Maintenance Instructions

REPLACING/REPAIRING

Mower Blades

Mower blades are removed and remounted as described in Sharpen Mower Blades instructions. During the course of sharpening and inspecting mower blades, if there are any of the following conditions of wear or damage, blades should be replaced for reasons of safety and performance of the machine:

∙An excessive amount of the flat section of the blade has been ground away (removed) when the blade is sharpened. Replace the blade when less than a 3/4 in. (19 mm) flat section remains at the blade tip.

∙Examine ends of the blade carefully, especially the intersection where the flat section of the blade turns up to form the “wing tip” (refer to Mower Blade Profile for Sharpening illustration in Sharpen Mower Blades instructions). Since sand and abra- sive material can wear metal away in this area, the blade should be replaced when metal thickness has worn to 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) or less.

DANGER

When blades are operated over sandy soil, and if blades are allowed to wear, a “slot” may be worn into the wing tip of blade. Eventually a piece of the blade may break off creating a serious potential for injury or damage.

∙Check the blades for straightness by marking blade tip position inside the deck housing and then rotating the opposite end of the blade to the same position and comparing. If the difference in blade tip track is more than 1/8 in. (3 mm), the blade is bent and should be replaced.

∙Inspect the blade surface, especially in formed areas, for cracks. Replace the blade if any cracks are found.

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.

Reinstall the blades following procedure in CHECKING/SERVICING for Sharpen Mower Blades instructions. If blades are replaced, always use Walker original equipment blades to ensure safety and optimum performance. The quality and performance of replacement blades offered by other manufacturers cannot be guaranteed, they could be dangerous.

CAUTION

ALWAYS use genuine factory replacement parts. Substitute parts CAN result in product malfunction and possible injury to the operator.

84