Removing The Blades - Toro 74266 Operator's Manual

2. Inspect the blades, especially the curved area
(Figure 85).
If you notice any damage, wear, or a slot forming in
this area (Figure 85), immediately install a new blade.
Checking for Bent Blades
1. Disengage the PTO, move the motion control levers to
the neutral locked position and set the parking brake.
2. Stop the engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving
parts to stop before leaving the operating position.
3. Rotate the blades until the ends face forward and
backward (Figure 86). Measure from a level surface to
the cutting edge, position A, of the blades (Figure 86).
Note this dimension.
Figure 86
1. Measure here from blade
to hard surface
4. Rotate the opposite ends of the blades forward.
5. Measure from a level surface to the cutting edge
of the blades at the same position as in step 3
above. The difference between the dimensions
obtained in steps 3 and 4 must not exceed 1/8 inch
(3 mm). If this dimension exceeds 1/8 inch
(3 mm), the blade is bent and must be replaced;
refer to Removing the Blades (page 58) and
Installing the Blades (page 59).
2. Position A
WARNING
A blade that is bent or damaged could break
apart and could seriously injure or kill you or
bystanders.
• Always replace bent or damaged blade
with a new blade.
• Never file or create sharp notches in the
edges or surfaces of blade.

Removing the Blades

Blades must be replaced if a solid object is hit, if the blade is
out of balance or is bent. To ensure optimum performance
and continued safety conformance of the machine, use
genuine TORO replacement blades. Replacement blades
made by other manufacturers may result in non-conformance
with safety standards.
WARNING
Contact with a sharp blade can cause serious injury.
Wear gloves or wrap sharp edges of the blade with
a rag.
1. Hold the blade end using a rag or thickly-padded glove.
2. Remove the blade bolt, spring disk and blade from the
spindle shaft (Figure 89).
Sharpening the Blades
WARNING
When sharpening blade, pieces of blade could be
thrown and cause serious injury.
Wear proper eye protection when sharpening blade.
1. Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends of
the blade (Figure 87). Maintain the original angle. The
blade retains its balance if the same amount of material
is removed from both cutting edges.
1. Sharpen at original angle
2. Check the balance of the blade by putting it on a blade
balancer (Figure 88). If the blade stays in a horizontal
position, the blade is balanced and can be used. If the
blade is not balanced, file some metal off the end of
58
Figure 87