Sharpening the Blade

File the top side of the blade to maintain its original cutting angle (Fig. 19A) and inner cutting edge radius (Fig. 19B). The blade will remain balanced if you remove the same amount of material from both cutting edges.

A

1

B

2

 

 

 

153

 

m￿4783

 

Figure 19

1. Sharpen at this angle only

 

2. Maintain the original

 

 

 

radius here

Balancing the Blade

1.Check the balance of the blade by placing the center hole of the blade over a nail or screwdriver shank clamped horizontally in a vise (Fig. 20).

Installing the Blade

1.Install a sharp, balanced Exmark blade, the accelerator, the lock washer, and the blade bolt. The sail of the blade must point toward the top of the lawn mower housing for proper installation. Torque the blade bolt to 50 ft-lb (68 N￿m).

Warning

Operating the lawn mower without the accelerator in place can cause the blade to flex, bend, or break, resulting in serious injury or death to the operator or bystanders.

Do not operate the lawn mower without the accelerator.

2.Return the lawn mower to its upright position.

3.Connect the wire to the spark plug.

1007

Figure 20

Note: You can also check the balance using a commercially manufactured blade balancer.

2.If either end of the blade rotates downward, file that end (not the cutting edge or the end near the cutting edge). The blade is properly balanced when neither end drops.

Cleaning under the Belt Cover

Self-propel Model only

Keep the area under the belt cover free of debris.

1.Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.

2.Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 6).

3.Remove the bolts that secure the belt cover to the lawn mower housing (Fig. 21).

1

m-224

Figure 21

1. Belt cover

4.Lift off the cover and brush out all the debris around the belt area.

5.Install the belt cover.

6.Connect the wire to the spark plug.

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Image 22
Exmark Metro 21 manual Cleaning under the Belt Cover, Sharpening the Blade, Balancing the Blade, Installing the Blade