Sharpening & Balancing The Blades - Simplicity 5211 Operator's Manual

Normal Care
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 bare 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.
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).
Figure 21. Balancing Blade
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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