Adjusting The Mower Deck; Cutting Blades - Husqvarna 966 553901-04 Operator's Manual

MAINTENANCE

Adjusting the Mower Deck

Leveling Deck
Adjust the deck while the mower is on a level
surface. Make sure the tires are inflated to
the correct pressure. See Tire Pressures in
Maintenance section. If tires are under or over
inflated, the deck cannot be properly adjusted.
Faulty mower deck adjustments will cause an
uneven mowing result.
Four bolts control the height and pitch of the
mower deck. Adjust the deck slightly higher in the
rear.
NOTE: To insure precision in the leveling
procedure, mower deck drive belt must be
installed prior to leveling the deck.
1. Wear heavy gloves. Turn each outer blade tip
to align with the deck side-to-side.
2. Measure from the floor surface up to the
bottom of the blade tip on the discharge side
of the mower deck. Record this measurement.
Move to the opposite side; check that
measurement is the same. If adjustment is
required, loosen the locknut and adjust the
bolt up until both side to side measurements
are equal. Retain measurement.
3. Turn both outer blades to align with the deck
front to rear. Reposition the rear mounting
bolts up or down until the rear blade tips are
positioned 1/8" to 3/8" higher in the rear than
the front blade tips.
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4. Confirm measurements once again. The
blade tip height must be equal side to side.
In the rear, the blade tips must be 1/8" to 3/8"
higher than the front measurement. In the
front, blade tips must be equal from side to
side.
NOTE: This will place the mower deck in a
standard measurement position. Depending on
the type of grass being mowed or environmental
conditions, more adjustments may be required to
get the desired cut.

Cutting Blades

To attain the best mowing effect, it is important
that blades are well sharpened and not damaged.
Replace blades that have been bent or cracked
when hitting obstacles.
Let the service workshop decide whether a blade
with large nicks can be repaired/ground or must
be replaced. Balance the blades after sharpening.
Check the blade mounts.
CAUTION! Blades are sharp. Protect
your hands with gloves and/or wrap blades with
a heavy cloth when handling.
The sharpening of blades should be
carried out by an authorized service
workshop.
Blade Replacement
1. Remove blade bolt by turning it counter
clockwise.
2. Install new or resharpened blade with
stamped GRASS SIDE facing towards
ground/grass (down) or THIS SIDE UP facing
deck and cutter housing.
3. Install and tighten blade bolt securely.
4. Torque blade bolt to 90 ft-lbs (122 Nm).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Special blade
bolt is heat treated. Replace with a Husqvarna
bolt if required. Do not use lower grade
hardware than specified.