User Guide

dull blade also requires more power from the engine.
Replace any blade which is bent, cracked or broken.
WARNING: Never attempt to straighten a bent blade by heating,
or weld a cracked or broken blade as the blade may break and
cause serious injury.
DANGER: Never work with blades while engine is running or
deck clutch switch is engaged (on). Always place deck clutch
switch in the disengaged position, place control levers in the park
brake position and turn engine off and disconnect negative battery
cable. Block up mower when you must work under it. Wear
gloves when handling blades. Always check for blade damage
if mower strikes rock, branch or other foreign object during
mowing!
WARNING: Always wear adequate eye protection when
grinding mower blades.
Mower blade removal
Use a 15/16" wrench to remove the 5/8" cap screw holding the blade to
the spindle shaft from underneath. Sharpen the blades on a grinder
following pattern as shown (Fig. 10-15). Touch-up sharpening can be done
with a file.
Check the blades for balance following grinding. A commercial
balancing tool is available through most hardware supply stores, or
balancing can be done by placing the blade on an inverted line punch or
1/2" bolt. Blade should not lean or tilt. Spin the blade slowly, blade should
not wobble. If blade is out of balance, true it up before reinstalling.
Lay the blade on a flat surface and check for distortion (Fig. 10-16 and
10-17). Replace any distorted blade.
Do not re-use spindle bolts which have stripped, worn or undercut
threads. Torque bolts to 118 foot-pounds when reinstalling blades.
WARNING: When mounting blades, rotate them after
installation to ensure blade tips do not touch each other or sides of
the mower.
WARNING: Failure to correctly torque the bolt may result in the
loss of the blade which can cause serious injury.
WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing
them.
Figure 10-14
2
2
2
6
4
5
3
5
Deck Belt Drive Layout
1. Spindle drive belt
2. Deck blade spindle pulley
3. Spindle belt tension idler
4. Spindle belt tension idler spring
(9.0" at operation)
5. Deck belt idler
6. Idler arm
1
5
60” XR7 deck
Warped Blade (Replace)
Straight Blade
Comparison of Warped and Straight Blades
Cutting
Plane
Figure 10-16
Figure 10-15
Resharpening Pattern
Do not sharpen to original pattern (below).
It is easier to get a straight cutting edge following
the resharpening pattern shown above.
Original Edge
Figure 10-17
Twisted Blade Edge
(Replace)
Cutting Edge
Straight Blade Edge
End view of blades, comparing
twisted and straighten blades.
Cutting Plane
Cutting Edge
106567_0706
10-14