30
R
Section 7
A. CHARGING THE BATTERY
Refer to the battery charger’s manual for specific
instructions.
Under normal conditions the engine’s alternator will have
no problem keeping a charge on the battery. If the battery
has been completely discharged for a long period of time,
the alternator may not be able to recharge the battery, and
a battery charger will be required.
DO NOT charge a frozen battery. It may explode and cause
injury. Let the battery warm before attaching a charger.
Whenever possible, remove the battery from the mower
before charging and make sure the electrolyte covers the
plates in all cells.
WARNING
BATTERIES PRODUCE EXPLOSIvE GASES.
Charge the battery in a well ventilated space so
gases produced while charging can dissipate.
Charging rates between 3 and 50 amperes are satisfactory
if excessive gassing or spewing of electrolyte does not
occur or the battery does not feel excessively hot (over
125°F). If spewing or gassing occurs or the temperature
exceeds 125°F, the charging rate must be reduced or
temporarily stopped to permit cooling.
B. JUMP STARTING
The booster battery must be a 12 volt type. If a
1.
vehicle is used for jump starting, it must have a
negative ground system.
When connecting the jumper cables, connect the
2.
positive cable to the positive battery post, then
connect the negative cable to the negative battery
post.
CUTTER BLADES
7.8
A. BLADE INSPECTION
Remove the ignition key before servicing the blades.
1.
WARNING
Always wear proper hand and eye protection when
working with cutter blades.
Check the cutter blades for straightness. If the cutter
2.
blades appear bent, they will need to be replaced.
Check the cutter blades for wear. If any part of the
3.
cutter blade is worn to 1/2 its original thickness,
replace the cutter blade.
WARNING
Do not attempt to straighten a bent blade, and
never weld a broken or cracked blade. Always
replace it with a new blade to assure safety.
Check the cutter blades for gouges. If there are
4.
gouges on the top or bottom surfaces of the cutter
blade, replace the cutter blade.
If a blade cutting edge is dull or nicked, it should be
5.
sharpened. Remove the blades for sharpening. See
"Blade Replacement."
- NOTE -
Keep the blades sharp. Cutting with dull blades not
only yields a poor mowing job, but slows the cutting
speed of the mower and causes extra wear on the
engine and the blade drive by pulling hard.
B. BLADE SHARPENING
- NOTE -
If possible, use a file to sharpen the blade. Using
a wheel grinder may burn the blade.
- NOTE -
DO NOT sharpen the blades beyond 1/3 of the
width of the blade. See Figure 7-6.
Sharpen the cutting edge at the same bevel as the
1.
original. See Figure 7-6. Sharpen only the top of the
cutting edge to maintain sharpness.
