Maintenance Instructions

REPLACING/REPAIRING

•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 toMower 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 from 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.

Mower Deck Gearbox Replacement

NOTE: Deck gearbox(es) may be changed with the deck mounted on the tractor. However, the deck may be removed from the tractor making the overall job of removing the gearbox assembly easier. Refer to Deck Installation in Assembly Instructions and reverse the procedure to remove the deck.

To replace the mower deck gearbox(es), use the following procedure:

1.Remove mower blades. Refer to procedure in Sharpen Mower Blade instructions.

2.Remove gearbox cover (two machine screws) and PTO shaft guard (two 1/4-20 bolts).

3.Remove two (2) 3/8-16 mounting bolts from each blade drive gearbox and lift the entire gearbox assembly from the deck (including PTO drive shaft).

4.Remove the screws securing the cover plates on the gearboxes and remove the covers. Re- move all covers to be sure oil is completely drained from all gearboxes.

NOTE: With oil flow throughout the unitized gear drive assembly; if one gearbox has internal damage or excessive wear, the remaining gear- boxes and connector tubes should be complete- ly disassembled and thoroughly flushed out with solvent before reassembly.

5.Drain and properly dispose of oil.

6.Remove the four (4) bolts mounting the gearbox to the connector tube and slide the gearbox off the splined drive shaft coupling.

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