Etesia rmcb, User Manual, Page: 17 / 24

17
8• MAIntenAnCe
MAINteNANce of the cUttING systeM
Before each use, check that the blade, the blade attaching
screw and the cutting assembly are not worn or damaged.
A blade deformed or showing excessive wear (chipping on
the blade edges) must be replaced.
• All shocks against obstacles, or abnormal wear, may cause
unbalance and deterioration of the bearings or indeed of the engine
as a whole. In such cases the warranty becomes invalid. Use a
new blade rather than risk damage to the motor due to excessive
unbalance of a poor blade.
• regularly make sure that the blade is well balanced (picture 14).
ReMoVAl of the blAde
• Change absolutely the blade after any shock.
• some microcracks provoked by a shock can lead to the rupture of
the blade if it’s not replaced.
Wear gloves to avoid any accidents when handling the
cutting blade, which is extremely sharp on the sharpened
side. Remove the spark plug cover.
The engine crankshaft drives the cutting blade by means of a cou-
pling washer. In the event of an impact of the blade against an
obstacle, the tabs are sheared off and the blade is no longer driven
normally.
This washer is a wear piece and it is normal to have to replace it.
- Loosen the cutting blade fastening screw.
- Replace the cutting blade and the coupling washer, respecting the
direction of assembly (picture15).
Check that the two cutting points are turning in the same plane.
Measure the distance between the end of the blade and the edge of
the cutting deck skirt. This distance must stay the same when you
move the other end of the blade to the measuring point and must not
be less than 3mm.
- After an impact to the cutting blade, it must be replaced immedia -
tely. Micro cracks caused by such an impact can lead to the blade
breaking subsequently, if it is not replaced.
seRVIcING the foRWARd GeAR
tRANsMIssIoN systeM (PIctURe 17)
After each use, clean the transmission system by removing any grass
that may have accumulated on it.
IMPoRtANt !
regularly check the correct adjustment of the drive
clutch cable.
checking and adjusting the tension:
L0 = length of the spring at rest.
L1 = length of the spring when the corresponding control is activated.
The tension applied to the spring connecting the cable to the control
levers (Value L1-L0) must be maintained, in gear and with the engine
off, at a value of between 4 and 5 mm for the forward gear clutch
cable.
Any adjustments that are needed can be made by moving the screw
thrust bearings on the tightening screws on the sheathing on the han-
dlebar:
• Loosen the lock-nuts, unscrew the thrust bearings by the necessary
value, then tighten the lock-nuts again and check.
While the control levers are not being used, the spring should not
exert any tension on the cable.
eNGINe MAINteNANce
Before any maintenance operation and in order to avoid any
risk in case of accidental start of the mower, take out the
plug top and empty the engine outside.
engine emptying
• the first emptying has to be done after the 5 first working hours.
These hours have to be considered like a burn in period during the
one you have to run the engine carefully.
• next emptying has to be done every 50 hours or once a year. If the
mower is used in difficult conditions (high temperature), plan more
frequent emptying.
Be careful with used hot oil.
eMPtyING Method
Empty the oil out when the engine is still hot.
• Clean around the dipstick cap.
• remove the dipstick cap. turn the engine on its side, with the
air filter facing upwards. Drain the oil into an appropriate vessel.
• once the sump is completely empty, put the engine upright
again. the oil level must reach the [F] mark
of the gauge.
Remove the used oil in an approved recuperation station (fig 19).
AIR fIlteR
rmcb/rmcs (see picture 18)
It is inevitable that impurities will get into the air filter. Maintain the
engine filter regularly: every 25 working hours or once a year. In case
of use in dust atmosphere, the number of cleaning has to be increased.
running the engine with loose or damaged air filter
components may cause premature wear or engine failure.
Replace all bent or damaged components.
do not clean the fi lter with petrol or compressed air.
• Unscrew the button (a) and remove the air filter cover (b).
• remove the paper element (c) from the bottom and replace it.
• Insert the element with the folded side facing outwards and place
the rubber seal around the edge of the base.
• replace the air filter cover and fasten with the button.
RMhb (see PIctURe 18A)
• remove the cover of the air filter (a) by unhooking the two upper
tabs (b) situated on the air filter cover, then the two lower tabs (d).
• remove the filter element (c). Check carefully that it is not
perforated or torn. Replace it if necessary.
• tap it gently several times on a hard surface so that the execess dirt
drops off. never try to remove dirt with a brush; brushing would
force the dirt inside the fibres.
• replace the element if it is necessary dirty.
• replace the element, then the cover of the air filter.
Do not use solvents or petrol or compressed air to clean the
air filter. do not oil the cartridge.
sPARk
Always use a spark plug with the right thermal value.
Clean the spark plug well. Remove the spark plug and replace it.
• Check the gap with a gauge. Adjust the gap (see technical
specifications page 13).
• Insert the spark plug into the cylinder head.
• tighten the spark plug to a torque of 27 nm.