Maintaining The Blade - Toro 22168TE Operator's Manual

9. Clean the foam element in warm, soapy water or in a
nonflammable solvent.
Note: Do not use gasoline to clean the foam element
because it could create a risk of fire or explosion.
10. Rinse and dry the foam element thoroughly.
11. Dip the foam element in clean engine oil, then squeeze
out the excess oil.
Note: Excess oil in the foam element restricts the air
flow through the element and may reach the paper
filter and clog it.
12. Wipe dirt from the base and the cover with a moist
rag.
Note: Be careful to prevent dirt and debris from
entering the air duct leading to the carburetor.
13. Install the air cleaner elements and ensure that they are
properly positioned.
14. Securely install the cover with the 2 wing bolts.

Maintaining the Blade

Always mow with a sharp blade. A sharp blade cuts
cleanly and without tearing or shredding the grass blades.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 7).
3. Drain the gasoline from the fuel tank.
4. Tip the lawn mower onto its right side (air cleaner up)
(Fig. 23).
1
4
Figure 23
1. Blade
2. Blade nuts
Inspecting the Blade
Carefully examine the blade for sharpness and wear,
especially where the flat and the curved parts meet
(Fig. 24A). Because sand and abrasive material can wear
away the metal that connects the flat and curved parts of
2
3
m-796
3. Accelerator
4. Anti-scalp cup
20
the blade, check the blade before using the lawn mower. If
you notice a slot or wear (Figs. 24B and 24C), replace the
blade; refer to Removing the Blade on page 20.
A
B
C
Figure 24
1. Sail
2. Flat part of blade
Note: For the best performance, install a new blade before
the cutting season begins. During the year, file down any
small nicks to maintain the cutting edge.
Danger
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.
Removing the Blade
1. Grasp the end of the blade using a rag or a thickly
padded glove.
2. Remove the blade nuts, the anti-scalp cup, the
accelerator, and the blade (Fig. 23).
1
1
2
1
3
270
4
3. Wear
4. Slot formed