Section 5: Maintenance
Removing Mower Blade
IMPORTANT: The blade coupler
(D, Figure 5-5) may come off the engine
shaft when removing the blade. If it does,
do not lose the square key (C). The key
fits into a square slot inside the blade
coupler. Without it, the blade will not
rotate.
1. Remove the spark plug wire from the
spark plug and move it away.
2. Tip mower towards the muffler onto
its side. See Tipping the Mower for
Service in this Section.
3. Use a 3/4" wrench to loosen the blade
screw (A, Figure 5-5). Hold the blade
with a gloved hand to prevent the blade
from rotating.
4. Remove blade screw and Belleville
washer (A, B, Figure 5-5) .
5. Remove blade. You may have to give
the blade a tap to jar it loose from the
mounting tabs.
Installing Mower Blade
1. Remove the spark plug wire from the
spark plug and move it away.
2. Tip mower towards the muffler onto
its side. See Tipping the Mower for
Service in this Section.
3. If the blade coupler (D, Figure 5-5)
and/or square key (C) came off the engine
shaft during blade removal, reinstall those
parts back onto the engine shaft.
4. Position the blade with the curved
ends facing downward (Figure 5-4).
5. Slip the Belleville washer (B, Figure
5-5) onto the screw (A). Face the dished-
in side to the blade.
6. Mount the blade onto the two tabs of
the blade coupler. Make sure that you
seat the blade completely onto the
coupler.
7. Insert the screw and washer through
the blade and into the blade coupler.
Tighten with a torque wrench to 35 ft-lbs.
Sharpening and
Balancing Mower Blade
IMPORTANT: We recommend that the
blade be sharpened by a professional
sharpening service. Replace a cracked or
severely worn blade with a new one.
1. Remove blade from the mower. See
Removing Mower Blade.
2. Clamp the blade in a vise. Use a metal
file or grinder to sharpen the blade while
maintaining the original cutting angle. It
is very important to maintain the original
cutting bevel to insure the most effective
cut.
3. To retain blade balance, remove the
same amount of material from both ends
of the blade.
4. To check blade balance, place the
blade on a rounded pivot such as a pencil
or pen under the center hole. Hold blade
parallel to ground then release. See
Figure 5-6. If blade is unbalanced, the
heavier side will lean downward.
5. Use a file to lightly remove material
from the heavier side of the blade.
6. See Installing Mower Blade for infor-
mation on how to re-install the blade.
REMOVING AND
REPLACING DRIVE BELT
This procedure can be made easier by
removing the blade (see Removing
Mower Blade); however, blade removal is
not absolutely necessary.
Mower blade is sharp.
• Wear heavy leather gloves when
working near or with blade for protec-
tion from sharp edges.
• Wear safety approved eye protection
when sharpening blade to protect eyes
from flying metal debris.
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