Maintenance

2.Lift deck and secure in raised position as stated in the Clean Grass Build-Up Under Deck section.

3.Inspect blades and sharpen or replace as required.

4.Reinstall the blades (if they were removed) in the following order:

A.Install bushing through blade with bushing flange on bottom (grass) side of blade.

Figure 10

1.Install bushing in blade prior to installing bushing in spindle.

B.Install bushing/blade assembly into spindle.

Figure 11

wrench on the top spindle nut then torque the blade bolts to 55-60 ft-lb (75-81 N-m).

WARNING

Incorrect installation of the blade or components used to retain the blade can be dangerous. Failure to use all original components and assembled as shown could allow a blade or blade component to be thrown out from under the deck resulting in serious personal injury or death.

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

Replacing the Discharge Deflector

Service Interval: As required

DANGER

An uncovered discharge opening could allow the lawn mower to throw objects in the operator’s or bystander’s direction and result in serious injury. Also, contact with the blade could occur.

Never operate the lawn mower unless you install a mulch plate, discharge deflector, or grass collection system.

1. To remove a damaged or worn discharge

deflector, lift the leg of the spring with the loop

out of the notch in the discharge deflector and

slide the rod out of the discharge deflector

brackets, and discharge deflector.

1.Use wrench here for blade installation. This nut has been torqued to 140–145 ft-lb (190–197 N-m)

2.Torque to 55-60 ft-lb (75-81 N-m) Apply lubricant to threads as needed to prevent seizing. Copper-based anti-seize preferable. Grease acceptable substitute.

2. To install new discharge deflector, orient the

spring on the rod as shown in Figure 12. Slide the

rod through the front discharge deflector bracket,

discharge deflector, and rear deflector bracket.

C.Apply lubricant to threads of blade bolt as needed to prevent seizing. Copper-based anti-seize preferable. Grease acceptable substitute. Install blade bolt finger tight. Place

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Exmark 4500-358 manual Replacing the Discharge Deflector