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 rub-
ber.
• 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
a bent or damaged
blade.
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
hard-
ware (bolt, lock washer
and hardened
washer).
NOTE:
Remove
the blade adapter
and
check the key inside
hub of blade adapter.
The key must be in good condition
to work
properly.
Replace
adapter
if damaged.
TO REPLACE BLADE
1. Position the blade adapter on the en-
gine crankshaft. Be sure key in adapter
and crankshaft keyway are aligned.
2. Position blade on the blade adapter
aligning the two (2) holes in the blade
with the raised lugs on the adapter.
3. Be sure the trailing edge of blade (op-
posite sharp edge) is up toward the
engine.
4. Install the blade bolt with the lock
washer and hardened washer into
blade adapter and crankshaft.
5. 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.
IMPORTANT:
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
Key_
keyway
Blade
Blade
shaft
bolt
Hardene
/
\
washer
Trailing edge
Blade adapter
TO SHARPEN
BLADE
NOTE:
We do not recommend
sharpening
blade - but if you do, be sure the blade is
balanced.
Care should
be taken to keep the blade
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
(If purchased
as an accessory)
• 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 Repair
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 VISCOSITY GRADES
30
_10
0
10
10
30
4o
TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OiL CHANGE
12