16
MUFFLER
Inspect and replace corroded muffler as it
could create a fire hazard and/or dam age.
SPARK PLUG
Replace spark plug at the beginning of
each mowing season or after every 100
hours of operation, whichever occurs
first. Spark plug type and gap setting
are shown in the “PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA-
TIONS” section of this manual.
CLEANING
IMPORTANT:
For best performance,
keep mower housing free of built-up grass
and trash. Clean the un der side of your
mower after each use.
CAUTION:
Disconnect spark plug wire
from spark plug and place wire where it
cannot come in contact with plug.
• Clean the underside of your lawn
mower by scraping to remove build-up
of grass and trash.
• Clean engine often to keep trash from
accumulating. A clogged engine runs
hotter and shortens engine life.
• Keep finished surfaces and wheels free
of all gasoline, oil, etc.
• With the exception of the water washout
port (if equipped), we do not recom-
mend using a garden hose to clean the
outside of your lawn mower unless the
elec tri cal system, muffler, air filter and
carburetor are covered to keep water
out. Water in engine can result in short-
ened engine life.
WATER WASHOUT FEATURE
Your lawn mower is equipped with a fitting
that allows quick and easy cleaning of
the underside of the housing. To use this
feature, proceed as follows:
1. Move lawn mower to an area of cut
grass or another hard surface.
NOTE:
Water, grass and other debris will
drain from beneath the mower housing
during the washout process.
2. Remove grass catcher and discharge
chute assembly from lawn mower.
3. Close mulcher door (if equipped).
4. Connect a garden hose to the fitting
where shown.
IMPORTANT:
Be sure the garden hose is
not routed under the lawn mower housing
or entangled in the wheels.
5. Turn on water supply and check for
leaks at the fitting.
If no leaks are present, start engine (as
described in the Operation section of
this manual) and let engine run until the
underside of the lawn mower is clean.
WARNING:
Do not engage the drive
system during the washout process.
6. Shut off the engine.
7. Shut off water supply and remove
hose from fitting.
CAUTION:
Do not remove hose from
fitting while engine is running. Water in
engine can result in shortened engine life.
8. Start engine (as described in the Op-
eration section of this manual) and let
engine run for a full minute to remove
excess water from mower.
Hose
Fitting
CLEAN UNDER DRIVE COVER
Clean under drive cover at least twice a
season. Scrape underside of cover with
putty knife or similar tool to remove any
build-up of trash or grass on underside of
drive cover.
Tab
Cartridge
Filter cover
Slot
17
SERVICE AND ADJUSTMENTS
WARNING:
To avoid serious injury,
before performing any service and
adjustments:
1. Release control bar and stop engine.
2. Make sure the blade and all moving
parts have completely stopped.
3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where it cannot
come in contact with spark plug.
LAWN MOWER
TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT
See “TO ADJUST CUTTING HEIGHT” in
the Operation sec tion of this manual.
REAR DEFLECTOR
The rear deflector, attached between the
rear wheels of your mower, is provided to
minimize the possibility that objects will
be thrown out of the rear of the mower
into the operator mowing position. Re-
place the rear deflector if dam aged.
TO REMOVE DRIVE BELT
1. Remove drive cover and belt keeper.
2. Remove belt from gearcase pulley.
NOTE
: Before tipping lawn mower to
remove drive belt, empty fuel tank by run-
ning engine until fuel tank is empty.
3. Turn lawn mower on its side with air
filter and car bu re tor up.
4. Remove blade and blade adapter.
5. Remove belt from engine pulley.
TO REPLACE DRIVE BELT
1. Place new drive belt on engine pulley,
inside tabs of belt retainer.
2. Route the other end of the new drive
belt through hole in housing.
3. Reinstall blade adapter and blade.
The recommended tightening torque
is 35–40 ft. lbs. (47–54 Nm).
4. Return mower to upright po si tion.
5. Install new belt on gearcase pulley.
6. Reinstall belt keeper and drive cover.
NOTE:
Always use factory approved belt
to assure proper fit and long life.
TO ADJUST HANDLE
Your handle has three (3) height positions
- adjust to a height that suits you.
1. Remove knob and carriage bolt on
one side of the lower handle.
2. While holding handle assembly,
remove knob and car riage bolt from
opposite side, align hole in handle with
desired hole in handle bracket and
reassemble bolt and knob and tighten
securely.
3. Align opposite side of handle with
same positioning hole and secure with
bolt and knob.
Belt
Drive
cover
Belt
keeper
Gearcase
pulley
Blade
bolt
Crankshaft
keyway
Hardened
washer
Lockwasher
Blade adapter
Key
Blade
Trailing edge
Belt
retainer
Handle
bracket
Low
Knob
High
Medium
Bolt
