Walker MC (20 HP) - Manual (Page 63)

59
Maintenance Instructions
CHECKING/SERVICING
WARNING
DO NOT try to straighten a blade that is
bent. NEVER weld a broken or cracked
blade. ALWAYS replace with a new blade
to assure safety.
4. If the blade cutting edge is dull or nicked, it
should be sharpened. Remove blades for
sharpening by grasping the end of the blade us-
ing a rag or a thick, padded glove, while loosen-
ing and removing the nut, lock washer, and flat
washer that mounts the blade.
5. Grind cutting edge at the same bevel as the
original. Sharpen only the top of the cutting
edge to maintain sharpness.
NOTE: Blades can be sharpened with an elec-
tric blade sharpener, conventional electric grind-
er, or a hand file.
CAUTION
ALWAYS wear eye protection and gloves
when sharpening a blade.
Wing
Tip
Do Not Grind or
Sharpen on Underside
Intersection
Wear Area
Sharpen at
Original 30° Angle
30°
Mower Blade Profile For Sharpening
6. Check blade balance by positioning the blade
horizontally on a blade balancer or use a nail
or shaft through the center hole. If either end of
the blade rotates downward, grind (remove)
metal on that end until the blade will balance.
The blade is properly balanced when neither
end drops. Balance of a blade is generally
maintained by removing an equal amount of
material from each end of the blade when
sharpening.
Blade Balancer
Blade Balanced on Magnetic
Wall-Mounted Balancer
7. Mount the blade with wing tips pointing up into
the housing. Reinstall the blade, washer, lock
washer, and nut. Tighten the nut to 60 ft-lb
(81.3 N·m).
NOTE: When reinstalling blades on GHS models,
remember, the blades turn toward each other
(counter-rotate) and the RH and LH blade cannot be
switched. Check for proper blade rotation before
installing blades on the deck. Refer to Blade Rota-
tion for GHS Mower Deck illustration shown in
Clogging Checklist in Operating Instructions for
correct blade rotation.
Drive Belts
Raise the body and inspect the condition of the
four (4) belts (3 belts on SD models) every 25 hours
of operation - engine PTO drive, jackshaft drive, hy-
drostatic ground drive, and GHS blower drive. If the
belts show signs of cracking or deteriorating, the
belts should be replaced. Refer to REPLACING/
REPAIRING the Drive Belts in this section.