12
Section 5: Maintenance
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to
come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
WARNING
REMOVING AND REPLACING
THE TRIMMER HEAD
1. Stop the engine and wait for all
moving parts to stop. Disconnect spark
plug wire and move it away from the
spark plug. Remove the ignition key on
electric start models.
2. Two bolts (A, Figure 5-3) secure the
trimmer head (B) to the spindle head (C).
Loosen both bolts (not the nuts) just
enough to open up the trimmer head and
allow it to slide down the spindle head
and past the two stops. Do not attempt
to remove the bolts completely – they are
permanently attached.
3. Install the new trimmer head on the
spindle head. Tighten the hardware
securely (to 75 in/lbs.) and evenly.
4. If the wear cup (D, Figure 5-3) is
worn, replace it. Use a 1/2" socket
wrench to remove the screw (E, Figure 5-
3) and washer (F). Install the new wear
cup and reinstall the washer and screw.
Tighten the screw securely.
INSPECTING / REPLACING
THE DRIVE BELT
The drive belt can be inspected or
replaced from beneath the machine deck.
The belt should not require inspection for
many hours of operation. If replacement
becomes necessary, follow the instruc-
tions given here.
BELT INSPECTION
Stop the engine and let all moving parts
stop. Allow the engine to cool. Discon-
nect the spark plug wire and move it
away from the spark plug. Remove the
ignition key on electric start models.
1. For convenience, we recommend that
you place the unit on a raised platform to
make access to the underside of the deck
as easy as possible.
2. Examine the belt. Feed it around the
rear (engine) pulley so the entire belt can
be examined. If cracks or other damage
are noted, a new belt is needed.
BELT REMOVAL
1. Stop the engine and wait for engine to
cool. Disconnect the spark plug wire and
move it away from the spark plug.
Remove the ignition key on electric start
models.
2. Remove gasoline from fuel tank.
3. Carefully tip unit on its left side and
secure it in place.
4. Remove the plastic plug (A, Figure 5-
4) from the top of the mower deck.
5. Using a 3/4" socket wrench, remove
nut (B, Figure 5-4), Belleville washer (C)
and flat washer (D) from spindle shaft
(E).
6. Thread nut (B, Figure 5-4) a few turns
back onto spindle shaft (E) to protect
threads on spindle shaft during the next
step.
7. Loosen the spindle shaft by placing a
wood block against the top of the nut (B,
Figure 5-4) and firmly striking the wood
block with a hammer.
8. Remove the nut from the spindle shaft
and then remove the spindle shaft (E,
Figure 5-5) and entire spindle head
assembly (F) from the bottom of the
deck. Slip the belt off the spindle head
pulley (P).
9. Disconnect the idler arm spring (R,
Figure 5-6) from the hole in the idler arm
(T).
10. Using a 1/2" wrench, loosen the idler
arm mounting screw (S, Figure 5-6) two
full turns.
Figure 5-3
GASOLINE IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND
ITS VAPORS ARE EXPLOSIVE.
• Drain fuel into approved container out-
doors, away from open flame.
• Be sure engine and muffler are cool
before draining gasoline.
• Do not smoke.
Failure to comply can result in serious
personal injury and property damage.
DANGER
Figure 5-4
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
D
F
E
C
