Service - MTD Series 400 Operator's Manual

Service

Blade Care
WARNING: When removing the
cutting blade for sharpening or
replacement, protect your hands
with a pair of heavy gloves or use
a heavy rag to hold the blade.
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for
cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object.
Replace when necessary. Follow the steps
below for blade service.
1. Disconnect spark plug boot from spark
plug. Turn mower on its side making sure
facing up.
2
hold the balde assembly and the blade
adapter to the engine crankshaft. See Fig.
7-1.
Blade Assembly
Figure 7-1
3. Remove blade assembly and adapter from
the crankshaft. See Fig. 7-1.
WARNING: An unbalanced
blade will cause excessive
vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may cause damage to
mower and could break causing
personal injury.
4. It is recommended that the blades are
replaced in pairs as per the following steps.
a. Remove each swing back blade by
wave washer and hex bolt (hardware
kit) which attach it onto the blade disc.
b. Discard the worn blades.
c. Attach the new swing back blades
with a new hardware kit for each,
following the assembly instructions
shown in Fig. 7-2.
14
Flat Washer
Wave Washer
Swing Back Blade
Part NO. 742-04404
5. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the
inner surface of the blade adapter with
light oil. Slide the blade adapter onto the
engine crankshaft. Place the blade
assembly on the adapter such that the
side of the blade without a wing faces the
ground when the mower is in the
operating position. Make sure that the
blade assembly is aligned and seated on
Key
6
Adapter
7. Replace hex bolt and tighten with a torque
of 38 ft/lb (52 Nm).
Minimum to 50 ft/lb (68 Nm) Maximum.
Washers
To ensure safe operation of your mower,
periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque.
Bolts
Deck Wash (If Equipped)
Your mower's deck may be equipped with a
water port on its surface as part of its deck
wash system.
Use the deck wash to rinse grass clippings from
the deck's underside and prevent the buildup
of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following
steps AFTER EACH MOWING:
1. Push the mower to a level, clear location
on your lawn. Ensure your garden hose
can reach your mower.
2. Remove the fast attach deck wash
nozzle from the mower deck and thread
it onto the end of your garden hose.
3. Attach garden hose with the deck wash
nozzle to the water port on your deck's
surface. See Figure 4-2.
Nut
Blade Disc
Bolt
Figure 7-2
CAUTION: Make certain the
mower's discharge chute is
directed AWAY from your house,
garage, parked cars, etc.
Figure 7-3
4. Turn the water ON.
5. Start the engine as described in the
Engine Operator's Manual.
6. Run the engine for a minimum of two
minutes, allowing the underside of the
cutting deck to thoroughly rinse.
7. Release blade control to stop the engine
and blade.
8. Turn the water OFF and detach the deck
wash nozzle from the water port on your
deck's surface.
After cleaning your deck, restart the mower.
Keep the engine and blade running for a
minimum of two minutes, allowing the
underside of cutting deck to thoroughly dry.
O -Season Storage
The following steps should be taken to prepare
your lawn mower for storage.
Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly
as described in Lubrication instructions.
Coat mower's cutting blade with chassis
grease to prevent rusting.
Refer to engine manual for correct engine
storage instructions.
Do not use a pressure washer or garden
hose to clean your unit.
Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not
store next to corrosive materials, such as
fertilizer.
When storing any type of power equipment in
a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care
should be taken to rust-proof the equipment.
Using a light oil or silicone, coat the equipment,
especially cables and all moving parts of your
lawn mower before storage.
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