Service Mower

Removing and Installing 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 handles (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).

Replacing Mower Deck Drive Belt

Removing Deck Drive Belt

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

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

3. Remove mower deck belt shields.

4. Remove foot plate.

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5. Remove spring (A) from stud (B) using spring puller.

6. Loosen hardware (C) from idler arm guide and spindle belt guide (D).

7. Loosen nuts at each spindle pulley holding belt guides (E) next to the pulley.

8. Turn the belt guides away from the spindles so the belt (F) can be removed from the deck pulleys. Remove belt from the pulleys.

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9. Access clutch pulley (G) and belt guides (H) from rear of machine.

10. Remove two locknuts (I) and belt guides (H).

11. Remove belt from machine.

Installing Deck Drive Belt

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

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1. Reinstall belt per belt installation label.

2. Tighten hardware on idler arm guide.

3. Check to make sure the spring is installed properly between the idler arm guide and stud.

4. Check and adjust mower deck drive belt tension:

• Measure length of spring coils. Coil length should be 230mm (9.0 in.).

• To increase belt tension, loosen spring jam nut (A) and turn nut (B) clockwise.

• To decrease belt tension, loosen spring jam nut (A) and turn nut (B) counterclockwise.

5. Position belt guides next to the spindle pulleys or belt within 1/8 in., and tighten hardware.

6. Reinstall belt guides and locknuts at the clutch pulley at rear of machine. Tighten the right side, and then adjust the left side gap between the clutch and guide to 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) and then tighten.

7. Install mower deck belt shields.

8. Install foot plate.

9. Adjust mower deck to a desired cutting height.

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. (See Lifting Machine in the SERVICE MISCELLANEOUS Section.)

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! Blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling blades or working near 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! Blades are sharp. Always wear gloves when handling 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.