Blade - Toro Carefree E24 Operator's Manual

IMPORTANT: Do not use metal objects to
clean around battery. If metal objects contact
the positive and negative posts at the same
time, this could short the battery. The battery
or conductor may overheat and cause burns.
Check for any discolored or charred wires and
battery and switch contacts. If any are damaged,
see your Authorized Toro Service Dealer for
repairs.

Blade

Always mow with a sharp blade. A sharp blade cuts
cleanly and without tearing or shredding the grass
blades like a dull blade.
POTENTIAL HAZARD
Motor could be started by someone
accidentally.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
Accidental starting of motor could cause
serious injury to operator or bystanders.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Do not attempt to inspect, remove or
replace blade without first removing the
key from the plug receptacle.
1. Stop motor and wait for all moving parts to stop.
Remove key from plug receptacle.
2. Tip mower on its side (Fig. 19).
3. EXAMINING BLADE – Carefully examine
blade for sharpness and wear, especially where
flat and curved parts meet (Fig. 20A). Since sand
and abrasive material can wear away the metal
that connects the flat and curved parts of the
blade, check blade before using the mower. If a
slot or wear is noticed (Fig. 20B & 20C), replace
blade. Refer to step 5.
Note: For best performance, install new blade
before cutting season begins. During
the year, file down small nicks to
maintain the cutting edge.
POTENTIAL HAZARD
A worn or damaged blade could break and
a piece of blade could be thrown in
operator's or bystander's direction.
WHAT CAN HAPPEN
A thrown piece of blade could cause serious
personal injury or death to operator or
bystanders.
HOW TO AVOID THE HAZARD
Inspect blade periodically for wear or
damage.
Replace a worn or damaged blade.
4. REMOVING BLADE–Grasp end of blade using
a rag or thickly padded glove. Remove blade
bolt, washer and blade (Fig. 21).
5. SHARPENING BLADE – Using a file, sharpen
top side of blade and maintain original cutting
angle (Fig. 22). The blade will remain balanced
if same amount of material is removed from both
cutting edges.
IMPORTANT: Check balance of blade by
putting it on a blade balancer. An inexpensive
balancer can be purchased at a hardware
store. A balanced blade stays in a horizontal
position and an unbalanced blade settles to
the heavy side. If blade is not balanced, file
more metal off cutting edge on heavy end of
blade.
6. Reinstall sharp, balanced blade, washer and
blade bolt. Sail part of blade must point toward
top of mower housing to ensure correct
installation. Washer is curved and must be
reinstalled with curve side down as shown in
Figure 21. Tighten blade bolt to 35-40 ft-lb
(48-54 N m).
EN–12