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.
BLADE CARE
For best results, mower blade must be kept
sharp.
Replace bent or damaged blades.
A 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
hazardous,
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 and attaching
hardware
(bolt, Iockwasher and 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.
_:_Io]
Blade adapter
Ke,
Crankshaft
Lockwasher
Blade
Blade
,:
bolt
Hardened
.....
:::,,
/
\
washer
Trailing edge
IMPORTANT:
Blade bolt is heat treated.
If bolt needs replacing,
replace only with
approved bolt shown in the Repair Parts
section of this manual.
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 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
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.
ENGINE
Maintenance,
repair, or replacement
of the
emission control devices and systems, which
are being done at the customers
expense,
may be performed by any non-road engine
repair establishment
or individual. Warranty
repairs must be performed by an authorized
engine manufacturer's
service outlet.
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality detergent
oil rated
with API
service
classification
SG-SL.
Selectthe oil's SAE viscosity grade according
to your expected operating temperature.
SAE VISCOSITY GRADES
4O
°F
-20
0
30
32
40
60
80
100
°C
-30
-20
-t;
;
t;
20
30
TEMPERATURE
RANGE
ANTICIPATED
BEFORE
NEXT
OIL
CHANGE
NOTE:
Multi-viscosity
oils (5W30, 10W30
etc.) improve starting in cold weather, and
you should check your engine oil level fre-
quently to avoid possible engine damage
o i
from running low on oil.
,.
Change the oil after every 25 hours ofopera-
tion or at least once a year if the lawn mower
is not used for 25 hours in one year.
Crankshaft
12