Full Product Manual

27
PRODUCT CARE
REPLACING THE BLADES
WARNING
Before performing any maintenance, disengage the PTO, engage the
parking brake lever, turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position and remove
the key from the switch. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when
handling the blades. When servicing the mower deck, be careful not to cut
yourself on the sharpened blades.
To Remove the Blades:
1. Remove the deck as instructed in the Deck Removal section on page 24.
2. Jack up the front of the mowing deck about one foot and block it in that
position.
3. Wrap a rag around one end of the blade (a) and grasp it to prevent it from
turning, or secure the blade (a) by placing a block of wood (b) between the
blade (a) and the deck housing (c). See Figure 35.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 35
4. Remove the flange nut (d) and flat washer (e) securing the blade (a) to the
mower (a) and remove the blade. See Figure 36.
NOTE: A cap (f) is present between the blade and the mower. Before assembly,
ensure the cap is in place before installing the blade.
(d)
(e)
(a)
(f)
Figure 36
5. If necessary, sharpen the blade. See Sharpening The Blade in the Product Care
Section.
To Reinstall the Blades
1. Place blade on the spindle shaft. Be sure to install the blade with the side
marked “Bottom”, “Grass Side” or with a part number stamped facing the
ground when the deck is reinstalled on the tractor and in the operating
position.
2. Carefully place the flat washer on the spindle shaft. Be sure that the splines
at the base of the spindle shaft threads line up with the washer splines. See
Figure 37.
Figure 37
3. Secure the blade from turning clockwise when reinstalling the flange lock nut
(the opposite direction of blade removal).
4. Install the flange lock nut onto the spindle shaft over the blade and flat washer.
Torque to 110-
130 ft-lbs (149.14-176.26 N-m).
Sharpening the Blades
1. Remove the blades. See Replacing The Blade in the Product Care Section.
2. Clean any debris from the blades. Keep blades sharp and free of build up at all
times.
3. To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal amounts of metal from
both ends of the blades along the cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge,
at a 25°-30° angle. Always grind each cutting blade edge equally to maintain
proper blade balance. See Figure 38.
Figure 38
WARNING
If a blade is bent or otherwise damaged, replace the blade with a new one.
Use only original equipment blades.
WARNING
A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vibration, may damage the
machine and/or result in personal injury.
4. Test the blade’s balance using a blade balancer. Grind metal from the heavy
side until it balances evenly.
5. Reinstall the blades. See Replacing The Blade in the Product Care Section.
REPLACING THE SPINDLE ASSEMBLIES
1. Remove the deck as instructed in the Deck Removal section on page 24.
2. Jack up the front of the mowing deck about one foot and block it in that
position.
3. Remove the deck cover.
4. Remove the deck belt. See Replacing the Deck Belt on page 25.
NOTE: To remove the right or left side spindle assemblies go to STEP 5. To
remove the front spindle assembly go to STEP 9.
5. Remove the blade from the side spindle assembly (a). See Replacing the Blades
on page 26.
6. Remove the hex bolt (b), pulley (c)and spacer (d) spacer from the spindle
assembly (a). See Figure 39.
7. Remove the four flange lock nuts securing the (e) upper support plate (f), lower
support plate (g) and spindle assembly (a) to the deck. See Figure 39.
8. If necessary, repeat STEPS 6 and 7 to remove the remaining spindle from the
opposite side of the deck.