Ariens LM21AL Owner's/Operator's Manual page 14

CHECK WHEEL DRIVE CONTROL
(SELF-PROPELLED MODELS)
The unit must stop quickly and completely
when the control is released. Adjust or repair if
necessary. See Wheel Drive Control
Adjustment on page 17.
CHECK GRASS COLLECTOR
Check grass collector frequently for wear or
deterioration. Replace worn or damaged
collector with Ariens original equipment
replacement bag only.
CLEAN UNIT
Before each use clean unit, muffler and engine
surfaces of debris, oil or fuel spills to ensure
proper cooling and prevent fires.
CHECK ENGINE OIL
IMPORTANT: Proper oil level must be
maintained at all times or engine damage will
result.
Check the level of the engine crankcase oil
before each use.
Make sure engine is level when checking oil.
See engine manual for instructions.
CHECK MOWER BLADE
Check for worn or damaged blade and for
loose or damaged hardware. Sharpen or
repair as needed.
Sharpening Mower Blade
CAUTION: DO NOT sharpen mower
blade while on unit. An unbalanced
mower blade will cause excessive
vibration and eventual damage to unit.
Check mower blade balance prior to
reinstalling mower blades.
NEVER weld or straighten mower
blades.
1. Remove mower blade from unit.
Remove spark plug wire.
Block blade to prevent rotation.
Remove hardware as shown (Figure 10).
1. Engine Hub
2. Cupped
Washer
Ariens recommends having mower blades
sharpened by a professional. Contact your
Ariens dealer.
Discard mower blade if (Figure 11):
• more than 1/2 in. (1.27 cm) of metal is
removed.
• the air lift erosion area (item 1) is
eroded.
• the mower blade is bent or broken.
Do not change angle of cutting edge (item 2)
or round the corner at the end of mower blade.
2. Sharpen mower blade by removing an
equal amount of material from each end
of mower blade.
3. Check mower blade balance by sliding
mower blade on an unthreaded bolt. If
blade is balanced, it should remain in a
horizontal position. If either end of mower
blade moves downward, sharpen the
heavy end until mower blade is balanced
(Figure 12).
4. Install mower blade on unit.
Replace blade and hardware on shaft.
Torque bolt to 29 - 32.5 lbf-ft (4-4.5 kgm).
Replace spark plug wire.
GB - 14
1
5
3. Flat Washer
4. Bolt
5. Blade
Figure 10
2
3
4
OM1361