Cutting Blades - Cub Cadet SLT1554 Operator's Manual

Cutting Blades

Cutting Blades
WARNING! WARNING!
ignition key before removing the cutting blade(s) for sharpening ignition key before removing the cutting blade(s) for
or replacement. Protect your hands by using heavy gloves when sharpening or replacement. Protect your hands by
grasping the blade using heavy gloves when grasping the blade
WARNING! WARNING!
spindle for cracks or damage, especially after you've struck a spindle for cracks or damage, especially after you've
foreign object. Do not operate the machine until damaged struck a foreign object. Do not operate the machine
components are replaced. until damaged components are replaced.
To remove the blades, proceed as follows. To remove the blades, proceed as follows.
1. 1. Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to Remove the deck from beneath the tractor, (refer to
Cutting Deck Removal earlier in this section) then gently Cutting Deck Removal earlier in this section) then gently
flip the deck over to expose its underside. flip the deck over to expose its underside.
2. 2. Place a block of wood between the center deck housing Place a block of wood between the center deck housing
baffle and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer. baffle and the cutting blade to act as a stabilizer.
See Fig. 7-3. See Fig. 7-3.
3. 3. Remove the hex flange nut that secures the blade to the Remove the hex flange nut that secures the blade to the
spindle assembly. See Fig. 7-3. spindle assembly. See Fig. 7-3.
6 s 7— s
ectiOn ervice
Shut the engine off and remove Shut the engine off and remove
Periodically inspect the blade and/or Periodically inspect the blade and/or
Figure -3
4. 4. To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal
amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along the amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along the
cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a 25°- to 30° cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a 25°- to 30°
angle. Always grind each cutting blade edge equally to angle. Always grind each cutting blade edge equally to
maintain proper blade balance. See Fig. 7-4. maintain proper blade balance. See Fig. 7-4.
CAUTION: CAUTION:
If the cutting edge of the blade has If the cutting edge of the blade has
previously been sharpened, or if any metal separation is present, previously been sharpened, or if any metal
replace the blades with new ones. separation is present, replace the blades with new
ones.
WARNING!
A poorly balanced blade will cause
WARNING!
excessive vibration, may damage to the tractor and/or result in A poorly balanced blade will cause
personal injury. excessive vibration, may damage to the tractor and/
or result in personal injury.
Figure -4
5. 5. Test the blade's balance using a blade balancer. Grind Test the blade's balance using a blade balancer. Grind
metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly.
NOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with NOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with
the side of the blade marked ''Bottom'' (or with a part number the side of the blade marked ''Bottom'' (or with a part number
stamped in it) facing the ground when the mower is in the stamped in it) facing the ground when the mower is in the
operating position. operating position.
CAUTION: CAUTION:
Use a torque wrench to tighten the Use a torque wrench to tighten the
blade spindle hex flange nut to between 70 lbs-ft and 90 lbs-ft. blade spindle hex flange nut to between 70 lbs-ft
and 90 lbs-ft.