REMOVING AND INSTALLING BLADE - FIGURE L
1. RELEASE BAIL HANDLE TO TURN MOWER OFF, WAIT FOR THE BLADE TO
STOP, AND REMOVE SAFETY KEY.
2. Cut a piece of
2x4 wood L-1
(about 2 feet long) (610 mm) to keep blade from turning
while removing flange nut.
3. Turn the mower on its side. Wear gloves and proper eye protection. Be careful of
sharp edges of blade. Position
wood L-1
and remove
flange nut L-3
with
3/4 in.
(19mm) wrench L-2
as shown in
figure L
.
4. Remove square
metal blade spacer M-2
, square
plastic blade insulator M-3 and
blade M-4
as shown in
figure M
. Examine blade insulator for damage and replace if
necessary.
5. When replacing sharpened or new blade on shoulder of
fan M-5
, make sure the
“GRASS SIDE” on the blade will be facing the ground when the mower is returned to
its normal upright position. After installing
blade M-4
, place
plastic blade insulator
M-3
on blade such that the raised lips on one side engage the edges of the blade.
Then install the
blade spacer M-2
so that it sits inside the raised lips on the other
side of the blade insulator. Be sure to align the flats in the hole of the blade spacer
with the flats of the shaft, rotating the blade and blade insulator together as neces-
sary.
6. Position piece of
wood N-1
to keep blade from turning as shown in
figure N
. Install
flange nut with the flange against the blade spacer and securely tighten.
BLADE SHARPENING
KEEP BLADE SHARP FOR BEST MOWER PERFORMANCE. A DULL BLADE DOES
NOT CUT GRASS CLEANLY OR MULCH PROPERLY.
USE PROPER EYE PROTECTION WHILE REMOVING, SHARPENING, AND
INSTALLING BLADE. ENSURE THAT SAFETY KEY IS REMOVED.
Sharpening the blade twice during a mowing season is usually sufficient under normal
circumstances. Sand causes the blade to dull quickly. If your lawn has sandy soil, more
frequent sharpening may be required.
REPLACE BENT OR DAMAGED BLADE IMMEDIATELY.
WHEN SHARPENING THE BLADE:
1. Make sure blade remains balanced.
2. Sharpen blade at the original cutting angle.
3. Sharpen cutting edges on both ends of blade, removing equal amounts
of material from both ends.
TO SHARPEN BLADE IN A VISE:
1. Be sure the bail handle is released, the blade has stopped and safety
key is removed before removing the blade.
2. Remove blade from mower. See instructions for removing and
installing blade.
3. Secure
blade O-1
in a
vise O-2
.
4. Wear proper eye protection and gloves and be careful not to cut
yourself.
5. Carefully file the cutting edges of the blade with a
fine tooth file O-3
or sharpening stone, maintaining the original cutting edge.
6. Check balance of blade. See instructions for blade balancing.
7. Replace blade on mower and tighten securely.
12
5
6
4
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
L
M
N
1
3
2
O
