23
5.
Start the engine and slowly move steering
joystick forward and backward 5 or 6 times.
6.
Stop engine.
7.
Turn transaxle bypass valves to operating
position. See
Move Unit Manually
on
page 18.
8.
Start engine.
9.
Slowly move steering joystick forward and
backward 5 or 6 times.
10.
Stop engine, lower unit to ground and check
oil level. Add oil if needed.
11.
Repeat steps 1 – 10 until transaxles operate
smoothly in forward and reverse at normal
speed without excessive noise.
CHECK MOWER BLADES
Check blades for wear. Replace or sharpen as
needed.
WARNING:
Avoid Injury
Use sturdy gloves or padding to protect
hands when working with mower blades.
Rotation of one blade rotates the other
blades
Remove Blades
1.
Place unit in service position. See
Service
Position
on page 20.
2.
Disconnect spark plug wires
3.
Remove hardware retaining blades and
lower spindle guards to spindle and remove
parts
(see Figure 19).
Retain all parts for
reinstallation.
4.
Clean all grass, dirt, and debris from upper
and lower spindle guards.
Figure 19
SHARPEN BLADES
WARNING: DO NOT sharpen blades while
attached to unit.
1.
Remove blades. Discard blades if:
•
More than 1.3 cm (1/2 in.) of metal is
removed.
•
Air lifts are eroded.
•
Blades are bent or broken.
2.
File or grind an equal amount of metal
from each cutting edge of the blade until
sharp. DO NOT change angle of cutting edge
or round the corner of the blade
(see Figure 20).
3.
Check blade balance by sliding an
unthreaded bolt through center hole. Hold
the bolt level. If blade does not remain
horizontal, sharpen the heavy end until
blade is balanced.
CAUTION: Unbalanced blades cause
excessive vibration and eventual damage to
unit. Balance blades before reinstalling on
unit.
Never weld or straighten blades
Figure 20
