m.Clean up the grass clippings and other materials washed from underneath the mower deck, and dispose of them properly.
Hose Coupler (Shown without Hose Attached)
Water Port 
Figure. 7
B.Mower Deck
1.Removing the Mower Deck:
a.Apply the parking brake. Remove ignition key and both spark plug caps.
b.Lower the cutter deck to the lowest setting and capture the lift pedal by placing the height of cut clevis pin into the “Lock” hole.
c.Remove tension of the PTO belt by moving the belt tensioning spring.
Note: There is a certain amount of spring tension due to the weight of the deck. When removing the lift linkage from the deck the ten- sion of the springs will go from the deck to the deck lift pedal. Not capturing the deck lift pedal while removing the lift linkage from the deck will cause it to snap back.
d.Detach the mower drive belt.
e.Remove the four hair pins from the right and left side of the mower. Shift the deck forward until the Trailing Link is free and you are able to remove the deck.
f.Turn front caster wheels outward.
g.To install reverse the process
2.Changing a Blade:
a.Remove the key from the ignition and dis- connect the spark plugs.
b.Jack up the front of the mowing deck about one foot and block it in that position.
c.Wrap a rag around one end of the blade and grasp it to prevent it from turning, or secure the blade by placing a block of wood between the blade and the deck housing.
d.Use a
e.Remove the hex nut at the blade using a 1- 1/8" wrench.
f.Remove the blade.
g.To replace the blade reverse the above process and tighten nut to
Note: Add a small amount of
WARNING:
Never mow with dull blades! Blades that are bent should be replaced! The cutting blades are sharp and can cause severe injury. Wrap the cutting surface of the blade with a rag to avoid injury.
3.Sharpening the Blade:
a.Set the parking brake.
b.Clean any debris from the blades. Keep blades sharp and free of build up at all times.
c.Sharpen blades evenly at the original 30° angle to maintain balanced cutting blades. Do not sharpen the underside of the blades. Use a electric blade sharpener, a conventional electric grinder or a hand file to sharpen the blades.
d.Replace any blade with severe nicks or dents that cannot be removed by filing.
e.Check the balance of the blade after sharpening by placing it on a blade bal- ancer. Do not use
f.If the blade dips on one end, file stock off of the cutting surface on that end.
Note: Blades that cannot be easily bal-
4.Changing the Blade Drive Belts:
a.Set the parking brake. Remove ignition key and both spark plug caps.
b.Unscrew the nuts from the deck covers and remove both covers.
c.Using a 1/2" socket breaker bar or socket ratchet insert the drive end into the 1/2" square opening in the lower idler arm assembly and push the idler arm counter- clockwise. While holding the idler arm back, loosen the blade drive belt from the pulley and slide the belt away from the pul- ley.
d.Remove tension of the PTO belt by moving the belt tensioning rod. Loosen the belt retaining bolt.
e.Pull the tensioner pulley away from the belt and remove the PTO belt then remove the blade drive belt.
f.Reverse the process to install the belt.
Note: When replacing belts do not over- tighten. Adjust the idler pulley so that a ten- pound pull with a spring scale between two pulleys deflects the belt about 1/2".
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