25
Regular Maintenance
SERVICING THE MOWER BLADES
Removing the Mower Blade
1. See Figure 12. To remove the mower blade,
wedge a wooden block between the mower blade
and the mower deck housing to keep the mower
blade from turning, then remove the mower blade
and the blade retaining hardware.
Inspecting the Mower Blades
1. Remove the mower blade from the unit.
See
Removing the Blade.
2. Inspect the mower blade (Figures 13 & 14).
Discard the mower blade if it has any of the
below conditions.
A.) Has more than .5” (12,7 mm) of the mower
blade metal removed from previous sharpening or
wear (D, Figure 13).
B.) The air lifts are excessively eroded (B & C,
Figure 14) and the notch (C) is .25” (6,35 mm)
deep or greater.
C.) Mower blade is bent or broken.
3. If the cutting edges are not sharp or have nicks,
sharpen the blades.
See Sharpening the Mower
Blades.
Figure 12. Loosening the Mower Blade for
Removal
CAUTION
Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp.
• Always wear gloves when handling mower
blades or working near blades.
DANGER
Avoid injury! A worn or damaged blade can
break, and a piece of the mower blade could be
thrown into the operator’s or bystander’s area,
resulting in serious personal injury or death.
• Inspect the mower blade every 25 hours or at
least once a year.
• If the mower blade hits a solid object, stop
the engine immediately and inspect the mower
blade.
• Never weld or straighten bent mower blades.
Figure 13. inspecting the Mower Blade Tips
A. Mower Blade Cutting Edge
B. Square Corner
C. Air Lift
D. Wear Measurement - DISCARD Mower Blade If
greater than .5” (12,7 mm)
B
D
A
B
C
Figure 14. inspecting the Mower Blade Air Lifts
A. New Mower Blade
B. Mower Blade at Wear Limit (A notch begins to form)
C. Mower Blade in Dangerous Condition (Notch measures .25” (6,35 mm) or greater DO NOT USE.
Replace with new mower blade.)
C
A
C
A
Not
for
Reproduction
