MTD 243-635-000 - Manual (Page 12)

Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal con­
ditions. Clean every few hours under extreme y dusty
conditions. Poor engine performance and f coding
usually indicates that the air cleaner should be ser­
viced. To service the air cleaner refer to the sjparate
engine manual packed with your unit.
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gf p reset
once a season. Spark plug replacement is recom­
mended at the start of each season; check engine
manual for correct plug type and gap specificalion.
Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush.
Keep the cooling system (blower housing are? ) clean
to permit proper air circulation which is essential to
engine performance and life. Be certain to remove all
dirt and combustible debris from muffler area.
FLEXIBLE PUMP COUPLER
The flexible pump coupler is a nylon “spider’ insert,
located between the pump and engine shaft. Over a
period of time, the coupler will harden and deter orate.
Replacement is needed if you detect vibration ( »r noise
coming from the area between the engine i.nd the
pump. If the coupler fails completely, you will experi­
ence a loss of power.
IMPORTANT: Never hit the pump shaft in any
manner, as any blow will cause permanent dam­
age to the pump.
When replacing the flexible pump coupling, f roceed
as follows. Follow the instructions carefully as the
alignment is very critical.
1. Disconnect the spark plug wire from tho spark
plug, and secure it away from the spark plug.
2. Using a 1/2 inch wrench, remove three n Jts and
lock washers which secure the pump to the cou­
pling shield. Two nuts are at the bottom corners
and one is in the top center.
3. Remove the pump.
4. Rotate the engine by pulling starter hanc le until
engine coupling half set screw is at tottom.
Loosen set screw using 7/64 inch Allen '\/rench.
Slide coupling half off of engine shaft.
5. Loosen set screw on pump coupling hi.If, and
remove coupling half.
6. Slide new engine coupling half onto the engine
shaft until the end of the shaft is flush viith the
inner portion of the coupling half. (There nust be
space between end of the engine support Dracket
and coupling half.) Tighten set screw.
7. Install pump coupling half and key on pumo shaft.
Rotate coupling half until set screw faces down.
Do not tighten set screw.
8. Install nylon “spider” onto engine coupling lalf.
10.
Align pump coupling half with nylon “spider” by
rotating engine using starter handle. Slide cou­
pling half into place while guiding three mounting
bolts through holes in pump support bracket.
Secure with nuts and washers removed earlier.
11. Set .010 to .060 inch clearance between the
nylon “spider” and the engine coupling half by
sliding a matchbook cover between the nylon
“spider” and the engine coupling half and moving
pump coupling half as needed. Secure pump cou­
pling half with set screw. See figure 16.
NOTE: Make certain proper clearance is obtained
before tightening set screw.
12. Reattach spark plug wire to spark plug.
PUMP
FIGURE 16.—Bottom View
TIRES
Recommended operating tire pressure is 12 to 15
p.s.i. (sidewall of tire may give tire manufacturer’s rec­
ommended pressure). Maximum tire pressure under
any circumstances is 30 p.s.i. Equal tire pressure
should be maintained on all tires.
When installing a tire to the rim, be certain rim is
clean and free of rust. Lubricate both the tire and rim
generously. Never inflate to over 30 p.s.i. to seat
beads.
A
WARNING: Excessive pressure (over 30
p.s.i.) when seating beads may cause
tire/rim assembly to burst with force suf­
ficient to cause serious injury.
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