Scag Power Equipment SWZV Drive Belts, CUTTER BLADES A. Blade Inspection, B. Blade Sharpening

Section 7

-NOTE-

In extremely dusty conditions it may be neces- sary to check the element once or twice daily to prevent engine damage.

1.Loosen the wing nuts securing the air cleaner cover. Remove the air cleaner cover and set aside.

2.Remove the air cleaner and inspect.

3.Clean or replace the air cleaner as recommended by the engine manufacturer.

7.7 DRIVE BELTS

All drive belts are spring-loaded and self-tensioning, however after the first 2, 4, 8 and 10 hours of operation, the belts should be checked for proper alignment and wear. Thereafter, check the belts after every 40 hours of operation or weekly, whichever occurs first.

7.8CUTTER BLADES

A. Blade Inspection

1.Remove the ignition key before servicing the blades.

2.Raise the mower deck to the highest position. Place the lanyard pin in the highest cutting height positon to prevent the cutter deck from falling.

WARNING:

Always wear proper hand and eye protection when working with cutter blades.

3.Check the cutter blades for straightness. If the cutter blades appear bent, they will need to be replaced.

4.If a blade cutting edge is dull or nicked, it should be sharpened. Remove the blades for sharpening. See "Blade Replacement."

-NOTE-

Keep the blades sharp. Cutting with dull blades not only yields a poor mowing job, but slows the cutting speed of the mower and causes extra wear on the engine and the blade drive.

B. Blade Sharpening

-NOTE-

If possible, use a file to sharpen the blade. Using a wheel grinder may burn the blade.

-NOTE-

DO NOT sharpen the blades beyond 1/3 of the width of the blade.

1.Sharpen the cutting edge at the same bevel as the original. See Figure 7-6. Sharpen only the top of the cutting edge to maintain sharpness.

Angle Blade Back

Do Not Cut In

	X Must NOT Exceed
30	1/3 Blade Width
	SGB033

Figure 7-6 Blade Sharpening

2.Check the balance of the blade. If the blades are out of balance, vibration and premature wear can occur. See your authorized Scag dealer for blade balancing or special tools, if you choose to balance your own blades.

WARNING:

Do not attempt to straighten a bent blade, and never weld a broken or cracked blade. Always replace it with an original Scag cutter blade to assure safety.

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