14
OPERATION
“MULTI-CUT” MOWERS
Your lawn mower was shipped ready to be
used as a mulcher. To convert to bagging
or discharging:
REAR BAGGING
• Open rear door and remove mulcher
plate or plug (if equipped). Store
mulcher plate or plug in a safe place.
• You can now install grass catcher.
• To convert to mulching or discharging
operation, install mulcher plate or plug
(if equipped) into rear discharge open-
ing of mower, mak ing sure all tabs are
seated properly. Close rear door.
“REAR DOOR PROP” (IF EQUIPPED)
(22PLUS MODELS ONLY)
NOTE
: Rear door will remain open until
operator presence control bar is held
down to the handle.
CAUTION:
Do NOT force rear door to
close. Serious damage to your mower
could result.
SIDE DISCHARGING
• Mulcher plate or plug (if equipped) must
be installed into rear discharge open ing
of mower. Rear door must be closed.
• Open mulcher door and install dis-
charge deflector under door as shown.
• Mower is now ready for discharging
operation.
• To convert to mulching or bagging
operation, dis charge deflector must be
removed and mulcher door must be
closed and locked.
Unlock
latch (if
equipped)
Discharge
deflector
Open mulcher door
Grass bag
bracket
Grass
catcher
handle
Rear door
Grass
catcher
frame
hook
Full bag
indicator
window (if
equipped)
23
LAWN MOWER
Always observe safety rules when per-
forming any main te nance.
TIRES
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemi cals which can harm rub-
ber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp
objects and other hazards that may
cause tire damage.
BLADE CARE
For best results, 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 haz-
ardous, 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 bolt.
NOTE:
Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
4. Remove blade bolt by turning counter-
clockwise.
5. Remove blade and attaching hard-
ware (bolt, lock wash er and hardened
wash er).
6. Remove debris shield (if equipped).
NOTE
: Remove the blade adapter and
check the key inside hub of blade adapter.
The key must be in good condition to
work properly. Replace adapter if dam-
aged.
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position the blade adapter on the en-
gine crank shaft. Be sure key in adapter
and crankshaft keyway are aligned;
and that the drive belt is inside the tabs
of the belt retainer (if equipped).
2. Position blade on the blade adapter
aligning the two (2) holes in the blade
with the raised lugs on the adapter.
3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
posite sharp edge) is up toward the
engine.
4. Install the blade bolt with the lock
washer and hardened washer into
blade adapter and crankshaft.
5. Use block of wood between blade and
lawn mower housing and tighten the
blade bolt, turning clockwise.
• The recommended tightening torque is
35-40 ft. lbs.
IMPORTANT
: Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing, replace only with
approved bolt.
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.
Blade bolt
Crank-
shaft
keyway
Hardened
washer
Lockwasher
Blade adapter
Key
Blade
Trailing edge
Belt
retainer
Debris shield
(if equipped)
MAINTENANCE
