Husqvarna HU550FH Operation Manual - Page 13

MAINTENANCE GRASS CATCHER • The grass catcher may be hosed with water, but must be dry when used. • Check your grass catcher often for damage or deterioration. Through normal use it will wear. If catcher needs replacing, replace only with approved replacement catcher. Give the lawn mower model number when ordering. GEAR CASE • To keep your drive system working properly, the gear case and area around the drive should be kept clean and free of trash build-up. Clean under the drive cover twice a season. • The gear case is filled with lubricant to the proper level at the factory. The only time the lubricant needs attention is if service has been performed on the gear case. ENGINE LUBRICATION Use only high quality detergent oil rated with API service classification SG-SL. Select the oil's SAE viscosity grade according to your expected operating temperature. SAE VISCOSITY GRADES 5W-30 SAE 30 F -20 0 30 32 40 60 80 100 C -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 TEMPERATURE RANGE ANTICIPATED BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE NOTE: Although multi-viscosity oils (5W30, 10W30 etc.) improve starting in cold weather, these multi-viscosity oils will result in increased oil consumption when used above 32°F. Check your engine oil level more frequently to avoid possible engine damage from running low on oil. Change the oil after every 25 hours of operation or at least once a year if the lawn mower is not used for 25 hours in one year. Check the crankcase oil level before starting the engine and after each five (5) hours of continuous use. Tighten oil plug securely each time you check the oil level. CONTAINER FIG. 14 7. Continue adding small amounts of oil, rechecking the dipstick until oil level settles at FULL. DO NOT overfill, or engine will smoke heavily from the muffler on startup. 8. Always be sure to retighten oil dipstick before starting engine. 9. Reconnect spark plug wire to spark plug. AIR FILTER (See Fig. 15) Your engine will not run properly and may be damaged by using a dirty air filter. Replace the air filter every 100 hours of operation or every season, whichever occurs first. Service air cleaner more often under dusty conditions. TO CLEAN AIR FILTER 1. Remove cover. 2. Carefully remove cartridge. 3. Clean by gently tapping on a flat surface. If very dirty, replace cartridge. 4. Install cartridge, then replace cover. TAB TO CHANGE ENGINE OIL (See Fig. 14) NOTE: Before tipping lawn mower to drain oil, empty fuel tank by running engine until fuel tank is empty. 1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug and place wire where it cannot come in contact with plug. 2. Remove engine oil cap; lay aside on a clean surface. 3. Tip lawn mower on its side as shown and drain oil into a suitable container. Rock lawn mower back and forth to remove any oil trapped inside of engine. 4. Wipe off any spilled oil from lawn mower or side of engine. 5. Slowly pour oil down the oil fill spout, stopping every few ounces to check the oil level with the dipstick. 6. Stop adding oil when you reach the FULL mark on the dipstick. Wait a minute to allow oil to settle. 13 CARTRIDIGE FILTER COVER FIG. 15 SLOT