MTD 50 manual Blade Care, Off-SeasonStorage, NOTE Always remove blade from the adapter for

Models: 50

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Blade Care

Blade Care

WARNING: When removing the cutting blade for sharpening or replacement, protect your hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag to hold the blade.

Periodically inspect the blade adapter for cracks, especially if you strike a foreign object. Replace when necessary. Follow the steps below for blade service.

1.Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn mower on its side making sure that the air filter and the carburetor are up.

2.

Remove the bolt and the blade bell support

 

 

 

 

 

 

which hold the blade and the blade adapter to

 

 

 

 

 

 

the engine crankshaft. See Figure 16.

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Remove blade and adapter from the

 

 

 

 

 

 

crankshaft.

 

 

 

 

 

4.

The blade can be sharpened with a file or on

 

 

 

 

 

 

a grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen

 

 

 

Crank Shaft

 

the blade while it is still on the mower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blade

5.

When sharpening the blade, follow the

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adapter

 

original angle of grind. Grind each cutting

 

 

 

 

Blade

 

 

 

 

 

edge equally to keep the blade balanced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Always remove blade from the adapter for

 

 

 

 

 

testing balance.

 

 

 

 

Blade Bell

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Balance the blade on a round shaft

Hex Bolt

 

 

 

Support

 

 

screwdriver to check. Remove metal from the

 

 

Figure 16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

heavy side until it balances evenly.

 

 

 

 

 

WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause excessive vibration when rotating at high speeds. It may cause damage to the mower, and could break causing personal injury.

7.Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface of the blade adapter with light oil. Slide the blade adapter onto the engine crankshaft.

8.Place blade on the blade adapter. See Figure 16. Make sure that the blade is aligned and seated on blade adapter flanges.

NOTE: Place the blade on the adapter such that the side of the blade marked “Bottom” (or with part number) faces ground when the mower is in the operating position.

9.Place blade bell support on the blade. Align notches on the blade bell support with small holes in the blade.

10.Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450 in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.

IMPORTANT: To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically check the blade bolt for correct torque.

Off-Season Storage

The following steps should be taken to prepare your lawn mower for storage.

1. Clean and lubricate mower thoroughly as described in the lubrication instructions.

IMPORTANT: We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer or garden hose to clean your unit.

2.Refer to engine manual for correct engine storage instructions.

3.Coat mower’s cutting blade with chassis grease to prevent rusting.

4.Store mower in a dry, clean area. Do not store next to corrosive materials, such as fertilizer.

NOTE: When storing any type of power equipment in a poorly ventilated or metal storage shed, care should be taken to rust-proof the equipment. Using a light oil or silicone, coat the equipment, especially cables and all moving parts of your lawn mower before storage.

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MTD 50 manual Blade Care, Off-SeasonStorage, NOTE Always remove blade from the adapter for, testing balance