Maintenance Instructions
H24d
Checking and Servicing
64
DANGER
NEVER operate cutter blades with the deck
in the raised position.
NOTE:
PTO shaft must be
disconnected
before checking blades for straightness.
3. Check the blades for
straightness
by marking
the blade tip position inside the deck housing,
and then rotating the opposite end of the blade
to the same position and comparing. If the
diff erence in blade tip track is
more than 1/8
in. (3 mm),
the blade is bent and
should be
replaced.
WARNING
DO NOT try to straighten a blade that is
bent. NEVER weld a broken or cracked
blade. ALWAYS replace with a new blade to
assure safety.
4. If the blade cutting edge is
dull or nicked,
it
should be sharpened. Remove blades for
sharpening by grasping the end of the blade
using a rag or a thick, padded glove, while
loosening and removing the bolt and washer
that mount the blade.
5. Grind cutting edge at the same bevel as the
original. Sharpen only the top of the cutting
edge to maintain sharpness.
NOTE:
Blades can be sharpened with an
electric blade sharpener, conventional electric
grinder, or a hand file.
CAUTION
ALWAYS wear eye protection and gloves
when sharpening a blade.
Sharpen at Original
30° Angle
Intersection
Wear Area
Do Not Grind or
Sharpen on Underside
30°
Wing Tip
Mower Blade Profile for Sharpening
6. Check blade balance by positioning the blade
horizontally
on a blade balancer or use a nail
or shaft through the center hole. If either end
of the blade rotates downward, grind (remove)
metal on that end until the blade will balance.
The blade is properly balanced when neither
end drops. Balance of a blade is generally
main tained by removing an equal amount of
material from each end of the blade when
sharpening.
Blade Balancer
Blade Balanced on Magnetic
Wall-Mounted Balancer
7. Mount the blade with wing tips pointing up into
the housing. For
gear-driven decks
reinstall
the blade, washer, lock washer, and nut.
Tighten the nut to 60 lb·ft (81 N·m).
For
belt-driven decks
reinstall the spacer (if ap-
plicable), blade, washer, and bolt.
Tighten
the bolt to 70 lb·ft (95 N·m).
