13
MAINTENANCE
NOTE:
Do not use a nail for balancing blade. The lobes
of the center hole may appear to be centered, but are not.
• Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion of the steel
bolt or pin and hold the bolt or pin parallel with the
ground. If blade is bal anced, it should remain in a
horizontal po si tion. If either end of the blade moves
downward, sharpen the heavy end until the blade is
balanced.
GRASS CATCHER
• The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must
be dry when used.
• Check your grass catcher often for damage or de te-
ri o ra tion. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher
needs replacing, replace only with ap proved replace-
ment catcher shown in the Repair Parts section of this
manual. Give the lawn mower model number when
ordering.
GEAR CASES
• To keep your drive system working properly, the gear
cases and area around the drive should be kept clean
and free of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover
twice a season.
• The gear cases are filled with lubricant to the proper level
at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs atten-
tion is if service has been performed on the gear case.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service
classification SG–SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade
according to your expected operating temperature.
CONTAINER
FIG. 16
NOTE:
Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.)
improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils
will result in increased oil consumption when used above
32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid
possible engine damage from running low on oil.
Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least
once a year if the lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in
one year.
Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine
and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil
plug securely each time you check the oil level.
4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of
engine.
5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout, stopping every
few ounces to check the oil level with the dipstick.
6. Stop adding oil when you reach the FULL mark on the
dipstick. Wait a minute to allow oil to settle.
7. Continue adding small amounts of oil, rechecking
the dipstick until oil level settles at FULL. DO NOT
overfill, or engine will smoke heavily from the muffler
on startup.
8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick before starting
engine.
9. Re
con nect spark plug wire to spark plug.
AIR FILTER (See Fig. 17)
Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by
using a dirty air filter. Replace the air filter cartridge every
100 hours of op er a tion or every season, which ev er occurs
first. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions.
TO CLEAN AIR FILTER
1. Loosen screw and tilt cover to re move.
2. Carefully remove cartridge.
3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat surface. If very dirty,
replace car tridge.
CAUTION: Pe tro leum solvents, such as
ker o sene, are not to be used to clean
car tridge. They may cause de te ri o ra tion
of the cartridge. Do not oil car tridge.
Do not use pres sur ized air to clean or
dry car tridge.
TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 16)
NOTE
: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel
tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place
wire where it cannot come in contact with plug.
2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface.
3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into
a suitable container. Rock lawn mower back and forth
to remove any oil trapped inside of engine.
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
-20 0 30 40
80
100
-30
-20 0 20 30
40
F
C
32
-10
10
60
5W-30
SAE 30
