Sharpening Metal Blades - Echo SRM-225 Operator's Manual

MAINTENANCE

Sharpening Metal Blades

Three styles of metal blades are approved for use on the ECHO
Brush Cutter. The 8-tooth blade can be sharpened during
normal maintenance. The clearing blade and 80 tooth blade
require professional service.
Before sharpening, CLOSELY inspect blade for cracks (look at
the bottom of each tooth and the center mounting hole closely),
missing teeth and bending. If ANY of these problems are
discovered, replace the blade.
When sharpening a blade, always remove the same amount of
materials from each tooth to maintain balance. A blade that is not balanced will cause unsafe handling due
to vibration and can result in blade failure.
1. File each tooth at a 30 degree angle a specific number of
times, eg. 4 strokes per tooth. Work your way around the
blade until all teeth are sharp.
2. DO NOT file the 'gullet' (radius) of the tooth with the flat file.
The radius must remain. A sharp corner will lead to a crack
and blade failure.
If an electric grinder is used, use care not to overheat teeth, do
not allow tips/tooth to glow red or turn blue. DO NOT place
blade in cooling water. This will change the temper of the blade and could result in blade failure.
3. After sharpening teeth, check each tooth radius for evidence
of a square (sharp) corner. Use the round (rat tail) file to
renew the radius.
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SRM-225
X7722271108
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