Servicing The Mower Blades
Removing the Mower Blade
CAUTION
Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp.
•Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.
1.To remove the mower blade, use a 1” wrench on the flats of the spindle shaft and remove the mower blade mounting bolt with a 15/16” wrench (Figure 23).
2.If there are no flats on the spindle shaft, wedge a wooden block between the mower blade and the mower deck housing to keep the mower blade from turning.
Inspecting the Mower Blades
DANGER
Avoid injury! A worn or damaged blade can break, and a piece of the mower blade could be thrown into the operator’s or bystander’s area, resulting in serious personal injury or death.
•Inspect the mower blade every 25 hours or at least once a year.
•If the mower blade hits a solid object, stop the engine immediately and inspect the mower blade.
•Never weld or straighten bent mower blades.
1.Remove the mower blade from the unit. See Removing the Blade.
2.Inspect the mower blade (Figures 24 & 25). Discard the mower blade if it has any of the below conditions.
A.) Has more than .5” (12,7 mm) of the mower blade metal removed from previous sharpening or wear (D, Figure 24).
B.) The air lifts are excessively eroded (B & C, Figure
25) and the notch (C) is .25” (6,35 mm) deep or greater.
C.) Mower blade is bent or broken.
3.If the cutting edges are not sharp or have nicks, sharpen the blades. See Sharpening the Mower Blades.
Regular Maintenance
Figure 23. Loosening the Mower Blade for Removal
B | A |
C | A |
D |
|
C |
|
Figure 24. inspecting the Mower Blade Tips
A.Mower Blade Cutting Edge
B.Square Corner
C.Air Lift
D.Wear Measurement - DISCARD Mower Blade If greater than .5” (12,7 mm)
Maintenance
C
AB
Figure 25. inspecting the Mower Blade Air Lifts
A.New Mower Blade
B.Mower Blade at Wear Limit (A notch begins to form)
C.Mower Blade in Dangerous Condition (Notch measures .25” (6,35 mm) or greater DO NOT USE. Replace with new mower blade.)
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