Troy-Bilt 420 - Manual (Page 11)

11
Figure 5-3: Removing the rear flap.
5
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
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.
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. Turn
mower on its side making sure that the air filter and
the carburetor are up.
2. Remove the bolt and the bell washer which hold the
blade and the blade adapter to the engine crankshaft.
See Figure 5-2.
3. Remove blade and adapter from the crankshaft.
4. The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a grind-
ing wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the blade while
it is still on the mower. When sharpening the blade,
follow the original angle of grind and grind each cut-
ting edge equally to keep the blade balanced. Balance
the blade on a round shaft screwdriver. Remove metal
from the heavy side until it balances evenly.
WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause
excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may cause damage to mower, and could
break causing personal injury.
5. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and slide the blade
adapter onto the engine crankshaft.
6. Place the blade on the adapter such that the side
of the blade marked “Bottom” (or with part number)
faces the ground when the mower is in the operating
position. Make sure that the blade is aligned and
seated on the blade adapter flanges.
7. Place bell washer on the blade. Align notches on the
blade bell support with small holes in blade.
8. Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450
in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.
To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically
check the blade bolt for correct torque.
Replacing Rear Flap
1. To remove rear flap, lift rear door, and press flap in on
either side to remove from hole. See Figure 5-3.
2. Remove flap from opposite hole and replace with new
flap in the opposite order and manner of removal.
Off-Season Storage
The following steps should be taken to prepare your
lawn mower for storage.
• Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described
in the lubrication instructions.
• We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer
or garden hose to clean your unit.
• Refer to engine manual for correct engine
storage instructions.
• Coat mower’s cutting blade with chassis grease to
prevent rusting.
• Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next
to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.
When storing any type of power equipment 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.
Figure 5-2: Remove blade and hardware.
Hex Bolt
Blade
Blade
Adapter
Bell
Washer