Standing and looking down on my new Masport 4-stroke mower, the blade rotates clockwise when I pull the start cord.

Which way should the blade retaining nut be threaded? Right or left-hand thread?

Logic tells me it should be a regular right-hand thread (which should undo anti-clockwise) but it's not budging in that direction.

I don't want to get tough with it if I'm trying the wrong way. It's not a big nut and could easily be damaged.

BTW: I'm not familiar with petrol-powered machines. My last mower (which endured 15 years of hard use and total neglect) was an electric Black and Decker. The blade retaining nut (plastic, like just about every other part of the mower) was regularly threaded.

EDIT: Can I lay the machine on its side to work on the blade without draining the oil and petrol?