Troy-Bilt 31/2 HP - Manual (Page 36)

MAINTENANCE
Cutter Bar Maintenance
Removal and Installation of the Cutter Bar
Assembly
A CAUTION
Before removing or installing the cutter bar assem­
bly, shut the engine off, allo\w it to cool, discon­
nect the spark plug wire and prevent it from touch­
ing the spark plug, and reinstall the plastic blade
protector on the front of the blade. For electric
start models, also remove the Engine Ignition key
from the keyswitch.
Failure to do this could result in personal injury
or property damage.
3. Use both hands (one on each side of the cutter
bar) to pull the cutter bar assembly forward, off the
mower. You may find it helpful to wiggle the ends of
the cutter bar assembly up and down as you’re pull­
ing it forward.
Photo 5-36: Removing the cutter bar assembly
To remove the cutter bar assembly:
1. Remove the crank pin from the right-hand side of
the frame by pushing downward on the crank pin’s
“handle” until it snaps free of its retaining clip. Then
pull the crank pin to the right, out of the hole.
- ''’ V-
Photo 5-35: Removing the cutter bar crank pin.
2. Have an assistant hold the handlebars while you’re
removing the cutter bar assembly (in Step 3). Without
the cutter bar assembly installed, the mower could tip
rearwards.
4. Have your assistant slowly lower the mower’s han­
dlebars until the mower rests on the bottom of its
engine deck. The mower’s nose will be tilted upward.
5. So that you don’t misplace it, reinstall the crank
pin in the side of the mower frame and make sure
that it’s snapped into its retaining clip.
To reinstall the cutter bar assembly:
1. Remove the crank pin from the right-hand side of
the mower.
2. Have an assistant grasp the handlebars to steady
the mower while you’re reinstalling the cutter bar
assembly.
3. Move the drive arm from side to side until it is
above, and parallel with the cutter bar mount.
HINT: If you find the drive arm difficult to turn:
1 ) make sure that the spark plug wire is discon­
nected from the spark plug, 2 ) squeeze the
cutter bar drive lever, and 3) very slowly pull the
engine recoil starter rope.
As you pull the recoil starter rope, the drive arm will
move from side to side. When it lines up with the
cutter bar mount, stop pulling the recoil starter rope.
4. Clean any dirt, rust, or old grease off the mounting
shaft and the shaft on the cutter bar drive socket.
Apply fresh grease to them.
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5. Place the drive socket onto the cutter bar drive
pin.