Service Manual

BLADE Inspecting/Removing/Sharpening the
Blade (cont'd)
Figure
20
IMPORTANT: Check the balance of the blade by put-
ting it on a blade balancer. An inexpensive balancer
can be purchased at a hardware store.
A balanced
blade will stay
in horizontal position and an
unbalanced blade will settle to the heavy side.
If a blade
is not balanced, file more metal
off the cutting edge on
the heavy end of blade.
7. Install sharp, balanced blade with a lockwasher
and blade bolt. The sail part of the blade must
point toward the top of the mower housing to
assure correct installation.
HOUSING
1. Drain gasoline from the fuel tank; refer to
Draining Gasoline, this section, for your
particular engine.
2. Tip the mower on its side. Avoid rotating blade
because starting problems may result.
Figure
22
3. Remove dirt and grass clippings that stick to the
housing by spraying
it with a garden hose.
Scrape
out the remaining debris with hardwood
scraper. Avoid burrs and sharp edges.
4. Clean discharge door and hinges of grass or
debris that may impair operation of door. Use
caution when cleaning door
so you do not
damage foam seal.
Housing Cleaning the Mower Housing
To assure optimum performance, keep the underside
of the mower housing and the inside of discharge area
clean.
Maintenance
24
5.
Figure 23
Remove the screen panel and access cover on
the mower housing and clean around the gear
box and blade brake mechanism on units so
equipped. See Figures 22 and 23.
Vacu-Power Mower