Troy-Bilt TBR16 - Manual (Page 8)

Maintenance & Adjustments
5
8
Maintenance
General Recommendations
Always observe safety rules when performing any •
maintenance.
The warranty on this lawn mower does not cover items that
•
have been subjected to operator abuse or negligence. To
receive full value from warranty, operator must maintain
the lawn mower as instructed here.
All adjustments should be checked at least once each
•
season.
Periodically check all fasteners and make sure these are
•
tight.
Regularly apply lubricant to mower’s cutting surfaces,
•
cutting reel axle shaft and wheels.
Cleaning the Mower
To prevent the build-up of grass clippings or other debris, clean
the mower by wiping it down with a damp cloth after each use.
Scrape and clean the mower with a suitable tool (e.g. a •
plastic scraper or brush).
Do not use a pressure washer or garden hose to clean the
•
mower.
Remove deposits from the wheel tread.
•
Blade Care
WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them.
Periodically sharpen the blades as follows:
Spread a thin layer of lapping compound (100 - 240 grit) on 1.
the front edge of the reel blades.
Adjust the cutter bar so that the blade has light but firm
2.
contact across the full width of the cutter bar. Refer to
Blade Clearance Adjustment later in this section.
Operate the mower on a paved surface until the front edge
3.
of the cutter bar blade is polished.
Clean any grinding compound or debris from the cutter bar
4.
blade, reel blade, pinions, and pawls.
Adjustments
WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wear gloves, and use extra caution when servicing
them. Any wheel rotation can cause the blade reel
to rotate.
Blade Clearance Adjustment
The blade reel is adjusted for proper clearance from the cutting
bar at the factory. However, after extended periods of mowing or
as part of annual maintenance, it is recommended that the blade
clearance be readjusted.
If blade clearance is too wide, the cutting pattern will be •
rough and uneven.
If blade clearance is too narrow, the machine will be noisy
•
and difficult to push while operating.
To adjust blade clearance, proceed as follows:
Locate the adjustment bolts found on the underside of the 1.
cutting bar on the rear of the mower.
Using a 13mm wrench, tighten the adjustment bolts (one
2.
on each end) 1/4-turn. See Fig. 5-1.
CAUTION: Do not overtighten the adjusting
screws, as this could damage the cutter bar. Tighten
both screws during final adjustment.
Figure 5-1