Mower Blade Profile For Sharpening

Maintenance Instructions

CHECKING/SERVICING

WARNING

DO NOT try to straighten a blade that is bent. NEVER weld a broken or cracked blade. ALWAYS replace with a new blade to assure safety.

4.If the blade cutting edge is dull or nicked, it should be sharpened. Remove blades for sharpening by grasping the end of the blade using a rag or a thick, padded glove, while loos- ening and removing the nut, lock washer, and flat washer that mounts the blade.

5.Grind cutting edge at the same bevel as the original. Sharpen only the top of the cutting edge to maintain sharpness.

NOTE: Blades can be sharpened with an elec- tric blade sharpener, conventional electric grinder, or a hand file.

CAUTION

ALWAYS wear eye protection and gloves when sharpening a blade.

6.Check blade balance by positioning the blade horizontally on a blade balancer or use a nail or shaft through the center hole. If either end of the blade rotates downward, grind (remove) metal on that end until the blade will balance. The blade is properly balanced when neither end drops. Balance of a blade is generally main- tained by removing an equal amount of material from each end of the blade when sharpening.

Intersection

Wear Area

Sharpen at Original

30° Angle

30°

Wing Tip

Do Not Grind or

Sharpen on Underside

Blade Balancer

Blade Balanced on Magnetic

Wall-Mounted Balancer

7.Mount the blade with wing tips pointing up into the housing. Reinstall the blade, washer, lock washer, and nut. Tighten the nut to 60 ft-lb (81.3 N·m).

Drive Belts

Raise the body and inspect the condition of the two

(2)drive belts after every 25 hours of operation -- engine/PTO drive and ground drive. If the belts show signs of cracking or deteriorating, the belts should be replaced. Refer to REPLACING/REPAIR- ING the Drive Belts in this section.

Mower Deck Gearbox Oil Seals

The mower deck gearbox seals should be inspected every 25 hours for evidence of oil leaking; particu- larly the lower oil seal on the blade drive gear- box. This seal is protected by the trash guard on the blade hub and seal protector plate on the housing, but is still vulnerable to seal damage due to operating in an adverse environment. The mower blade must be removed for inspection of the seal, so it is recom- mended to inspect the gearbox seals when blades are removed for sharpening. If an oil leak is noted, the seal should be replaced and the gear- box assembly relubricated. Refer to Mower Deck Gearbox Lubrication in this section.