Ariens 988811 Owner's Manual page 27

Remove Mower Blades
WARNING: Sharp edges can cut.
Moving parts can cut off fingers or a
hand. Wrap blade(s), wear sturdy
gloves and use extreme caution
when servicing. On multi-blade
mowers, rotation of one blade will
cause all blades to rotate.
1. Turn the engine off. Remove the ignition
key. Remove the ignition wire from the
spark plugs.
2. Block the blades with a wooden block to
prevent blade rotation.
3. Remove the bolts, blades and spacers
from the spindle shafts.
Replace Mower Blades
1. Install the spacers, blades, and bolts on
the spindle shafts.
2. Block blades with a wooden block to
prevent blade rotation.
3. Tighten each blade bolt to a torque of
120 lbf-ft (163 N•m).
4. Replace ignition wire on spark plugs.
1
2
1. Spacers (Number will vary based on
cutting height.)
2. Blade
3. Blade Bolt
Figure 19
Sharpen the Mower Blades
Figure 18.
1. Remove mower blade from unit.
Discard mower blade if:
•
•
•
2. Sharpen mower blade by removing an
3. Check mower blade balance.
4. Install mower blade(s) on unit (See
Replacing Mower Spindle Bearings
1. Turn the engine off. Remove the ignition
2. Remove mower blade.
3. Remove nut, flat washer, spacer and
4. Remove spindle shaft, lower bearing
5. Remove and discard upper bearing.
6. Clean entire assembly.
3
7. Install a new lower bearing and spacer
IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! The clearance
between the lower bearing and the housing is
only .002 in (.05 mm). Do not force bearing
into housing.
8. Install the spindle shaft, lower bearing
9. Install the upper bearing.
10. Install spacer.
11. Install pulley and nut. Tighten nut to 85
GB - 27
CAUTION: DO NOT sharpen
mower blades while on unit. An
unbalanced mower blade will
cause excessive vibration and
eventual damage to unit. Check
mower blade balance before
reinstalling blades.
NEVER weld or straighten bent
blades.
More than 1/2 in. (1.27 cm) of metal is
removed.
Air lifts become eroded.
Blade is bent or broken.
equal amount of material from each end
of mower blade. DO NOT change angle
of cutting edge or round the corner of the
mower blade.
Slide mower blade on an unthreaded
bolt. A balanced blade should remain in
a horizontal position. If either end of
mower blade moves downward, sharpen
the heavy end until blade is balanced.
Replace Mower Blades on page 27).
key. Remove the ignition wire from the
spark plugs.
pulley.
and spacer from spindle housing.
Discard bearing.
on the spindle shaft.
and spacer into the spindle housing.
lbf-ft (115 N•m).