Blade Removal, Sharpening, Blade Balance

WOODS

MAINTENANCE

BLADE REMOVAL

Follow these instructions to prevent injury during blade removal:

1.Loosen with a box wrench or a socket and long breaker bar. To gain additional leverage, slip a long pipe or thick-walled tube over breaker bar or wrench.

2.Insert wood block A as shown, with grain perpendicular to blade, to prevent blade from turning when loosening.

3.Wear thickly padded gloves. Keep hands clear of blade path. Blades may rotate when bolt releases.

SHARPENING

Blades may be sharpened by filing or grinding.

–Inspect blades before sharpening.

–Replace bent or cracked blades.

–Replace blades when the lift portion has worn thin.

–Maintain cut angle at 30o.

–Do not overheat blades when sharpening.

–Always use Woods blades. Use of another manufacturer’s blades may be dangerous.

BLADE BALANCE

Blade balance must be maintained at 5/8 oz-in (19.4 g-cm) or less. Failure to keep blades balanced causes excess vibration, wear, and shortened life of most components of the machine.

To balance a blade:

1.Sharpen blade first.

2.Balance the blade at the center.

3.Attach a 1/8 oz (3.9 g) weight at a distance 5" (127 mm) from center on the light end. This should make the light end the heavy end:

–If it does, the blade is balanced.

–If does not, file or grind the heavy end until the addition of the weight makes the light end the heavy end.

BLADE INSTALLATION

1.Wear thickly padded gloves to prevent cuts from the sharp blade.

2.Insert the blade bolt, in order, through the conical washer (cup side toward the blade, as shown), the blade, and the blade spacer.

3.Install assembly on the blade spindle.

4.Torque the blade bolt to 70 ft-lbs.

SPECIFIC TORQUES

BLADE BOLT TORQUE: 70 FT-LBS (95 Nm) WHEEL HUB NUTS: 175 FT-LBS (237 Nm)

ENGINE CRANKSHAFT BOLT: 50 FT-LBS (68 Nm)

LUG NUTSl 75-100 FT-LBS