Section 8: deck Maintenance

Blade care

WARNING!: Stop the tractor engine, disengage all PTO controls, engage the parking brake, and wait for all movement to stop before adjusting the deck wheels.

The cutting blades must be kept sharp at all times. Inspect and sharpen, or replace, the cutting blades as follows:

IMPORTANT: Sharpen the cutting edges of the blades evenly so that the blades remain balanced and the same angle of sharpness is maintained.

•Remove the mower deck from the tractor as described earlier in this manual. Carefully tip the deck upward to access the bottom of the mower deck.

•To remove the blades, use a 1-1/8 inch wrench to hold the hex head of the spindle bolt, while using a second 1-1/8 inch wrench to loosen the hex flange nut securing the blade. NOTE: A block of wood may be placed between the deck housing and the cutting edge of the blade to help in breaking loose the hex flange lock nut securing the blade.

•Inspect each blade. The cutting blades should be kept sharp at all times.

•Sharpen the cutting edges of the blades evenly so that the blades remain balanced and the same angle of sharpness is maintained.

•If the cutting edge of a blade has already been sharpened many times, or if any metal separation is present, it is recommended that a new blade be installed. New blades are available at your authorized dealer.

•When replacing the blades, be sure they are installed so that the wind wings are pointing upward toward the top of the deck housing. Secure the hex head of the spindle bolt and tighten the hex flange nuts to 90 to 110 ft-lbs. (122 to 149 N·m).

•After replacing the blades, apply grease the exposed threads at the bottom of the spindle bolts to prevent rust buildup.

cleaning the mower deck

Using The Deck Wash System

WARNING!: When using the deck wash system, never engage the deck from any position other than the operator’s seat of the tractor. Do not engage the deck if bystanders are in the area.

•Attach the nozzle adapter (16) to a standard garden hose connected to a water supply.

•Move the tractor to an area within reach of the hose where the dispersal of wet grass clippings is not objectionable to you. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, and stop the engine.

•Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter and push the adapter onto the deck wash nozzle at the left end of the mower deck. Release the lock collar to lock the adapter on the nozzle. Refer to Figure 23.

Nozzle

Adapter

Adapter

Lock CollarPull Lock

Collar Back

Deck Wash

Nozzle

Figure 23

•Turn on the water supply.

•From the tractor operator’s seat, start the engine and engage the mid - PTO. Allow to run as needed. Disengage the PTO and stop the engine.

•Turn off the water supply.

•Pull back the lock collar of the nozzle adapter to disconnect the adapter from the nozzle.

•Connect the nozzle adapter and hose to the deck wash nozzle on the right side of the deck, and repeat the previous steps to clean the mower deck

Cleaning the Spindle Pulleys

Periodically remove the belt covers and remove any accumulated grass clippings from around the spindle pulleys and the deck belt.

•Remove the three hex screws fastening the RH belt cover. Refer to Figure 24.

Hex Screw

Index

Bracket

RH Belt

Cover

LH Belt

Cover

Hex Screw

Figure 24

•Remove the two hex screws fastening the LH belt cover. Slide the belt inward to disengage its tabs from the slots in the index bracket on the deck. Refer to Figure 24.

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