Exmark M216KASPC - Manual (Page 22)

18
Sharpening the Blade
File the top side of the blade to maintain its original
cutting angle (Fig. 25A) and inner cutting edge radius
(Fig. 25B). The blade will remain balanced if you remove
the same amount of material from both cutting edges.
153
1
m-4783
2
A B
Figure 25
1. Sharpen at this angle only 2. Maintain the original
radius here
Balancing the Blade
1. Check the balance of the blade by placing the center
hole of the blade over a nail or screwdriver shank
clamped horizontally in a vise (Fig. 26).
1007
Figure 26
Note: You can also check the balance using a
commercially manufactured blade balancer.
2. If either end of the blade rotates downward, file that
end (not the cutting edge or the end near the cutting
edge). The blade is properly balanced when neither
end drops.
Installing the Blade
1. Install a sharp, balanced Exmark blade, the blade
accelerator, the anti-scalp cup, and the blade nuts
(Fig. 23).
2. Torque the blade nuts to 15 to 27 ft-lb (20 to 37 N
m).
Operating the lawn mower without the
accelerator in place can cause the blade to flex,
bend, or break, resulting in serious injury or
death to the operator or bystanders.
Do not operate the lawn mower without the
accelerator.
Warning
3. Return the lawn mower to its upright position.
4. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
Cleaning the Blade Brake
Clutch Shield
Clean the BBC (blade brake clutch) shield at the end of
each mowing season to ensure the best performance and to
prevent parts from degrading. Clean the BBC shield when
you sharpen the blade because you need to remove the
blade in order to remove the BBC shield.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug (Fig. 9).
3. Drain the gasoline from the fuel tank; refer to
Emptying the Fuel Tank and Cleaning the Fuel Filter
on page 19.
4. Tip the lawn mower onto its right side (air filter up).
Tipping the lawn mower may cause the fuel to
leak from the carburetor or the fuel tank.
Gasoline is extremely flammable, highly explosive,
and, under certain conditions, can cause personal
injury or property damage.
Avoid fuel spills by emptying the fuel tank as
directed; never siphon.
Warning
5. Remove the two blade nuts, the anti-scalp cup, the
accelerator, and the blade (Fig. 27).
m-796
1
3
2
Figure 27
1. Tabs and nuts
2. BBC shield
3. Tab and bolt
6. Loosen the tabs that secure the BBC shield to the deck
by loosening the nuts or the bolts on the tabs (Fig. 27).
Rotate the tabs 180
_ to move them out of the way.
7. Remove the BBC shield and brush or blow all the
debris from under the shield and around the BBC
system.