Cleaning
Cleaning under the Mower
Housing
To ensure the best performance, keep the underside of
the mower housing clean.
Washing Method
Service Interval: Before each use or daily
1. Position the mower on a flat concrete or asphalt
surface near a garden hose.
2. Start the engine.
3. Hold the running garden hose at handle level and
direct the water to flow on the ground just in front
of the right rear tire (Figure 33).
Figure 33
1. Right rear wheel
Note: The blade will draw in water and wash out
clippings. Let the water run until you no longer see
clippings being washed out from under the housing.
4. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
5. Turn off the garden hose.
6. Start the mower and let it run for a few minutes
to dry out the moisture on the mower and its
components.
Scraping Method
If washing does not remove all debris from under the
mower, scrape it clean.
1. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Figure 13).
2. Drain the fuel from the fuel tank. Refer to Emptying
the Fuel Tank and Cleaning the Fuel Filter.
Tipping the mower may cause the fuel to leak
from the carburetor or the fuel tank. Gasoline
is extremely flammable, highly explosive, and,
under certain conditions, can cause personal
injury or property damage.
Avoid fuel spills by running the engine dry or
by removing the gasoline with a hand pump;
never siphon.
3. Tip the mower onto its right side.
4. Remove the dirt and grass clippings with a hardwood
scraper. Avoid burrs and sharp edges.
5. Return the mower to its operating position.
6. Fill the fuel tank.
7. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Cleaning the Blade Brake
Clutch Shield
Service Interval: Every 50 hours
Clean inside the blade brake clutch shield when you
change the engine oil to ensure the best performance
and to prevent parts from degrading or when you
sharpen the blade because you need to remove the blade
in order to remove the shield.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Figure 13).
3. Drain the gasoline from the fuel tank; refer to
Emptying the Fuel Tank and Cleaning the Fuel Filter.
4. Tip the mower on its right side.
Tipping the mower may cause the fuel to leak
from the carburetor or the fuel tank. Gasoline
is extremely flammable, highly explosive, and,
under certain conditions, can cause personal
injury or property damage.
Avoid fuel spills by emptying the fuel tank as
directed; never siphon.
5. Remove 2 blade nuts, the anti-scalp cup, and the
blade (Figure 29).
6. Remove the 4 screws that hold the shield in place
(Figure 34).
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