4. Remove the deck drive belt from the electric clutch pulley. This belt
does not need to be removed from any of the other pulleys.
5. Release the tension from the integrated pump/motor belt by pulling
on the idler pulley (extending spring carefully) and sliding the belt
over it. Use caution when releasing the idler pulley as there is still
tension on it and it will snap back into position. Fig. 9-18
6. Slide the belt off the engine pulley. The belt will have to be slid
above the engine pulley to allow the belt to be removed from the
other pulleys. Fig. 9-19
7. Slide the belt over the integrated pump/motor pulleys.
8. Slide the belt off of the fixed idler pulley.
9. The belt can now be removed from above the engine pulley.
10. Install new belt by sliding it up and over the engine pulley. Make
certain it is not in the pulley groove at this time but is above the
pulley.
11. Slide the belt over the fixed idler pulley and then over the integrated
pump/motor pulleys.
12. Slide the belt onto the engine pulley.
13. Pull the idler pulley over and slide the belt onto it. Make certain to
keep fingers from getting between the belt and the pulley when the
pulley is released and tension is re-established.
14. Re-install the deck drive belt on the electric clutch pulley and make
sure it is routed properly on all of the deck pulleys.
15. Re-tension the deck belt idler per the Deck drive belt adjustment
section located elsewhere in this manual.
16. Re-attach the negative battery cable.
Mower blade maintenance
Check the mower blades daily, they are the key to power efficiency and
well groomed turf. Keep them sharp, a dull blade will tear rather than cut
the grass, leaving a brown ragged top on the grass within a few hours. A
dull blade also requires more power from the engine.
Replace any blade which is bent, cracked or broken.
WARNING: Never attempt to straighten a bent blade by heating,
or weld a cracked or broken blade as the blade may break and
cause serious injury. Replace worn or damaged blades.
DANGER: Never work with blades while engine is running or
deck clutch switch is engaged (on). Always place deck clutch
switch in the disengaged position, place control levers in the park
brake position and turn engine off and disconnect negative battery
cable. Block up mower when you must work under it. Wear
gloves when handling blades. Always check for blade damage
if mower strikes rock, branch or other foreign object during
mowing!
WARNING: Always wear adequate eye protection when
grinding mower blades.
Always place deck clutch switch in the disengaged position, place control
levers in the park brake position and turn engine off and disconnect
negative battery cable. Block up mower when you must work under it.
Wear gloves when handling blades. Always check for blade damage if
mower strikes rock, branch or other foreign object during mowing!
Mower blade removal
Use a 15/16" wrench to remove the 5/8" cap screw holding the blade to
the spindle shaft from underneath.
Sharpen the blades on a grinder following pattern as shown (Fig. 9-20).
Touch-up sharpening can be done with a file.
Check the blades for balance following grinding. A commercial
balancing tool is available through most hardware supply stores, or
balancing can be done by placing the blade on an inverted line punch or
5/8" bolt. Blade should not lean or tilt. Spin the blade slowly, blade should
not wobble. If blade is out of balance, true it up before reinstalling.
Lay the blade on a flat surface and check for distortion (Fig. 9-21 and 9-
22). Replace any distorted blade.
Do not re-use spindle bolts which have stripped, worn or undercut
threads. Torque bolts on spindles to 118 foot-pounds when reinstalling
blades.
IMPORTANT: The blade sail (curved part) must be pointing upward
toward the inside of the deck to ensure proper cutting.
WARNING: When mounting blades, rotate them after
installation to ensure blade tips do not touch each other or sides
of the mower.
WARNING: Failure to correctly torque the bolt may result in the
loss of the blade which can cause serious injury.
WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing
them.
Warped Blade (Replace)
Straight Blade
Comparison of Warped and Straight Blades
Cutting
Plane
Figure 9-21
Figure 9-20
Resharpening Pattern
Do not sharpen to original pattern (below).
It is easier to get a straight cutting edge following
the resharpening pattern shown above.
Original Edge
Engine
pulley
Figure 9-19
Belt
