Product Manual
6. Pull the deck support pin outward to release the deck from
the deck lift arm. See Figure 7-3.
Deck Lift Arm
Deck Support
Pin
Figure 7-3
7. Repeat the above steps on the tractor’s right side.
8. Move the deck lift lever into the top notch to raise the deck lift
arms up and out of the way.
9. Remove the cot ter pin from th e end of the s tabilizer ro d and slide
the stabilizer out of the hanger bracket on the deck. See
Figure 7-4.
Figure 7-4
10. Gently slide the cutting deck (from the right side) out from
underneath the tractor.
11. Reinstall the belt keeper rod loosened earlier.
CAUTION: Failure to reinstall the belt keeper rod
may result in serious damage to your tractor’s PTO
system.
Cutting Blades
WARNING! Shut the engine off and remove
ignition key before removing the cutting blade(s) for
sharpening or replacement. Protect your hands by
using heavy gloves when grasping the blade.
WARNING! Periodically inspect the blade and/or
spindle for cracks or damage, especially after you’ve
struck a foreign object. Do not operate the machine
until damaged components are replaced.
To remove the blades, proceed as follows:
1. Remove the d eck fro m bene ath the trac tor, (refer to Cuttin g Deck
Removal earlier in this section) then gently flip the deck
over to expose its underside.
2. Place a block of wood between the center deck housing baffle
and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer.
See Figure 7-5.
3. Remove the f lang e lock nut that s ecures the bl ade to the spindl e
assembly. See Figure 7-5.
Flange Lock Nut
Block of Wood
Figure 7-5
4. To pro perl y sharpen th e cuttin g blades , remove equal amo unts
of metal from both ends of the blades along the cutting
edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a 25° to 30° angle.
Always grind each cutting blade edge equally to maintain
proper blade balance. See Figure 7-6.
CAUTION: If the cutting edge of the blade has
previously been sharpened, or if any metal
separation is present, replace the blades with new
ones.
WARNING! A poorly balanced blade will cause
excessive vibration, may damage to the tractor and/
or result in personal injury.
25Section 7 — Service