LAWN
MOWER
Always
observe
safety
rules when
per-
forming
any maintenance.
TmRES
* 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.
DRmVE WHEELS
Check
front 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 front wheels.
1.
Remove
hubcaps,
Iocknuts
& washers.
2.
Remove
wheels
from wheel
adjusters.
3.
Remove
any trash or grass cuttings
from inside the dust cover,
pinion and/
or drb'e wheel
gear teeth.
4.
Put wheels
back in place.
NOTE:
If after cleaning,
the drive wheels
do not turn freely, contact
a Sears
or other
qualified
service
center.
BLADE
CARE
For best results,
blade must be kept sharp.
Replace
bent or damaged
blades.
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 the 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.
mMPORTANT:
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
Crankshaft
keyway
Key -.
Lockwasher
Blade
,,
,
Crank
Blade
shaft
bolt
Harden_
washer
Trailing edge
Blade adapter
TO SHARPEN
BLADE
NOTE:
We do not recommend
sharpening
the blade - but if you do, be sure the blade
is balanced.
Care should
be taken to keep the blade bal-
anced.An
unbalanced
blade will cause even-
tual damage
to lawn 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
heaw
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 ELF
Multis
EP00.
Do not substitute.
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