Warning – Cub Cadet 53AJ8CT6050 User Manual
Page 18

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2.
Linch Pins
Height of Cut Clevis Pin
Linch Pins
Main Frame
Figure. 7
Changing a Blade:
a.
Remove the Key from the ignition and dis-
connect the spark plug.
b.
Jack up the front of the mowing deck about 
one foot and block it in that position.
c.
Wrap a rag around one end of the blade 
and grasp it to prevent it from turning, or 
secure the blade by placing a block of 
wood between the blade and the deck 
housing.
d.
Use a 1-1/8" socket wrench on the pulley 
side of the spindle to secure.
e.
Remove the hex nut using a 1-1/8" wrench.
f.
Remove the hex nut.
g.
To replace the blade reverse the above 
process and tighten nut to 100-120 lb-ft.
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.
3.
Sharpening a Blade:
a. Set the parking brake.
b.
Clean any debris from the blades. Keep 
blades sharp and free of build up at all 
times.
c.
Sharpen blades evenly at the original 30° 
angle to maintain balanced cutting blades. 
Do not sharpen the underside of the 
blades. Use a electric blade sharpener, a 
conventional electric grinder or a hand file 
to sharpen the blades.
d. Replace any blade with severe nicks or
dents that cannot be removed by filing.
e. Check the balance of the blade after
sharpening by placing it on a blade bal-
ancer. Do not use un-balanced blades.
f.
If the blade dips on one end, file stock off 
of the cutting surface on that end.
Note:
Blades that cannot be easily bal-
anced—REPLACE.
4.
Changing the Blade Drive Belts:
a.
Set the parking brake. Remove ignition key
and both spark plug caps.
b.
Unscrew the wing nuts from the deck cov-
ers and remove both covers.
c.
Using a 1/2" socket breaker bar or socket
rachet insert the male end into the 1/2" 
opening in the lower idler arm assembly 
and pull the idler arm clockwise. While 
holding the idler arm back, loosen the 
blade drive belt from the pulley and slide 
the belt away from the pulley.
d.
Remove tension of the PTO belt by moving
the belt tensioning rod. Loosen the belt 
retaining bolt.
e.
Pull the tensioner pulley away from the belt
and remove the PTO belt then remove the 
blade drive belt.
f.
Reverse the process to install the belt.
