75
Maintenance Instructions
CHECKING/SERVICING
6. Check blade balance by positioning the blade
horizontally
on a blade balancer or use a nail
or shaft through the center hole. If either end of
the blade rotates downward, grind (remove)
metal on that end until the blade will balance.
The blade is properly balanced when neither
end drops. Balance of a blade is generally
maintained by removing an equal amount of
material from each end of the blade when
sharpening.
Blade Balancer
Blade Balanced on Magnetic
Wall-Mounted Balancer
7. Mount the blade with wing tips pointing up into
the housing. For
gear driven decks
reinstall
the blade, washer, lock washer, and nut.
Tight-
en the nut to 60 lb·ft (81 N·m).
For
belt driven
decks
reinstall the spacer (if applicable), blade,
washer, and bolt.
Tighten the bolt to 70 lb·ft
(95 N·m).
NOTE:
When reinstalling blades on
GHS
models, remember, the blades
counter-rotate
and the LH and RH blades must not be switched.
Check for proper blade rotation before installing
blades on the deck. Refer to
Blade Rotation
illustrations shown in
Clogging Checklist
in
Operating Instructions
for correct blade rotation.
Drive Belts
Raise the body and inspect the condition of the
four (4) belts (3 belts on SD models)
every 25 hours
of operation - engine PTO drive, jackshaft drive, hy-
drostatic ground drive, and GHS blower drive. If the
belts show
signs of cracking or deteriorating,
the
belts should be
replaced.
Refer to
REPLACING/
REPAIRING
the
Drive Belts
in this section.
Mower Deck Gearbox Oil Seals
The mower deck gearbox seals should be inspected
every 25 hours
for evidence of oil leaking;
particu-
larly the lower oil seal on the blade drive gear-
box.
This seal is protected by the trash guard on the
blade hub and seal protector plate on the housing,
but is still vulnerable to seal damage due to operat-
ing in an adverse environment. The mower blade
must be removed for inspection of the seal, so it is
recommended to
inspect the gearbox seals when
blades are removed for sharpening.
If an oil leak
is noted, the seal should be replaced and the gear-
box assembly relubricated. Refer to
LUBRICATION
for
Mower Deck Gearbox Lubrication
in this sec-
tion.
Spark Plugs
Every 200 hours
of operation, remove the spark
plugs, inspect, clean, and reset the gap (or replace
with
new plugs
). Before removing the spark plugs,
clean the area around the base of the plugs to keep
dirt and debris out of the engine. Clean spark plugs
with a wire brush. DO NOT use an abrasive grit
type cleaner. If the electrodes are burned short or
pitted, replace plugs with Champion
®
type RC14YC
(or equivalent). Check spark plug gap with a wire-
type feeler gauge and set the gap at 0.030 in.
(0.76 mm). Reinstall and tighten to between 18 and
22 lb
·
ft (24 to 30 N
·
m).
Ignition Wires
Good preventive maintenance calls for complete
re-
placement
of spark plug wires
every two (2) years.
Fuel Lines and Clamps
NOTE:
The engine fuel injection system is pressur-
ized and should be serviced by a Walker dealer or
authorized Kohler engine service outlet.
Every year,
inspect the fuel supply line from the
tank to engine for deterioration or damage. Also,
inspect the fuel line
clamps for tightness.
Good
preventive maintenance calls for complete
replace-
ment
of fuel lines and clamps
every two (2) years.
Engine Starter
Yearly or every 500 hours
disassemble and clean
the solenoid shift starter. Refer to the Kohler Service
Manual for this procedure or contact an authorized
Kohler engine dealer to perform this service.
