Craftsman 536.270281 Operator's Manual page 20

MAINTENANCE
4
INSPECT BLADE
WARNING: Before you inspect or remove the blade,
disconnect the wire to the spark plug, If the blade
4_lb hits an object, stop the engine, Check the unit for
damage, The blade has sharp edges, When you
hold the blade, use gloves or cloth material to pro-
tect your hands.
If you keep the blade sharp and inspect the blade for damage,
the blade will cut better and be mere safe to operate Frequently
check the blade for excessive wear, cracks or other damage
Frequently check the nut that helds the blade Keep the nut tight
If the blade hits an object stop the engine. Disconnect the wire to
the spark plug. See if the blade is bent or damaged. Check the
blade adapter for damage. Before you operate the unit, replace
damaged parts with odginal equipment parts See a Sears
Service Center in your area Every three years, have a qualified
service person inspect the blade or replace the old blade with an
original equipment part.
HOW TO REMOVE AND INSTALL THE BLADE
To Remove
1. Drain the fuel tank.
2. Lift the side of the mower that has the muffler or spark plug
3. As you loosen the nut use a piece of wood to keep the blade
from rotating.
4. Remove the nut, washers, and blade (Figure 14).
Hi-Lift
Blade
Mandrel
Blade Adapter
Washer
Nut Figure 14
5. Check the blade and the blade adapter according to the
instructions for "Inspect Blade". Replace a badly worn or
damaged blade with an odginal equipment blade See a
Sears Service Center in your area.
6. Clean the bottom of the mower housing Remove all the
grass and debris.
To Install
1. Mount the blade and blade adapter on the mandrel
(Figure 14).
2. Mount the blade so that the hi-lift edges are up. If the blade
is upside down, the blade will not cut correctly and can
cause an accident.
3. Fasten the blade with the original washers and nut. Make
sure the outside rim of the Betleville washer is against the
blade (Figure 15}
_hb ARNING: Always keep the nut tight that holds the
blade A loose nut or blade can cause an accident.
F-040601C
20
_ghten the nutthat holds the blade tea torque of 35 foot
pounds.
BladeAdapt
Blade
Washe
(Outside_m must be
against the blade.} I Figure 15
HOW TO SHARPEN THE BLADE
WARNING: Vibration can be caused if the blade is
not correctly balanced or if the blade is damaged,
A blade that is damaged with cracks can break and
cause an accident.
Keep a sharp edge on the blade. A blade that is net sharp will
cause the tips of the grass to become brown
1 Sharpen the blade two times a year or every 25 hours.
2 Remove the blade according to the instructions in "Hew To
Remove And Install The Blade".
3. Clean the blade with a brush, soap and water. Check the
blade. Look for cracks nicks, or other damage Replace a
badly worn or damaged blade with an original equipment
blade See a Sears Service Center in your area
4 Sharpen the blade with a file (Figure 16) Make sure you
keep the odginal bevel angle.
5 Make sure the blade is balanced Use a screwdriver and
hold the blade parallel to the ground (Figure 16) A blade
that is balanced will stay parallel to the ground. If the blade
is not balanced the heavy end will relate toward the ground.
Sharpen the heavy end until the blade is balanced.
6 A new blade will cut better than a badly worn blade. Every
three years, have a qualified service person inspect the
blade or replace the old blade with an original equipment
blade
7 Assemble the blade according to the instructions 'How To
Remove And Install The Blade".
Screwddv__
I
Blade is balanced
I
I
_he_ parallel tothegrou.d, I
Greund
File
Figure 16