Toro 20351 Quality Guide - Page 31

Checking and Adjusting the Blade Level 38- and 44-inch (96.5 and 111.7cm) Cutting Units On mowers with multiple blades, not only do the blades need to be a minimum of 1/8 inch up from the bottom edge of the housing, but they must also line up where the tips come together. Take the two blade tips and point them towards each other. They must be within 1/8-3/16 inch of level with each other, or both must be the same distance from the blade to the ground (Figure 48). To check for a bent spindle, remove the belt and spin the blade spindle. Look at the center; if it rotates in a tight circle, the spindle is not bent. If the center appears to wobble, the spindle is bent and should be replaced. Yet another way to check this with the blades attached is to align the blades (two blades at a time on three blade mowers), then run a string across the cutting tips of the blades. The string should be straight. If it is not, the blade or spindle could be bent. If the saddles or blades do not line up and the spindles are not bent, a shim between the spindle housing and the mower housing may help align them. Loosen the spindle to mower housing bolts and insert shim washers until the saddles are in line (Figure 50). Then, if you used washers to shim the spindle housing, remove the bolt and reassemble through the washer to secure it. Figure 48 XL2bS2S.TIF 1. Blade side to side 2. Outside cutting edges 3. Measure here An alternate way to check this is to remove the mower housing and turn it over. Remove both blades and lay a straight edge on both blade saddles (Figure 49). It should lie flat. If not, either the spindle or the housing where the spindle mounts may be bent. Figure 50 MVC-732X.JPG Figure 49 altbltrk.TIF Service Dealer's Guide to Great Quality of Cut 4 - 15