25
6
Maintaining
Your Lawn
Tractor
WARNING
Periodically inspect
the blade spindles for
cracks or damage,
especially if you strike
a foreign object.
Replace immediately if
damaged.
Be sure to shut the
engine off, remove ig-
nition key, disconnect
the spark plug wire(s)
and ground against
the engine to prevent
unintended starting
before removing
the cutting blade(s)
for sharpening or
replacement. Protect
your hands by using
heavy gloves or a rag
to grasp the cutting
blade.
Cutting Blades
WARNING: Be sure to shut the
engine off, remove ignition key,
disconnect the spark plug wire(s)
and ground against the engine
to prevent unintended starting
before removing the cutting
blade(s) for sharpening or
replacement. Protect your hands
by using heavy gloves or a rag to
grasp the cutting blade.
WARNING: Periodically inspect
the blade spindles for cracks or
damage, especially if you strike a
foreign object. Replace immedi-
ately if damaged.
The blades may be removed as follows:
1. Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to
Cutting Deck Removal) then gently flip the deck over
to expose its underside.
2. Place a block of wood between the center deck hous-
ing baffle and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer.
See Figure 6-5.
3. Use a 15/16” wrench to remove the hex flange nut
that secures the blade to the spindle assembly. See
Figure 6-5.
4. To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal
amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along
the cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a
25° to 30° angle.
IMPORTANT: If the cutting edge of the blade has already
been sharpened to within 1-5/8” from the edge, or if any
metal separation is present, replace the blades with new
ones. See Figure 6-6.
• It is important that each cutting blade edge be ground
equally to maintain proper blade balance.
• When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade
with the side of the blade marked ‘‘Bottom’’ (or with
a part number stamped in it) facing the ground when
the mower is in the operating position.
IMPORTANT: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade
spindle hex flange nut to between 70 foot-pounds and 90
foot-pounds.
Fuses
• A fuse is installed in your tractor’s wiring harness to
protect the tractor’s electrical system from damage
caused by excessive amperage.
• If the electrical system does not function, or your
Figure 6-5
INCH
Figure 6-6
tractor’s engine will not crank, first check to be certain
that the fuse has not blown.
• It can either be found under the hood mounted behind
the top of the dash panel on the support bar, or under
the seat mounted to the inside of the tractor frame
next to the battery tray.
WARNING: Always use a fuse
with the same amperage capacity
for replacement.
Always use a fuse with
the same amperage
capacity for replace-
ment.
