
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, mower 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
hazardous, 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 filter 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 bolts.
NOTE:
Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolts by turning
counter-clockwise.
5. Remove blade.
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position the blade on the Blade Brake/
Clutch.
2. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
posite sharp edge) is up toward the
engine.
3. Install the blade bolts into Blade
Brake/Clutch.
4. 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. (49–60 Nm).
IMPORTANT
: Blade bolts are heat
treated. 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 file
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
damage or de te ri o ra tion. Through
normal use it will wear. If catcher needs
replacing, replace only with ap proved
replacement catcher shown in the Re-
pair Parts section of this manual. Give
the lawn mower model number when
ordering.
GEAR CASE
• To keep your drive system work-
ing 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.
• The gear case is filled with lubricant to
the proper level at the factory. The only
time the lubricant needs attention is if
service has been performed on the gear
case.
Blade bolts
Blade
Trailing
edge