Mower Belt Maintenance; Installing Blades - Exmark Quest 4500-450 Operator's Manual

Maintenance
Figure 35
1. Blade
2. Washer
3. Bolt and washer assembly. Apply lubricant to
threads—torque to 32-42 ft-lb (43-57 N-m).
Sharpening the Blades
1. Use a file to sharpen the cutting edge at both ends
of the blade (Figure 36). Maintain the original
angle. The blade retains its balance if the same
amount of material is removed from both cutting
edges.
Figure 36
1. Sharpen at original angle
2. Check the balance of the blade by putting it on a
blade balancer (Figure 37). 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 37).
Repeat this procedure until the blade is balanced.
Figure 37
1. Blade
Installing the Blades
1. Install the blade onto the spindle shaft (Figure 35).
2. Balancer
Important: The curved part of the blade
must be pointing upward toward the inside of
the mower to ensure proper cutting.
2. Hold the blade end using a rag or thickly-padded
glove (or place a wrench on the top sheave nut).
Apply lubricant to the threads of the blade bolt
as needed to prevent seizing. Copper based
anti-seize is preferable. Grease is an acceptable
substitute. Install the washer and blade bolt and
washer assembly.
3. Torque the blade bolt to 32-42 ft-lb (43-57 N-m).
WARNING
Incorrect installation of the blade or
components used to retain the blade cause
the blade to come loose and could seriously
injure or kill you or bystanders.
Always install the original Exmark blades,
washers and blade bolts as shown.

Mower Belt Maintenance

Inspecting the Belts
Service Interval: Every 25 hours/Monthly
Check the belts for cracks, frayed edges, burn marks,
or any other damage. Replace damaged belts.
Replacing the Mower Belt
Squealing when the belt is rotating, blades slipping
when cutting grass, frayed belt edges, burn marks,
and cracks are signs of a worn mower belt. Replace
the mower belt if any of these conditions are evident.
1. Park the machine on a level surface and disengage
the blade control switch.
2. Move the motion control levers outward to the
neutral position, engage parking brake, stop the
engine, remove the key, and wait for all moving
parts to stop before leaving the operating position.
3. Set the height-of-cut at 1-1/2 inch (38 mm).
4. For 48 and 52 inch decks only, remove the belt
covers over the outside spindles.
5. Grasp both belt strands going to the clutch. Pull
them to the rear of the machine and slip the belt
40
(whichever comes first)