12
5
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
NOTE:
When replacing
the belt, check that the
newly installed belt is
seated correctly and is
riding smoothly on the
engine pulley.
Blade Care
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks,
especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when
necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service:
1. Disconnect spark plug boot from spark plug. Turn
mower on its side making sure that the air filter and
the carburetor are facing up.
2. Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which
hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine
crankshaft. See Figure 5-5.
3. Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
NOTE
: When removing these items, a wave washer
may also come off with the adapter. Be sure to include
this washer when reassembling the blade adapter.
Failure to do so will result in the unit not being able to
change speeds.
4. The blade may be resharpened by removing it and
either grinding or filing the cutting edge keeping
as close to the original bevel as possible. Do not
attempt to sharpen the blade while it is still on the
mower.
5. It is
extremely important
that each cutting edge
receives an equal amount of grinding to prevent an
unbalanced blade.
NOTE
: Improper blade balance will result in excessive
vibration causing eventual damage to the engine and
mower. Be sure to carefully balance blade after sharp-
ening. Possible damage resulting from blade unbalance
condition is not the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE:
Always remove blade from the adapter for
testing balance.
5. The blade can be tested for balance by balancing it
on a round shaft screwdriver. Remove metal from the
heavy side until it balances evenly.
6 Before reassembling the blade and the blade
adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine crankshaft
and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light
oil.
7. Install the blade adapter on the crankshaft with the
“star” away from the engine. See Figure 5-5. Place
the blade with the side marked “bottom” (or with part
number) facing away from the adapter. Align the
blade bell support over the blade with the tabs in the
holes of the blade and insert the hex bolt.
8. Tighten the hex bolt to the torque listed below:
Blade Mounting Torque
Center Bolt 450 in. lb. min., 600 in.lb. max.
To insure safe operation of your unit, ALL nuts and bolts
must be checked periodically for correct tightness.
Belt Care
NOTE
: Several components must be removed in order
to change the mower’s belt. See an authorized dealer to
have your belt replaced.
Replacing Battery
WARNING: Batteries contain sulfuric
acid which may cause burns. Do not
short circuit or mutilate batteries in any
way. Do not put batteries in fire as these
may burst or release toxic materials.
1. Remove the ignition key.
2. Remove the three screws securing battery harness
assembly to the speed control housing and place
them to the side.
3. Carefully remove the harness assembly from the
speed control housing. See Figure 5-6.
Blade Bell
Support
Bolt
Blade
Adapter
Blade
Figure 5-5
Tab
Slot
Figure 5-6
