Snapper 355Z Series Operator's Manual page 31

Sharpening theMower Blade
ACAUTION
Avoidinjury! Mower bladesare sharp.
• Alwayswear gloveswhen handlingthe mower
blades.
• Alwayswear safety eye protectionwhen grinding.
1. Sharpenthe mower blades with grinder, hand file, or
electric blade sharpener.
2. Sharpenthe mower blade by removing an equal amount
of material from each end of the mower blade.
3. Keepthe original bevel (A, Figure 28) when grinding. DO
NOTchangethe mower blade bevel.
4. The mower blade should havea maximum 1/64" (0,40
mm) cutting edge (B) or less.
5. Balancethe mower blades before installing.
Balancingthe Mower Blades
,ACAUTION
Avoidinjury! Keep mower bladesbalanced.
• An unbalancedmower blade can create excessive
vibration and damage the unit or cause mower blade
failure.
1. Cleanthe mower blade to remove any dried grass or
other debris.
2. See Figure29. Put the mower blade on a nail in a vise
and turn the mower blade to the horizontal position.
3. Checkthe balanceof the mower blade. If either end of
the mower blade moves downward, sharpen the heavy
end until the mower blade is balanced. See Sharpening
the Mower Bladesfor proper sharpening instructions.
4. Repeatthe process until the mower blade remains in the
horizontal position.
Reinstalling the Mower Blades
, WARNING
For yourpersonalsafety, each mower blade mounting
bolt must be installed with a hex/splinewasher and
springwasher,then securelytightened. Torquemower
blade mountingboltto 45-55 ft. Ibs. (61-75 Nm).
1. Reinstall each mower blade with the air lifts pointing up
towards the mower deck as shown in Figure30. Wedge
a wooden block betweenthe mower blade and the
mower deck housing, and secure the mower blade with
the mower blade mounting bolt, spring washer and
spline washer (A, B & E, Figure30) and torque to 45-55
ft. Ibs. (61-75 Nm).
!
®
Figure 28, Sharpening the Mower Blade
A, Mower Blade Bevel
B. Mower Blade Cutting Edge
Figure29, Balancing the Mower Blade
A. Nail
Figure 30. Tightening the Mower Blade for Installation
A, Mower Blade Mounting Bolt
B. Spring Washer
C. Mower BladeAir Lift (Instafl With Points Up)
D, 4 X 4 WoodenBlock
E. Spline Washer
¢"D
29