Blade Maintenance; Maintaining The Blade - Toro 22196 Operator's Manual

Blade Maintenance

Maintaining the Blade

Always mow with a sharp blade. A sharp blade cuts
cleanly and without tearing or shredding the grass blades.
1. Stop the engine and wait for all moving parts to stop.
2. Disconnect the wire from the spark plug.
3. Drain the gasoline from the fuel tank.
4. Tip the mower onto its left side (air cleaner
up)(Figure 31).
Figure 31
1. Blade
2. Blade nuts
Inspecting the Blade
Service Interval: Before each use or daily
Carefully examine the blade for sharpness and wear,
especially where the flat and the curved parts meet
(Figure 32A). Because sand and abrasive material can
wear away the metal that connects the flat and curved
parts of the blade, check the blade before using the
mower. If you notice a slot or wear (Figure 32B and C),
replace the blade; refer to Removing the Blade.
Figure 32
1. Sail
2. Flat part of the blade
3. Accelerator
3. Wear
4. Slot formed
Note: For the best performance, install a new blade
before the cutting season begins. During the year, file
down any small nicks to maintain the cutting edge.
A worn or damaged blade can break, and a
piece of the blade could be thrown into the
operator's or bystander's area, resulting in
serious personal injury or death.
• Inspect the blade periodically for wear or
damage.
• Replace a worn or damaged blade.
Removing the Blade
1. Grasp the end of the blade using a rag or a thickly
padded glove.
2. Remove the blade nuts, the accelerator, and the blade
(Figure 32).
Sharpening the Blade
Service Interval: Every 50 hours
File the top side of the blade to maintain its original
cutting angle (Figure 33A) and inner cutting edge radius
(Figure 33B). The blade will remain balanced if you
remove the same amount of material from both cutting
edges.
1. Sharpen at this angle only. 2. Maintain the original radius
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 (Figure 34).
24
Figure 33
here.
Figure 34