F-050451L - Murray 226112x52A Instruction Book

Engine Maintenance
Use the following maintenance section to keep
your unit in good operating condition. All the
maintenance information for the engine is in the
engine manufacturer's instructions. Before you
start the engine, read this book.
WARNING: Before you make an in-
spection, adjustment (except
carburettor), or repair, disconnect
the wire from the spark plug.
Engine Tipping (Figure 20)
When you service the engine, inspect the blade,
or clean the underside of the mower housing;
make sure to always tip the engine with the
spark plug up. Transporting or tipping the engine
with the spark plug down will cause:
G
Hard starting.
G
Engine smoking.
G
Spark plug fouling.
G
Oil or gas saturation of the air filter.
Lubrication
1. For maximum performance, lubricate the
wheels and all pivot points with engine oil
every 25 hours.
2. To lubricate the engine, refer to the engine
manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE: Do not lubricate the engine stop
cable. Lubricants will damage the cable and
prevent the cable from moving freely. Re-
place the cable if bent or damaged.
How To Clean The Mower Housing
WARNING: The blade will rotate
when the engine runs. Before you
clean the mower housing, stop the
engine and disconnect the wire from the
spark plug.
Grass and other debris can keep the mower
from working correctly. After you mow, clean the
mower housing as follows.
1. Stop the engine.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
3. Clean the top and the bottom of the mower
housing.
How To Adjust The Height Of Cut
(Figure 11)
WARNING: The blade will rotate
when the engine runs. Before you
change the height of cut, discon-
nect the wire to the spark plug.
To change the height of cut, move the position of
the adjuster arm (1) at each wheel. Make sure
each adjuster arm (1) is in the same position so
that the mower will cut level.
1. Disengage the adjuster arm (1).
2. Move the adjuster arm (1) to another posi-
tion.
How To Remove The Drive Belt
To remove the drive belt, follow the steps below.
WARNING: Before you remove the
belt, disconnect the wire from the
spark plug.
1. (Figure 13) Remove the belt cover (1).

F-050451L

2. (Figure 14) Loosen the belt tension bolt
(2).
3. Remove the front of the drive belt (3) from
the transmission pulley (4).
4. (Figure 15) To remove the rear of the drive
belt (3), slip the drive belt (3) over the end
of the blade (4).
NOTE: Make sure you replace the drive
belt only with a replacement belt from the
factory.
5. To assemble the drive belt (3), reverse the
above steps.
6. (Figure 16) Set the belt tension.
a. Tighten the adjuster nut (5) until the nut
touches the spacer (6). Try to turn the
spacer (6). When the adjuster nut (5)
touches the spacer (6), the spacer (6)
will not turn.
b. Then, loosen the adjuster nut (5) only
enough to allow the spacer (6) to turn.
The tension on the drive belt (3) is now
correct.
13
7. (Figure ) Install the belt cover (1).
8. Before you begin to mow, make sure the
drive system will correctly disengage and
that the mower will stop. If the drive system
will not disengage, take the mower to an
authorized service center before you operate
the mower.
How To Adjust The Drive Cable
(Figure 12)
WARNING: Before you adjust the
drive cable, release the engine stop
lever and wait for the engine to
stop.
If the drive system does not engage and
disengage correctly, check the handle for correct
assembly. Make sure that all parts are in good
condition, not broken or bent, and that all
fasteners are tight.
Worn parts and cable stretch will change the
performance of the drive system. When you
mow in high or thick grass or on hills, the drive
system can slip. If the drive system is slipping,
adjust as follows or take the mower to an
authorized service center.
IMPORTANT: Before you start the engine,
operate the engine stop lever several times.
Make sure the engine stop cable moves free-
ly.
NOTE: The engine design does not include a
throttle control or an engine speed adjust-
ment. The engine is set at the best speed for
cutting grass, bagging grass, and for ex-
tended engine life.
1. If the drive system is slipping, turn the cable
adjuster (1) one turn in the direction as
shown in the illustration. Test the drive sys-
tem and check for slippage.
2. If the drive system still slips, turn the cable
adjuster (1) one more turn to shorten the
cable. Again, test the drive system.
3. Repeat the adjustment and test until the
drive system does not slip.
7
4. Before you begin to mow, make sure the
drive system will correctly disengage and
that the mower will stop. If the drive system
will not disengage, take the mower to an au-
thorized service center before you operate
the mower.
Mulching Blade Replacement
A mulching mower is equipped with a special
mulching blade. If the mulching blade becomes
worn or damaged, replace with an original
equipment mulching blade. A standard blade will
not cut correctly and could cause an accident.
Blade Service
WARNING: Before you inspect the
blade or the blade adapter, discon-
nect the wire to the spark plug. If
the blade hits an object, stop the engine.
Disconnect the wire to the spark plug.
Check the unit for damage.
Frequently check the blade for wear or damage
such as cracks. Frequently check the bolt that
holds the blade. Keep the bolt tight. If the blade
hits an object, stop the engine. Disconnect the
wire to the spark plug. Check the blade adapter
for damage. Check for a bent or damaged blade,
a badly worn blade, or other damage. Before
you operate the unit, damaged parts must be
replaced with factory replacement parts. For
safety, replace the blade every two years. Keep
a sharp edge on the blade. A blade that is not
sharp will cause the ends of the grass to
become brown. Remove the blade as follows.
How To Remove The Blade
(Figure 17 and Figure 18)
WARNING: Before you remove the
blade, disconnect the wire to the
spark plug. The blade has sharp
edges. When you hold the blade, use
gloves or cloth material to protect your
hands.
1. Drain the fuel tank.
2. Lift the side of the mower that has the muffler
or spark plug.
3. Use a piece of wood to keep the blade from
rotating.
4. Remove the bolt (1) that holds the blade (2).
5. Check the blade according to the "Blade Ser-
vice" instructions. Replace a badly worn or
damaged blade with a factory replacement
blade.
6. Mount the blade with the curved edges to-
ward the housing. If the blade is upside
down, the blade will not cut correctly and can
cause an accident.
7. Fasten the blade 2) with the original
washers (3 and 4) and bolt (1). Make sure
the outside rims of the Belleville washers
(4) are toward the blade (2).
8. Tighten the bolt (1) that holds the blade (2)
to a torque of 30 foot pounds.
WARNING: Always keep the bolt
(1) that holds the blade (2) tight. A
loose bolt (1) or blade (2) can
cause an accident.
Check The Level Of Cut
Test the unit in a small area. If the height of cut
is not level or if the cut grass is not discharged,
the cause can be: (1) the blade is bent or
GB