Operator's Manual
32
1
3
2
4
5
m–5227
Figure 43
1. Sail Area of Blade
2. Blade
3. Blade spindle
4. Blade Bolt
5. Blade stiffener
Sharpening the Blades
1. Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of
the blade (Fig. 44). Maintain the original angle. The
blade retains its balance if the same amount of
material is removed from both cutting edges.
1
m–1854
Figure 44
1. Sharpen at original angle
2. Check the balance of the blade by putting it on a blade
balancer (Fig. 45). If the blade stays in a horizontal
position, the blade is balanced and can be used. If the
blade is not balanced, file some metal off the end of
the sail area only (Fig. 43). Repeat this procedure until
the blade is balanced.
1
2
m–1855
Figure 45
1. Blade 2. Balancer
Installing the Blades
1. Install the blade onto the spindle shaft (Fig. 43).
Important The sail part of the blade must be pointing
upward, toward the inside of the mower to ensure proper
cutting (Fig. 43).
2. Install the blade stiffener and blade bolt (Fig. 43).
Torque the blade bolt to 85–110 ft-lb (115–140 Nm).
Correcting Cutting Unit
Mismatch
If one deck blade cuts lower than the other, correct as
follows.
Note: Tire air pressure is critical in these procedures.
Make sure all tires have correct pressure.
1. Stop the engine, remove the key and disconnect the
spark plug wire(s) from the spark plug(s).
2. Adjust the tire pressure in all tires to specifications on
page 28.
3. Check that the blades and spindle shafts are not bent.
Refer to Checking for Bent Blades on page 31.
4. Set the height-of-cut to the 4 in. position. Refer to
Adjusting the Height-Of-Cut in the Operation section.
5. Perform steps in the following sections Frame Set Up,
Checking Front–to–Rear Pitch and Checking
Side–to–Side Leveling.
Frame Set Up
Checking Carrier Frame and Deck
Alignment
1. Stop the engine, remove the key and disconnect the
spark plug wire(s) from the spark plug(s).
2. Place a long straight edge on top of the engine deck as
shown in figure 46.
3. At the carrier frame cross tube, measure location “A”
height (Fig. 46). This measurement must be 2–13/16
in., plus or minus a 1/4 in.
4. If the height at location “A” is not correct, adjustment
is needed.
5. Loosen the carrier frame mounting bolts on both sides
of the machine (Fig. 46).
6. Align the carrier frame and engine deck to match
2–13/16 in., plus or minus a 1/4 in. at location “A”
(Fig. 46).
7. Tighten the carrier frame mounting bolts on both sides
of the machine.