Blade Care - Cub Cadet 980 Series Operator's Manual

Blade Care

WARNING: When removing cutting blade
for sharpening or replacement, protect your
hands with a pair of heavy gloves or use a heavy rag
to hold blade.
1. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark plug. Turn
mower on its side making sure that the air filter and
carburetor are facing up.
2. Remove bolt, bell blade support, blade, and blade
adapter from the engine crankshaft. See Figure 5-3.
NOTE: When removing these items, the pulleys and
washers may also break free from the crankshaft. Be
sure to make note of the orientation of these items for
reassembly.
3. The blade can be sharpened with a file or on a
grinding wheel. Do not attempt to sharpen the blade
while it is still on the mower. Balance the blade on a
round shaft screwdriver. Grind cutting edges equally
and follow the original angle of grind. Remove metal
from the heavy side until it balances evenly.
WARNING: An unbalanced blade will cause
excessive vibration when rotating at high
speeds. It may cause damage to mower and could
break causing personal injury.
4. Lubricate the engine crankshaft and the inner surface
of the blade adapter with light oil. Reinsert the spacer
(if needed), pulleys and washers. Slide the blade
adapter onto the engine crankshaft. Place the blade
on the adapter such that the side of the blade marked
"Bottom" (or with part number) faces the ground when
the mower is in the operating position. Make sure that
blade is aligned and seated on blade adapter flanges.
5. Place bell blade support on the blade. Align notches
on the bell blade support with small holes in blade.
Replace hex bolt and tighten hex bolt to torque: 450
in. lbs. min., 600 in. lbs. max.
To ensure safe operation of your mower, periodically
check the blade bolt for correct torque.
Belt Care
When removing the cutting blade or when
sliding the belt around it, protect your hands
with a pair of heavy gloves.
Removing the Belt
1. Disconnect the spark plug wire and ground it against
the engine.
2. Drain the fuel tank or place a piece of plastic beneath
the cap to prevent gasoline leakage.
3. Tip mower on its side (air cleaner side of engine up).
4. Move height adjustment lever to the highest position.
5. Remove blade, blade adapter, and related hardware.
Be sure to make note of the orientation of these
items for reassembly. Remove the three hex screws
holding baffle to the deck. See Figure 5-4.
Figure 5-3: To access blade, remove the bolt, support, blade,
and adapter.
Figure 5-4: Remove blade, hardware, and baffle screws.
A
Figure 5-5: Peel back baffle (A) and loosen screw holding
transmission to deck. (B)
11

Maintaining
Your Lawn
Mower
WARNING
An unbalanced blade
will cause excessive
vibration when rotat-
ing at high speeds. It
may cause damage
to mower and could
break causing per-
sonal injury.
When removing
the cutting blade
for sharpening or
replacement or
when sliding the belt
around it, protect
your hands with a
pair of heavy gloves
or use a heavy rag to
B
hold the blade.