Bolens 979 Service Manual
13
•
Periodically check all fasteners and make sure
these are tight.
these are tight.
•
Follow the maintenance schedule under Customer
Responsibilities to get quality performance from
your lawn mower.
Responsibilities to get quality performance from
your lawn mower.
Lubrication
WARNING: Always stop engine and
disconnect spark plug wire before
cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of
service work on the lawn mower.
disconnect spark plug wire before
cleaning, lubricating or doing any kind of
service work on the lawn mower.
Blade Control: Lubricate the pivot points on the blade
control handle at least once a season with light oil. The
blade control must operate freely in both directions.
See Figure 15.
control handle at least once a season with light oil. The
blade control must operate freely in both directions.
See Figure 15.
Wheels: Lubricate the wheels at least once a season
with light oil (or motor oil). If the wheels are removed for
any reason, lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and
inner surface of the wheel with light oil. See Figure 15.
with light oil (or motor oil). If the wheels are removed for
any reason, lubricate the surface of the axle bolt and
inner surface of the wheel with light oil. See Figure 15.
Engine: Follow the separate engine manual packed
with you unit for lubrication instructions.
with you unit for lubrication instructions.
Figure 15
Maintenance
NOTE: When tipping the unit, empty the fuel tank and
keep the air cleaner side of engine up. Never tip the
mower more than 90 degrees and do not leave the
mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into
the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.
keep the air cleaner side of engine up. Never tip the
mower more than 90 degrees and do not leave the
mower tipped for any length of time. Oil can drain into
the upper part of the engine causing a starting problem.
Engine
Refer to the separate engine manual for all engine
maintenance instructions.
maintenance instructions.
•
Maintain engine oil as instructed in the separate
engine manual packed with your unit.
engine manual packed with your unit.
•
Service air cleaner every 25 hours under normal
conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding
conditions. Poor engine performance and flooding
usually indicate that the air cleaner should be
serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the
separate engine manual packed with your unit.
serviced. To service the air cleaner, refer to the
separate engine manual packed with your unit.
•
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.
reset once a season. Spark plug replacement is
recommended at the start of each mowing season.
•
Clean the engine regularly with a cloth or brush.
Keep the cooling system (blower housing area)
clean to permit proper air circulation which is
essential to engine performance and life. Be certain
to remove all grass, dirt, and combustible debris
from muffler area.
Keep the cooling system (blower housing area)
clean to permit proper air circulation which is
essential to engine performance and life. Be certain
to remove all grass, dirt, and combustible debris
from muffler area.
Deck
The underside of the mower deck should be cleaned
after each use to prevent a buildup of grass clippings,
leaves, dirt, or other matter. If this debris is allowed to
accumulate, it will invite rust and corrosion, and may
prevent proper mulching, discharge, or bagging. The
deck may be cleaned by tilting the mower and scraping
clean with a suitable tool (make certain the spark plug
wire is disconnected).
after each use to prevent a buildup of grass clippings,
leaves, dirt, or other matter. If this debris is allowed to
accumulate, it will invite rust and corrosion, and may
prevent proper mulching, discharge, or bagging. The
deck may be cleaned by tilting the mower and scraping
clean with a suitable tool (make certain the spark plug
wire is disconnected).
IMPORTANT:
We do not recommend the use of a
pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.
Cutting Blade Removal, Replacement, and Sharpening
•
When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or
replacement, protect your hands with a pair of
heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.
replacement, protect your hands with a pair of
heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.
•
Remove the bolt and the blade bell support which
hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine
crankshaft. See Figure 16.
hold the blade and the blade adapter to the engine
crankshaft. See Figure 16.
•
Remove the blade and the adapter from the
crankshaft.
crankshaft.
WARNING: Periodically inspect the blade
adapter for cracks, especially if you strike
a foreign object. Replace when necessary.
adapter for cracks, especially if you strike
a foreign object. Replace when necessary.
Figure 16
When sharpening the blade, follow the original angle of
grind as a guide. It is extremely important that each
cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to
prevent an unbalanced blade. An unbalanced blade will
cause excessive vibration when rotating at high
grind as a guide. It is extremely important that each
cutting edge receives an equal amount of grinding to
prevent an unbalanced blade. An unbalanced blade will
cause excessive vibration when rotating at high
Lubricate
Blade
Hex Bolt
Blade Bell
Adapter
Support