LAWN
MOWER
Always observe safety rules when per-
forming any maintenance.
TIRES
• Keep
tires free of gasoline,
oil, or insect
control
chemicals
which can harm rubber.
• Avoid
stumps,
stones,
deep
ruts, sharp
objects
and other
hazards
that may
cause
tire damage.
iMPORTANT:
Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing,
replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
Blade adapter
Key
Crankshaft
keyway
Lockwasher
Blade
DRIVE
WHEELS
Check
rear drive wheels
each time before
you mow to be sure they move freely.
The wheels
not turning
freely
means
trash,
grass cuttings,
etc. are in the drive wheel area
and must
be cleaned
to free drive
wheels.
If necessary
to clean
the drive
wheels,
be
sure to clean
both rear wheels.
BLADE
CARE
For best results,
blade
must be kept
sharp.
Replace
a bent or damaged
blade.
CAUTION:
Use only a replacement
blade approved
by the manufacturer
of
your
mower.
Using a blade
not approved
by the manufacturer
of your mower
is haz-
ardous,
could damage
your
mower
and
void your warranty.
TO REMOVE
BLADE
1.
Disconnect
spark
plug wire from spark
plug and place wire where
it cannot
come
in contact
with plug.
2.
Turn lawn
mower
on its side. Make
sure air filter and carburetor
are up.
3.
Use a wood
block between
blade
and
mower
housing
to prevent
blade from
turning
when
removing
blade bolt.
NOTE:
Protect
your hands
with gloves
and/or
wrap
blade with heavy
cloth.
4.
Remove
blade bolt by turning
counter-
clockwise.
5.
Remove
blade & attaching
hardware
(bolt, lock washer
& hardened
washer).
TO REPLACE
BLADE
1.
Position
blade
on the blade adapter
aligning
the two (2) holes
in the blade
with the raised
lugs on the adapter.
2.
Be sure the trailing
edge of blade (oppo-
site sharp
edge)
is up toward
engine.
3.
Install the blade
bolt with the lock
washer
and hardened
washer
into
blade
adapter
and crankshaft.
4.
Use block of wood
between
blade
and
lawn mower
housing
and tighten
the
blade
bolt, turning
clockwise.
• The recommended
tightening
torque
is
35-40
ft, Ibs.
e
13
Blade
bolt
Hardened
washer
Trailing edge
Crankshaft
TO SHARPEN
BLADE
NOTE:
We do not recommend
sharp-
ening
the blade - but if you do, be sure the
blade is balanced.
An unbalanced
blade
will cause
eventual
damage
to mower
or
engine.
• The blade
can be sharpened
with a file
or on a grinding
wheel.
Do not attempt
to sharpen
while
on the mower.
• To check
blade
balance,
drive a nail into
a beam
or wall. Leave
about
one inch of
the straight
nail exposed.
Place
center
hole of blade over the head of the nail.
If blade
is balanced,
it should
remain
in
a horizontal
position.
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 dam-
age or deterioration.
Through
normal
use it will wear.
If catcher
needs
replac-
ing, replace
only with approved
replace-
ment catcher
shown
in the Repair
Parts
section
of this manual.
Give the lawn
mower
model
number
when
ordering.
GEAR
CASE
• To keep your drive
system
working
properly,
the gear case 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 case is filled with lubricant
to
the proper
level at the factory.
The only
time the lubricant
needs
attention
is if
service
has been performed
on the gear
case.
If lubricant
is required,
use only Texaco
Starplex
Premium
1 Grease,
Part No.
750369.
Do not substitute.