18
Note: For the best performance, install a new blade before
the cutting season begins. During the year, file down any
small nicks to maintain the cutting edge.
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.
Removing the Blade
1. Grasp the end of the blade using a rag or a thickly
padded glove.
2. Remove the blade bolt, the lock washer, the
accelerator, and the blade (Fig. 22).
Sharpening the Blade
File the top side of the blade to maintain its original
cutting angle (Fig. 24A) and inner cutting edge radius
(Fig. 24B). The blade will remain balanced if you remove
the same amount of material from both cutting edges.
153
1
m-4783
2
A
B
Figure 24
1.
Sharpen at this angle only
2.
Maintain the original
radius here
Balancing the Blade
1. Check the balance of the blade by placing the center
hole of the blade over a nail or screwdriver shank
clamped horizontally in a vise (Fig. 25).
1007
Figure 25
Note: You can also check the balance using a
commercially manufactured blade balancer.
2. If either end of the blade rotates downward, file that
end (not the cutting edge or the end near the cutting
edge). The blade is properly balanced when neither
end drops.
Installing the Blade
1. Install a sharp, balanced Toro blade, the accelerator,
the lock washer, and the blade bolt. The sail of the
blade must point toward the top of the lawn mower
housing for proper installation. Torque the blade nuts
to 50 ft-lb (68 N
m).
Operating the lawn mower without the
accelerator in place can cause the blade to flex,
bend, or break, resulting in serious injury or
death to the operator or bystanders.
Do not operate the lawn mower without the
accelerator.
Warning
2. Return the lawn mower to its upright position.
3. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Emptying the Fuel Tank and
Cleaning the Fuel Filter
The fuel filter (screen) element is located inside the fuel
tank. Clean the fuel filter element every 100 operating
hours.
1. Stop the engine and wait for it to cool down.
Important
Drain gasoline from a cold engine only.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 12).
3. Close the fuel valve (Fig. 5).
4. Disconnect the fuel line (Fig. 31) by loosening the
tube clamp at the carburetor.
5. Open the fuel valve.
6. Drain the gasoline completely from the tank and fuel
line into an approved fuel container.
7. Remove the fuel tank from the mower.
8. Close the fuel valve.
9. Pour a small amount of fuel in the fuel tank, move the
fuel around in the tank, and pour it out into an
approved fuel container.
10. Install the fuel tank and fuel line; refer to Installing the
Fuel Tank and the Fuel Line on page 6.
