10
5
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
Always stop engine,
disconnect spark plug,
and ground against
engine before cleaning,
lubricating or doing any
kind of maintenance on
your machine.
IMPORTANT:
Do not
use a pressure washer
or garden hose to clean
your unit. These may
cause damage to electric
components, spindles,
pulleys, bearings, or the
engine. The use of water
will result in shortened life
and reduce serviceability.
Lubrication
1. Lubricate the pivot points on the blade control handle
at least once a season with light oil. The blade
control must operate freely in both directions. See
Figure 5-1.
2. If your mower is equipped with ball bearing wheels,
lubricate at least once a season with a light oil, all
other types require no lubrication. However, if the
wheels are removed for any reason, lubricate the
surface of the axle bolt and the inner surface of the
wheel with light automotive oil.
3. Lubricate the torsion spring and pivot point periodi-
cally with light oil to prevent rust. See Figure 5-1.
4. The transmission is pre-lubricated and sealed at the
factory and does not require lubrication.
5. Follow the accompanying engine manual for lubrica-
tion schedule and instruction.
Deck Care
Clean underside of the mower deck after each use
to prevent build-up of grass clippings or other debris.
Follow steps below for this job.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire. Drain gasoline from
lawn mower or place a piece of plastic under the gas
cap.
2. Tip mower so that it rests on the housing. Keep
the side with the air cleaner facing up. Hold mower
firmly.
WARNING: Never tip the mower more
than 90º in any direction and do not
leave the mower tipped for any length
of time. Oil can drain into the upper
part of the engine causing a starting
problem.
3. Scrape and clean the underside of the deck with a
suitable tool. Do not spray with water.
IMPORTANT:
Do not use a pressure washer or garden
hose to clean your unit. These may cause damage to
bearings, or the engine. The use of water will result in
shortened life and reduce serviceability.
4. Put the mower back on its wheels on the ground. If
you had put plastic under the gas cap earlier, make
sure to remove it now.
Engine
1. Refer to the separate engine manual for engine
maintenance instructions.
2. Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate
engine manual packed with your unit. Read and
follow instructions carefully.
3. Under normal conditions service air cleaner as in-
structed in the separate engine manual packed with
your unit. Clean every few hours under extremely
dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and
flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner should
be serviced.
Figure 5-1
Cutting grass in
sandy soil condition
causes abrasive wear
to the blade.
4. The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap reset
once a season. Spark plug replacement is recom-
mended at the start of each mowing season; check
engine manual for correct plug type and gap specifica-
tions.
NOTE:
This spark ignition system meets all require-
ments of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment
Regulations.
5. Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush.
Keep the cooling system (blower housing area) clean
to permit proper air circulation which is essential to
engine performance and life. Be certain to remove all
grass, dirt and combustible debris from muffler area.
Rear Flap Replacement
The rear flap is attached to the back of the mower deck,
and is designed to minimize the possibility that objects
will be thrown from the rear of the mower toward the
operator. If the rear flap becomes damaged, replace as
follows.
1. Lift rear door, remove screw and press flap in on either
side to remove from hole. See Figure 5-2.
2. Remove screw and flap from opposite hole and replace
with new flap following these steps in reverse order.
