Gravely PRO-24 HW Owner's/Operator's Manual page 20

SERVICE POSITION
Put unit into service position for easy access
to underneath the deck.
CAUTION: Avoid fuel spills. Follow
steps below to help prevent fuel
spills. If fuel leaks into air cleaner,
replace air cleaner. ALWAYS clean
up any spilled fuel.
1. Stop engine, wait for all moving parts to
stop and hot parts to cool.
2. Place unit on a flat, level surface.
3. Disconnect spark plug wire from spark
plug.
4. Remove fuel cap, place a piece of
plastic bag over the opening and tighten
cap securely.
5. Tip unit onto left side, opposite the
discharge opening.
Make sure unit is secure and will not tip
over.
IMPORTANT: After service is complete and
unit is upright, remove plastic from fuel cap
and connect spark plug wire to spark plug.
CHECK MOWER BLADE
Check blade mounting: blade must be secure
and bolt torqued to 187 – 253 lb-ft (254 –
343 N•m). Bolt should fully compress lock
washer.
Check blade for nicks and dull cutting edges.
Sharpen if necessary.
Check blade for rounded or broken ends,
thinned metal or other damage. Replace if
necessary.
CAUTION: Mower blades are
sharp and can cut you. Wrap the
blades or wear gloves, and use
extra caution when servicing
them.
Remove Mower Blade
1. Place mower in the Service Position.
See SERVICE POSITION on page 20.
2. Block blade to prevent rotation.
3. Remove lock nut, flat washer and blade
from shaft.
Install Mower Blade
NOTE: Ensure blade air lift points upward.
See Figure 20.
1. Replace blade, flat washer and lock nut
on shaft.
2. Torque lock nut to 187 – 253 lb-ft (254 –
343 N•m).
3. Connect spark plug wire to spark plug.
Sharpening Mower Blades
CAUTION: DO NOT sharpen
mower blades while on unit. An
imbalanced mower blade will
cause excessive vibration and
eventual damage to unit. Check
mower blade balance before
reinstalling blades.
NEVER weld or straighten bent
blades.
CAUTION: Mower blades are
sharp and can cut you. Wrap the
blades or wear gloves, and use
extra caution when servicing
them.
1. Remove mower blade from unit. See
Remove Mower Blade on page 20.
Discard mower blade if:
• More than 1/2 in. (1.27 cm) of metal is
removed. See Figure 20.
• Air lifts become eroded.
• Blade is bent or broken.
2. Sharpen mower blade by removing an
equal amount of material from each end
of mower blade. Blade should be
sharpened back at an angle from the
center to the outside tip. DO NOT
change vertical angle of cutting edge or
round corner of mower blade. See
Figure 20.
GB - 20