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.
_, 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.
Blade adapter
Key
Lockwasher
Blade
Blade
bolt
Hardened
/\
washer
Trailing edge
Crankshaft 12
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
damage
or deterioration.
Through
normal
use it will wear.
if catcher
needs
replacing,
replace
only with approved
replacement
catcher
shown
in the Re-
pair Parts section
of this manual.
Give
the lawn mower
model
number
when
ordering.
ENGINE
LUBRICATION
Use only high quality
detergent
oil rated
with API service
classification
SG-SL.
Select
the oil's SAE viscosity
grade
according
to your expected
operating
temperature.
SAE VISCOSlTY
GRADES
F
-20
0
30
32
40
60
80
100
c -_o
-2;
-1;
;
1;
_o
1o
4;
TEMPERATURE
RANGE ANTICIPATED
BEFORE
NEXT OIL CHANGE
Crankshaft
NOTE:
Although
multi-viscosity
oils
(5W30,
10W30
etc.)
improve
starting
in
cold
weather,
these
multi-viscosity
oils will
result in increased
oil consumption
when
used above
32°R
Check
your engine
oil
level more
frequently
to avoid
possible
engine
damage
from
running
low on oil.
Check
the crankcase
oil level before
starting
the engine
and after each five (5)
hours
of continuous
use. Tighten
oil plug
securely
each time you check
the oil level.