Service
7
Blade Care
WARNING:
When removing
the cutting
blade for
sharpening
or replacement,
protect
your hands with
a pair of heavy gloves or usea 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.
Support
Figure 7-1
3.
Remove blade and adapter
from the crankshaft.
See Fig.
7-1.
4.
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.
WARNING:
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.
Belt Care
r
Remove two shoulder
screws securing
front drive cover to
mower deck. See Figure 7-2. Press inward
on sides of front
drive cover and release tabs that secure it to the height
adjuster
brackets.
Remove drive cover from mower.
\
Figure 7-2
2.
Loosen screw holding
belt tension
spring to transmission.
See Figure 7-2 inset. Do not remove screw completely.
As
you loosen it, tension
on the belt will be released.
3.
Tip mower on its side with the air filter up to access belt
from underside
of mower and remove
blade as described
in the previous
section.
Refer to Fig. 7-1.
17