Service Mower

Removing and Installing Mower Deck Foot Plate

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Always operate the mower with the foot plate installed. Operating with the foot plate removed can cause serious injury.

Removing Foot Plate

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

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2. Rotate foot plate up using finger pull (A).

3. Remove foot plate.

Installing Foot Plate

1. Place tabs (B) of foot plate into slots in frame.

2. Lower foot plate.

Removing and Installing Mower Deck Belt Shields

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Help prevent serious personal injury. Do not operate the mower without the belt shields installed.

Removing Belt Shields

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Lower mower deck to the lowest cutting height position.

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3. Remove belt shield locking ring (A).

4. Remove belt shields (B).

· Lift corner of belt shield from stud (C). Rotate shield counterclockwise to clear head pins (D).

Installing Belt Shields

1. Install belt shields.

· Rotate shield clockwise to engage head pins (D) and stud (C).

2. Install belt shield locking ring (A).

Adjusting Mower Deck Drive Belt Tension

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Remove foot plate. See (Removing and Installing Mower Deck Foot Plate in the SERVICE MOWER section.)

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3. Check the mower deck drive belt tension. Measure the length of the belt tension spring (A) from inside of hook to inside of hook. The spring length should be 21-22 cm (8.3-8.7 in.).

Replacing Mower Deck Drive Belt

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Lower mower deck to the lowest cutting height position.

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3. Remove belt shield locking ring (A).

4. Remove belt shields (B).

· Lift corner of belt shield from stud (C). Rotate shield counterclockwise to clear head pins (D).

5. Remove foot plate. (See Removing and Installing Mower Deck Foot Plate in the SERVICE MOWER section.)

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6. Loosen belt guide nuts and rotate guides (E) away from belt.

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7. Remove belt guide (F) from tension arm.

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8. Release mower deck drive belt tension by turning nuts (G) counterclockwise.

9. Remove mower deck drive belt (H).

NOTE: If necessary, see drive belt installation label on mower deck.

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10. Install replacement mower deck drive belt as shown. Make sure drive belt is installed properly on the PTO clutch sheave, the mower deck idler sheaves and spindle sheaves.

11. Adjust drive belt tension.

12. Install belt guide on tension arm. Adjust belt guides at left spindle. Position guides within 6 mm (0.25 in.) of belt and tighten nuts.

13. Install both mower deck belt shields.

Checking and Replacing Mower Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Do not work near raised mower deck unless it is safely supported. Mower blades are sharp. Wrap blades or wear gloves when servicing. Before performing any service function, wait for all moving parts to stop turning. Disconnect battery or remove spark plug wire before making repairs.

NOTE: Only replace blades. Never straighten or weld them.

Checking Mower Blades

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the Safety Section).

2. Raise the mower deck to the transport position. (Also the 12.7 cm (5 in.) cutting height position.)

3. Raise front of machine with a safe lifting device.

· Support with jack stands and/or wooden blocks.

4. Check mower blades:

· Mower blades should be sharp and free of any damage.

· Inspect blades; sharpen/balance or replace as necessary.

Replacing Mower Blades

1. Use a wooden block to prevent mower blades from spinning.

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2. Remove screw (D), hardened washer (C), large concave blade washer (B), blade (E) and deflector cup (A).

3. Install replacement blade:

· Blade wing must face toward top of mower deck.

· Install deflector cup, hardened washer, blade, large concave blade washer, and cap screw.

· Tighten blade bolts to 122 N·m (90 lb-ft).

4. Lower machine.

5. Adjust mower deck to a desirable cutting height.

Sharpening Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are dangerous! · Always wear gloves while working on blades. · Always wear safety eye protection when grinding.

· Sharpen blades with grinder, hand file, or electric blade sharpener.

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· Keep original bevel (A) when grinding.

· Blade should have 0.40 mm (1/64 in.) cutting edge (B) or less.

· Balance blades before installing.

Balancing Blades

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Mower blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.

1. Clean blade.

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2. Put blade on nail in a vise. Turn blade to horizontal position.

3. Check balance. If blade is not balanced, heavy end of blade will drop.

4. Grind bevel of heavy end. Do not change blade bevel.