Sharpening & Balancing The Blades - Simplicity 5216 Operator's Manual

CLEAN, SHARPEN & BALANCE
BLADES
1. Remove the mower from the tractor.
2. Position the mower as in figure 20.
Secure the mower so it will not fall or
slide.
^^WARNING
Do not handle the sharp mower blades
with hare hands. Avoid touching the
cutting edge. Careless or improper
handling of blades may result in ser¬
ious injury.
3. Remove any dirt or foreign matter from
inside the mower deck and blade.
4. To remove the blade for sharpening use
a wooden block to hold blade while
removing the capscrew (figure 20).
5. Use a file to sharpen blade to fine edge.
Remove all nicks and dents in blade
edge. If blade is severely damaged, it
should be replaced.
Normal Care
6. Check and balance blade. Use a balanc¬
ing machine or the fixture shown in
figure 21. Center the blade on a nail
lubricated with a drop of oil. A balanc¬
ed blade will remain level. File material
off heavier end of blade until it is
balanced.
^^WARNING
Blade mounting capscrews must be
installed with the cup washer and
spline washer and then securely tight¬
ened. Torque blade mounting cap¬
screws to 50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m).
7. Reinstall each blade with the tabs point¬
ing up toward deck and secure with a
capscrew, cup washer, and spline wash¬
er. Be sure all splines are aligned and
washer is flush against blade. Use a
wooden block to prevent blade rotation
and torque capscrew to 50 ft. lbs. (68
N.m) (figure 22).
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