Servicing Mower Blades

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.

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 blades:

   1. 
      MXT014309-UN-27MAY15

      42M Mowers: Remove nut (A), washer, and blade (C).

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   2. 
      MXT014308-UN-27MAY15

      42A, 48A, and 54A Mowers: Remove cap screw (A), washer (B), and blade (C).

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

Installing Mower Blades

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! 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. Make sure deflector cup (D) is seated properly between mower spindle and blade.

2. 42M Mowers:

   1. Align splined center hole in blade with splined spindle shaft (E).

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

   3. Install washer, with cupped side towards blade, and install nut onto spindle shaft.

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

      Item	Measurement	Specification
      Nut (42M)	Torque	88 N·m (65 lb·ft)

3. 42A, 48A, and 54A Mowers

   1. Position mower blade with cutting edge toward ground onto mower spindle.

   2. Install washer, with cupped side towards blade, and install cap screw onto spindle shaft.

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

      Item	Measurement	Specification
      Cap Screw	Torque	68 N·m (50 lb·ft)