Servicing The Cutting Blades - Toro 14-38Z Operator's Manual

1
Figure 24
1. Spark plug
Checking the Spark Plug
1. Look at the center of the spark plug (Fig. 25). If you see
light brown or gray on the insulator, the engine is
operating properly. A black coating on the insulator
usually means the air cleaner is dirty.
Important
Never clean the spark plug. Always replace
the spark plug when it has a black coating, worn electrodes,
an oily film, or cracks.
2. Check the gap between the center and side electrodes
(Fig. 25). Bend the side electrode (Fig. 25) if the gap is
not correct.
2
1
Figure 25
1. Center electrode insulator
2. Side electrode
Installing the Spark Plug
1. Install the spark plug. Make sure that the air gap is set
correctly.
2. Tighten the spark plug to 30 ft-lb (41 N m).
3. Push the wire onto the spark plug (Fig. 24).
2
m–6419
2. Spark plug wire
3
0.030 inch
(0.76 mm)
m–3215
3. Air gap (not to scale)
23

Servicing the Cutting Blades

Maintain sharp blades throughout the cutting season
because sharp blades cut cleanly without tearing or
shredding the grass blades. Tearing and shredding turns
grass brown at the edges, which slows growth and increases
the chance of disease.
Check the cutter blades daily for sharpness, and for any
wear or damage. File down any nicks and sharpen the
blades as necessary. If a blade is damaged or worn, replace
it immediately with a genuine Toro replacement blade. For
convenient sharpening and replacement, you may want to
keep extra blades on hand.
Warning
A worn or damaged blade can break, and a piece
of the blade could be thrown into the operator's or
bystander's area, resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
Inspect the blade periodically for wear or
damage.
Replace a worn or damaged blade.
Before Inspecting or Servicing the Blades
Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the PTO,
and move the motion control levers to the brake position.
Stop the engine, remove the key, and disconnect the spark
plug wire(s) from the spark plug(s).
Inspecting the Blades
1. Inspect the cutting edges (Fig. 26). If the edges are not
sharp or have nicks, remove and sharpen the blades;
refer to Sharpening the Blades, page 24.
2. Inspect the blades, especially the curved area (Fig. 26).
If you notice any damage, wear, or a slot forming in this
area (item 3 in Fig. 26), immediately install a new
blade.