31
S
ECTION
7 — S
ERVICE
Carefully roll the deck toward the front of the tractor
•
until the front hanger rod can be removed from the
slots of the deck hanger bracket at the front of the deck.
See Figure 7-4 .
Figure 7-4
Slide the front hanger rod forward in its pivot bracket
•
so that it is held upward away from the deck hanger
bracket slots. Refer to Figure 7-4.
Carefully slide the deck out from the right side of the
•
tractor.
Cutting Blades
WARNING:
When removing the cutting
blade(s) for sharpening or replacement, pro-
tect your hands by using heavy gloves or a rag
to grasp the cutting blade
.
WARNING:
Periodically inspect the blades for
cracks or damage, especially if you strike a
foreign object. Replace immediately if dam-
aged
The blades may be removed as follows.
Remove the deck from beneath the deck frame, (refer to
•
Cutting Deck Removal).
Remove the deck cover from the top of the mower
•
deck to expose the top of the blade spindles (Refer to
Removing the Deck Cover on Page 24).
Carefully tilt the deck upward to expose the underside
•
of the deck.
NOTE:
A block of wood may be placed between the deck
housing and the cutting edge of the blade to help in breaking
loose the hex nut securing the blade. Refer to Figure 7-5.
Use a 1-1/8” wrench to loosen the hex flange nut securing
•
the blade to the bottom of the spindle assembly. Secure
the spindle by either holding the blade tightly, or by using
a second wrench to hold the head of the spindle bolt.
Refer to Figure 7-5.
Secure the spindle bolt to keep it from turning and remove
•
the flange nut and cutting blade.
Repeat the previous steps to remove the other blades.
•
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.
Figure 7-5
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
.
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 per-
sonal injury. The blade can be tested by balancing it on
a round shaft screwdriver. Grind metal from the heavy
side until it balances evenly.
IMPORTANT:
When replacing the blades, make certain the
side of the blade marked ‘‘Bottom’’ faces the ground when the
mower is turned to the operating position.
Slide the blade onto the spindle shaft. Thread the hex
•
flange onto the spindle shaft and use a torque wrench
to tighten the hex flange nut to 90 to 110 ft-lbs. (122 to
149 N·m).
Repeat the above procedure to install the other blades.
•
Use 1-1/8"
Wrench to
Remove Nut
Wood Block
in Position
Hex Flange Nut
