Cub Cadet 33" Wide Area - Manual (Page 21)

CUTTING DECK AND LIFT SHAFT
12
Blade removal
1. Remove the deck as described in the previous
section of this chapter or lift the tractor using a
professional grade lift.
2. Remove the blade nuts using an impact wrench
and a 15/16” socket. See Figure 4.6.
CAUTION: Use care around the blade while
removing or tightening the nut. The blade can
spin and cause an injury to the technician.
3. Remove the blade.
4. When sharpening the blades:
• 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° to 30° angle. Sharpen the
top edge only.
IMPORTANT: If the cutting edge of the blade
has already been sharpened to within 1 5/8”
from the edge, or if any metal separation is
present, replace the blades with new ones.
• It is important that each end of the cutting blade
edge be ground equally to maintain proper blade
balance.
CAUTION: A poorly balanced blade will cause
excessive vibration and may cause damage to
the mower and result in personal injury.
• The blade can be tested by using a blade bal-
ancer. Grind metal from the heavy side until it
balances evenly.
Figure 4.6
Blade nut
5. Install the blade by following the above steps in
reverse order. Tighten the blade nut to a torque
of 70 - 90 ft-lbs ( 95 - 122 Nm).
NOTE: The blades have a star center. The star
must seat on the raised star on the bottom of the
spindle shaft with the fins of the blade pointing to
the deck. If there is damage to the raised star of
the spindle shaft, the spindle must be replaced.
See Figure 4.7.
Figure 4.7
Star center