Cleaning The Mower - Cub Cadet W3 Operator's Manual

4. After the oil has finished draining, screw
the cap back onto the end of the oil
drain hose. See Figure 4-5.
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Figure 4-5
5. Position the hose back over the deck
and press the hose back into place on
the deck.
6. Refill the engine with new oil. Refer
to the Engine Operator's Manual for
information regarding the volume and
weight of engine oil.

Cleaning the Mower

Smart Jet
Your mower's deck is equipped with a water
port on its surface as part of its deck wash
system.
Use the Smart Jet to rinse grass clippings from
the deck's underside and prevent the buildup
of corrosive chemicals. Complete the following
steps AFTER EACH MOWING:
WARNING! Before using the
deck wash system, always
disengage the blade control,
stop engine and remove key to
prevent unintended starting.
1. Position the mower on a level, clear
location on your lawn, near enough for
your garden hose to reach.
CAUTION: Make certain the
mower's discharge chute is
directed AWAY from your house,
garage, parked cars, etc.
2. Remove the fast attach deck wash
nozzle from the mower deck and thread
it onto the end of your garden hose.
3. Attach garden hose with the deck wash
nozzle to the water port on your deck's
surface. See Figure 4-6.
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Figure 4-6
4. Turn the water ON and start the engine
as described in the Controls & Operation
section.
5. While in the operator's position behind
the mower, depress the lockout lever
and pull the blade control back against
the drive control to engage the blades.
6. Remain in the operator's position
with the cutting deck engaged for a
minimum of two minutes, allowing
the underside of the cutting deck to
thoroughly rinse.
7. Release the blade control to disengage
the cutting deck and stop the blades.
8. Push and hold the ON/OFF switch until
the mower engine stops.
9. Turn the water OFF and detach the deck
wash nozzle from the water port on your
deck's surface.
After cleaning your deck with the Smart Jet
system, start the mower's engine, return to the
operator's position and engage the blades.
Keep the cutting deck running for a minimum
of two minutes, allowing the underside of the
cutting deck to thoroughly dry.
Blade Care
WARNING! Shut the engine OFF
and remove ignition key (if so
equipped) before removing the
cutting blade(s) for sharpening
or replacement. Protect your
hands by using heavy gloves
when grasping the blades.
WARNING! Periodically inspect
the blade and/or spindle for
cracks or damage, especially
after you've struck a foreign
object. Do not operate the
machine until damaged
components are replaced.
To remove the blades, proceed as follows:
1. Allow the engine to run until it is out of
fuel. Do not attempt to pour fuel from
the engine. Disconnect spark plug wire.
Refer to Engine Operator's Manual.
2. Turn mower on its side making sure
that the air filter and the carburetor are
facing up.
3. Place a block of wood between the
center deck housing baffle and the
cutting blade to prevent the blade from
turning when loosening the blade's hex
flange nut. See Figure 4-7.
Figure 4-7
4. Remove the hex flange nuts (a) that
secures the blades to the spindle
assembly. See Figure 4-8.
Note:
The hex flange nuts are secured
using a standard thread pattern. Turn
counter-clockwise to loosen.
(a)
Figure 4-8
5. Remove the blades (b) from the mowing
deck.
6. Replace or sharpen the blades. To
properly sharpen the cutting blades,
remove equal amounts of metal from
both ends of the blades along the
cutting edges, parallel to the trailing
edge, at a 25° to 30° angle. Always grind
each cutting blade edge equally to
maintain proper blade balance.
See Figure 4-9.
Figure 4-9
S 4 — S
ECTION ERVICE
(b)
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