22
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
Standard Blade System (If Equipped)
1.
Remove the deck from beneath the
tractor, (refer to Deck Removal earlier
in this section) then gently flip the
deck over to expose its underside.
2.
Place a block of wood between the deck
housing baffle and the cutting blade to
act as a stabilizer. See Figure 48.
3.
Remove the hex flange nut that secures
the blade to the spindle assembly.
Installing the Blade
FastAttach™ Blade System (If Equipped)
1.
Set the tractor deck height to its
highest position.
2.
Properly orient the blade. The
bottom of the blade is labelled
“Grass Side”.
3.
Position the blade under the
spindle assembly, and carefully
align the large opening in the
center of the blade over the
tractor blade retainer. See Figure
49.
4.
Push the blade upward against the blade adapter until the collar above rises.
See Figure 45.
5.
Rotate the blade clockwise to align with the blade adapter. See Figure 50.
NOTE:
If too much resistance is felt while turning the blade then the spindle
is rotating, the blade is not properly aligned on the blade adapter, and
installation will not be successful.
6.
There will be an audible click when the blade is properly locked in place. See
Figure 51.
Standard Blade System (If Equipped)
1.
With the deck removed gently flip the deck over to expose its underside.
2.
Line up the the hole in the center of the blade with the s-shaped retainer at
the bottom of the spindle assembly and slide the blade into place.
3.
Place a block of wood between the deck housing baffle and the cutting blade
to act as a stabilizer. See Figure 48.
4.
Thread on the hex flange nut to secure the blade to the spindle assembly.
5.
Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade spindle hex flange nut to
70 -90 ft-lbs (95-122 N-m).
NOTE:
When replacing or reinstalling 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.
Figure 48
Figure 49
Figure 50
Figure 51
14.
Pull the bow-tie pin out of the
front deck lift rod securing it to
the deck. See Figure 44. Slide
the deck lift rod out of the front
hanger bracket.
15.
Move the deck lift lever into the
top notch to raise the deck lift up
and out of the way.
16.
Gently slide the deck out from
underneath the tractor.
Removing the Blades
WARNING
•
Shut the engine off and remove ignition key before removing the
cutting blade(s) for sharpening or replacement. Protect your hands by
using heavy gloves when grasping the blade.
•
Periodically inspect the blade and/or spindle for cracks or damage,
especially after you’ve struck a foreign object. Do not operate the
tractor until damaged components are replaced.
•
If the cutting edge of the blade has previously been sharpened, or if
any metal separation is present, replace the blades with new ones.
FastAttach™ Blade System (If Equipped)
1.
Set the tractor deck height
to its highest position.
2.
Carefully feel for the finger
grooves on the blade collar
at the sides of the blade.
3.
Push upward on the blade
collar and hold it. See
Figure 45.
4.
While holding the collar in
the upward position, rotate
the blade counterclockwise
to free it from the collar.
See Figure 46.
5.
When the hole in the center of the blade aligns with the tractor blade retainer,
carefully lower the blade. See Figure 47.
Figure 44
Figure 45
Figure 46
Figure 47
