18
Sharpening the Blade
File the top side of the blade to maintain its original
cutting angle (Fig. 22A) and inner cutting edge radius
(Fig. 22B). The blade will remain balanced if you remove
the same amount of material from both cutting edges.
153
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m-4783
2
A
B
Figure 22
1.
Sharpen at this angle only
2.
Maintain the original
radius here
Balancing the Blade
1. Check the balance of the blade by placing the center
hole of the blade over a nail or screwdriver shank
clamped horizontally in a vise (Fig. 23).
1007
Figure 23
Note: You can also check the balance using a
commercially manufactured blade balancer.
2. If either end of the blade rotates downward, file that
end (not the cutting edge or the end near the cutting
edge). The blade is properly balanced when neither
end drops.
Installing the Blade
1. Install a sharp, balanced Exmark blade, the
accelerator, the lock washer, and the blade bolt. The
sail of the blade must point toward the top of the lawn
mower housing for proper installation. Torque the
blade bolt to 50 ft-lb (68 N
m).
Operating the lawn mower without the
accelerator in place can cause the blade to flex,
bend, or break, resulting in serious injury or
death to the operator or bystanders.
Do not operate the lawn mower without the
accelerator.
Warning
2. Return the lawn mower to its upright position.
3. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Emptying the Fuel Tank and
Cleaning the Fuel Filter
The fuel filter (screen) element is located inside the fuel
tank. Clean the fuel filter element every 100 operating
hours.
1. Stop the engine and wait for it to cool down.
Important
Drain gasoline from a cold engine only.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 10).
3. Close the fuel valve (Fig. 4).
4. Disconnect the fuel line (Fig. 29) by loosening the
tube clamp at the carburetor.
5. Open the fuel valve by turning the lever to the open
position (Fig. 8).
6. Drain the gasoline completely from the tank and fuel
line into an approved fuel container.
7. Remove the fuel tank from the mower.
8. Close the fuel valve.
9. Pour a small amount of fuel in the fuel tank, move the
fuel around in the tank, and pour it out into an
approved fuel container.
10. Install the fuel tank and fuel line; refer to Installing the
Fuel Tank and the Fuel Line on page 7.
Cleaning under the Belt Cover
Self-propel Model only
Keep the area under the belt cover free of debris.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 10).
3. Remove the bolts that secure the belt cover (Fig. 24) to
the lawn mower housing.
m-224
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Figure 24
1.
Belt cover
