14
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when per-
form ing any main te nance.
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemi cals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp
objects and other hazards that may
cause tire damage.
DRIVE WHEELS
Check rear drive 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 area
and must be cleaned to free drive wheels.
If necessary to clean the drive wheels, be
sure to clean both rear wheels.
BLADE CARE
For best results, 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 haz-
ardous, 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 bolt.
NOTE:
Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolts by turning
counter-clockwise.
5. Remove blade and blade adapter.
6. Remove debris shield.
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Install debris shield.
2. Position the blade and blade adapter
on the Blade Brake/Clutch.
3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
posite sharp edge) is up toward the
engine.
4. Install the blade bolts into blade
adapter and Blade Brake/Clutch.
5. 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.
IMPORTANT
: Blade bolts are heat treat-
ed. If bolts need replacing, replace only
with approved bolts shown in the Repair
Parts section of this manual.
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 dam-
age or de te ri o ra tion. Through normal
use it will wear. If catcher needs replac-
ing, replace only with ap proved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual. Give the lawn
mower model number when ordering.
GEAR CASE
• To keep your drive system working
properly, the gear case and area around
the drive should be kept clean and free
of trash build-up. Clean under the drive
cover twice a season.
Blade bolts
Blade
adapter
Blade
Trailing edge
Debris
shield
19
• Cover your unit with a suitable pro tec-
tive cover that does not retain mois ture.
Do not use plastic. Plastic cannot
breathe, which allows condensation to
form and will cause your unit to rust.
IMPORTANT
: Never cover mower while
engine and exhaust areas are still warm.
CAUTION:
Never store the lawn
mower with gaso line in the tank in side a
build ing where fumes may reach an open
fl ame or spark. Allow the engine to cool
before storing in any enclosure.
OTHER
• Do not store gasoline from one season
to another.
• Replace your gasoline can if your can
starts to rust. Rust and/or dirt in your
gasoline will cause problems.
• If possible, store your unit indoors and
cover it to protect it from dust and dirt.
