MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
BLADE REMOVAL
To remove blades for sharpening or replacement, remove the cover plate on deck of cutter near gear box. Remove lock nut from blade bolt. NOTE: Inspect lock nut after removal and replace if threads are damaged. Always replace nut when replacing blade bolt. When installing blades be sure and check blade bolt pivot diameter for wear. Replace bolt if worn more than 1/4 inch at any point. Install blade bolts with partially worn side of bolt away from center. Tighten lock nut to 350 ft. lbs.
Avoid personal injury. Blade and/or blade carrier removal should be done only with the tractor engine shut off, key removed, in neutral, parking brake on, and PTO disengaged and the cutter blocked in the raised position.
BLADE CARRIER REMOVAL
Remove cotter pin and loosen slotted nut on gearbox shaft. Loosen but do not remove the nut until the blade carrier is loosened. Use a suitable 2 jaw gear puller to pull carrier off tapered gearbox shaft. If gear puller is not available use long bar inserted through blade bolt access hole with end against rotor bar. Strike opposite end of bar with sledge hammer. Rotate blade carrier 180 degrees and repeat process until carrier breaks loose.
BLADE CARRIER INSPECTION
Blade bolt fit into carrier bushings should be checked every time blades are changed. The blade bolt should fit into carrier bushings as a snug slip fit. If the blade bolt fit appears to be loose or sloppy, measure the square hole in bushing. If the bottom of the square hole is 1/16” or greater than the square shoulder of the new blade bolt the bushings should be replaced. Bushings can be removed by cutting bushing head where it is welded to carrier bar. Once head is removed bushing can be pressed out of bar. Clean and grind top of blade bar so new bushing can be installed and welded. Bushing should be pressed into bar so that bottom of bushing is flush with bottom of blade bar. Use low hydrogen rod to weld bushing in place.
Failure to replace a worn blade carrier bushing as described above may lead to catastrophic failure of the blade, blade bolt, and/or blade bolt nut resulting in the ejection of the broken parts out from under the mower at tremendous speed and force which could result in serious bodily injury or death.
RX96 03/09 | Maintenance Section |
© 2009 Alamo Group Inc.