Removing The Blades - Toro 74408 Operator's Manual

Figure 55
40 inch Mower
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 1/16 inch (1.5 mm). If this dimension
exceeds 1/16 inch (1.5 mm), the blade is bent
and must be replaced; refer to Removing the
Blades and Installing the Blades.
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
nonconformance with safety standards.
2. Position A
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 58).
Sharpening the Blades
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 56). Maintain the
original angle. The blade retains its balance if
the same amount of material is removed from
both cutting edges.
Figure 56
1. Sharpen at original angle
2. Check the balance of the blade by putting it on
a blade balancer (Figure 57). 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 the sail area only
(Figure 58). Repeat this procedure until the
blade is balanced.
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