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6
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Tractor
WARNING
Periodically inspect
the blade spindles for
cracks or damage,
especially if you strike
a foreign object.
Replace immediately if
damaged.
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 gloves or a rag
to grasp the cutting
blade.
Cutting Blades
WARNING: Be sure to shut the engine
off, remove ignition key, disconnect the
spark plug wire(s) and ground against
the engine to prevent unintended starting
before removing the cutting blade(s) for
sharpening or replacement. Protect your
hands by using heavy gloves or 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
immediately if damaged.
The blades may be removed as follows.
1. Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to
Cutting Deck Removal on page 23) then gently flip
the deck over to expose its underside.
2. Place a block of wood between the center deck hous
-
ing baffle and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer.
See Fig. 6-5.
3. Remove the hex flange nut that secures the blade to
the spindle assembly. See Fig. 6-5.
4. To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal
amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along
the cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a
25° to 30° angle.
IMPORTANT: If the cutting edge of the blade has already
been sharpened to within 1 5/8” from the edge, or if any
metal separation is present, replace the blades with new
ones. See Fig. 6-6.
• It is important that each cutting blade edge be ground
equally to maintain proper blade balance.
• A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive
vibration and may cause damage to the tractor and
result in personal injury. The blade can be tested by
balancing it on a round shaft screwdriver. Grind metal
from the heavy side until it balances evenly.
• When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade
with the side of the blade marked ‘‘Bottom’’ (or with
a part number stamped in it) facing the ground when
the mower is in the operating position.
IMPORTANT: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade
spindle hex flange nut to between 70 foot-pounds and 90
foot-pounds.
Figure 6-5
Figure 6-6
1
-
5
/
8
in
c
h
(
m
in
.)
Figure 6-7
Idler pulleys
Idler pulley nuts