DeWalt 55RI6HN Instruction Manual page 15

PRODUCT CARE, cont'd
nOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade
marked ''Bottom'' or "Grass Side" (or with a part number stamped in it) facing the ground
when the mower is in the operating position.
nOTE: Add a small amount of multi-purpose grease to the bolt threads to avoid
corrosion and galvanic action.
WARNING: Never mow with dull blades. Blades that are bent should be
replaced. The cutting blades are sharp and can cause severe injury. Wrap the
cutting surface of the blade with a rag to avoid injury.
sharpening the Blades
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Clean any debris from the blades.
Keep blades sharp and free of
build up at all times.
3. To properly sharpen the cutting
blades, remove equal amounts of
metal from both ends of the
blades along the cutting edges,
parallel to the trailing edge, at a
25°-30° angle. Always grind each
cutting blade edge equally to
maintain proper blade balance.
See Figure 23.
WARNING: If a blade is bent
or otherwise damaged, replace the blade with a new one. Use only original
equipment blades.
WARNING: A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vibration, may
damage the machine and/or result in personal injury.
4. Test the blade's balance using a blade balancer. Grind metal from the heavy side until
it balances evenly.
nOTE: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade
marked ''Bottom'' or "Grass Side" (or with a part number stamped in it) facing the ground
when the mower is in the operating position.
WARNING: Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade spindle hex flange nut
to between 90-110 ft-lbs.
Changing the spindle Assembly
1. Remove the deck as instructed in
the Deck Removal section.
2. Jack up the front of the mowing
deck about one foot and block it
in that position.
3. Remove the deck cover.
4. Remove the drive belts. See
Replacing the Deck belt section.
5. Remove the blade. See Replacing
the Blades section.
6. Remove the hex lock screw (a)
and flat washer (b) securing the
spindle pulley (c) to the spindle
assembly (d). See Figure 24.
7. Remove the four (4) flange lock
nuts (e) securing the spindle
assembly (d) and the two support
plates (f ) to the deck shell (g). See
Figure 24.
8. Reverse the process to install the spindle assembly. When installing the new spindle
assembly be sure to install the hardware exactly as shown in Figure 24. Torque the
hex lock screw (a) to 90-110 ft-lbs and the flange lock nuts (e) to 13-20 ft-lbs.
Changing the Transmission Drive Belt
Several components must be removed and special tools used in order to change
the mower's transmission drive belt. See your authorized service dealer to have the
transmission drive belt replaced.
Figure 23
(a)
(b)
(c)
(e)
(f)
(f)
(d)
Figure 24
Mower Creeping
Creeping is the slight forward
or backward movement of the
mower when the throttle is on
and the drive levers are in the
neutral position. If your mower
creeps, adjust the neutral control
as follows:
(a)
1. Remove the four screws (a)
that secure the front panel
(b) and remove the front
panel (b). See Figure 25.
2. Adjust the tracking knob (a)
until the threaded rod (b) is
flush with the end. See
Figure 26. The length of the
spring should be
approximately 3-1/2" for
proper adjustment.
nOTE: The tracking knob is
left-hand threaded, turn right to
loosen and left to tighten.
3. Move the neutral lock levers
(a) to the OPEN position. See
Figure 27.
4. Loosen the jam nut (a) and zero
out the transmission. See Figure
28. Perform on both sides of
the mower.
5. Move the neutral lock levers into
the CLOSED position. See
Figure 27.
6. Loosen the jam nut (a) and
adjust the rod until the
steering lever (b) is seated in
the neutral lock lever (c). See
Figure 29.
7. CLOSE the neutral lock levers
(see Figure 27) and move the
speed control lever to verify
that there is no creeping. If
the mower still creeps, try
the adjustment again.
(a)
(b)
Figure 25
(b)
Figure 26
(a)
OPEN
CLOSE
Figure 27
(a)
Figure 28
(b)
(a)
(c)
Figure 29
English
(a)
(a)
(a)
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