16
48ZB
Z
-
BEAST
Z
-
BEAST
Finish Mower
Rev: March 2011
Spindle Brake Inspection and Replacement
Blade and pulley brake inspections should be
performed every 50 blade on and off cycles.
Before beginning service, park the Z-BEAST on a level
surface, turn the blades off, turn the engine off, set the
brake, take the key out of the switch, wait an adequate
time to make certain no blades are turning, and remove
spark plug wires from spark plugs.
1. Engage the blade handle (make certain the engine
cannot start) to pull the brakes off of the pulleys.
2. Remove the pulley guard from the deck.
3. Visually inspect the brake pads for wear. Make
certain that no metal is touching the pulleys.
4. The brake pad material should be approximately 1/8-
inch thick. Replace the brakes if the material is less
than 1/16-inch thick.
Note: Replacing both brakes is recommended if
replacement of one brake is required.
5. To replace the brake, use a pair of pliers to remove
the springs.
6. Remove the two mounting bolts and
disconnect the spring from the cable.
7. Discard all of these parts. DO NOT reuse springs.
New brakes are equipped with new springs for
proper braking.
8. Install the new brakes by reversing the procedure in
steps 5 and 6.
IMPORTANT! The mower belts are adjusted to ensure
the blades stop turning within seven (7) seconds of
releasing the blade control lever. If you are making any
belt adjustments whatsoever, for your safety and the
safety of others around you, you must ensure the belts
are re-adjusted to achieve this design specification.
Service Adjustments
9. Disengage the blade handle and inspect the brake
contact surface. All of the brake pad contacting material
should be contacting the bottom of the pulley.
Note: Springs may vary from those pictured based on the
particular application.
Removing the Blades
Required tools: Two (2) 15/16” box end wrenches
1. Park the mower on level ground, set the brake and block
the rear wheels to prevent accidental rollback.
2. Raise the front end of the mower and place on a jack
stand.
3. Use one wrench to loosen nut A while holding bolt B
with the other wrench. (See adjacent photo.)
4. Slide the blade bolt down through the mower deck and
out.
5. To reinstall, insert the blade bolt through the cutting
deck.
6. Install the blade spacers that were removed, back onto
the blade bolt followed by the nut and tighten. (See
figure below.)
IMPORTANT: The number of spacers should always be
the same on each blade bolt. NEVER put the spacers
below the blade and NEVER straighten or weld the
blades.
CAUTION! Beware of the cutting edges on the blades.
The rotation of one blade may cause the other blade(s) to
rotate. Always wear work gloves when handling blades.
CAUTION
A
B
IMPORTANT! The mower belts are adjusted to ensure the blades stop
turning within 7 seconds of releasing the blade control lever. If you are
making any belt adjustments whatsoever, for your safety and the safety
of others around you, you must ensure the belts are re-adjusted to
achieve this design specification.
