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.Set 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 balancer. Do not use un-balanced blades.

f.If the blade dips on one end, file stock off of the cutting sur- face on that end.

Note: Blades that cannot be easily balanced—REPLACE.

3.Changing the Blade Drive Belts:

a.Set the parking brake. Remove ignition key and both spark plug caps.

b.Unscrew the wing nuts from the deck covers 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 blade drive belt from the pul- ley and slide the belt away from the pulley.

d.Remove tension of the PTO belt by moving the belt tension- ing rod. Loosen the belt retaining bolt.

e.Pull the tensioner pulley away from the belt and remove the PTO belt then remove the blade drive belt.

f.Reverse the process to install the belt. Be sure the head of the bolt is above the top of the idler pulley.

Note: When replacing belts do not overtighten. Adjust the idler pulley so that a ten-pound pull with a spring scale between two pulleys deflects the belt about 1/2".

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MTD MMZ 2554, MMZ 2560, MMZ 2254 service manual Changing the Blade Drive Belts