Walker S14 Operator's Manual

Operating Instructions40Clogging ChecklistIn case of clogging, there will be a distinct changein the sound of the blower, i.e., the blower soundwill stop. Also, the mower deck will begin to leave atrail of grass clippings. When this occurs, stop theengine, disconnect the spark plug wire, and makesure all movement has stopped before attempt-ing to unclog.DANGERNEVER place hands under the mower deckor in the GHS blower discharge chute.Use a stick or similar tool to remove anyclogged material.Normally, any clogging will first develop at the backof the mower deck in the discharge opening into theblower chute. Clogging at this point does not indi-cate a particular problem in this part of the sys-tem, but is a symptom of something restrictingthe flow of material throughout the entire system.The following list of items should be checked if apattern of clogging begins to develop. All of theseitems are capable of causing clogging at the back ofthe deck.• Check to see if the mower blades are installed forthe correct rotation. The blade cutting edgesshould move towards each other at the front of thedeck on standard rotation decks (e.g., DC42), andtowards each other at the back of the deck on re-verse rotation decks (e.g., DC36R).FORWARDRear DischargeChuteBlades Must Operate atRight Angles (90 Degrees)Mounting NutTorque = 60 lb·ft(81 N·m)Blade Rotation for Standard RotationGHS Mower Deck (Bottom View)FORWARDRear DischargeChuteBlades Must Operate atRight Angles (90 Degrees)Mounting NutTorque = 60 lb·ft(81 N·m)Blade Rotation for Reverse RotationGHS Mower Deck (Bottom View)• Check the amount of flat section remaining atblade tip. This is the area that is ground away (re-moved) when the blades are sharpened. If too muchof the flat section is removed, the “air lift” perfor-mance or “shovel” effect of the blade deteriorates tothe point that discharge of grass clippings into theblower chute is marginal. Replace cutter blades ifless than 3/4 in. (19 mm) flat section remains at theblade tip.• Check that the interior of the deck housing andbaffling is reasonably clean and free of grass anddirt buildup. While some degree of material build-up can be tolerated, a point is finally reached wherethe flow of air and grass clippings is restricted.NOTE: One condition that quickly causes a buildupof material in the deck housing is mowing grass and/or weeds which are “juicy.” The material collectsunder the deck with sticky, green juice. Clover andweeds are especially a problem. The mower deckwill need to be cleaned frequently when operating inthese conditions.• Check the deck cutting height setting. Whenworking in thick, tall grass, lower deck settings[1 to 2 in. (25 to 51 mm) cutting heights] tend torestrict airflow from moving into and under the deck.Raising the deck cutting height will significantlyincrease airflow and reduce clogging when workingin thick, tall grass.• Check the interior of the chute connecting themower deck to the blower for smoothness andfreedom from obstruction.