Walker MW 15 HP - Manual (Page 41)

37
Maintenance Instructions CHECKING/SERVICING
CHECKING/SERVICING
Battery
Charging the Battery
Limit initial charging current to 1000mA. Charge un-
til battery voltage (under charge) reaches 14.40 to
14.70 volts at 68°F (20°C). Hold at 14.40 to 14.70
volts until current drops to approximately 50mA.
Battery is fully charged under these conditions, and
charger should be disconnected.
NOTE: Due to the self-discharge characteristics of
this type of battery, it is imperative that it be charged
after 6-9 months of storage, otherwise permanent
loss of capacity might occur as a result of sulfation.
Tire Pressure
Inflate tires to pressures shown below:
Deck Caster Wheel = 20 PSI (137 kPa)
Drive = 15 PSI (103 kPa)
Rear
= 20 PSI (137 kPa)
Sharpen Mower Blades
Check mower blade(s) for straightness, sharp-
ness, condition of the cutting edge, and balance
every 10 hours of operation (or more often when
mowing abrasive type grass or operating on sandy
soils). Replace blades if worn, bent, cracked, or
otherwise damaged (refer to REPLACING/RE-
PAIRING the Mower Blades in this section). Use
the following procedure to check and sharpen
blades:
NOTE: Keep blades sharp - cutting with dull
blades not only yields a poor mowing job but
slows the cutting speed of the mower and caus-
es extra wear on the engine and blade drive by
pulling hard.
1. Stop the engine, remove ignition key, and dis-
connect the spark plug wires before raising the
mower deck to service blades.
2. Raise the deck and secure it in the TILT-UP po-
sition. Refer to CLEANING the Grass Buildup
in Mower Housing in this section for deck rais-
ing instructions.
3. Check the blades for straightness by marking
the blade tip position inside the deck housing,
and then rotating the opposite end of the blade
to the same position and comparing. If the dif-
ference in blade tip track is more than 1/8 in.
(3 mm), the blade is bent and should be re-
placed.
4. If the blade cutting edge is dull or nicked, it
should be sharpened. Remove blades for
sharpening by grasping the end of the blade us-
ing a rag or a thick, padded glove, while loosen-
ing and removing the nut, lock washer, and flat
washer that mounts the blade.
5. Grind cutting edge at the same bevel as the
original. Sharpen only the top of the cutting
edge to maintain sharpness.
NOTE: Blades can be sharpened with an elec-
tric blade sharpener, conventional electric grind-
er, or a hand file.
DANGER
To prevent accidental starting of the en-
gine when servicing or adjusting the ma-
chine, remove the key from the ignition
switch and disconnect the spark plug
wires.
DANGER
NEVER operate cutter blades with the
deck in the raised position.
WARNING
DO NOT try to straighten a blade that is
bent. NEVER weld a broken or cracked
blade. ALWAYS replace with a new blade
to assure safety.
CAUTION
ALWAYS wear eye protection and gloves
when sharpening a blade.