Servicing Mower Blades

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

Replace blades if defective. Never straighten or weld them.


Checking for Bent Mower Blades

  1. Park machine on a level surface, not on a slope.

  2. Disengage mower blades.

  3. Fully raise the mower.

  4. Lock the park brake.

  5. Stop the engine.

  6. Remove the key.

  7. Wait for engine and all moving parts to stop before you leave the operator’s seat.

  8. Block the mower.

  9. LV18692
    LV18692-UN-20AUG13

    A - Distance - Blade to Level Surface

    Measure the distance (A) from blade tip to level surface with a ruler or a leveling gauge available at your John Deere dealer.


  10. Rotate blade 180° and measure the distance between other end of blade and surface.

  11. Check all blades. Install new blade if difference between measurements is more than 3 mm (1/8 in.).


Removing Mower Blades

  1. Park machine safely.

  2. Remove mower from machine.

  3. Use a suitable lifting device to raise mower to gain access to blades.

  4. Insert wood block between blade and mower to prevent blade from turning when removing bolt.

  5. LV18693
    LV18693-UN-20AUG13

    A - Bolt

    B - Washer

    C - Washer

    Remove bolt (A), washer (B), washer (C) and blade.



Installing Mower Blades

  1. Install blade with cutting edge toward the ground.

  2. LV18694
    LV18694-UN-20AUG13

    A - Washer

    B - Washer

    C - Bolt

    Install blade, washer (A), washer (B) and bolt (C).


  3. Insert wood block between blade and mower to prevent blade from turning when tightening bolt. Tighten to 122 N•m (90 lb-ft).


Sharpening Blades

  1. CAUTION: Avoid injury! Rotating blades are dangerous. Before adjusting or servicing mower:

    • Disconnect spark plug wire(s) or battery negative (-) cable to prevent engine from starting accidently.
    • Always wear gloves when handling mower blades or working near blades.

    LV18695
    LV18695-UN-20AUG13

    A - Bevel

    B - Cutting Edge

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

    • Keep original bevel (A) when grinding..
    • Blade should have 0.40 mm (1/64 in.) cutting edge (B) or less.


  2. Balance blade before installing.


Balancing Blades

  1. Clean the blade.

  2. LV18696
    LV18696-UN-20AUG13

    Put blade on a nail in a vice or in a vertical wall stud. Turn blade to horizontal position. If blade is not balanced, heavy end of blade will drop.


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

UP00731,0000090-19-20160510