Service; Cleaning And General Maintenance; Deck Flip-Up Procedure (Service Position); Mower Blade Removal & Installation - Ventrac LM600 Operator Manual & Illustrated Parts List

Always shut off the engine, remove the ignition
key, and set the parking brake before checking
mower deck or blade condition, or attempting
any repair or adjustment.
Attention
If any component requires replacement, use only
original Ventrac replacement parts.

Cleaning and General Maintenance

For best results, and to maintain the finish of the
mower, clean or wash the mower to remove accu-
mulated clippings, leaves, and dirt when the job is
finished. Refer to the "Deck Flip-up procedure" in the
service section to access the underside of the deck.
If washing the deck, do not spray directly into bearings
or seals. After washing, it is important to run the mower
so that water does not reside on seals of bearings for
the drive system. When washing is complete, return
the deck to the operating position and activate the PTO
for 30 seconds to remove any standing water.

Deck Flip-Up Procedure (Service Position)

1. Park the power unit and mower deck on a
smooth, level surface.
2. Raise the power unit front hitch to its highest
position.
3. Set the parking brake, shut off the engine, and
remove the ignition key.
4. Adjust the mower deck height to the lowest cut-
ting height position.
5. Lift the mower deck shield and remove the 2) ball
pins (A) that lock the hitch arms from pivoting.
A
6. Lift the mower deck up to a near vertical position

SERVICE

SERVICE
and reinstall the ball pins to lock the deck in the
upright position.
7. To return the deck to the operating position,
remove the 2) ball pins and lower the deck to
the ground. Reinstall the ball pins and lower the
mower deck shield into place.
Mower Blade Removal & Installation
Mower blades may be sharp. Always wear
safety glasses, leather gloves, and a long
sleeve shirt when working with mower blades.
1. Rotate the mower deck up to the service position
following the deck flip-up procedure.
2. Place a short piece of 2 x 4 wood between the
end of the blade and an appropriate structural
part of the underside of the deck to prevent the
blade from rotating.
3. Loosen the blade bolt counterclockwise and
remove the blade for sharpening or replacement.
4. When installing a blade, the wood block must be
placed on the opposite side to prevent rotation
for tightening the blade bolt.
5. Tighten the blade bolt to 75-80 ft. lbs.

Sharpening Blades

Blades should be sharpened and balanced by a pro-
fessional. Maintain balance, same bevel, and length
of sharpened surface.

Deck Belt Inspection

Inspecting the drive belts of the mower can prevent
sudden belt failure by finding problems before they
cause a belt to break. Typical wear on a drive belt
may result in the conditions shown in the diagram.
A
If any of these conditions occur, the drive belt will
require replacement.
Service - 19