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Section 5: Maintenance
Before inspecting, cleaning or servicing the machine, shut off engine, wait for all moving parts to
come to a complete stop, disconnect spark plug wire and move wire away from spark plug. Remove
the key from the keyswitch on units so equipped.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious personal injury or property damage.
WARNING
DRIVE CHAIN ADJUSTMENT
AND LUBRICATION
Check chain tension when oiling the chain
(every 10 operating hours).
1. Remove the #10 screw (A, Fig. 5-8)
and slide off the chain cover (B).
2. If the chain is slack, loosen nut (C) and
adjust chain idler (D) until the chain
deflects slightly with moderate finger pres-
sure. Secure the nut (C) in the adjustment
slot. Loosening the lock nuts (D) is not
necessary.
3. Lightly oil the chain. Spread oil over as
much of the chain surface as possible
4. Replace the chain cover and secure
with the hex head screw removed earlier.
CUTTER BAR MAINTENANCE
Cutter bar maintenance is easier if it is
first removed from the unit.
Cutter bar is capable of inflicting severe
injury. Be extremely careful when per-
forming any maintenance on the cutter
bar assembly.
• Before performing maintenance or
repairs on the cutter bar, stop the
engine, wait for all moving parts to
come to a complete stop, disconnect
the from contacting the spark plug. On
electric start models, remove the key
from the keyswitch.
• Have an assistant help you.
• Install the plastic blade guard on the
cutter bar.
• Wear heavy leather gloves when
working on or near the cutter bar
assembly.
• Wear safety goggles or a face guard.
Failure to follow these instructions may
result in serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
CUTTER BAR REMOVAL
• Put plastic blade guard on cutter bar.
Wear heavy leather gloves and wrap
blades in rags when handling the cutter
bar assembly.
•
When removing or replacing
blades/sections, always wear safety
goggles or a face guard.
Failure to follow these instructions may
result in serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
NOTE: An assistant should stand in the
operator position and firmly hold the han-
dlebars while the cutter bar is being
removed to help prevent the unit from tip-
ping unexpectedly.
1. Stop the engine, wait for all moving
parts to come to a complete stop, discon-
nect the spark plug wire and prevent it
from contacting the spark plug. On electric
start models, remove the key from the
keyswitch.
2. Align the pitman arm assembly (A, Fig.
5-9) directly above the blade mounting
bracket (B). If the pitman arm is not
aligned, move the cutter bar lever to the
ON position (Fig. 4-7). Slowly pull the
starter rope while watching pitman arm
movement. Stop when the pitman arm is
aligned.
3. To remove the cutter bar, remove the
three screws, flat washers and locknuts
that secure the cutter blade and doubler
plate to the blade mounting bracket (B,
Fig. 5-9).
4. After removing the cutter bar, the knife
head (C, Fig. 5-9) can be removed (if nec-
essary) by removing the two 8M x 12M
screws and 5/16" hardened washers.
Leave the pitman arm (A, Fig. 5-9) on the
knife head for safe keeping.
CUTTER BAR REPLACEMENT
IMPORTANT: To help prevent the unit
from tipping, have an assistant stand in
the operator position and firmly hold the
handlebars during installation of the cutter
bar.
1. Stop the engine, wait for all moving
parts to come to a complete stop, discon-
nect the spark plug wire and prevent it
from contacting the spark plug. On electric
start models, remove the key from the
keyswitch.
2. Have an assistant hold the unit firmly
by the handlebars.
3. Slowly pull the starter rope while
watching eccentric arm movement. Stop
pulling the starter rope when the arm
aligns with the hole (C, Fig. 5-9).
4. Using the hardware and parts removed
in the “Cutter Bar Removal” steps, replace
the cutter bar by following steps 4 through
11 of the “Cutter Bar Assembly and Instal-
lation” instructions that begin on Page 10.
5. Oil the area between the hold-down
clips and wear plates (C, Fig. 5-10).
DANGER
WARNING
DANGER
A
1/16"
1/4"
C
B
Front – right side
D
Fig. 5-7
(1.6mm)
(6.4mm)
A
B
C
D
Fig. 5-8
B
A
C
Fig. 5-9
