Bolens 115-500-000 - Manual (Page 11)

When replacing the blade, be sure to install the
blade with the side of the blade marked “Bottom”
(or with part number) facing the ground when the
mower is in the operating position.
Blade Mounting Torque
3/8" Dia. Bolt 375 in. lb. min., 450 in. lb. max.
5/16" Dia. Bolt 150 in. lb. min., 250 in. lb. max.
To insure safe operation of your unit, all nuts and
bolts must be checked periodically for correct
tightness.
DECK
The underside of mower deck should be cleaned
after each period of use as grass clippings, leaves,
dirt
and other matter will accumulate. This ac­
cumulation of grass clippings, etc., is undesirable
as it will invite rust and corrosion and may cause
an uneven discharge of grass clippings at the next
cutting.
The deck may be cleaned by tilting the mower for­
ward
or on its side and scraping clean with a
suitable tool or by washing with a stream of water
from a garden hose.
NOTE
Do not direct the stream of water at
a
hot engine as damage to the
engine may result.
ENGINE OIL
Check oil level before starting engine and after
every 5 hours of operation. ADD oil as necessary
to keep level to full mark on dipstick. Before
removing dipstick, clean area around dipstick to
prevent dirt from entering oil fill tube. Engine
should be in a level position when checking oil.
Change oil after first 5 hours of operation.
Thereafter change every 25 hours. Change oil
while engine is warm. Oil may be drained thru oil
drain on bottom of the engine. Oil capacity VA
pints.
AIR CLEANER
Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal
conditions. Clean every few hours under extreme­
ly dusty conditions. Poor engine performance and
flooding usually indicates that the air cleaner
should be serviced.
To service the air cleaner, refer to the separate
engine manual packed with your unit.
SPARK PLUG
The spark plug should be cleaned and the gap
reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is
recommended at the start of each mowing
season; check engine manual for correct plug
type and gap specifications.
OFF-SEASON STORAGE
The following steps should be taken to prepare
lawn mower for storage.
1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as
described in the lubrication instructions.
2. Refer to engine manual for correct engine
storage instructions.
3. Coat mower’s cutting blade with chassis
grease to prevent rusting.
4. Store mower in a dry, clean area.
NOTE
When storing any type of power
equipment in an unventilated or
metal storage shed, care should be
taken to rustproof the equipment.
Using a light oil or silicone, coat
the equipment, especially cables
and all moving parts.
HANDLE STORAGE
The handle may be placed in an upright position
for storage.
Move hairpin cotters to outer hole on weld pins.
See figure 2. Press inward on the bottom of the
lower handle and push forward. The handle will
lock in this position.
To place the handle in the operating position,
remove the starter rope from the rope guide bolt.
Grasp the lower handle at the bottom, pull inward
slightly and tip the handle backward. Place the
cotter hairpins in the inner holes. With the spark
plug wire disconnected and grounded, depress
the blade control handle and pull the starter rope
out from the engine. Slip the starter rope into the
rope guide bolt.
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