MTD 242-650A - Maintenance; Off-Season Storage

LUBRICATION
WHEELS - The wheels require no lubrication.
ENGINE - Follow engine manual for lubrication
instructions.
MAINTENANCE
A
CAUTION
Always stop engine and disconnect
spark plug wire before performing any
maintenance.
CUTTING BLADE
The blade may easily be removed for grinding or
replacement as follows:
1. Remove guide extension assembly by removing
four elastic lock nuts (Ref. No. 11). See page 10.
2. Remove bolt (Ref. No. 38), lock washer (Ref. No.
37) flat washer (Ref. No. 36) which holds blade
(Ref. No. 45), and blade retainer (Ref. No. 48)
to engine crankshaft. See page 10.
■ ^NOTE
Blade is reversible and can be as¬
sembled to crankshaft with either
side showing.
When sharpening blade, follow the original angle of
grind as a guide. It is extremely important that each
cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding
to prevent an unbalanced blade. An unbalanced blade
will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds and may cause damage to the unit. Upon
reassembly, make certain all parts are assembled prop¬
erly and tightened securely.
FLAILS AND FINGERS
The flails and fingers can be reversed when they
become dull.
ENGINE OIL
1. Change oil in crankcase after first two (2) hours
of operation. Then change oil every twenty-five
(25) operating hours or sooner if equipment is
operated in extremely dusty or dirty conditions.
Unscrew oil drain plug located on the side at the
bottom of the engine (see figure 15). Always tip
engine towards oil drain hole. Be sure oil drains
completely.
Replace oil drain plug and refill with oil as directed
on page 6.
FIGURE 15
2. Check oil every five (5) operating hours or each
time equipment is used. Add oil as necessary to
keep level full to point of overflowing.
CLEAN ENGINE
Clean cylinder fins and underside of tank or housing
thoroughly of all accumulated grass and debris. This
is an aircooled engine which operates most effeciently
when the cooling fins are clean.
AIR CLEANER
The air cleaner prevents damaging dirt, dust, etc. from
entering the carburetor and being forced into the
engine and is important to engine life and perfor¬
mance.
To service air cleaner, refer to the engine manual
packed with the shredder.
NEVER RUN YOUR ENGINE WITHOUT AIR
CLEANER COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED.
OFF-SEASON STORAGE
In event engine is to be stored for any length of time
(30 days or more), prepare as follows:
1. Drain gasoline by tipping or syphon hose, then
run engine until remainder is used and tank and
carburetor are empty.
CAUTION
Drain into container outdoors away
from fire or flame.
2. Protect the inside of engine for storage by remov¬
ing spark plug and pouring one ounce of SAE 30
oil through spark plug hole into cylinder. Crank
engine, without starting, several times to spread
oil over cylinder walls.
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