Servicing Mower Blades

CAUTION: 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.

Removing Mower Blades

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

2. Raise mower deck to gain access to mower blades. If necessary, remove mower deck.

3. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent it from spinning.

4. Remove mower blade(s):

   38 and 42 Mowers

   
   MXAL46057-UN-09APR13

   • Loosen and remove nut (A), washer (B), and blade (C).

     48 and 54 Mowers

     
     MXAL46428-UN-05APR13

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   • Loosen and remove bolt (D), washer (E), and blade (F).
   
   

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5. Inspect blades; sharpen, balance or replace blades as necessary.

Installing Mower Blades

38 and 42 Mowers

IMPORTANT: On 42 mulching mower, blades are marked right and left on bottom side of each blade. Make sure to install correct blade to right and left sides of deck.

1. Align the splined center hole in the blade (C) with the splined spindle shaft (G) and put the blade onto the mower spindle shaft with cutting edge toward ground.

2. Install washer (B), with cupped side towards blade, and install nut (A) to secure blade onto splined spindle shaft.

3. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent spinning and tighten nut to specification.

   Item	Measurement	Specification
   Nut	Torque	88 N·m (65 lb-ft)

48 and 54 Mowers

1. Make sure deflector cup (H) is seated properly between mower spindle and blade.

2. Position mower blade (F) with cutting edge toward ground onto mower spindle.

3. Install washer (E), with cupped side towards blade, and install bolt (D) to secure blade onto spindle shaft.

4. Block mower blade with a piece of wood to prevent spinning and tighten bolt to specification.

   Item	Measurement	Specification
   Bolt	Torque	68 N·m (50 lb-ft)