MTD 100 Series - Manual (Page 11)

11
5
WARNING
When removing
the cutting blade
for sharpening or
replacement, protect
your hands with a
pair of heavy gloves
or use a heavy rag to
hold the blade.
An unbalanced blade
will cause excessive
vibration when rotat-
ing at high speeds. It
may cause damage
to mower, and could
break causing per-
sonal injury.
Figure 11
Blade Care
WARNING: When removing the
cutting blade for sharpening or
replacement, protect your hands
with a pair of heavy gloves or use
a heavy rag to hold the blade.
Periodically inspect the blade adapter for
cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object.
Replace when necessary. Follow the steps
below for blade service:
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug.
2. Tip mower as specified in separate engine
manual. If it does not specify turn mower on
its side making sure that the air filter and the
carburetor are up.
3. Remove the bolt and the blade bell support
which hold the blade and the blade adapter
to the engine crankshaft. See Figure 11.
4. Remove blade and adapter from the crank-
shaft.
5. The blade may be resharpened by removing
it and either grinding or filing the cutting edge
keeping as close to the original bevel as
possible. Do not attempt to sharpen the blade
while it is still on the mower.
6. It is extremely important that each cutting
edge receives an equal amount of grinding to
prevent an unbalanced blade.
NOTE: Improper blade balance will result in
excessive vibration causing eventual damage to
the engine and mower. Be sure to carefully bal-
ance blade after sharpening. Possible damage
resulting from blade unbalance condition is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE: Always remove blade from the adapter
for testing balance.
7. The blade can be tested for balance by
balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver.
Remove metal from the heavy side until it
balances evenly.
8. Before reassembling the blade and the blade
adapter to the unit, lubricate the engine
crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade
adapter with light oil.
Cutting grass in sandy
soil condition causes
abrasive wear to the
blade.
9. Install the blade adapter on the crankshaft
with the “star” away from the engine. See
Figure 11. Place the blade with the side
marked “bottom” (or with part number) facing
away from the adapter. Align the blade bell
support over the blade with the tabs in the
holes of the blade and insert the hex bolt.
10. Tighten the hex bolt to the torque listed
below:
Blade Mounting Torque
Center Bolt 450 in. lb. min., 600 in.lb. max.
To insure safe operation of your unit, ALL nuts
and bolts must be checked periodically for
correct tightness.
Off-Season Storage
The following steps should be taken to prepare
your lawn mower for storage.
1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as
described in the lubrication instructions.
2. We do not recommend the use of a pressure
washer or garden hose to clean your unit.
3. Refer to engine manual for correct engine
storage instructions.
4. Coat mower’s cutting blade with chassis
grease to prevent rusting.
5. Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not
store next to corrosive materials, such as
fertilizer.
NOTE: When storing any type of power equip-
ment in a poorly ventilated or metal storage
shed, care should be taken to rust-proof the
equipment. Using a light oil or silicone, coat the
equipment, especially cables and all moving
parts of your lawn mower before storage.
Maintenance