Checking The Blade Brake Clutch - Exmark 30" Operator's Manual

Checking the Blade Brake Clutch

Check the Blade Brake Clutch (BBC) system before
each use to ensure that it is operating properly.
Normal Test:
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to
stop.
2. Move the lawn mower onto a paved surface in
a non-windy area.
3. Set all four wheels to the 2 1/2 inches (6.4 cm)
cutting height (see Figure 10 and Figure 12)
4. Take a half sheet of newspaper and crumple
it into ball small enough to go under the deck
(about 3 inches or 7.6 cm in diameter) as shown
in Figure 9.
Figure 9
1. Crumpled newspaper
5. Place the ball of newspaper 5 inches (12.7 cm) in
front of the lawn mower.
6. Start the engine.
7. Push the blade control lock lever forward to
release the blade control bail (Figure 4).
8. Squeeze the blade control bail against the handle;
the blade should engage.
9. Release the blade control bail. You should hear a
"bang." The blade should stop in three seconds.
The blade control lock lever should reset to lock
the blade control bail.
10. Immediately push the lawn mower over the
newspaper ball.
11. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to
stop.
2. 5 inches (12.7 cm)
12. Walk around the lawn mower to check for the
newspaper ball. If the ball did not go under the
deck, repeat steps 6 through 11.
13. Pull the lawn mower away from the newspaper.
If the newspaper ball unravels or is shredded,
the blade has not properly stopped, resulting
in an unsafe operating condition. Contact an
Authorized Service Dealer.
DANGER
If the blade brake clutch system is inoperative,
the blade will continue to rotate when you
release the blade control bail. Contact with
the blade could occur, causing serious injury.
• Check the BBC operation before each use.
• Never use the BBC-equipped lawn mower
with an inoperative safety system.
• Take your lawn mower to an Authorized
Service Dealer for repair if the safety
system fails to operate properly.
Test Using the Grass Bag
1. If the mulch plug is installed on the mower,
remove it (refer to Removing the Mulch Plug). If
the side discharge deflector is on, remove it and
install the side discharge door (refer to Using the
Side Discharge Deflector).
2. Install the empty grass bag on the rear of the
mower (refer to Installing the Grass Bag).
3. Start the engine.
4. Push the blade control lock lever forward to
release the blade control bail (Figure 4).
5. Squeeze the blade control bail against the handle.
6. The bag should begin to inflate, indicating that
the blade is engaged and rotating.
7. Release the blade control bail. If the bag does not
immediately deflate, it indicates that the blade is
still rotating. The blade brake clutch mechanism
may be deteriorating, and, if ignored could result
in an unsafe operating condition. Have the lawn
mower inspected and serviced by an Authorized
Service Dealer.
8. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to
stop.
15
Operation