Service
7
Blade Care
WARNING:
When removing
the cutting
blade for
sharpening
or replacement,
protect
your hands with
a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the
blade.
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
Fig. 7-1.
3,
4.
Remove blade and adapter
from the crankshaft.
See Fig.
7-1.
Remove blade from the adapter
for testing
balance.
Balance the blade on a round shaft screwdriver
to check.
Remove metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly.
When sharpening
the blade, follow the original
angle of
grind. Grind each cutting
edge equally to keep the blade
balanced.
_
ARNING:
An unbalanced
blade will cause
excessive vibration
when rotating
at high speeds. It
may cause damage
to mower and could break
causing personal
injury.
5.
Lubricate
the engine crankshaft
and the inner surface of
the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter
onto the engine crankshaft.
Place the blade on the adapter
such that the side of the blade marked "Bottom"
(or with
part number)
faces the ground
when the mower is in the
operating
position.
Make sure that the blade is aligned
and
seated on the blade adapter flanges.
6.
Place blade bell support
on the blade. Align notches
on the
blade bell support
with small holes in blade.
7.
Replace hex bolt and tighten
hex bolt to torque:
450 in. Ibs.
rain., 600 in. Ibs. max.
To ensure safe operation
of your mower, periodically
check the
blade bolt for correct
torque.
Off-Season Storage
The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower
for storage.
Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the
lubrication instructions.
Do not use a pressure washer or garden
hose to clean your
unit.
Coat mower's cutting
blade with chassis grease to prevent
rusting.
Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to
corrosive
materials,
such as fertilizer.
When storing
any type of power
equipment
in a poorly
ventilated
or metal storage
shed, care should
be taken to
rust-proof
the equipment.
Using a light oil or silicone, coat the
equipment,
especially
cables and all moving
parts of your lawn
mower
before storage.
15