Cub Cadet PRO Z 972S KW Operation Manual - Page 25

Sharpening the Blades 1. Set the parking brake. 2. Clean any debris from the blades. Keep blades sharp and free of build up at all times. 3. To properly sharpen the cutting blades, remove equal amounts of metal from both ends of the blades along the cutting edges, parallel to the trailing edge, at a 25°-30° angle. Always grind each cutting blade edge equally to maintain proper blade balance. See Figure 4-20. Figure 4-20 WARNING If a blade is bent or otherwise damaged, replace the blade with a new one. Use only original equipment blades. WARNING A poorly balanced blade will cause excessive vibration, may damage the machine and/or result in personal injury. 4. Test the blade's balance using a blade balancer. Grind metal from the heavy side until it balances evenly. Note: When replacing the blade, be sure to install the blade with the side of the blade marked ''Bottom'' or "Grass Side" (or with a part number stamped in it) facing the ground when the mower is in the operating position. WARNING Use a torque wrench to tighten the blade spindle hex flange nut to between 100 lbs-ft and 130 lbs-ft. Changing the Spindle Assembly 1. Remove the deck as instructed in the Deck Removal section on page 24. 2. Jack up the front of the mowing deck about one foot and block it in that position. 3. Remove the deck cover. 4. Remove the drive belts. See Replacing the Deck belt on page 26. 5. Remove the blade. See Replacing the Blades on page 26. 6. Remove the hex lock screw (a) and flat washer (b) securing the spindle pulley (c)to the spindle assembly (d). See Figure 4-21. (a) (b) (c) (e) (f) (g) (f) (d) Figure 4-21 7. Remove the six (6) flange lock nuts (e) securing the spindle assembly (d) and the two support plates (f) to the deck shell (g). See Figure 4-21. 8. Reverse the process to install the spindle assembly. When installing the new spindle assembly be sure to install the hardware exactly as shown in Figure 4-21. Torque the hex lock screws (a) to 70-90 ft-lbs. and the flange lock nuts (e) to 21-32 ft-lbs. Changing the Transmission Drive Belt Several components must be removed and special tools used in order to change the tractor's transmission drive belt. See your Cub Cadet dealer to have the transmission drive belt replaced. Tractor Creeping Creeping is the slight forward or backward movement of the mower when the throttle is on and the speed control pedals are in the neutral position. If your mower creeps, see your Cub Cadet service dealer. Troubleshooting Excessive vibration 1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. • Tighten blade and spindle. 2. Damaged or bent cutting blade. • Replace blade. Uneven Cut 1. Deck not properly leveled. • Perform side-to-side deck adjustment. 2. Cutting blade dull or damaged. • Sharpen or replace cutting blade. 3. Uneven tire pressure. • Check and correct tire pressure in all four tires. Mower will not mulch grass. 1. Engine speed too low. • Place throttle in FAST (rabbit) position. 2. Wet grass. • Do not mulch when grass is wet. 3. Excessively high grass. • Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting swath. 4. Dull blade. • Sharpen or replace blade. Engine fails to start 1. PTO/Blade engaged. • Place blade engage lever in disengaged (OFF) position. 2. Blown fuse. • Replace fuse(s) 3. Parking brake not engaged. • Engage parking brake. 4. See Engine Operator's Manual. Section 4 - Product Care 25