Maintenance Instructions

CHECKING/SERVICING

WARNING

DO NOT try to straighten a blade that is bent. NEVER weld a broken or cracked blade. ALWAYS replace with a new blade to assure safety.

4.If the blade cutting edge is dull or nicked, it should be sharpened. Remove blades for sharpening by grasping the end of the blade us- ing a rag or a thick, padded glove, while loosen- ing and removing the nut, lock washer, and flat washer that mounts the blade.

5.Grind cutting edge at the same bevel as the original. Sharpen only the top of the cutting edge to maintain sharpness.

NOTE: Blades can be sharpened with an elec- tric blade sharpener, conventional electric grind- er, or a hand file.

CAUTION

ALWAYS wear eye protection and gloves when sharpening a blade.

 

 

Intersection

Sharpen at

Original 30° Angle

 

Wear Area

 

 

 

 

 

Wing

30°

 

Tip

 

 

 

 

 

Do Not Grind or

Sharpen on Underside

Mower Blade Profile For Sharpening

6.Check blade balance by positioning the blade horizontally on a blade balancer or use a nail or shaft through the center hole. If either end of the blade rotates downward, grind (remove) metal on that end until the blade will balance. The blade is properly balanced when neither end drops. Balance of a blade is generally main- tained by removing an equal amount of material from each end of the blade when sharpening.

Blade Balancer

Blade Balanced on Magnetic

Wall-Mounted Balancer

7.Mount the blade with wing tips pointing up into the housing. Reinstall the blade, washer, lock

washer, and nut. Tighten the nut to 60 ft-lb (81.3 N⋅m).

NOTE: When reinstalling blades on GHS models, remember, the blades turn toward each other (counter-rotate) and the RH and LH blade cannot be switched. Check for proper blade rotation before installing blades on the deck. Refer to Blade Rotation for GHS Mower Deck illustration shown in Clogging Checklist in Operating Instructions for correct blade rotation.

Drive Belts

Raise the body and inspect the condition of the four (4) belts (3 belts on SD models) every 25 hours of operation - engine PTO drive, jackshaft drive, hydrostatic ground drive, and GHS blower drive. If the belts show signs of cracking or deteriorating, the belts should be replaced. Refer to REPLACING/ REPAIRING the Drive Belts in this section.

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