Cub Cadet 23HP service manual Changing a Blade, Changing the Blade Drive Belts

	Cotter Pins	Cotter Pins
Figure. 6	Height of Cut Clevis

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 lift handle. Not capturing the lift handle while removing the lift linkage from the deck will cause it to snap back.

d.Detach the mower drive belt.

e.Remove six cotter pins (See Fig. 6) (4) from the deck and (2) from the front of the mower. Remove the cotter pins on the left and right rear side of the cutter deck (2); remove the cotterpins on the left and right front side of the cutter deck (2); and remove the cotter pins on the front of the mower (2).

f.Turn front caster wheels outward.

g.Shift the deck toward the ignition switch side of the mower and remove.

h.To install reverse the process.

2.Changing a Blade:

a.Jack up the front of the mowing deck about one foot and block it in that position.

b.To prevent the blade from turning, secure the blade by placing by placing a block of wood between the blade and the deck housing.

c.Use a 1-1/8" socket wrench on the pulley side of the spindle to secure.

d.Remove the hex nut using a 1-1/8" wrench.

e.Remove the hex nut.

f.To replace the blade reverse the above process and tighten nut to 100-120 ft. lb.

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.

a.apply 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 un-balanced blades.

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- anced—REPLACE.

3.Changing the Blade Drive Belts:

a.Apply the parking brake. Remove ignition key and both spark plug boots.

b.Unscrew the wing nuts from the deck cov- ers and remove both covers.

c.Using a 1/2" socket breaker bar or socket rachet insert the male end into the 1/2" opening in the lower idler arm assembly and pull the idler arm clockwise. While holding the idler arm back, loosen the

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