Cub Cadet 23HP Z-Force 60 - Manual (Page 17)

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WARNING:
Never mow with dull blades! Blades that are bent
should be replaced! The cutting blades are sharp
and can cause severe injury. Wrap the cutting sur-
face of the blade with a rag to avoid injury.
3. Sharpening the Blade:
a. Set the parking brake.
b. Clean any debris from the blades. Keep blades
sharp and free of build up at all times.
c. Sharpen blades evenly at the original 30° angle
to maintain balanced cutting blades. Do not
sharpen the underside of the blades. Use a elec-
tric blade sharpener, a conventional electric
grinder or a hand file to sharpen the blades.
d. Replace any blade with severe nicks or dents
that cannot be removed by filing.
e. Check the balance of the blade after sharpening
by placing it on a blade balancer. Do not use
un-balanced blades.
f. If the blade dips on one end, file stock off of
the cutting surface on that end.
Note:
Blades that cannot be easily balanced—
REPLACE.
4. Changing the Blade Drive Belts:
a. Set the parking brake. Remove ignition key
and both spark plug caps.
b. Unscrew the wing nuts from the deck covers
and remove both covers.
c. Using a 3/8" socket breaker bar or socket
ratchet insert the drive end into the 3/8" square
opening in the lower idler arm assembly and
push the idler arm counterclockwise. While
holding the idler arm back, loosen the blade
drive belt from the pulley and slide the belt
away from the pulley.
d. Remove tension of the PTO belt by moving the
belt tensioning rod. Loosen the belt retaining
bolt.
e. Pull the tensioner pulley away from the belt
and remove the PTO belt then remove the blade
drive belt.
f. Reverse the process to install the belt.
Note:
When replacing belts do not overtighten.
Adjust the idler pulley so that a ten-pound pull with
a spring scale between two pulleys deflects the belt
about 1/2".
5. Changing the Spindle Assembly
a. Jack up the front of the mowing deck about one
foot and block it in that position.
b. Make sure the blade clutch is disengaged.
c. Remove the deck cover.
d. Remove the drive belts. (See 3. Changing
Blade Drive Belts.)
e. Remove the cutter blade. (See 2. Changing a
Blade.)
f. Using a wrench or socket ratchet remove four
hex nuts, and the four hex head cap screws.
Remove the spindle assembly.
g. Reverse the process to install the spindle
assembly.
C.Hydrostatic Drive System
1. Your zero turn riding mower is equipped with dual
integrated hydrostatic pumps, motors, and planetary
gear reduction transaxles that are sealed and do not
require service, maintenance, or adjustments.
Figure 8
Spindle