Mower Blade Maintenance; Mower Blade Removal - HUSTLER Super Mini Z Parts Manual

control levers in the park brake position immediately.
Inspect the machine and involve your Hustler dealer to
resolve the problem before continuing to operate.
Inspect the belt pulley grooves and flanges for wear. A new belt, or
one in good condition, should never run against the bottom of the groove.
Replace the pulley when this is the case, otherwise belt will lose power and
slip excessively.
Never pry a belt to get it on a pulley as this will cut or damage the
fibers of the belt covering.
Keep oil and grease away from belts, and never use belt dressings.
Any of these will destroy the belt composition in a very short time.

Mower blade maintenance

Check the mower blades daily, they are the key to power efficiency and
well groomed turf. Keep them sharp, a dull blade will tear rather than cut
the grass, leaving a brown ragged top on the grass within a few hours. A
dull blade also requires more power from the engine.
Replace any blade which is bent, cracked or broken.
WARNING: Never attempt to straighten a bent blade by heating,
or weld a cracked or broken blade as the blade may break and
cause serious injury.
DANGER: Never work with blades while engine is running or
deck clutch is engaged. Always place deck clutch in the
disengaged position, engage parking brake and neutral lock
levers and turn engine off. Block up mower when you must
work under it. Wear gloves when handling blades. Always
check for blade damage if mower strikes rock, branch or other
foreign object during mowing!

Mower blade removal

Use a 15/16" wrench to remove the 5/8" cap screw holding the blade to
the spindle shaft from underneath.
Sharpen the blades on a grinder following pattern as shown (Fig. 11-
16). Touch-up sharpening can be done with a file.
Check the blades for balance following grinding. A commercial
balancing tool is available through most hardware supply stores, or
balancing can be done by placing the blade on an inverted line punch or
5/8" bolt. Blade should not lean or tilt. Spin the blade slowly, blade should
not wobble. If blade is out of balance, true it up before reinstalling.
Lay the blade on a flat surface and check for distortion (Fig. 11-17 and
11-18). Replace any distorted blade.
Do not re-use spindle bolts which have stripped, worn or undercut
threads. Torque bolts to 118 foot-pounds when reinstalling blades.
WARNING: When mounting blades, rotate them after
installation to ensure blade tips do not touch each other or sides
of the mower.
WARNING: Failure to correctly torque the bolt may result in the
loss of the blade which can cause serious injury.
WARNING: Mower blades are sharp and can cut. Wrap the
blade(s) or wear gloves and use extra caution when servicing
them.
Do not sharpen to original pattern (below).
It is easier to get a straight cutting edge following
the resharpening pattern shown above.
Warped Blade (Replace)
Straight Blade
Comparison of Warped and Straight Blades
Cutting Edge
Cutting Plane
Cutting Edge
End view of blades, comparing
twisted and straighten blades.
11-14
Resharpening Pattern
Original Edge
Figure 11-16
Figure 11-17
Twisted Blade Edge
(Replace)
Straight Blade Edge
Figure 11-18
302620 8/06
Cutting
Plane