Installing The Blade; Removing The Blade; Sharpening The Blade; Balancing The Blade - Toro 22196 Operator's Manual

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.
DANGER
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 35).

Sharpening the Blade

Service Interval: Every 50 hours
File the top side of the blade to maintain its original
cutting angle (Figure 36A) and inner cutting edge radius
(Figure 36B). 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 37).
Figure 36
here.
Figure 37
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 Toro blade, the accelerator,
the anti-scalp cup, and the blade nuts. The sail of
the blade must point toward the top of the mower
housing for proper installation. Torque the blade
nuts to 15 to 27 ft-lb (20 to 37 N-m).
WARNING
Operating the 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 mower without the
accelerator.
2. Return the mower to its operating position.
3. Connect the wire to the spark plug.
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