Exmark 4500-450 manual Mower Belt Maintenance, Sharpening the Blades, Installing the Blades

Maintenance

Figure 35

1.Blade

2.Washer

3.Bolt and washer assembly. Apply lubricant to threads—torque to 32-42 ft-lb (43-57 N-m).

Sharpening the Blades

1.Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of the blade (Figure 36). Maintain the original angle. The blade retains its balance if the same amount of material is removed from both cutting edges.

Figure 36

1.Sharpen at original angle

2.Check the balance of the blade by putting it on a blade balancer (Figure 37). If the blade stays in a horizontal position, the blade is balanced and can be used. If the blade is not balanced, file some metal off the end of the sail area only (Figure 37). Repeat this procedure until the blade is balanced.

Figure 37

1. Blade 2. Balancer

Installing the Blades

1. Install the blade onto the spindle shaft (Figure 35).

Important: The curved part of the blade must be pointing upward toward the inside of the mower to ensure proper cutting.

2.Hold the blade end using a rag or thickly-padded glove (or place a wrench on the top sheave nut). Apply lubricant to the threads of the blade bolt as needed to prevent seizing. Copper based anti-seize is preferable. Grease is an acceptable substitute. Install the washer and blade bolt and washer assembly.

3.Torque the blade bolt to 32-42 ft-lb (43-57 N-m).

WARNING

Incorrect installation of the blade or components used to retain the blade cause the blade to come loose and could seriously injure or kill you or bystanders.

Always install the original Exmark blades, washers and blade bolts as shown.

Mower Belt Maintenance

Inspecting the Belts

Service Interval: Every 25 hours/Monthly (whichever comes first)

Check the belts for cracks, frayed edges, burn marks, or any other damage. Replace damaged belts.

Replacing the Mower Belt

Squealing when the belt is rotating, blades slipping when cutting grass, frayed belt edges, burn marks, and cracks are signs of a worn mower belt. Replace the mower belt if any of these conditions are evident.

1.Park the machine on a level surface and disengage the blade control switch.

2.Move the motion control levers outward to the neutral position, engage parking brake, stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving parts to stop before leaving the operating position.

3.Set the height-of-cut at 1-1/2 inch (38 mm).

4.For 48 and 52 inch decks only, remove the belt covers over the outside spindles.

5.Grasp both belt strands going to the clutch. Pull them to the rear of the machine and slip the belt

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