S
Cutting Blades f
WARNING: Be sure to shut
the engine off, remove ignition
key,disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) and groundagainst the
engine to prevent unintended
starting before removing the cut-
ring blade(s) for sharpening or
replacement. Protect your hands
by using heavy glovesor a rag to
grasp the cutting blade.
WARNING: Periodically inspect
the blade spindles for cracks or
damage, especially if you strike a
foreign object. Replace immedi-
ately if damaged.
Thebladesmayberemovedas follows.
1. Removethedeckfrombeneaththetractor,(referto
CuttingDeckRemovalon page23) thengentlyflip
thedeckoverto exposeitsunderside.
2. Placea blockof wood betweenthe centerdeckhous-
ingbaffleandthecuttingbladetoact as a stabilizer,
SeeFigure24,
3, Usea 15/16"wrenchtoremovethe hexflangenut
thatsecuresthe bladetothe spindleassembly.See
Figure24,
4. Toproperlysharpenthe cuttingblades,removeequal
amountsof metalfrombothends of the bladesalong
thecuttingedges,paralleltothe trailingedge,ata
250to300angle,
IMPORTANT:Ifthecuttingedgeofthebladehasalready
beensharpenedto within15/8" fromtheedge,or ifany
metalseparationis present,replacethe bladeswith new
ones,SeeFigure25,
It isimportantthateachcuttingbladeedgebeground
equallyto maintainproperbladebalance.
A poorlybalancedbladewill causeexcessive
vibrationand maycausedamageto thetractorand
resultinpersonalinjury,The bladecan betestedby
balancingit ona roundshaftscrewdriver.Grindmetal
fromthe heavysideuntilitbalancesevenly.
Figure 24
1-5/8 inch
Figure 25
Whenreplacingtheblade,besureto installtheblade
withthesideoftheblademarked"Bottom"(or with
apartnumberstampedinit) facingthe groundwhen
themowerisin the operatingposition.
IMPORTANT:Useatorquewrenchtotightentheblade
spindlehexflange nutto between70foot-poundsand90
foot-pounds.
WARNING
Be sure to shut the
engine off, remove
ignition key, discon-
nect the spark plug
wire(s) and ground
against the engine to
prevent unintended
starting before remov-
ing the cutting blade(s)
for sharpening or
replacement. Protect
your hands by using
heavy glovesor a rag
to grasp the cutting
blacle,
Periodically inspect
the blade spindles for
cracks or damage,
especially if you strike
a foreign object.
Replace immediately if
damaged.
25