HUSTLER FasTrak 42, Owner'S Manual, Page: 24 / 33

601396_0109 5-5
will tear rather than cut the grass, leaving a brown ragged top on
the grass within a few hours. A dull blade also requires more
power from the engine.
Replace any blade which is bent, cracked or broken.
WARNING:
Never attempt to straighten a bent blade
by heating, or weld a cracked or broken blade as the
blade may break and cause serious injury. Replace
worn or damaged blades.
DANGER:
Never work with blades while engine is
running or deck clutch switch is engaged (on).
Always place deck clutch switch in the disengaged
position, place steering control levers in the park brake
position and turn engine off and disconnect negative
battery cable. Block up mower when you must work
under it. Wear gloves when handling blades. Always
check for blade damage if mower strikes rock, branch or other
foreign object during mowing!
WARNING:
Always wear adequate eye protection
when grinding mower blades.
Always place deck clutch switch in the disengaged position,
place steering control levers in the park brake position and turn
engine off and disconnect negative battery cable. Block up
mower when you
must work under it. Wear gloves when
handling blades. Always check for blade damage if mower
strikes rock, branch or other foreign object during mowing!
Mower blade removal
Use a 15/16" wrench to remove the 5/8" cap screw holding the
blade to the spindle shaft from underneath.
NOTE:
A blade
holding tool (part number 381442) is available from Hustler
Turf Equipment. It is designed to prevent the blades from
rotating when they are being removed or installed on the
spindle. Contact your Hustler dealer for more information.
Sharpen the blades on a grinder following pattern as shown
(Fig. 5-5). Touch-up sharpening can be done with a file.
Check the blades for balance following grinding. A
commercial balancing tool is available through most hardware
supply stores, or balancing can be done by placing the blade on
an inverted line punch or 5/8" bolt. Blade should not lean or tilt.
Spin the blade slowly, blade should not wobble. If blade is out
of balance, true it up before reinstalling.
Lay the blade on a flat surface and check for distortion
(Fig. 5-6 and Fig. 5-7). Replace any distorted blade.
Do not re-use spindle bolts which have stripped, worn or
undercut threads. Torque bolts on spindles to 118 foot-pounds
(160.01nm) when reinstalling blades.
IMPORTANT:
The blade sail (curved part) must be point-
ing upward toward the inside of the deck to ensure proper cut-
ting.
IMPORTANT:
When mounting blades, rotate them after
installation to ensure blade tips do not touch each other or sides
of the mower.
WARNING:
Failure to correctly torque the bolt may
result in the loss of the blade which can cause serious
injury.
WARNING:
Mower blades are sharp and can cut.
Wrap the blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution
when servicing them.
Fig. 5-5
Resharpening
pattern
Do not sharpen to original pattern (below). It is
easier to get a straight cutting edge following
the resharpening pattern shown above.
Original edge
Fig. 5-6
Fig. 5-7
Warped Blade (Replace)
Straight Blade
Cutting
plane
Comparison of Warped and Straight Blades
Cutting edge
Twisted Blade Edge
(replace)
Cutting edge Cutting Plane
Straight Blade Edge
End view of blades, comparing
twisted and straightened blades