24
Removing the Spark Plug
1. Disengage the PTO, set the parking brake, stop the
engine, and remove the key.
2. Pull the wire off of the spark plug (Fig. 22). Clean
around the spark plug to prevent dirt from falling into
the engine and potentially causing damage.
3. Remove the spark plug and metal washer.
1
Figure 22
1.
Spark plug wire
Checking the Spark Plug
1. Look at the center of the spark plug (Fig. 23). If you
see light brown or gray on the insulator, the engine is
operating properly. A black coating on the insulator
usually means the air cleaner is dirty.
Important
Never clean the spark plug. Always replace
the spark plug when it has a black coating, worn
electrodes, an oily film, or cracks.
2. Check the gap between the center and side electrodes
(Fig. 23). Bend the side electrode (Fig. 23) if the gap is
not correct.
0.030 inch
(0.76 mm)
2
3
1
m–3215
Figure 23
1.
Center electrode insulator
2.
Side electrode
3.
Air gap (not to scale)
Installing the Spark Plug
1. Install the spark plug. Make sure that the air gap is set
correctly.
2. Tighten the spark plug to 30 ft.-lb. (41 N
⋅
m).
3. Push the wire onto the spark plug (Fig. 22).
Cutting Blades
Maintain sharp blades throughout the cutting season
because sharp blades cut cleanly without tearing or
shredding the grass blades. Tearing and shredding turns
grass brown at the edges, which slows growth and
increases the chance of disease.
Check the cutter blades daily for sharpness, and for any
wear or damage. File down any nicks and sharpen the
blades as necessary. If a blade is damaged or worn,
replace it immediately with a genuine Toro replacement
blade. For convenient sharpening and replacement, you
may want to keep extra blades on hand.
Danger
A worn or damaged blade can break, and a piece
of the blade could be thrown into the operator’s
or bystander’s area, resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
•
Inspect the blade periodically for wear or
damage.
•
Replace a worn or damaged blade.
Before Inspecting or Servicing the
Blades
Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the PTO,
and set the parking brake. Stop the engine, remove the
key, and disconnect the spark plug wire(s) from the spark
plug(s).
Inspecting the Blades
1. Inspect the cutting edges (Fig. 24). If the edges are not
sharp or have nicks, remove and sharpen the blades;
refer to Sharpening the Blades, page 25.
2. Inspect the blades, especially the curved area (Fig. 24).
If you notice any damage, wear, or a slot forming in
this area (item 3 in Fig. 24), immediately install a new
blade.
