Operator's Manual
15
3. Loosen the screw that secures the air filter cover to the
engine (Fig. 13).
1003
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1
3
Figure 13
1. Air filter
2. Screw
3. Cover
4. Tilt the air filter cover down and clean it thoroughly.
5. Remove and discard the old paper air filter (Fig. 13).
Important Do not try to clean a paper air filter.
6. Insert a new air filter.
7. Install the air filter cover.
8. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Servicing the Spark Plug
Check the spark plug after every 25 operating hours. Use a
Champion RJ19LM spark plug or equivalent.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 7).
3. Clean around the spark plug and remove it from the
cylinder head.
Important Replace a cracked, fouled, or dirty spark
plug. Do not clean the electrodes because grit entering the
cylinder could damage the engine.
4. Set the gap on the new plug to 0.030 in. (0.76 mm)
(Fig. 14).
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Figure 14
1. 0.030 in. (0.76 mm)
5. Install the spark plug and the gasket seal.
6. Torque the spark plug to 15 ft-lb (20 Nm).
7. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Changing the Engine Oil
Change the oil after the first 5 operating hours and then
after every 50 hours or every season. Run the engine just
before changing the oil to warm the oil. Warm oil flows
better and carries more contaminants.
Note: Change the oil after every 25 hours when operating
under a heavy load or in high temperatures.
1. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 7).
2. Drain the gasoline from the fuel tank; refer to steps 3
and 4 of Emptying the Fuel Tank on page 18.
3. Remove the dipstick from oil fill tube and place a drain
pan next to the left side of the lawn mower.
4. Tip the lawn mower onto its left side, allowing the oil
to drain into the drain pan (Fig. 15).
m-1782
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Figure 15
1. Oil fill tube
5. Turn the lawn mower upright.
6. Fill the crankcase with fresh oil to the Full mark on the
dipstick. Refer to Filling the Crankcase with Oil on
page 8.
7. Install the dipstick.
8. Wipe up any spilled oil.
9. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
10. Recycle the used oil according to local codes.
Maintaining the Blade
A straight, sharp blade provides the best cutting
performance. Regularly inspect and sharpen the blade.
The blade is sharp; contacting the blade can result
in serious personal injury.
Wear gloves or wrap the sharp edges of the blade
with a rag.
Warning
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 7).