to operator abuse
or negligence. To receive full value from the
warranty, operator must maintain the rider mower
as instructed in this manual.
• We do not recommend the use of pressure
washers or garden hose to clean your unit. These
may cause damage to electrical components,
spindles, pulleys, bearings or the engine. The use
of water may shorten life of your rider mower and
reduce its serviceability.
WARNING: Always stop engine and
disconnect spark plug wire before any
maintenance or adjustments.
Cutting Blade
Removal
WARNING: Protect your hands by
wearing heavy gloves or using a rag to
grasp the cutting blade.
• Remove the 5/8’’ hex flange nut which holds the
blade to the blade spindle.
• Remove blade from the spindle. See Figure 17.
Figure 17
Sharpening
• When sharpening the blade, follow the original
angle of grind as a guide. It is extremely important
that each cutting edge receives an equal amount of
grinding to prevent an unbalanced blade. An
unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration
when rotating at high speeds, may cause damage
to the mower and/or cause personal injury.
• The blade can be tested for balance by balancing it
on a round shaft screwdriver. Remove metal from
the heavy side until it balances evenly.
Reassembly
• Before reassembling the blade to the unit, lubricate
the spindle with light oil (or engine oil).
• Be sure to properly align “star” fitting on blade with
“star” on spindle.
• When replacing the blade, 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.
• Blade Mounting Torque: 70/90 foot-pounds
maximum.
NOTE: To ensure safe operation, all nuts and bolts
must be checked periodically for correct tightness.
Oil Drain Sleeve
Your rider mower has a plastic oil drain sleeve, packed
with the loose parts, for draining oil from the crankcase.
• To drain the oil, snap small end of the oil drain
sleeve onto oil sump. See Figure 18.
• Remove drain plug and drain oil into a suitable
container.
Figure 18
Engine
Refer to the separate engine manual for engine
maintenance instructions.
• Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate
engine manual packed with your unit. Read and
follow instructions carefully.
• Poor engine performance and flooding usually
indicates that the air cleaner should be serviced.
Service air cleaner as per the engine manual.
Clean frequently under extremely dusty conditions.
Spindle
Blade
Flange Nut
Deck
Oil Drain
Sleeve