20
025
44
5/8” Bolt
or Pin
Center Hole
Blade
TRACTOR
Always observe safety rules when per-
form ing any main te nance.
BRAKE OPERATION
If tractor requires more than six (6) feet
stopping distance at high speed in high est
gear, then brake must be ad just ed. (See
“TO ADJUST BRAKE” in the Ser vice and
Ad just ments section of this manual).
TIRES
• Maintain proper air pressure in all tires
(See “PROD UCT SPEC I FI CA TIONS”
section of this man ual).
• Keep tires free of gasoline, oil, or insect
control chemi cals which can harm rubber.
• Avoid stumps, stones, deep ruts, sharp
objects and other hazards that may
cause tire damage.
NOTE:
To seal tire punctures and pre vent
fl at tires due to slow leaks, tire sealant
may be purchased from your local parts
dealer. Tire sealant also pre vents tire dry
rot and corrosion.
OPERATOR PRESENCE SYS TEM
Be sure operator presence and interlock
sys tems are work ing properly. If your trac-
tor does not function as described, repair
the problem immediately.
• The engine should not start unless
the brake pedal is fully de pressed and
attachment clutch con trol is in the dis-
en gaged position.
• When the engine is running, any at-
tempt by the op er a tor to leave the seat
without fi rst setting the parking brake
should shut off the engine.
• When the engine is running and the
at tach ment clutch is engaged, any at-
tempt by the operator to leave the seat
should shut off the engine.
• The attachment clutch should never op-
erate unless the operator is in the seat.
BLADE CARE
For best results mower blades must be
kept sharp. Re place bent or damaged
blades.
BLADE REMOVAL
1. Raise mower to highest position to al-
low access to blades.
NOTE:
Protect your hands with gloves
and/or wrap blade with heavy cloth.
2. Remove blade bolt by turning coun ter -
clock wise.
3. Install new or resharpened blade with
stamped "THIS SIDE UP" facing deck
and mandrel assembly.
Blade
Blade Bolt (Special)
Center Hole
Star
Mandrel
Assembly
IMPORTANT:
To ensure proper as sem bly,
center hole in blade must align with star
on mandrel assembly.
4. Install and tighten blade bolt securely
(45-55 Ft. Lbs. torque).
IMPORTANT
: Special blade bolt is heat
treated.
TO SHARPEN BLADE
NOTE:
We do not recommend sharp-
en ing blade - but if you do, be sure the
blade is balanced.
Care should be taken to keep the blade
balanced. An unbalanced blade will cause
excessive vibration and even tual damage
to mower and engine.
• The blade can be sharpened with a fi le
or on a grinding wheel. Do not attempt
to sharpen while on the mower.
• To check blade balance, you will need a
5/8" diameter steel bolt, pin, or a cone
balancer. (When using a cone bal anc er,
follow the in struc tions supplied with
bal anc er.)
NOTE:
Do not use a nail for balancing
blade. The lobes of the center hole may
appear to be centered, but are not.
• Slide blade on to an unthreaded portion
of the steel bolt or pin and hold the
bolt or pin parallel with the ground. If
blade is balanced, it should remain in a
horizontal po si tion. If either end of the
blade moves downward, sharpen the
heavy end until the blade is balanced.
