Servicing The Cutting Blades; Inspecting The Blades - Toro 74179 Operator's Manual

If you leave the key in the ignition switch, someone could accidently start the engine and
seriously injure you or other bystanders.
Remove the key from the ignition and disconnect the wire from the spark plug(s) before you do
any maintenance. Set the wire aside so that it does not accidentally contact the spark plug.

Servicing the Cutting Blades

Maintain sharp blades throughout the cutting season
because sharp blades cut cleanly without tearing or
shredding the grass blades. Tearing and shredding turns
grass brown at the edges, which slows growth and increases
the chance of disease.
Check the cutter blades daily for sharpness, and for any
wear or damage. File down any nicks and sharpen the
blades as necessary. If a blade is damaged or worn, replace
it immediately with a genuine Toro replacement blade. For
convenient sharpening and replacement, you may want to
keep extra blades on hand.
Danger
A worn or damaged blade can break, and a piece
of the blade could be thrown into the operator's or
bystander's area, resulting in serious personal
injury or death.
Inspect the blade periodically for wear or
damage.
Replace a worn or damaged blade.
Before Inspecting or Servicing the Blades
Park the machine on a level surface, disengage the blade
control (PTO) and set the parking brake. Turn the ignition
key to Off. Remove the key and disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) from the spark plug(s).

Inspecting the Blades

1. Inspect the cutting edges (Fig. 25). If the edges are not
sharp or have nicks, remove and sharpen the blades;
refer to Sharpening the Blades, page 28.
2. Inspect the blades, especially the curved area (Fig. 25).
If you notice any damage, wear, or a slot forming in this
area (item 3 in Fig. 25), immediately install a new
blade.
Caution
1. Cutting edge
2. Curved area
Checking for Bent Blades
1. Rotate the blades until the ends face forward and
backward (Fig. 26). Measure from a level surface to the
cutting edge of the blades (Fig. 27). Note this
dimension.
27
1
2
Figure 25
3. Wear/slot forming
Front
m–1078
Figure 26
3
m–151